UK to scrap visa stickers for Nigerians from Feb 25, 2026

United Kingdom has announced that from February 25, 2026, it will stop issuing physical visa stickers to Nigerian travellers, introducing a fully digital eVisa system as part of a sweeping overhaul of its immigration framework.

The decision was unveiled in Abuja by UK Visas and Immigration, which confirmed that all new Visit visas granted to Nigerians will now be issued electronically under the country’s move toward a digital border system.

With the new arrangement, approved applicants will no longer receive visa vignettes affixed to their passports. Instead, their immigration status will be stored online and accessible through a secure UKVI account.

Authorities clarified that the application procedure itself remains the same. Nigerians seeking UK visas will still complete the online application, attend a Visa Application Centre for biometric capture, and satisfy all existing eligibility conditions. The only adjustment concerns how the visa is issued and accessed after approval.

Officials also assured travellers who currently hold valid physical visa stickers that their documents will remain valid until expiration and do not need to be replaced because of the transition.

British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, explained that the reform is designed to ease travel while reinforcing border controls.

“We are committed to making it easier for Nigerians to travel to the UK. This shift to digital visas streamlines a key part of the process, strengthens security and reduces reliance on paper documentation,” she said.

According to UKVI, the eVisa platform is expected to shorten processing timelines since passports will no longer be held for visa endorsements. Travellers will also be able to access and manage their immigration records online whenever necessary.

The agency highlighted added security benefits, noting that digital visas cannot be misplaced, stolen or altered like physical stickers, and allow real-time verification of immigration status.

Once approved, applicants must create a free UKVI account to view and share their eVisa details when required.

The transition is part of the UK’s broader border modernization strategy, with Nigerian travellers among the first groups to fully adopt the digital-only visa issuance system. For business visitors, students and frequent travellers, the development marks a significant shift from passport-based endorsements to a secure online immigration record as the standard for UK entry clearance.