In an update published by The Nation on February 14, 2026, the United Kingdom government has issued a final reminder to Nigerian residents and other foreign nationals that all physical immigration documents will be phased out by February 25, 2026. The transition to a fully digital eVisa system is part of a broader UK Home Office strategy to modernize border control and reduce document fraud.
The change affects Nigerians holding Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), Biometric Residence Cards (BRC), or passport endorsements like ink stamps and vignette stickers. Affected persons are required to create a UKVI account to access their digital status. Failure to do so before the deadline could lead to significant travel delays or issues proving the right to work and rent in the UK.
Validating coverage from Channels TV and Daily Post emphasizes the urgency for the Nigerian diaspora. Channels TV reported that “thousands of Nigerians are yet to complete their digital transition,” while Daily Post quoted a UK Home Office official: “Physical documents are becoming a thing of the past; the eVisa is secure, digital, and the future of our border system.”
Echotitbits take: This is a crucial update for the “Japa” generation and frequent travelers. The digital shift eliminates the risk of losing physical permits but places a higher burden on travelers to ensure their online records are perfectly synchronized with their current passports.
Source: The Nation – https://thenationonlineng.net/uk-to-replace-paper-visas-with-evisas-from-february-25/, February 14, 2026
Photo credit: The Nation
Tag: UK Visa
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UK to Replace All Physical Visas with eVisas by February 25
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UK Govt to Replace Expired Visa Free for Nigerians Due to Coronavirus
British High Commission Thursday assured it would replace expired visa free for Nigerians.
The commission also stated that it has reopened its Visa Application Centres across the country, adding that the free replacements would continue until the end of 2020.
The commission, in a statement, said the decision to replace visa free was taken in view of the disruptions to business activities and travels caused by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which it said led to an increase in the demand for a 30-day visa replacements for those wanting to travel to the United Kingdom (UK) for work, study or to join their families.
The UK government noted that any individual whose 30-day visa to the UK for work, study or visitation had expired could request for a replacement free of charge, albeit with revised validity dates.
“As a result of the disruptions to travel caused by COVID-19, we are experiencing high demand for replacement vignettes for 30-day visas to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family.
“If an individual’s 30-day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired, or is about to expire, they can request a replacement visa with revised validity dates free of charge until the end of this year.
“This does not apply to other types of visas. This process will be in place until the end of 2020. The replacement visa will be valid for 90 days.
“To request a replacement visa, individuals can arrange to return their passport to their Visa Application Centre in Nigeria without an appointment,” the commission said.
Idowu Sowunmi