The UK is steadily moving away from physical immigration documents as part of a major transition to a fully digital immigration system. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is replacing visa stickers, biometric residence permits and other paper-based proof with a digital record known as an eVisa. This change is being rolled out in phases to help people adjust and to reduce disruption.
For many Nigerians and other migrants living, working or studying in the UK, immigration status is not just paperwork. It affects jobs, housing, travel, and peace of mind. At Chijos News, we focus on breaking down policy changes like this in clear, real-world terms, especially for diaspora communities who are often the most affected but least clearly informed.
What an eVisa Actually Is
An eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status held securely online. Instead of relying on a physical document that can be lost, stolen or damaged, your permission to enter or stay in the UK is linked to your UKVI account. Since 2018, millions of people have already been issued with eVisas, and the Home Office regularly publishes data on how many accounts have been created.
If you are updating an existing physical document to an eVisa, your immigration status and the conditions attached to it do not change. This is simply a change in how that status is recorded and accessed.
Why the Government Is Pushing the Digital System
UKVI says the shift to eVisas makes the system more secure and efficient. Because everything is digital, documents cannot be tampered with or misplaced. Applicants no longer have to wait for a physical card or sticker to arrive after a decision is made, although biometric information may still need to be provided in person in some cases.
The system is also designed to make everyday life easier. Proving your immigration status at the UK border should be quicker, and sharing your right to work or rent with employers and landlords can be done digitally, without photocopies or repeated checks. Some government departments will also be able to verify your status directly, reducing the need for you to provide the same information again and again.
What Is Changing in 2026
A major milestone is coming in 2026, when eVisas will fully replace all visa stickers. From 12 January, most people granted visit visas and some other visa types will receive both a visa sticker and an eVisa. People with valid visa stickers issued before this date will also be able to access their eVisa through a UKVI account.
Later in 2026, visa stickers will stop being issued entirely. At that point, all successful applicants will rely solely on their eVisa as proof of immigration status.
New Applications From Late 2025
If you or your dependants apply successfully for certain work, study or family visas, or for settlement, on or after 30 October 2025, you may not receive a visa sticker at all. Instead, you will need to access your eVisa online before travelling to the UK to see what permission has been granted. UKVI says applicants will be told clearly how to access their eVisa and whether a sticker will still be issued in their case.
For some work and study visa applicants, this shift has already started. eVisas replaced visa stickers for certain main applicants whose applications were made on or after 15 July 2025.
Read Also: Why Many Nigerians Get Scammed Around UK Immigration
Support for Communities and Vulnerable Migrants
Recognising that not everyone finds digital systems easy to use, the government has announced additional funding of up to £400,000 for 25 national and community-based organisations. This funding, running from September 2025 until March 2026, is aimed at helping vulnerable people and those who may struggle with online access to understand and use the eVisa system.
This is particularly important for older migrants, people with limited digital skills, and members of the diaspora who may rely heavily on community organisations for guidance.
Who Can Now Access an eVisa
More people are now eligible to create a UKVI account and access their eVisa. This includes individuals who were issued with a Form for Affixing a Visa, as well as those who were granted a visa extension but do not currently have a valid identity document such as a passport or an expired biometric residence permit.
What This Means for the Diaspora
For diaspora communities, especially Nigerians in the UK, the move to a digital immigration system brings both convenience and new responsibilities. While eVisas reduce the risk of losing vital documents, they also mean individuals must ensure their UKVI accounts are set up correctly, kept secure, and regularly checked.
This shift makes it more important than ever to understand your immigration status, know how to share it when required, and avoid relying on misinformation from unverified sources. At Chijos News, we continue to monitor these changes closely so our readers can stay informed, compliant and confident as the UK’s immigration system enters its digital future.
