How Nigerians Can Access UK eVisa
The United Kingdom has provided guidelines explaining how visa holders, including Nigerians, can access their electronic immigration status as part of its move from physical immigration documents to digital records.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) shared the steps in a post on its X account on Monday, advising applicants to create a UKVI account, verify their identity and link the account to their electronic visa.
An eVisa is a digital record containing a person’s identity and immigration status. It provides information about the type of visa held, permission to remain in the UK and any conditions attached to the immigration status.
The UK government has replaced physical immigration documents with electronic records for people who successfully obtain a UK visa or another form of permission to stay in the country.
Steps to Apply for and Access a UK eVisa
1. Apply for a UK Visa
Applicants must submit their visa applications online through the official UK government website, GOV.UK.
Depending on the application, they may also need to provide biometric information and verify their identity at a Visa Application Centre.
2. Wait for a Decision
After submitting an application, applicants will receive an email notification once a decision has been made.
UK Visas and Immigration advises applicants to check their spam and junk folders to ensure they do not miss important notifications.
3. Create a UKVI Account
Once an application has been approved, successful applicants should create a UK Visas and Immigration account through the official eVisa portal at gov.uk/evisa.
They must complete the registration process and wait for confirmation that their account has been successfully created.
4. Verify Identity and Link the Account
Applicants should sign in to their UKVI accounts and verify their identities using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
They must also connect their UKVI accounts to their eVisas to gain access to their digital immigration records.
5. View the eVisa
After the eVisa is ready, applicants will receive an email notification informing them that it is available online.
UK Visas and Immigration advises users to review their eVisa details and ensure all information is correct before travelling.
Is There a Fee to Access a UK eVisa?
The UK government has clarified that creating a UKVI account and accessing an eVisa are free.
Users whose eVisas have been successfully linked to their accounts can usually access their digital immigration records immediately, although the process may take up to 24 hours.
How Can eVisa Holders Use Their Digital Status?
According to the UK government, eVisa holders can view their immigration status and generate a share code when required.
The share code can be used to demonstrate immigration status for purposes such as starting a new job or renting accommodation.
Travellers can also use their eVisas when travelling, provided they have added their passport or travel document details to their UKVI accounts.
Although electronic visas have replaced physical immigration documents, some holders of biometric residence cards may still be able to use them in certain circumstances.
The government also clarified that existing visa vignettes, which are visa stickers placed in passports, remain valid until their expiry dates.
