Travellers from Nigeria planning to visit the United Kingdom will begin receiving their visit visas electronically from February 25, as the UK government introduces a new digital visa system aimed at improving travel efficiency and border security.
Nijatravels reports that the transition to electronic visas, known as eVisas, forms part of the United Kingdom’s wider immigration modernization programme. Under the new arrangement, successful applicants will no longer receive visa vignette stickers placed inside their passports. Instead, visa approvals will be issued digitally and linked directly to the traveller’s online immigration account.
According to the UK Visas and Immigration, the application process itself will remain unchanged. Nigerian applicants will still complete their visa applications online, attend Visa Application Centres for biometric enrolment, and meet all eligibility requirements before approval. The major change applies only to how the visa is issued and accessed after approval.
The UK authorities explained that the introduction of eVisas is designed to make the visa system more secure and convenient for travellers. By removing physical visa stickers, the new system reduces the risk of loss, damage, or fraud while allowing travellers to easily access and share their visa status digitally when required.
British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, noted that the development is expected to simplify travel procedures for Nigerian visitors. She explained that the digital system allows applicants to manage their immigration status online, making the process more efficient before departure and upon arrival in the UK.
The move also aligns with the UK government’s broader shift toward digital border management, where immigration records and permissions are stored electronically rather than through paper-based documentation. Aviation and travel stakeholders believe the initiative will improve passenger experience and reduce administrative challenges commonly associated with physical visa endorsements.
For Nigerian travellers, the introduction of eVisas signals a significant change in how travel documentation is handled, particularly for short-term visits such as tourism, business trips, and family visits. Applicants are advised to ensure their online immigration accounts are properly set up and accessible, as the eVisa will serve as official proof of permission to travel.
The new system is expected to enhance convenience while strengthening compliance and security measures, marking another step in the ongoing digital transformation of international travel processes between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.