UK issues guide for Nigerians, other nationals on accessing eVisa

The United Kingdom has released guidelines explaining how visa holders, including Nigerians, can access their electronic immigration status. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) published the instructions in an infographic shared on its official X account on Monday, outlining the process of setting up an account, confirming one’s identity and connecting it to an eVisa.

An eVisa is an online record containing a person’s identity and immigration status. It shows the category of permission granted to an individual, including whether they have indefinite leave to remain in the UK, as well as the conditions attached to their immigration status. The UK government said electronic visas have replaced physical immigration documents, adding that individuals granted a UK visa or other permission to remain in the country would be issued an eVisa.

How to apply for and access a UK eVisa 1. Submit a visa application Applicants must first complete the UK visa application process through the government’s official website, GOV.UK. Depending on the category of application, they may also need to provide biometric details and verify their identity at a designated Visa Application Centre. 2. Receive an application decision After submitting their applications, applicants will be notified by email once UK Visas and Immigration reaches a decision.

The agency advises applicants to monitor their spam and junk folders to ensure they do not miss important notifications. 3. Set up a UKVI account Those whose applications are approved should proceed to create an account through the official eVisa portal at gov.uk/evisa. Applicants are required to follow the online instructions until the system confirms that their accounts have been successfully created. 4.

Confirm identity and connect the eVisa After creating an account, users must log in and verify their identities using the UK Immigration: ID Check application. They are also required to link their UKVI accounts to their electronic immigration records to make the eVisas accessible online. 5. Access the electronic visa Once the eVisa is available, users will receive an email notification directing them to view their immigration status online.

UKVI advises holders to review their digital records and ensure that all personal and immigration details are accurate before travelling. The UK government says creating a UKVI account and viewing an eVisa are free of charge.