The United Kingdom government has announced that, beginning July 15, it will introduce a digital e-Visa for Nigerians applying for study and work visas. The move, according to the British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, is part of the UK’s ongoing transition to a fully digital immigration system.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Lever explained that the new digital visa will replace the traditional vignette sticker in passports for successful applicants. She described the e-Visa system as a more secure, efficient, and convenient way for individuals to manage their immigration status. It is expected to benefit students, professionals, and families seeking to travel to the UK for educational or employment purposes.
While the new system applies to study and work visa categories, Lever clarified that applicants for other visa types, such as standard visitor visas and dependants, will continue to receive physical visa stickers in their passports. Despite the shift to digital, applicants are still required to attend a visa application centre to provide biometric information as part of the application process.
Once a decision is made on an application, successful candidates will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with instructions to create a UKVI account. This account will enable them to access and manage their e-Visa. Lever added that the system has already replaced biometric residence permits for individuals granted leave for more than six months, and users can securely share their immigration status with third parties through the “view and prove” service.
