Starting from July 15, 2025, Nigerians applying for study and work visas to the United Kingdom (UK) will begin receiving digital eVisas instead of physical visa stickers, the British High Commission in Abuja has said.

The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, announced that the shift is part of the UK Government’s move towards a fully digital immigration system, which it said would make the process “more secure, more efficient, and more convenient” for applicants.

According to the statement, “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. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system.”

The new digital visa system applies only to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applications made before that date will still follow the current process, which requires applicants to leave their passports at the Visa Application Centre and receive a vignette.

“Visit visa applications will continue to receive the visa vignette sticker for the time being,” the Commission noted.

Importantly, the Commission clarified that despite the removal of the vignette for certain visa categories, biometric data collection remains compulsory.

“Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure.

“Once a decision is made on their visa application, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account, to access their eVisa,” it added.

The Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, Gill Atkinson OBE, said the development was designed to ease the visa process for Nigerians.

Commencement of eVisa

“We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. 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,” she said.

“This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families,” she added.

However, she clarified that not all visa applicants would be affected by the change immediately.

“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” Atkinson stated.

The High Commission also mentioned that digital eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) for individuals granted leave for over six months.

Holders of a UKVI account can use the “View and Prove” service to share their immigration status with third parties, such as employers or landlords in England.

eVisa Process

Meanwhile, to obtain an eVisa, applicants must; Apply online via the official UK government website (gov.uk); Attend a Visa Application Centre to submit biometrics; Take their passport home the same day if a vignette is not required; Follow the decision letter instructions, including creating and linking a UKVI account if necessary.