In a major policy shift, the United Kingdom has announced that starting July 15, 2025, most Nigerian applicants seeking study or work visas will begin receiving digital eVisas instead of traditional passport visa stickers.
The British High Commission in Abuja, on Wednesday, disclosed a significant update to the UK’s immigration system as it relates to Nigerian applicants. Effective from July 15, 2025, most individuals applying for UK study or work visas will no longer receive physical visa vignettes in their passports. Instead, they will be issued secure, digital eVisas — a move the UK government says is part of its transition to a fully digital immigration framework.
According to a statement released by the High Commission, this policy will apply only to new applications submitted on or after July 15. Those who submit their applications before this date will still follow the existing system, which involves submitting their passport at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) and receiving a physical visa sticker.
“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. Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa — a secure, online record of their immigration status,” the statement explained.
Biometric Requirements Remain
Despite the shift to digital visas, applicants will still be required to attend Visa Application Centres to submit biometric information, including fingerprints and photographs, as part of the processing procedure.
Once an applicant’s visa is approved, they will receive a notification email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which will include their decision and detailed instructions on how to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa.
eVisa Rollout to Be Gradual
Speaking on the development, the Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission, Gill Atkinson OBE, said the move was aimed at making travel to the UK faster and more convenient for Nigerians, especially students and professionals.
“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. This is a further big step toward a fully digital UK immigration system — making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”
However, she clarified that not everyone would be affected by this change immediately.
“If you’re applying as a dependant — such as a spouse or child — of someone studying or working in the UK, or if you’re applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a physical visa vignette sticker in your passport for now.”
What Applicants Need To Know
The UK government emphasized that eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) for individuals granted permission to stay for over six months. Those with a UKVI account can now use the “View and Prove” service to share their immigration status with employers or landlords in the UK.
To complete the new eVisa process, applicants must:
- Apply online via the official UK government website (gov.uk)
- Attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data
- Retain their passport after biometrics if no vignette is required
- Create and link a UKVI account upon receiving a decision letter
As Nigeria remains one of the UK’s top visa applicant countries, the transition to eVisas signals a shift toward digitised, paperless immigration — streamlining processes while improving security. While not all categories are included in the initial rollout, the UK authorities have made it clear that this is the future of global mobility for those entering Britain.
