Victor EzejaIn a significant shift, the United Kingdom (UK) has rolled out a digital platform where Nigerians applying for study or work visas will receive electronic visas (eVisas) rather than the traditional physical visa vignette stickers.
This, according to the British High Commission in Abuja, will take effect from 15 July 2025.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelAccording to the British High Commission, this development is a part of the UK Government’s broader shift to a fully digital immigration process, which aims to make international travel more efficient, secure, and user-friendly.
It explained that instead of having a visa label pasted in their passport, successful applicants will receive a digital eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status.
According to the Commission, the change only applies to study and work visa applications received on or after 15 July.
Individuals who submit applications before that date will continue to go through the current process, which includes submitting their passport to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and receiving a vignette.
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Gill Lever OBE, Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, said the new development in visa issuance is a positive step for Nigerians planning to visit the UK.
OBE said they are focused on making visa processing easier and faster for Nigerians planning to travel to the UK.
“From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport,” She stated
“This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”
She added that certain parts of the UK immigration system were already making use of the digital visa platform. For those who have been approved to stay in the UK for more than six months, eVisas have taken the place of Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).
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The Commission clarified that applicants travelling as dependents, such as spouses or children, as well as those applying for standard visitor visas, will continue to receive visa vignette stickers in their passports for now.
It further stated that despite the removal of the physical visa for most categories, all applicants are still required to visit the Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs, as part of the application procedure.
“Once a decision is reached, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) informing them of the outcome and guiding them to create a UKVI account through which they can access and manage their eVisa,” the Commission stated.
“Those with eVisas and UKVI accounts can use the ‘View and Prove’ online service to securely share their immigration status with third parties, including landlords and employers in England.
“Applicants are expected to begin their application online via the official UK government website
“They must still visit a VAC to submit biometric details, but if the visa being applied for falls under the new eVisa system, their passport will not be held and can be taken home the same day,” it added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
