UK to Issue Digital Visas to Nigerian Travellers from February 25

By Adedapo Adesanya

The United Kingdom says all Nigerian visitors to the country, who need a visa, will only get a digital visa from February 25, 2026.

In a statement, the UK Visas & Immigration said that from the scheduled date, all Nigerian nationals applying for a UK Visit visa will receive an eVisa, rather than a vignette (sticker) in their passport.

The shift also indicates that travellers will access their visa electronically through their UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, marking a significant step in modernising the UK’s visa process.

For Nigerian applicants, the visa application requirements remain unchanged. Travellers will still apply as usual, attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, and meet all existing eligibility criteria. The only difference is how the visa is issued: instead of a physical sticker, applicants will receive a secure digital record of their immigration status.

According to a statement, the British government clarified that Nigerians currently holding a valid vignette sticker do not need to take any action. Their physical visa remains valid until it expires or requires replacement.

It added that the move to eVisas brings a number of benefits for Nigerian travellers, including passports being returned more quickly and travellers being able to manage their immigration status online at any time, from any location. The digital format offers stronger security as eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with.

Welcoming the transition, British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Mrs Gill Lever, said, “We are committed to making it easier for Nigerians to travel to the UK. This move to digital visas will streamline a key part of the visa process, making it more secure while reducing dependence on paper documents. We look forward to continuing to welcome Nigerian visitors, students, and workers to the UK.”

Once a visa is approved, applicants will need to create a free UKVI account to access the eVisa.