Once a visa decision is made, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with instructions to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa
UK Introduces eVisas for Nigerians Applying for Study and Work Visas, Starting July 15
ABUJA — The British High Commission has announced a major shift in visa processing for Nigerians applying to study or work in the United Kingdom. Beginning 15 July 2025, most successful applicants in these categories will receive a digital eVisa rather than the traditional visa sticker (vignette) in their passport.
According to a statement from the High Commission, the change is part of the UK government’s broader move toward a fully digital immigration system aimed at improving security, speed, and convenience.
“From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport,” the statement read.
“Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system.”
However, the new policy will apply only to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applicants who begin the process before this date will still need to leave their passports at a Visa Application Centre and will receive a physical vignette.
The Commission clarified that visit visa applicants and some dependants, including spouses and children of students or workers, will continue to receive physical visa stickers for the time being.
Despite the shift to digital, all applicants are still required to visit a Visa Application Centre to submit biometric data.
“Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure,” the statement emphasized.
Once a visa decision is made, successful applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with instructions to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
“Applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account, to access their eVisa,” it added.
Gill Atkinson OBE, the Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, described the development as a major milestone in the UK’s immigration modernization journey.
“We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians 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 said.
“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 also noted that while the digital rollout is significant, some categories remain under the current system, at least temporarily.
“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” she added.
eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for individuals granted stay in the UK for more than six months. Holders of a UKVI account can now use the “View and Prove” service to digitally share their immigration status with landlords, employers, or educational institutions.
How to Obtain an eVisa:
- Apply online via gov.uk
- Visit a Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics
- Keep your passport (if vignette is not required)
- Follow UKVI instructions to create and link a digital account for eVisa access
The change represents a significant modernization in how Nigerian applicants access the UK, streamlining the process for thousands of students and professionals. Read More
