UK Rolls Out e-Visas for Nigerians from Feb 25

The United Kingdom has announced that from February 25, 2026, Nigerian nationals applying for UK visit visas will receive electronic visas (e-Visas) instead of the traditional physical visa stickers in their passports.

This change is part of the UK government’s push to fully digitise its immigration and border system.

Under the new arrangement by UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI), successful applicants will access their visa electronically through a secure online UKVI account, rather than having a sticker (vignette) placed in their passport.

Although the visa application process, including submitting forms and attending Visa Application Centres for biometric data remains the same, the format of issuance will be entirely digital.

Officials say the switch will speed up passport return times, allow travellers to manage their immigration status online, and boost security since e-Visas cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with like physical stickers.

Nigerians who currently hold valid physical visa stickers do not need to replace them; those visas will remain valid until their expiry dates.

According to the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, “We are committed to making it easier for Nigerians to travel to the UK. This move will streamline the visa process and strengthen security.”