From July 15, 2025, Nigerians applying to study or work in the United Kingdom will begin receiving digital visas instead of the usual physical visa stickers, the British High Commission in Abuja has announced.
The new system will only apply to applications submitted on or after that date. Those who apply before July 15 will continue with the current process, which includes leaving their passports at visa centres to get a visa vignette (sticker).
Under the updated system, successful applicants will be given an eVisa, a secure digital record of their UK immigration status, accessible through an online account.
However, applicants must still visit a visa centre to provide their fingerprints and photos, even though they won’t need to leave their passports behind if no physical sticker is required.
Gill Atkinson, the British High Commission’s Chargé d’Affaires, said the switch is aimed at making the visa process faster, safer, and easier for Nigerians travelling to the UK for studies or jobs.
Visitor visa applicants and dependants like spouses or children will still receive physical visa stickers for now.
After their visa is approved, applicants will get an email with instructions to set up a UKVI account to access their eVisa and immigration status online.
