The United Kingdom has announced that beginning February 25, 2026, all new UK visit visas granted to Nigerian travellers will be issued in digital format, in what officials describe as a significant upgrade to the country’s immigration system.
The development was made public in a statement released on Monday by the British High Commission in Abuja.
According to the statement, Nigerian applicants will no longer receive the conventional visa vignette, the sticker previously placed inside passports. Instead, successful applicants will be granted an electronic visa (eVisa), accessible online.
The UK government explained that under the updated arrangement, travellers will be able to view and manage their visa status through their personal UK Visas and Immigration account, reflecting the country’s broader transition toward a fully digital border system.
“The UK Visas & Immigration is continuing its transition to a fully digital border. From 25 February 2026, all Nigerian nationals applying for a UK Visit visa will receive an eVisa, rather than a vignette (sticker) in their passport,” the statement read.
“This means 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.”
Authorities clarified that the procedural requirements for Nigerian applicants will remain the same. Individuals seeking a UK visit visa will still be required to complete the application process, book and attend appointments at designated Visa Application Centres, submit biometric data, and satisfy all current eligibility conditions.
The principal change lies solely in the format of the visa itself, shifting from a physical endorsement in passports to a secure electronic record.
The British authorities noted that the digital visa system is designed to offer several advantages. These include quicker return of passports after processing, simplified online access to immigration status, and enhanced security features, since electronic visas cannot be misplaced, stolen, or altered in the way physical documents might be.
Applicants will be required to create a free UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account in order to access and manage their eVisa once granted. Further guidance on the visa application process and the operation of the eVisa system is available on the UK government’s official website.
The move forms part of the UK’s broader strategy to digitise border management and streamline immigration procedures while maintaining compliance and security standards.
What you should know
From February 25, 2026, all new UK visit visas issued to Nigerian nationals will be digital eVisas instead of physical vignette stickers.
Application procedures, biometric appointments, and eligibility requirements remain unchanged.
Travellers will access their visa status through a UKVI account, as part of the UK’s transition to a fully digital border system aimed at improving efficiency and security.
