Best Places to Travel to For Ghanaian Gamblers

Various gambling activities are legal and fully regulated in Ghana according to the Gaming Act 721 that has been in force since 2006. Licensing for all sorts of gambling venues, including online sports betting sites, online casinos, and land-based gambling establishments, is handled by the Ghana Gaming Commission that has been active since 2006. In the last ten years, the gambling industry in Ghana has gone through many positive changes and has witnessed rapid growth since numerous foreign online casino operators emerged on the scene.

When compared to other countries on the African continent, Ghana is definitely one of the most liberal countries when it comes to its gambling laws and regulations alongside South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria. While there are no exact numbers of Ghanaian gamblers, most resources suggest that over 45% of the entire adult population in the country engages in some forms of gambling activities regularly.

Ghana Gambling Scene

As estimated in 2020, Ghana is home to over 31 million people. The country has a large population of young people aged between nineteen and thirty-four, and these are individuals who are more familiar with online casinos and gambling activities in general. Unlike many other countries on the African continent that prohibit gambling, Ghana is very liberal. In Ghana, land-based casinos can operate legally for as long as they are licensed by the Ghana Gaming Commission.

As a result of lenient laws and regulations, the country is home to many land-based and online casinos that offer all sorts of online casino games, including table games, slots, poker, and much more. If you want to know more about online casinos serving Ghanaian players, visit this website. Here, you will find a detailed list of all the top online gambling sites in Ghana and other information regarding their gaming libraries, banking services, bonuses and promotions, and much more. Back to the gambling laws in Ghana, according to the Gaming Act 721 from 2006, gambling activities are divided into five different classes and these are:

Class One – Casinos
Class Two – Land-based and online sports betting sites
Class Three – Route operations
Class Four – Remote gaming and promotional gaming
Class Five – Interactive or mobile gaming

This means the Gaming Act 721 sets a very clear legal framework for all gambling operators in the country, and the legal framework in place details everything regarding licensing process, licensing conditions, submission requirements, and other compliance requirements. There are also data protection regulations in place in Ghana including the Data Protection Act 843 from 2012. The main regulatory body that enforces the Data Protection Act laws is the Data Protection Commission. The legal framework concerning the gambling scene in Ghana also enforces tax laws and regular payment controls alongside everything else.

Where to Travel in Ghana to Gamble?

The capital city of Ghana Accra has over six awesome land-based casinos and both foreigners and locals visit these gambling establishments. There are also four brick-and-mortar casinos situated in Kumasi and Tema, so visitors to Accra can never run out of amazing gambling opportunities. The most popular and most visited casinos in Accra are:

Piccadilly Casino
Millionaires Casino
Golden Dragon
La Palm Casino
Victoria Casino
Caesars Casino

Located at Dr Esther Ocloo St, Accra, Piccadilly Casino is one of the most popular gambling establishments in the capital city of Ghana. The casino has a rich selection of games, including table games, slots, and video poker, and the casino floor is open 24/7. There are several hotels located near the casino including Kempinski Hotel Gold Coast City with a spa center and outdoor pool and Kwarleyz Residence Accra situated close to the Airport area. Visitors to Piccadilly Casino can also stay in Accra City Hotel, located just two kilometers away from the casino.

Millionaires Casino is another ultimate gambling destination for all Ghanaians. Millionaires Casino is located at the iconic Golden Tulip hotel and it features everything gambling fans are looking for, including loads of classic table games, poker, and of course, slots. More specifically, Millionaires Casino has fifty-eight slot machines, while the main gaming floor is packed with eleven table games and three poker tables.

Situated in the Oxford Shopping Mall in the Osu area, Golden Dragon Casino is among the best Accra land-based casinos and one of the best destinations for Ghanaian gamblers. Even though its gaming floor is not as rich as you would expect, it still caters to fans of slot games, poker, and classic table games. There are fourteen gaming tables for Casino Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, Three-Card Poker, Blackjack, and American Roulette. There are also over eighty-one slot machines and fourteen Touch Bet Roulette tables.

Ghanaian gamblers looking for an amazing gambling destination in their country should also check out the iconic La Palm Casino situated at the luxurious La Palm Royal Beach Hotel. The hotel opened in 2003 and since these times, thousands of Ghanaian gamblers have visited not only to enjoy premium casino gaming but also to enjoy other amenities the hotel has, including a fitness center, pool bars, and first-class restaurants – Ghanaian Village, Continental Restaurant, and Royal Dragon Chinese Restaurant.

Victoria Casino is another first-class gambling establishment in Accra with everything included for the best land-based casino experience. The casino is located at the luxurious Frankie’s Hotel. The main gaming floor is quite spectacular with over one thousand and three hundred slot machines alongside video poker, and of course, classic table games. Here, Ghanaian gamblers can also bet on sports, play lottery games, and enjoy fine dining at many restaurants. The casino works twenty-four hours every day and accepts all visitors over the age of eighteen.

Caesars Casino has been serving Ghanaian gamblers since 2014. One of the most renowned international brands is also one of the leaders in the gaming and hospitality industry in Ghana. Visitors to Caesars Casino can try their luck on a number of casino games including Punto Banco, Blackjack, Roulette, and many different poker games. Caesars Casino houses a VIP poker room with Omaha and Texas Hold’em cash games and super exciting tournaments.

Alongside numerous casino games, visitors can also enjoy all types of dishes and beverages. The gambling establishment is also known for offering lucrative bonuses and promotions that poker players can benefit from. There are also many luxurious, first-class land-based casinos outside of Accra, but these six venues mentioned here are the most glamourous gambling destinations in the country.

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How to apply for a Schengen visa in Ghana

A Schengen visa permits the holder to travel through the schengen area for up to 90 days within a period of 180 days. 26 countries make up the Schengen area and they have their borders opened. Travelers do not pass through passport control.

Though schengen visa gives you access to all the member states, you are to obtain the visa from the country which you intend visiting first.

You can apply for a Schengen visa up to 90 days before your planned date of travel.

Travel within the schengen area is like a domestic trip from Accra to Kumasi. Only an ID is required but sometimes airlines check to see if you still have a valid schengen visa. When traveling from Paris to Frankfurt, not even my Passport was checked.

The Schengen States

Below are the member states of schengen where schengen visas allow travelers to pass freely.

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland

European countries that are not member of the Schengen States

Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Ireland
Romania
United Kingdom

Visa Requirement

The member states have uniform visa requirements except when you are visiting friends, family members or settling.

Below are the requirements for Schengen Visa:

General Requirements for all Schengen countries

Appointment confirmation; if the embassy requires you book an appointment in advance.
Completed and signed visa application form for Schengen visa. Most embassies prefer the signing date matches the date of submission.
1 recent passport picture with white background
Visa fee; payable in Ghana Cedis
Valid passport and 1 copy of the passport data page. It should have at least two blank pages for visa and stamps and must be valid for at least 6 months.
Previous passports, if any or available
Birth certificate
Flight reservation for round-trip (not a paid ticket)
Travel health insurance valid for all Schengen States. It’s always good for your insurance to exceed your intended number of days.
Proof of accommodation / hotel reservation. Learn how to book hotel to support visa application here.

11. Proof of sufficient financial means for intended stay

If you are paying for your trip yourself, personal bank statement for the past three to six months
If you will be sponsored by someone, READ HERE.
If costs will be covered by the host/institution, it should be indicated in the invitation letter. Each country has a special document/invitation letter where such undertaking is made. See the country specific requirements for more details (coming soon).

12. Proof of social and economic ties to country of residence

marriage certificate and birth certificates of dependent children, if applicable
current personal bank statements of the last 3 months
for children and students: official leave letter from school or university, including proof of paid school fees and reports
if employed: letter of introduction from employer and payslips of the last 3 months
if self-employed: business registration documents, tax clearance certificate, proof of active business (bills of lading, import declaration forms, invoices)

Minors

Applicants below 18 years of age are considered minors. If a minor is not accompanied by both parents: parental consent of both parents and copies of their passport/photo ID are required.

In case of sole parental custody, adequate proof has to be provided (e.g. court order, death certificate of other parent).

Additional requirements based on purpose of travel

Airport Transit

Visa/residence permit for final destination. It almost impossible to obtain a transit visa when your final destination is a visa-free country.
Proof of purpose of trip to country of final destination (e.g. invitation letter)

Business

Signed invitation letter from inviting company
Proof of inviting company is registered
Verifiable proof of business with inviting company or proof of down payment, if applicable
Letter from company in country of residence stating purpose of trip

Visit

Signed invitation letter and copy of host’s passport and residence permit. Invitation letters vary depending on member state. Details on how to obtain invitation letters from various countries will be published on Jetsanza.com soon.

Proof of family relation (e.g. birth certificate), if applicable

If purpose of trip is attending a funeral: additionally death certificate of the deceased and confirmation of appointment from the funeral home

Tourism

Travel itinerary. See sample here.

Medical Treatment

Letter from local doctor stating diagnosis
Letter from foreign hospital/doctor stating agreement to treat patient and expected duration
of treatment.
Overview of estimated costs of surgery/treatment.
Proof of sufficient financial means for treatment and costs of living during the stay
Proof of advance payment of at least 50% – receipt from foreign hospital/doctor

Sports

Letter of invitation from organizer, inviting company or sports club
Letter of introduction from Ghana Sports Council and/or respective sports association/federation that there is no objection for applicant to engage in tournaments or trials for transfers.
Proof of sporting ability (e.g. CV, world ranking, trophies, selection for national team, personal records)

Cultural

Letter of introduction of association and musician card & proof of musical activities
For recording: studio contract & transfer slip for instalment of studio fees
For lessons: contract stating duration and payment
For festivals or concerts: detailed concert schedule, contract stating duration and payment

Internship/Training/Language Course

Letter from host institution or confirmed registration
Information on duration (working hours a week), if applicable
Information on expected salary, if applicable
Proof of payment of the course (for language courses/training)

Trade Fair

Visitors: trade fair ticket

Exhibitors: proof of registration at the trade fair and proof of payment

Letter of introduction from company in country of residence, company’s business registration documents, tax clearance certificate and bank statements of the last 3 to 6 months.

Application Process

Schengen visa application process varies from member state to the other. Process for each member state will be available on Jetsanza.com shortly.

READ: How to get Schengen Visa from the German Embassy

Visa Application: When can you be sponsored and what documents do you need from your sponsor

You do not need a sponsor if you are self-employed unless the trip is in the interest of your sponsor.

If you are employed, you also do not need a sponsor unless you are traveling on behalf of your company, or the trip is in the interest of any other person sponsoring you.

You need a sponsor if you are dependent of someone and such person is the perfect sponsor.

Visa officers usually doubt if a non-dependent is being sponsored. In this case, you have to give reasons why someone else is paying for your trip.

Documents Needed From Your Sponsor

Letter of Sponsorship

This is a letter addressed to the embassy indicating your sponsor’s commitment to pay for your trip. The letter must state the relationship between the sponsor and the applicant, and why he/she intends paying for your trip.

If you are not sponsored by your parents, it’s advisable to indicate why they are not paying for your trip.

Any relations?

If you are related to your sponsor, you can include a document to confirm this relation. If you are sponsored by your parents or siblings, your birth certificate should be able tell that indeed they are your parents or siblings. In case of your brothers or sisters, include their birth certificates as well. If you are being sponsored by your spouse, your marriage certificate will confirm your relation.

If you are being sponsored by your uncle, sometimes your birth certificate can do the magic if he shares the same surname with your parent.

Bank Statements

Bank Statements are needed; usually three to six months statements from licensed banks. Though embassies accept statements from rural banks and microfinances, it’s strongly advised that you don’t use them in your visa applications. The balance of the statement is also important. Click HERE to read how to know if your sponsor is having enough balance in account.

Proof of employment and income

Funds in the bank statements must be defended with your sponsor’s source of income. If your sponsor is self-employed, business registration, invoices, tax clearance certificate and other any other document to prove a running business are required.

If your sponsor is a salary worker, then these documents would be needed rather as proof of employment and income:

Letter of introduction from employer
Appointment letter, if available
3 to 6 months payslips

Any investments?

If your sponsor has any fixed deposits or other investments, you can include them for the embassy to know how strong he/she is financially.

ID/Travel History

Include a copy of your sponsor’s ID. If your sponsor has a travel history, especially to the country you are visiting, you can include copies of visas issued him/her.

Proof of remittances

If you are dependent of your sponsor, then you can add any proof of funds you’ve been receiving from him/her, if any. If your sponsor lives abroad, then definitely you have some Western Union or Moneygram receipts to include.

Traveling on behalf of a company?

If you are embarking on a business trip on behalf of a company, it means the trip is being sponsored by the company.

The company has to issue to you a Letter of Introduction and Sponsorship indicating their commitment and interest in the trip. The company’s business registration documents, tax clearance certificates and bank statements should be included in the application.

Though the company is sponsoring for your trip, you still have to include your personal bank statement and payslips which will indicate that you truly receive salaries from your employer.

How to get Schengen Visa from German Embassy in Ghana

Germany is one of the Schengen countries and as such issues Schengen visas for visa applicants traveling for short stay up to 90 days for business purposes, visits, holidays etc.

Only apply for a Schengen visa at the German Embassy if Germany is your main destination in the Schengen area.

Unlike other embassies, German Embassy has enough chairs for all visa applicants and even people accompanying them (It’s advisable to leave any other person home, unless minors or people who need assistance). They have nice reception right from the staff arranging your documents to the interviewer. They treat you as human even if they deny you visa.

There’s water to drink, books to whet your appetite for German tours and culture, and toys for the kids (didn’t see the toys last time I visited but they’ve been there).

Avoid the use of middlemen/connection men/visa contractors. They may affect your travel negatively. Read more about connection men HERE.

Germany/Schengen Visa Application Process

Schengen Visa Requirement

First make sure you meet all the schengen visa requirements and that your documents to prove are set. Click HERE to see all the requirements for Schengen visa. For country specific requirement, see the Checklist provided by the German Embassy on it’s website HERE.

Book Appointment

Unlike the Netherlands Embassy, appointment to apply for visa at the German Embassy is free. Click HERE to book your appointment.

You should receive an email after your booking. Crosscheck your email address to make sure you don’t miss the confirmation.

Prepare for interview

Based on personal experiences, the outcome of your visa application is highly dependent on your interview performance. Prepare well for your interview and really make sure you know what you are up to. I’ll be sharing with you more details on what to know ahead of the interview in my subsequent posts.

Honour your appointment

The appointment confirmation comes with no address but you can locate the German Embassy at No. 6, Kenneth Kaunda Road, North Ridge, Accra. The nearest landmark is Accra High School.

Depending on where you are coming from, take note of the traffic in town and set in early. You are expected to report at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. It’s advised you report early even an hour before time in order to be able to get additional documents, or photocopies that you forgot to make, or didn’t have idea of getting them.

Remember to have your visa fee on you. It’s EUR 60 and payable in cash and in Ghana Cedis only.

Collection of Passport

After the interview, your conscience should tell you if you are getting or not and I bet you that you won’t be surprised on the collection date. You will be given 4-working days to collect your passport. The date and time for collection will be indicated on your receipt.

How to apply for UK Visa to spend vacation in the UK as a student

Tertiary institutions will soon be breaking for a long vacation. Students who can afford usually choose to spend their vacation in the United Kingdom. It is advisable that you avoid middlemen, connection men or visa contractors at all cost when applying for visas as they may affect your travel plans negatively.

READ: Top Reasons Why You Should Avoid Visa Connection Men

Jetsanza.com, with the aim of making travel safe, easier and affordable for all, has put together how students can apply for UK visas for their holidays during their school’s long vacation.

Documentation

The GOV.UK website provides full guidance on documents needed to support visa application.

List of Documents required

Passport

Valid Passport. It recommended that it has at least two free leaves for visas and stamps. Using passports that’s full or without free pages for visa and stamps is likely to delay your application.

Proof of Studies

As a student, you should add documents to prove that you are in school. A letter of introductory from your school is a must-have document. Other additional documents that may support your status as a student are Academic Transcripts, Admission Letters and Student ID. If you have already paid the next semester’s fees, you can also add receipt.

Sponsorship

This is a very important aspect of visa applications as everything on travel is about money. Here, you demonstrate that you have enough funds to cover your trip. Almost all students are sponsored and as such students are not expected to have enough funds to pay for their trips themselves unless they are also working or have source of income. Your sponsor must demonstrate that he/she is capable of paying for your trip.

These are the documents you have to obtain from your sponsor:

Bank Statements (For the past 3 to 6 months)

Proof of income: If self-employed, business registration documents, Tax Certificate, invoices, receipts and documents relating to any other sources of income, if any. If your sponsor receives salary rather, add copies of his/her payslips, introductory letter from place of work, and Letter of Appointment.

ID: if sponsor has travel experience, include copies of his/her visas. Copy of sponsor’s ID should be included.

Letter of Sponsorship: A letter confirming his commitment to sponsor you. If your sponsor is anyone other than your parent, the reason for the sponsorship should be stated and must make sense (especially in this current economy where no one is expected to waste money). Remember to include your Birth Certificate if your parent is sponsoring your trip. This will confirm your relation.

Accommodation

If you have a host in the UK, he/she can send you a letter of invitation indicating that they have a place to host you. A letter of invitation must include the letter itself, proof of address, proof of employment and copy of ID. If your host is your sponsor, bank statement must be included.

If you don’t know anyone in the UK or do not have a host in the UK, it means you will be living in a hotel/hostel throughout your stay. Click HERE to book your hostel. Also READ how to make hotel reservations to support visa applications.

Print the hotel booking confirmation and include it in your application.

Flight Reservation

I have always argued why embassies require this as part of visa applications because one cannot confirm flights until visa is issued. Flight reservations also cancel within 2 days if payment is not made. This means that the embassies assess a cancelled reservation as part of the application. To the visa applicant, this gives you an idea of how much to spend on air ticket but fares are not guaranteed until purchased. May be this document helps the embassies to know the route you intend to use.

When making flight reservations make sure the date of arrival matches the check-in date of the hotel reservation.

Tour Itinerary

The Visa Officer may want to know how you intend to spend your days in the UK. You might have read or heard a lot about the UK that influenced your decision to visit the country. Write and indicate what you intend to do on each day of your stay in the UK. READ A sample itinerary of a two-week visit in the UK as a tourist.

Forms

Click HERE to register and complete the online application form. You are applying for a Standard Visitor Visa.

The video below by TLSContact can guide you further:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6QJTNKKme0

NOTE: You are not applying for a Study Visa, you are applying for a Standard Visitor Visa which is needed for your holiday.

After completing the online visa form, you will be redirected to the website of the Visa Application Center where you will book an appointment to submit your biometrics and supporting documents (That’s if you chose ASSISTED SERVICE). Remember to print all confirmations and documents checklist.

You can print the completed visa application but not required at the Visa Application Center.

After honouring your appointment, TLSContact will forward your documents and biometrics to UK Visas for a decision to be made.

NOTE: The decision to issue a visa is a sole responsibility of the Visa Officer. Do not make any travel plans until a visa is issued. Following these steps does not guarantee a successful application.

Where to apply

TLSContact, Movenpick Ambassador Hotel,
Emporium Building, 1st floor,
Accra

What to pack

Yellow Fever Vaccination Cards are checked at the Kotoka International Airport.
Hotel Confirmation/letter of invitation
Funds for your trip

READ: How and what to pack when traveling by air

Once you have been issued the visa, plan your stay ahead. Read a sample itinerary of how you can make the best out of your trip.

How and what to pack when traveling by air

Taking a trip abroad is not just about the ability to afford but knowing what to pack can really make your trip a pleasant one and free from troubles. Taking the right items can actually save you money. First-time travelers get confused as to what to pack, how to pack and if anything is prohibited at all.

Jetsanza.com puts together how and what travelers should pack when traveling by air.

Baggage Allowance

The first thing to consider when packing is to know the baggage allowance your ticket provides. Most economy class tickets on international flights give passengers 2 pieces each of 23kg bags. This may change according to the price of your ticket. It is always advisable to confirm from your travel agent how many bags, weight and sizes that come with your ticket.

You will be forced to pay extra fees if you carry more than the allowed weight or size. Most passengers who find themselves in such situation are forced to throw away their valuables. Weigh your luggage at home or be at the airport too early to check in order to have enough time to decide on what to do with excess.

You are also permitted to carry a hand luggage on the plane. Almost all airlines allow one cabin bag plus one personal item (mostly laptop). Confirm the allowed weight. Air France allows 12-18kg combined weight depending on ticket type.

Check the weather

Knowing the current weather of the country visiting will help you know what to pack. If you don’t put this into consideration, you may end up packing jackets while it’s summer. You will be forced to buy additional wears on arrival to be able to cope with the weather condition. You may want to take sunglasses to stand Dubai’s sunshine.

Wears for specific activities

Think through your trip and see if you intend taking specific activities like sports; scuba-diving, skating, swimming and others. Getting them before your trip would be more cheaper than buying them on your trip. These could also be items that you already have at home.

Electronic gadgets

Some electronic gadgets are not allowed on board. Some flights limit the number of phone batteries each passenger is allowed to carry. If you intend traveling with more electronic gadgets, check with your airline well enough in advance to know what you can put in your carry-on bag and what you are allowed in checked luggage.

Travelers returning from China are forced to throw their phone batteries away if they carry more than the permitted number per passenger.

Some airlines allow only one Power Bank per passenger.

Liquid

Only a maximum of 100ml is allowed in carry-on bag. All others must go into the checked luggage. If you are not sure how much 100ml is, just put everything liquid in your checked luggage. You will have to throw them away if you carry them in your hand luggage.

Travel documents

Some passengers have reached airports without passports so it’s important that you are reminded of your travel documents. Pack your passports, tickets and other documents needed for your trip.

Take note of country-specific documents. Countries like Kenya, India and South Africa require that you hold a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card while others may require you to carry a letter of invitation, hotel reservation or even your bank statements. Check with the embassy of the country you are visiting to make sure you carry all necessary documents.

Re-check carry-on bag

Note that your checked luggage can’t be accessed until the end of your journey. If there’s anything you intend using on the plane or at your transit point, make sure you put them in your carry-on bag. If there’s any document that you may have to show immigration officers or other authorities at the point of entry, carry them in your hand luggage. It can be cold on the plane at times and people who cannot stand cold conditions can also take along wears in their hand luggage to fight it.

Items not allowed in Hand Luggage

These items are not allowed to take on the airplane. If they are permitted at all, pack them in your checked luggage. Contact your airline if you intend traveling with any of the prohibited items on the airplane.

Explosives
Sharp Objects
Firearms
Self-Defense & Martial Arts Items
Sporting Equipment
Tools
Liquid (as mentioned above)

If you are departing from the Kotoka International Airport, know that Internet and printing services are not available. You have to make sure you have your tickets and hotel reservations printed before coming to the Airport. Click here to read what to note when using the Kotoka International Airport.

If you still have questions, ASK HERE.

TIP: Never put your money in your checked luggage. That money is likely to be stolen even before the luggage gets on the plane. Always put your money in your hand luggage and make sure the amount of money conforms to customs regulations both home and abroad. Where necessary, make sure you declare at customs.

How to book hotel to support visa application when you don’t have invitation letter

Travel isn’t limited to people who have friends or relatives abroad. Visa Officers do not expect every visa applicant to know someone in the country they intend visiting.

People travel for various reasons. What you have read, heard or seen about a country might have influenced your decision to visit and you don’t need to know someone before embarking on this journey.

Almost all tourists who visit Ghana don’t have friends or relatives here. They lodge in hotels. That’s exactly what you will also do when in their country. Hotels are everywhere to welcome and serve tourists.

Most times people think that only people with invitation letters can apply for visas to travel. NO! Such people have these letters because they either know someone in the country they are visiting or someone has accepted to host them. If you don’t have anyone to host you, you are only left with a choice of living in a hotel.

But making hotel reservation to support your visa application can be very tricky. The little mistake could have your application refused or have the hotel charge you fees you haven’t budgeted for. Jetsanza.com has put together how you can make hotel reservation to support visa application.

You can start making your hotel booking through the search box below while being guided by the rest of the article. This booking platform by Booking.com provides a nice reservation confirmation that you can include in your visa application.

Booking.com

Apply well enough in advance

If you are applying for a visa with a hotel booking, do not wait to apply few weeks or days to your trip. It’s advisable to put in your application two to three months in advance. In this case, the hotel won’t put pressure on you to confirm your reservation. Know that you are not supposed to pay for your reservation until visa is issued. Hotels put pressure on you to pay if your check-in date is closer. One reason you have to put in your application early.

Check the hotel’s cancellation policy

Because you don’t have to make payment for your reservation until you have been issued a visa, you have to check the hotel’s cancellation policy if your visa application is likely to be processed before the end of the free cancellation period. Hotels charge a fee, usually first night, or even full reservation if you don’t cancel your booking before a specified date.

Know your dates

You might have already made a flight reservation as part of your visa application. Check on the ticket to make sure that the arrival date corresponds with the hotel’s check-in date. You are likely to key in your departure date as check-in date. Though you could be arriving same day, reconfirm from your flight reservation to make sure your arrival date is exactly as your check-in date at the hotel. Some embassies will request that you make changes while others will refuse your visa application right away for the mismatch.

You are encouraged to make booking for the full days of your stay. While in the country, you can reduce your nights in a particular hotel for another if you are not okay with their services or facility.

Consider the rate

Booking any rate at all shows that you have different intentions for your trip and nothing shows that you will stay in the hotel. It’s fine if your financial status matches the selected hotel. Select hotel within your budget. While searching for hotels, filter the results to show rates from LOW TO HIGH. Book what reasonably matches your financial status. Students are encouraged to stay in hostels when on a very low budget.

Note your selection

A male visa applicant was denied visa because he booked a female dormitory. Crosscheck your selection to make sure you are reserving the right room.

Proximity and accessibility

As a traveler visiting a country you haven’t been to before, you are expected to have researched a lot about it. If you are traveling to see specific tourist attractions or attend an event, you are to book a hotel or hostel closer to these places. If it’s expensive to stay closer, check if the tourists sites or event venue is accessible from the chosen hotel.

Secure your booking

You are not supposed to pay for your booking since your trip is not yet confirmed until visa is issued. You only have to secure you booking with a Visa or Mastercard. This serves as guarantee that if you don’t cancel your booking before the specified cancellation period, they will have means to charge you. Because you are applying early and have taken note of their cancellation policy, you won’t hesitate to provide your card details to secure your booking.

Book and Apply

After taken note of the above, go ahead and make your reservation. Provide correct contact details including email address so as not to miss important correspondence from the hotel. Print the reservation and include in your application. Make sure your name appears on the confirmation. When completing the visa forms, your address in the country you are visiting is the address of the hotel. Provide the hotel’s contact details as your contact details abroad.

What next?

If your visa application comes out successful, revisit your hotel reservation to see if you are still traveling on selected dates, make necessary changes if any. Remember to travel with a copy of the booking confirmation as authorities at various airports may want to see it. You may also need it to locate the hotel.

If your application is denied, cancel your hotel booking immediately to avoid charges.

Start making your hotel bookings with the search box below and feel free to contact us if you have difficulties.

Booking.com

(Written by Akesse Sanza. He’s a Travel Blogger, Travel & Tourism Consultant. Akesse has traveled to many countries including the UK, the Netherlands, South Africa and others by just making hotel reservations. This write-up is from his personal experience and others shared by travelers. Note that having a hotel reservation does
not guarantee a positive outcome of a visa application. You still have to meet other requirements)

A sample itinerary of a two-week stay in the UK for tourists

When you find yourself in a country for the first time, you get confused and end up giving attention to what wasn’t part of your initial plans. It’s always good to plan your travel to get the best out of your trip. Some embassies even request that you include this plan in your visa application.

Jetsanza.com shares with you a sample itinerary on how to spend a two-week vacation in the United Kingdom.

Visiting a country like the UK where there are good number of Ghanaians, you may end up visiting friends and families without even seeing a single tourist site or taking any activity. Having a plan will help you organise your days so that you don’t wake up thinking of what to do.

A two-week travel itinerary for London

In planning this itinerary, references were made to the following websites lonelyplanet.com, Londonpass.org, Topsightseeing.com and Ukguide.org.

You are encouraged to take note of days that fall on weekends. Some tourist sites may be closed to the public on weekends.

DAY 1 – Arrival

Arrival at London Heathrow Airport. Take it easy at the airport so that you don’t end up in the most expensive trains. Look out for signs to the London Underground train, grab a map to identify how to get to your hotel. If money isn’t your problem, you can just pick a cab to your hotel. Alternatively, you can arrange for airport pick-up service with your hotel/hostel.

DAY 2 – Stadium tour

If you are a soccer fan, you definitely have to begin your tour by visiting the stadium of your football club, that’s if it’s in London. Assuming you are a Chelsea fan, visit the Stamford Bridge. If you happen to visit at a time they’ve won some trophies, you will see them and take photos with them. If your team is not in London, you can take advantage to see the newly built ‘White Hart lane’ in Tottenham which took over 7 years to build.

DAY 3 – River Thames

Head to River Thames in Central London. The river banks have the most popular attractions in London. Tower of London, the London eye and London Bridge are all situated here.

DAY 4 – The Medieval Banquet

Time to dine like a King and have a feel of English cuisine at the Medieval Banquet by the tower. Medieval Banquet says you are a royal guest; King, Queen, Knight, Wench, etc and they treat you as such. The facility provides a dinner and theatre experience simultaneously. Go there and pretend to be a King/Queen as you dine and enjoy some English entertainment.

DAY 5 – Kensington

Set aside today for Kensington. Visit the Kensington Palace and then head to The orangery at the Kensington Gardens. After enjoying some food and drinks, you can relax at the park and then see the galleries, gardens and landscapes at the park.

DAY 6 – Buckingham Palace

Travel to London can’t be complete without visiting the Buckingham Palace, London residence and administrative headquarters of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Changing of the Guard is an important feature for tourists to the Palace. You have to be at the palace in the morning in order not to miss it. It takes place outside Buckingham Palace from 10:45am for 45 minutes while the actual handover takes place at 11am.

If you still have much time this day, you can see the Hyde Park.

DAY 7 – Nightlife

You love nightlife? If YES, then you may want to take some rest in the day to prepare yourself for the night. Some people can’t stay late in the night without having some sleep in the day. Get to Brixton and you will find bars with music all over the place. Brixton is easily accessible from anywhere by Train and Bus. Dog and Fox in Wimbledon also provides free live band music on Saturday nights.

DAY 8 – Rest

You should definitely have some sleep due to the previous night’s “chilling”. Have some walk around where you stay and do some window shopping if there are shops near you.

DAY 9 – Window Shopping

You may want to continue the window shopping proper at bigger shopping centers. London’s shops have items for every pocket size; from Primark, H&M up to all the top Italian designers. It’s always advisable to first compare prices and decide on what you really want to buy before buying them. Tourists usually discover better deals after they are done shopping. You can consider Westfield, Toothing, Convent Gardens or West Croydon for your shopping.

DAY 10 – Bus Tour

Hop on one of the many buses that offer sightseeing tours in London. Get your ticket, grab a drink, climb to the top of the bus as you are being driven through the city of London.

DAY 11 – Benjamin Franklin House

If you are a religious person, interchange this day with the day that your religion worships. With the help of the internet, it’s easy to locate where your religious denominations meet and if they offer any tours to visitors. If you are not a religious person, then you may consider visiting the Benjamin Franklin House to witness one of their many scheduled events at the museum.

DAY 12 – 14 – Packing

For some reason if you were not able to visit certain places in your itinerary, this is the time to do them.

When done, pack and return to your home country.

How far would you go to avoid paying an overweight baggage fee?

Natalie Wynn has been trending after she wore 4kg of her cloths to avoid paying $85 overweight baggage fee at an airport in England.

Natalie didn’t have enough money and wasn’t in a position to throw her wears away so she had to wear nearly half of her cloths; seven dresses, a skirt, two pairs of shoes, two pairs of shorts and a cardigan.

Natalie Wynn managed to half her amount of cabin baggage
Credit: KENNEDY NEWS AND MEDIA

Many travelers, like myself, have been forced at some points to device all means to make sure we get our belongings on board without paying the extra charges.

If you are traveling with friends who do not carry enough baggage, they can assist you carry them on board but if you are alone, it becomes tough as no passenger is in a position to carry item of a stranger at the airport.

This is what I have done in the past …

I was forced to throw some cloths away when catching a flight from London Heathrow to Amsterdam Schiphol. I have forgotten how much I had to pay to carry the items but KLM was charging me more than the cost of the items. So it was wise enough for me to throw them away (and they were not mine).

On Emirates from Dubai to Accra, I had to keep wearing more shirts to meet the required carry-on baggage allowance.

From Frankfurt to Paris, it was cheaper for me to keep my luggage at a store room than carrying them to Paris. I only took the few items I needed for Paris and left the rest behind since I still had to return to Frankfurt to catch a flight to Accra.

What you can do …

It’s good to always travel light but this doesn’t prevent you from checking a luggage in. Trying to carry all your items in a carry-on bag without checked luggage will leave you crying should you be required to pay at the last minute to carry the overweight hand luggage. Pack everything in your checked baggage and only carry the excess in your hand baggage.

Weigh your bags at home. Ask your travel agent or airline the luggage allowance permitted by your ticket. Weigh them at home first to avoid additional costs at the airport.

If you have no means to weigh at home, go to the airport hours before your flight. In this case, you will have enough time to take any action; either calling someone to come for the excess or even send them home yourself.

Some airports have courier services that can deliver the excess to you at your destination or even send them back home for you.

Don’t always wait for the last minute, you will be forced to pay the extra fees or throw them away. If you are lucky and they are cloths, you will be able to wear them. You can’t wear two shoes but Natalie did lol.

Bank Statement For Visa Application: How much balance is enough?

Jetsanza.com puts together this piece as part of its effort to make travelling easy, safe and affordable by providing the needed guidance to assist travellers do away with Visa Contractors/Connection men and the associated problems.

Bank Statement is considered an important document when it comes to visa application though some countries do not place much emphasis on it.

Many are always left asking, how much balance is OKAY? Maintaining a good balance in bank accounts is one of the many funny things Ghanaians do all because of travel visas.

While some countries may require you to have a certain amount of money in your bank account, your circumstances may be used by other countries to determine if you have enough.

NOTE that this article treats all countries in general and separate articles for each country will be posted later on.

The amount of bank balance has to do with many factors, and your conscience should be able to tell you if you have enough funds in your account.

Your balance and your travel

The amount of money you intend to spend on your trip can tell if your bank balance is OKAY or NOT. If you plan spending GHS10,000, and you only have GHS15,000, this won’t be enough. Though some countries like South Africa won’t put this into consideration, generally, such a statement isn’t considered enough because your travel is taking almost all your savings.

In Ghana, where we find ourselves, one is expected to have enough money to pay for travel cost and have more left that he will return home to. Out there, they even travel on credit cards, monies that they are yet to make. Maybe we are just not lucky. The embassies decide for us how to use our finances when it comes to travelling.

So ask yourself: looking at my balance and travel cost, will the visa officer see it wise for me to spend such money on vacation? Your answer tells you that you have enough funds or not.

What’s your status?

If you are single with no dependents, then much would not be required from you. If you have other people to take care off, like your spouse, kids, and others, then you will still have to ask yourself if it makes sense to spend that much from your savings as someone with such responsibilities? If your answer is NO, then your balance isn’t okay.

Example: If you have three kids, and your spouse is unemployed, it makes no sense to spend GHS15,000 on a vacation while you have only GHS30,000. It’s only people with illegal intentions who will use the entire family savings for such a trip. You are not expected to have a specific amount, but once you consider your dependents and your entire savings, you should able to know if it’s the right time to embark on a vacation. The case is different from someone single, employed with no dependents. It’s enough for such a person.

Disposable Income

How much money is available to you monthly to be saved or spent? After deducting your rent, living cost, amount spent on dependents, how much money are you left with? What multiples of the money left are you spending on your trip? If after deducting all these and you are left with GHS 500, and you are spending GHS 15,000 on your trip, it means you are spending 30 months savings on your holiday. It’s advisable not to spend more than three months savings on vacation.

So no matter how much you have in your account, it’s your disposable income that is considered. If you have GHS200,000 and currently earn GHS200 monthly, you have no money. Nothing shows that you will return to Ghana to that GHS200 job.

Economic Situation

As the country’s financial troubles deepen, the more careful people are with their finances. So have a second thought about the current economic situation, take a look at your bank balance, then ask yourself if it’s wise to spend X amount of money from your balance for a trip.

Looking at the present economic status of Ghana, it’s not likely for a self-employed person with GHS20,000 to embark on a GHS10,000 vacation. That’s like collapsing whatever business you are doing just for a vacation. Only embassies who do not place so much emphasis on bank statements won’t have a problem with this. In the case of a salaried worker, this will be different.

Source of income

It’s not always about the balance in your account but also where the money is coming from. Though most embassies do not pay attention to transactions on a bank statement, the United Kingdom, for instance, may want to know where each cedi came from. So if you are in the habit of seeking for funds from friends to run your bank account, STOP. The moment you think of depositing funds that do not belong to you, it means you don’t have enough. You may want to consider a destination that won’t require much of your savings.

No matter how much money you have in your account, whether GHS 30,000 or GHS 3,000,000, make sure you have provided enough evidence of the source of those funds. It is better to explain why you don’t have money in your account at the time of making application and provide evidence of funds that would be available to you before your travel.

Fixed Deposits, Treasury Bills and other investments are documents that can be added to a bank statement as proof of your financial status.

Summary

AS said earlier on, bank statements requirement varies from country to country. But in general, once you ask yourself specific questions, your conscience should be able to tell you that you have enough or not.

QUESTION: How much am I able to save each month? Am I spending savings of too many months on this vacation?

ANSWER: YES means you don’t have enough. NOT REALLY means you have enough, NO means you have more than enough.

QUESTION: Considering my present job, my income, and money in my account now, will anyone doubt that I’ll return home?

ANSWER: YES means you don’t have enough, NO means you have enough.

QUESTION: I took money from friends to run my bank account. Looking at my income and the balance in the account now, will anyone believe that the funds are genuinely mine?

ANSWER: YES means your statement makes sense, NO means it doesn’t, and everyone will doubt funds are yours.

QUESTION: The way Ghana is HOT, does it make sense for me to spend X amount on holiday considering the money in my account?

ANSWER: YES means you have enough, NO means you don’t.

The above is on visa application in general, and some countries may consider other things well. Jetsanza.com will treat the individual countries in subsequent articles. I’ll also post on sponsored applicants as well.

If you are still not sure, contact me on Whatsapp +233249383939 for assessment (Paid service).

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