UK Visas & Immigration has announced that all new United Kingdom visit visas issued to Nigerians will become fully digital from 25 February 2026.

In a statement released in Abuja on Monday, the agency said Nigerian nationals applying for a UK visit visa will no longer receive the traditional vignette sticker placed inside their passports. Instead, successful applicants will obtain an electronic visa accessible through an online immigration account.

The development forms part of the UK Government’s transition to a fully digital border management system, allowing travellers to hold and present their immigration status electronically.

According to the statement, the visa application procedure itself remains unchanged. Applicants will still complete the process online, visit a visa application centre to provide biometric information and satisfy all eligibility requirements. The only difference is the format in which the visa is issued.

The agency also clarified that Nigerians who currently possess valid vignette stickers do not need to take any action, as their visas will remain valid until their expiry dates.

Officials said the digital format would speed up passport return after processing, allow travellers to manage their status online from any location and improve security, as the visa cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with.

Reacting to the change, the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, said the move would simplify travel procedures for Nigerians and reduce reliance on paper documentation while maintaining security standards.

She added that the United Kingdom remains open to Nigerian visitors, students and workers, noting that applicants would need to create a free online account after approval to access their eVisa. (Nigerian tribune)

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