By Ayomide Otitoju
The United Kingdom has announced that all new visit visas for Nigerian travellers will be issued digitally from February 25, 2026, in a move to modernise its visa system.
The development was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the British High Commission in Abuja.
Under the new policy, Nigerian applicants will receive an electronic visa (eVisa) instead of the traditional vignette sticker placed in passports. Travellers will access their visa status online through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
According to the statement, the transition forms part of the UK’s move toward a fully digital border system.
The commission clarified that visa application requirements remain unchanged. Applicants will still submit their applications, attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data, and meet all eligibility criteria. The only change is the method of issuance, with a secure digital record replacing the physical visa sticker.
The eVisa system is expected to enable faster passport returns, easier online management of immigration status, and improved security, as digital visas cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with.
Applicants will be required to create a free UKVI account to access their eVisa.
