The government of the United Kingdom has announced that from February 25, 2026, Nigerian nationals applying for UK visit visas will receive electronic visas (eVisas) rather than the traditional physical visa stickers.
In a statement signed by Onyinye Madu, Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer at the High Commission, officials explained that the shift is part of the UK government’s broader transition to a fully digital immigration and border system.
The eVisa will be a secure digital record of a traveller’s UK immigration status accessed online through a UK Visas and Immigration account.
The High Commission noted that while the standard visa application process, including completing the online form and visiting a visa application centre to provide biometric data, remains unchanged, the format in which the visa is issued is now digital.
“This change affects only the visa format,” the statement said.
Welcoming the development, Gill Lever OBE, British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, described the move as a step toward simplifying travel procedures for Nigerians.
Lever said the digital system will improve security, reduce reliance on paper visa stickers, and make the process smoother for visitors, students and workers alike.
Officials also reassured those holding valid physical visa stickers that their visas remain valid until expiry and do not need to be replaced solely because of the policy shift.
After approval, successful applicants will be required to set up a free UKVI online account in order to access and manage their eVisa before travelling.
The UK eVisa rollout for Nigerian travellers comes alongside other digital travel measures, reflecting the British government’s ongoing efforts to modernise and streamline its immigration system.
