In a statement released on Wednesday, the British High Commission in Abuja stated that most applicants will no longer receive the conventional visa stickers in their passports, but rather digital eVisas, beginning on July 15, 2025.
Only applications filed by July 15, 2025, or later will be subject to the new rule. Before this date, those who apply will still have to go through the current process, which entails presenting their passport at a Visa Application Centre and getting a vignette.
According to the statement, “From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport.”
Those who are accepted will instead receive an eVisa, which is a safe, online record of their immigration status.
“This change applies only to study or work visa applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applicants who apply before 15 July will continue with the current process, including leaving their passport at the Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette. Visit visa applications will continue to receive the visa vignette sticker for the time being.”
Visa application centre for biometric verification
Crucially, in order to submit biometric data, applicants still need to go to a visa application centre.
“Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure,” the statement added.
The statement added that UK Visas and Immigration would send them an email with their decision and instructions to create a UKVI account so they could access their eVisa after their visa has been approved.
“Once a decision is made on their visa application, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account to access their eVisa,” the statement added.
The Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, Gill Obe, said, “We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport.”
“This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”
She added that the new system would not immediately impact every applicant.
Dependant excluded
“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” she added.
The High Commission explained that for those who have been granted leave for longer than six months, eVisas have already taken the place of biometric residence permits. The “View and Prove” service allows UKVI account holders to disclose their immigration status to third parties, including employers and landlords in England.
In order to receive an eVisa, candidates need to apply online at gov.uk, the official website of the UK government. Visit a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics. If a vignette is not necessary, take their passport home that same day. Observe the guidelines in the decision letter, including setting up and connecting a UKVI account if required.
The UK government’s shift to a contemporary, digital immigration system has advanced significantly with this modification.