The United Kingdom has officially launched electronic visas, also known as electronic visas, for Nigerians seeking study, work, or other visa types.
The announcement was made on July 9, Tuesday and marks a significant change in the way Nigerian travellers will be able to be able to access UK visa services. The eVisa system is designed to remove the old visa vignettes (stickers) found in passports in order to simplify entry procedures and increase the accuracy of security through digital authentication.
What This Means for Nigerian Travelers
The new policy will mean that the successful Nigerian visa candidates will not receive the visa physically on their passports. Instead, their visa status will be electronically stored and connected with their existing account on the internet—UK visa account.
This applies to applicants who apply for various types of categories, including:
- Visas for study
- Visas for work
- Family reunion
- Visas for settlement
By UK authorities, travellers can now confirm the status of their visa online through an official government portal that is secure.
Rollout Begins July 15 for Visa Decision Recipients
The new system is in effect on July 15, Monday and applies to Nigerians who are granted a visa starting that day. People whose visa decision was issued before July 15 will continue to use the Vignette system.
However, people already living in the UK will be moved to the electronic visa system at some point in 2025, following which the requirement to submit physically-issued visa documents will be eliminated.
Biometric Enrollment Still Required
In spite of the switch to digital visas, Nigerian applicants will have to go to Visa Application Centres (VACs) to provide biometrics. This includes fingerprints and photos by UK immigration regulations.
The UK Government has stressed that the eVisa will improve security, decrease the possibility of fraud on visas and make border procedures more efficient.
No Physical Passport Stamping for Entry
Another important modification is that holders of eVisas do not require stamped passports upon entry to the UK. In lieu, UK Border Force officers will confirm their identity and status via digital verification when they enter the country.
How to Access Your eVisa
All visa holders will have to establish a UKVI login to access and share information about their status as immigrants. Travellers must ensure that the information on their passports used in their UKVI account is in line with the passport they currently have, particularly during flights or immigration processing.
Instructions regarding how to set up this account are likely to be sent by email when a visa decision is taken.
What Happens to Current Visa Holders?
At present, people who already have UK visa vignettes or Biometric residence Permits (BRPs) are able to utilize these. But, they will eventually be replaced with electronic visas as part of the plan for the UK to digitize all immigration records in 2025.
Implication for Nigerian Students and Workers
This change is especially significant for the thousands of Nigerian students, healthcare professionals and professional professionals who travel to the UK every year. Through an eVisa system, the process of preparing documents could become more efficient, secure, and simpler to manage from any part of the world.
The UK Home Office has also declared that the system is in line with the larger goals of its office of modernizing border controls to ensure “a safer and more efficient immigration experience.”
Looking Ahead
The UK intends to expand the eVisa expansion to additional countries over the next few months. Nigerians make up a portion of the first users, which highlights the UK’s growing digital relationship with Africa’s biggest nation.
For students, travellers and employers in Nigeria, This shift signifies the beginning of a new phase in UK immigration procedures, which will reduce forms and make it easier for legitimate travellers.
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