The United Kingdom has announced that all new UK Visit visas issued to Nigerian travellers will be digital from February 25, 2026, as part of efforts to modernise its immigration system.
Gatekeepers News reports that the British High Commission in Abuja, in a statement signed on Monday by its Senior Press and Public Affairs Officer, Onyinye Madu, said Nigerian applicants will now receive an electronic visa (eVisa) instead of the traditional vignette sticker placed in their passports.
“The only change is the visa format: travellers will now access their visa digitally through a UKVI account,” the statement said.
The move forms part of UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)’s broader transition to a fully digital border system.
Madu explained that the application process itself will remain unchanged. Applicants will still apply online, attend a Visa Application Centre to submit biometric information, and meet all existing eligibility requirements.
She added that Nigerians who already hold a valid vignette sticker do not need to take any action, as their current visas will remain valid until they expire or are replaced.
According to the commission, the new digital visa system will deliver several benefits, including faster passport returns, easier online management of immigration status, and improved security, since eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with.
Welcoming the development, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever OBE, said the change would simplify travel for Nigerians.
“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,” she said.
Once approved, applicants will be required to create a free UKVI account to access their eVisa.
Further information on UK visa applications and the eVisa system is available on official government websites.
