UK Unveils New Visa Pattern for Nigerian Applicants

In a major policy shift, the United Kingdom has announced the introduction of digital eVisas for Nigerian applicants seeking to study or work in the UK.

The British High Commission in Abuja confirmed that the change will take effect on July 15, 2025, marking a significant step toward the UK’s transition to a fully digital immigration system.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, successful visa applicants who apply on or after July 15 will receive eVisas, not physical visa stickers (vignettes) in their passports.

What the New eVisa Means for Nigerians

The eVisa is a secure, online record of a traveller’s immigration status, and it will replace traditional visa vignettes for most categories, except for visitor visas, which will still receive physical stickers.

Despite this digital shift, all applicants are still required to attend Visa Application Centres (VACs) to submit biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs.

Once a decision is made, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with instructions on how to:

Create a UKVI account

Link it to their visa decision to access and use their eVisa.

Why the UK Made This Change

Speaking on the development, Gill Atkinson, Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission, said the digital transition is aimed at making the UK visa process faster, more secure, and more convenient.

“This is a further big step toward a fully digital UK immigration system,” she said. “It’s designed to make life easier for students, professionals, and families.”

Atkinson also noted that dependents such as spouses and children of principal applicants, as well as visitor visa holders, will still receive physical visa stickers.

How to Get the New UK eVisa

To obtain a UK eVisa, Nigerian applicants must:

1. Apply online through the UK government website (gov.uk)

2. Attend a VAC to submit biometric

3. Keep their passport, if a vignette is no longer required

4. Follow the email link to create and link their UKVI account

The UK government has already rolled out eVisas for residents who previously held Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).

These users now access and share their immigration status using the “View and Prove” service on the UK government portal especially for employment, schooling, or renting accommodation

Applicants who submit their visa applications before July 15, 2025, will still follow the old process and receive physical visa vignettes.

However, for Nigerians applying after this date, the era of digital visas has officially begun.

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