Tag: Physical Stickers

The United Kingdom has confirmed that starting February 25, 2026, Nigerian travellers will no longer receive physical visa stickers in their passports, as the country moves fully to an electronic visa system. The announcement was made in Abuja by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), which stated that all newly approved Visit visas for Nigerians will now be issued as digital eVisas under the UK’s broader transition to a modernised, paperless border process. Under the updated system, successful applicants will not get visa vignettes placed inside their passports. Instead, their immigration status will be stored online and accessible through a secure UKVI account. Authorities stressed that the visa application steps remain unchanged. Applicants must still complete the online form, visit a Visa Application Centre to submit biometric data, and meet all existing requirements. The only difference is how the visa is delivered and verified after approval. UKVI also clarified that Nigerians who already possess valid physical visa stickers will continue to use them until they expire. There is no requirement to switch to an eVisa before the end of their current validity period. British Deputy High Commissioner in Abuja, Gill Lever, said the transition is designed to make travel smoother while enhancing border security. “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 digital system is expected to reduce delays since passports will no longer need to be retained for visa endorsements. Travellers will also be able to check and share their immigration status online at any time. Officials noted that unlike physical stickers, eVisas cannot be lost, stolen or tampered with, and they allow real-time verification of a traveller’s status. The move forms part of a wider overhaul of the UK’s border management system, marking a significant procedural change for Nigerian visitors, students and business travellers who will now rely entirely on a secure digital immigration record for entry clearance.