The British High Commission in Banjul, would, effective October 28, introduce a new visa or entry clearance application form, this paper can reveal.

Addressing a press conference at the British High Commission in Fajara yesterday, the Director of U.K visa, Mark Sedwill, said the reason for the introduction of new visa application form is to make things easier for applicants in filling their forms.

According to Mr. Sedwill, the new form would help in the simplification of things and is intended to encourage applicants such as students, business travellers, tourists, among others.

To Mr. Sedwill, this latest development will help Britain to maintain and enhance their position as a destination of choice for high value legitimate travellers in an increasingly competitive global market.

He noted that the new form would help in identifying ‘high risk’ applications and ‘low risk’ applications for ‘high value’ customers who play vital role in boosting Britain’s economy, adding that there are eight standard application forms for each type of travellers and three for diplomats.

Also addressing the press conference, the deputy British High Commissioner to The Gambia and Entry Clearance Manager, Ms. Jenny M. Fentou, said the British High Commission will endeavour harder to deliver excellent services at all times.

She said that an opinion poll had revealed that 95% of applicants are quite satisfied with ‘our performance’.

Ms. Jenny announced that people, who had previously travelled to the U.K and were never denied visa since their travel, would qualify for fast-track application.

She was however quick to warn that submission of falsified documents for acquisition of visa is a criminal offence and would be treated as such.

Mr. Paul Hailey, the Entry Clearance Officer and Ms. Emma Mamet, co-moderated the press conference.