UK Now Requires eVisas for International Students and Foreign Workers: What You Need to Know

From July 15, 2025, the United Kingdom has made eVisas mandatory for international students and foreign professionals applying to study or work in the UK. This marks a major shift in the UK’s immigration system as it transitions from physical visa stickers to a fully digital process.

If you’re planning to relocate to the UK for education or employment, here’s what you need to know about the new UK eVisa system and how it affects you.

What’s Changing?

Traditionally, successful UK visa applicants were issued a vignette—a physical visa sticker attached to their passport. That system is now being phased out.

Under the new policy, students and skilled workers who apply for visas on or after July 15, 2025, will no longer receive a vignette. Instead, they must set up a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account and access their digital eVisa online.

What Is an eVisa?

An eVisa is a secure digital record confirming a person’s immigration status and permission to enter or remain in the UK. It replaces physical documents such as the biometric residence permit (BRP) or vignette sticker.

Applicants will now receive a decision via email and will be able to view their visa status online using their UKVI account. This means there’s no need to return to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) just to pick up your passport or visa sticker.

Who Does This Apply To?

The eVisa requirement currently applies to:

• International students
  
• Skilled worker visa applicants
  

If you’re applying under one of these categories, you must set up a UKVI account to access your digital visa before traveling to the UK.

Who Still Receives a Physical Vignette?

A vignette will still be issued if:

• You’re applying as a dependent of someone else
  
• You’re applying under visa categories other than study or work
  

Benefits of the eVisa System

According to UKVI and global education consultants, the move toward eVisas provides several advantages:

• Faster processing: Applicants can complete biometric submissions and passport collection on the same day.
  
• No more BRP cards: Eliminates the need for additional documents upon arrival.
  
• More transparency: Visa status and details can be accessed online anytime.
  
• Simplified travel: Easier border control and immigration checks.
  

How to Create a UKVI Account

To access your eVisa, you’ll need to create a UKVI account online. This is especially important if:

• You were issued a Form for Affixing a Visa (FAV)
  
• You were granted a visa extension
  
• You don’t currently hold a valid passport or BRP
  

Once registered, you can log in to view and share your visa details digitally.

What This Means for Nigerian and Other International Applicants

For Nigerian students and skilled workers aiming to relocate to the UK, this development offers a more efficient and digital-first experience. As the UK continues to streamline immigration, understanding how to navigate the new eVisa process is essential for a smooth relocation.

Applicants are advised to prepare all required documentation ahead of time, ensure their UKVI account is set up correctly, and monitor official UKVI channels for any additional updates.