The United Kingdom has announced it will stop issuing physical visa stickers to Nigerian travellers from February 25, 2026, replacing them with mandatory electronic visas (eVisas) as part of a sweeping modernisation of its immigration system.
The decision was disclosed in Abuja by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which confirmed that all new Visit visas granted to Nigerian nationals will be issued digitally.
Under the new arrangement, successful applicants will no longer receive a vignette affixed to their passports. Instead, they will access proof of their immigration status online through a secure UKVI account.
According to UKVI, the shift marks “a decisive step in the UK’s transition to a fully digital border regime,” adding that the reform is aimed at improving efficiency and strengthening security.
Officials emphasised that the visa application process itself remains unchanged. Nigerian applicants must still complete the standard online application, attend a Visa Application Centre to enrol their biometrics, and satisfy all existing eligibility requirements.
“The only change is how the visa is delivered,” the agency clarified, stressing that the transition affects the format of the visa, not the criteria for obtaining one.
Authorities also assured that Nigerians who currently hold valid visa stickers will not be impacted. Existing visas will remain valid until their expiration dates and will not need to be replaced because of the new policy.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, described the move as part of efforts to simplify travel procedures for Nigerians while enhancing border security.
“We are committed to making it easier for Nigerians to travel to the UK,” Lever said. “This shift to digital visas streamlines a key part of the process, strengthens security and reduces reliance on paper documentation.”
UKVI noted that the eVisa system is expected to shorten processing timelines since passports will no longer need to be retained for physical endorsement. Travellers will also be able to view and manage their immigration status online at any time.
Highlighting security advantages, officials said digital visas cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with in the way physical stickers can. The system also enables real-time verification of immigration status.
Once approved, applicants will be required to create a free UKVI account to access and share their eVisa details when necessary.
The policy shift signals a broader overhaul of the UK’s border management framework and positions Nigerian travellers among the first groups to experience the fully digital visa rollout. For tourists, students and business visitors, the reform replaces paper documentation with an online immigration record as the new standard for entry clearance into the United Kingdom.
