UK Introduces Digital eVisas for Nigerian Study and Work Visa Applicants

The United Kingdom is set to introduce digital visas for most Nigerian nationals applying for study and work visas, replacing the traditional visa sticker process, the British High Commission in Abuja announced on Wednesday.

Starting July 15, 2025, most applicants in these categories will receive an eVisa—a secure, digital record of immigration status—rather than a physical vignette sticker in their passports.

“This is a major step towards a modern, digital UK immigration system,” the High Commission said in an official statement. “It is aimed at making the visa process more secure, efficient, and convenient for students, professionals, and families.”

Who Will Be Affected?

The change will only apply to applications submitted on or after July 15, 2025. Applicants who submit their applications before that date will still undergo the current process, which includes submitting their passports at a Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette.

Importantly, all applicants—including those under the new system—must still visit a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data.

How the New eVisa Process Works

Once a visa decision is made, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with instructions on how to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa. Those who do not require a vignette will be able to retain their passports after attending their biometric appointment.

Steps to obtain an eVisa include:

* Applying online via [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk)

* Attending a Visa Application Centre for biometrics

* Receiving visa decision via email

* Setting up a UKVI account to view and manage eVisa

Who Still Gets a Visa Sticker?

The British High Commission clarified that not all visa categories are affected immediately. For now, visitor visa applicants and dependants—such as spouses and children of students or skilled workers—will still receive a visa vignette.

Statement from the British High Commission

Speaking on the development, Gill Atkinson OBE, Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, said:

“We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From July 15, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport.”

She emphasized that this move is part of the UK’s long-term goal of fully digitizing its immigration system, noting that digital visas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits for individuals granted leave for more than six months.

UKVI account holders can use the “View and Prove” service to securely share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or other third parties in the UK.

For more information and to begin an application, visit the official UK government website: [www.gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk)