UK to roll out digital eVisas for Nigerian visitors from 25 February 2026

The UK government has confirmed that from 25 February 2026, all new visit visas issued to Nigerian nationals will be digital eVisas, ending the use of physical visa stickers in passports.

The change forms part of a wider overhaul of the UK’s immigration system aimed at delivering a fully digital border process, strengthening security and speeding up visa processing. Travellers will also be able to manage their immigration status online rather than relying on paper documents.

Under the new system, successful applicants from Nigeria will no longer receive a visa vignette in their passport. Instead, they will access their electronic visa through a secure online account with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), where their immigration status will be stored digitally and linked to their passport.

Faster processing and enhanced security

Officials say the move to eVisas will make the visa process faster, safer and more efficient:

• Passport return times should improve, as passports will no longer be held for endorsement with a sticker.

• Digital status cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with like physical paperwork, reducing opportunities for fraud and strengthening border security.

• Approved applicants will be able to view and share their immigration status online at any time, simplifying checks by airlines, employers, landlords and border officials.

The core visa application process will remain largely unchanged. Applicants must still complete an online application, attend a Visa Application Centre to submit biometric information and meet existing eligibility requirements.

Gradual shift to a fully digital system

The UK has been steadily digitising its immigration system over the past two years. In July 2025, eVisas were introduced for most Nigerian applicants applying for work and study visas, replacing physical stickers in passports for those routes.

The latest announcement extends the digital model to visitor visas. UKVI has said its long-term plan is to phase out visa vignette stickers for all visa types by late 2026.

Government guidance published on the official UKVI site notes that eVisas “are secure and cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with” and that travellers will be told at the decision stage how to access their digital status, including whether they will receive a physical sticker.

Part of a global move to digital travel documents

The UK’s shift reflects a broader international trend as countries modernise their immigration systems. Canada, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Thailand and Namibia have all introduced or expanded digital visas and electronic travel authorisations to streamline travel, improve efficiency and reduce administrative burdens.

Digital visa systems are increasingly regarded as best practice in global travel administration, offering real-time status checks, easier integration with border technology and stronger protection against document fraud.

What travellers need to do

The British High Commission has stressed that existing valid physical visas will remain valid until their expiry date and do not need to be replaced because of the eVisa rollout.

Officials and travel experts advise prospective travellers to:

• Create a free UKVI account to access their eVisa before travel.

• Ensure their passport is correctly linked to their eVisa to avoid delays at departure or arrival.

While the transition is expected to bring clear benefits, some users in other countries have reported early technical issues linking passports to digital visas. Applicants are therefore encouraged to set up and verify their UKVI account details well ahead of travel to avoid disruption.