The United Kingdom has officially taken a step toward establishing a fully digital immigration system. As of July 15, 2025, the UK will make eVisas compulsory for international students and foreign workers, thereby eliminating the traditional vignette stickers in passports. It is essential to familiarise yourself with this new digital system if you are applying for a visa to travel to the UK, including student and work visas.
What Is Changing with UK Visas?
According to UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the UK is phasing out physical vignettes, which are those small stickers placed in passports that indicate permission to enter the UK. Instead, they are rolling out eVisas for student and skilled worker visa applicants who submit their applications on or after 15 July 2025.
That means if you’re applying for a UK study or work visa now, you won’t receive a vignette. Instead, you will need to set up a UKVI account and access your eVisa digitally before travelling.
“For students and skilled professionals, the digital visa process offers a simpler and more transparent experience, eliminating physical BRP cards and enabling online access to visa status,” says Aritra Ghosal, Founder and Director at OneStep Global.
How to Access Your UK eVisa
To access your UK eVisa before travelling, you must first create a UKVI account. This account will serve as your portal to view, manage, and share your immigration status with others (e.g., employers or landlords).
You’ll need a UKVI account if:
- You applied for a student or work visa after July 15, 2025
- You were issued a Form for Affixing a Visa (FAV)
- You extended your visa, but don’t have a valid ID or an expired BRP
Additionally, you can register for a UKVI account through the official UK government website.
What Are the Benefits of the eVisa System?
Here are the benefits the eVisa system offers:
- Faster Processing: Applicants can now submit biometrics and collect passports on the same day, which helps to reduce the frequency of visits to the Visa Application Centres.
- Less Paperwork: No physical BRPs or vignettes to manage or risk losing.
- Easy Updates: You can easily update personal information online through your UKVI account.
- Security: Digital records are more complex to forge than physical documents, which offers an additional layer of security to your documents.
- Convenience: You can easily prove your status online to employers, landlords, or universities using your smart gadgets by just logging into your UKVI account.
Exceptions to the Rule
While UK eVisas are now compulsory for international students and foreign workers, there are still a few exceptions:
- Dependents of visa holders (such as spouses or children) may still receive a vignette.
- Applicants for other visa categories not related to work or study may still get a physical vignette.
READ MORE: Top 11 Easiest Countries to Get a Schengen Visa
Important Reminder for All Immigrants
If you already have a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), you’ll need to transition to an eVisa before the end of 2025, as the UK plans to retire BRPs completely by January 1, 2026. As such, UKVI is urging all BRP holders to create a UKVI account and link it to their current immigration status.
According to GOV.UK, the transition to eVisas is part of a broader effort to modernise the UK border and immigration system, to make it more digital, efficient, and secure.
What This Means for Nigerians Planning to Study or Work in the UK
For many Nigerians, the UK remains a top destination for both higher education and skilled migration. With the UK making eVisas compulsory for international students and foreign workers, applicants need to stay updated and follow the correct process.
If you’re planning to travel soon:
- Apply online through the UKVI portal
- Create your UKVI account early
- Access your eVisa well before your travel date
- Double-check your email for decision notifications instead of waiting for a vignette
This digital transition not only affects the application process but also how you’ll prove your right to stay, work, and study in the UK once you arrive.
READ MORE: 11 Fastest Countries to Get Citizenship as an Immigrant
The UK’s move toward eVisas signals a digital-first future for immigration. While the process may feel unfamiliar at first, it offers better security, faster processing, and a more modern experience overall. As the UK makes eVisas compulsory for international students and foreign workers, it is essential that, as an applicant, you familiarise yourself with the new system to avoid unnecessary delays or complications.
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