February 17, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
The United Kingdom has announced a major overhaul of its visa system for Nigerian travellers, revealing that from February 25, 2026, Nigerian nationals will begin receiving electronic visas (eVisas) instead of traditional physical visa stickers placed in passports before travel. The change is part of the UK’s wider effort to modernise its immigration and border security processes.
According to a statement from the British High Commission in Abuja, the move means that applicants approved for a UK visit visa will no longer have a vignette (visa sticker) affixed to the data page of their passports. Instead, successful applicants will access their visa status online through a secure UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) account once their application is approved.
How the eVisa System Works
Although the visa issuance method is changing, the application process itself remains largely unchanged:
- Nigerian travellers must still complete the online visa application form and attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data (such as fingerprints and photographs).
- Once approved, Nigerian applicants will receive a digital record of their visa the eVisa which will be linked to their passport information and accessed online.
- Travellers will then use their digital visa records when preparing to travel to the UK, with airline and border officials able to verify their status electronically.
British officials say the transition to eVisas will improve security, reduce the risk of lost or tampered paperwork, and make the travel process more efficient for visitors from Nigeria. The policy shift is part of the government’s broader digital transformation of immigration services and is intended to streamline entry requirements while strengthening UK border controls.
Who This Affects
The new system applies to all new UK visit visa applications by Nigerian nationals submitted on or after February 25, 2026. Travellers holding valid physical visa stickers issued before this date will not be required to replace them and may continue to use them until they expire.
Officials emphasised that the shift to eVisas will not change eligibility conditions or the criteria for visa approvals, it simply replaces the format in which permission to enter and stay in the UK is recorded and accessed.
The announcement has been welcomed by many in Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector, which says the digital switch could make planning trips to the UK more streamlined and secure for visitors, students, professionals, and families alike.