The British High Commission says the UK will start issuing eVisas for applicants seeking to study and work on July 15
The British High Commission has declared that the majority of applicants for UK study or work visas will be granted eVisas starting on July 15, 2025.
Most people applying to visit the UK on work or study visas will no longer have a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport as of July 15, 2025, according to a statement released by the British High Commission (BHC).
According to a BHC statement, successful applicants will now receive an eVisa, a safe online record of their immigration status. The agency also noted that this development is a significant milestone in the UK government’s shift to a contemporary, digital immigration system.
As per the announcement, this modification is only applicable to applications for work or study visas filed on or after July 15, 2025. Candidates will proceed with the current procedure, which includes dropping off their passport at the Visa Application Center and getting a vignette, if they apply before July 15th.
The vignette sticker will remain on visit visa applications for the time being, the statement said, adding that even though the vignette for study or work visas has been removed, all applicants still need to go to a Visa Application Center (VAC) to submit their biometric data as part of the visa processing process.
It added that applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) with the outcome of their visa application decision and information on how to create a UKVI account in order to access their eVisa.
Gill Lever, Chargé d’Affaires of the British High Commission, discussed the new regulation, saying: “We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK.” Instead of a visa sticker in their passport, the majority of applicants for work or study visas will receive a digital eVisa starting on July 15, 2025. For students, professionals, and families, this is a significant step towards a fully digitized UK immigration system that will make the procedure safer, more effective, and more easy.
“However, if you are applying for a visitor visa or as a dependent, such as a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK, you will still be temporarily issued a visa vignette sticker in your passport.”
Further Details
Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) have already been superseded by eVisas for those who have been granted leave for more than six months, the statement indicated. Employers and landlords (in England) can safely access their immigration status by using the View and Prove tool for customers with a UKVI account.
If a visa does not require a visa vignette sticker, the applicant can take their passport home that same day. Follow the instructions in his decision notification after the visa is granted, and if recommended, create a UKVI account and link it to his current passport. Applicants were advised to apply online and submit their applications through the official website via gov.uk.
