The Senior Communications Officer at the High Commission, Onyinye Madu, disclosed that Nigerian nationals applying for a UK Visit visa from that date will receive an eVisa instead of the traditional vignette sticker placed in passports.
The UK Visas & Immigration will begin issuing electronic visas to Nigerian travellers from February 25, 2026, as part of a transition to a fully digital border system, according to a statement released by the British High Commission Abuja.
The Senior Communications Officer at the High Commission, Onyinye Madu, disclosed that Nigerian nationals applying for a UK Visit visa from that date will receive an eVisa instead of the traditional vignette sticker placed in passports.
The statement explained that travellers will access their visas electronically through their UKVI account, a change described as a significant step in modernising the UK visa process.
It noted that visa application requirements for Nigerians remain unchanged.
Applicants will still submit applications in the usual way, attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric information, and meet all existing eligibility conditions.
The difference, the statement added, is only in the method of issuance, as successful applicants will receive a secure digital record of their immigration status rather than a physical sticker.
Nigerians who already hold valid vignette visas do not need to take any action, as their visas will remain valid until expiry or replacement becomes necessary.
The High Commission stated that the introduction of eVisas will allow passports to be returned more quickly and enable travellers to manage their immigration status online at any time and from any location.
It added that the digital format provides stronger security because eVisas cannot be lost, stolen, or tampered with.
Welcoming the development, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, said the United Kingdom remains committed to simplifying travel procedures for Nigerians.
She said the shift to digital visas would streamline an important part of the application process, improve security, and reduce reliance on paper documentation, adding that the UK looks forward to continuing to receive Nigerian visitors, students, and workers.
According to the statement, once a visa is approved, applicants will be required to create a free UKVI account to access their eVisa and manage their immigration status online.
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