UK e-Visa

Gone are the days when you had to wait for a visa sticker in your passport before traveling to the UK. The game is changing and if you’re a Nigerian planning to study or work in the UK, here’s something you need to know:

The UK is rolling out a digital e‑Visa system, and from July 15, 2025, it directly affects you.

So let’s break it down, what this new system means and how it works.

What Exactly Is the UK e‑Visa?

The UK e‑Visa is a digital version of the visa you’re used to getting as a sticker in your passport (also known as a vignette). With the new system, instead of a physical visa, your visa information is stored online, and you’ll access it using a UKVI account.

This is all part of the UK government’s plan to create a fully digital immigration system. Think of it as your visa going paperless and now digital. Your visa approval will be stored online in a UKVI account, and instead of showing a sticker at the airport or immigration, you’ll use a “View and Prove” link to verify your visa status.

So yes, your passport might look empty, but your visa exists online.

Who Is Affected?

This digital change affects Nigerians applying for:

• UK Student Visas

• UK Skilled Worker Visas

But if you are applying as a visitor, tourist, or dependent (like a spouse or child), you’ll still receive the physical visa sticker for now.

The change applies to applications submitted on or after July 15, 2025, so if you’re still gathering your documents, now’s a good time to take note.

At Fly Consular, we’ve already started preparing our clients for this change, and we don’t want you to be left out of the loop.

How Does the UK e‑Visa Process Work?

Here’s a clear step-by-step breakdown for Nigeria:

1. Submit your visa application via the official UKVI portal.

2. Book and attend your biometrics appointment at a UK Visa Application Centre (Lagos, Abuja, or Kano).

3. If eligible for e‑Visa, your passport is returned with no sticker.

4. You’ll receive a decision email confirming your visa approval.

5. Set up a UKVI account using the email provided in your application.

6. Log in to “View and Prove” to see your visa status and generate a “share code”, this is what you’ll show to airlines, schools, immigration officers, etc.

The goal is that this becomes smoother than waiting for a sticker but in the meantime, you’ll need to be extra prepared.

We help our clients at Fly Consular set up their UKVI accounts, check for errors, and generate their share codes, because one wrong move like using the wrong email can make the process more difficult.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of the New e‑Visa System

Advantages

• Faster approval and passport return

• No sticker delays

• Easier to update your immigration status

• Can be accessed from anywhere

Disadvantages

• Some airlines or institutions may not fully recognize digital proof

• UKVI site glitches are common

• You must be tech-savvy and proactive

• Internet issues, login errors, and confusion are real risks

Here’s what we recommend every Nigerian e‑Visa holder to take note of when flying to the UK.

• Print every visa-related email.

• Take screenshots of your visa approval and View & Prove page and if possible print them also.

• Confirm with your airline before your flight to ensure they understand the change.

• Don’t use someone else’s email for your UKVI account—it must be yours.

• Use a secure folder to store your UKVI login details and reference numbers.

And if you’re ever unsure, reach out to our team of experts here at Fly Consular’s, It’s better to ask than guess.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I board a flight without a visa in my passport?

Yes, you can, but only if your visa has been approved and you can access and prove it online. We recommend printing the visa approval email, your share code page, and taking screenshots, don’t rely on internet access at the airport.

2. What if I can’t log in to my UKVI account or the site crashes?

This is happening more often than you’d expect. People lose passwords, have email typos, or the system just doesn’t respond. That is why it is important to have screenshots of your view and proof page or a printed copy.

3. Will my school or employer in the UK accept my digital visa?

Yes, they will but don’t assume they’re familiar with the new system. Some landlords and schools may still ask for a sticker or paper document out of habit.

4. What happens if my name is spelled wrongly or my visa details are wrong?

Since there’s no sticker to “check,” most people won’t notice errors until they’re at the airport or worse, after arrival. So, double check all your details to catch every inconsistency with your passport.

Change is always uncomfortable, especially when it involves immigration. But here’s the truth: the UK e‑Visa system isn’t going away. In fact, it’s the beginning of a wider shift across global travel. If you’re planning to study, work, or relocate to the UK, now’s the time to get familiar with the process and get it right from the start.

Fly Consular is here to guide you every step of the way, so you can move forward with clarity, not confusion.

Have any questions or comments, drop them in the comments section below, I would love to hear from you.