DIY: How to Apply for the UK eVisa

Oh, the joys of visa applications! Once again, I find myself applying for a UK visa, and this time there’s something new to navigate – the UK eVisa. If you’re a Nigerian planning to visit the United Kingdom, you may have noticed that the UK visa application process has changed. The introduction of the UK eVisa is one of the biggest changes applicants need to understand, particularly if you’re used to receiving a physical visa sticker in your passport.

This isn’t my first time applying for a UK visa as a Nigerian citizen. I’ve made two visa applications in the last 4 years and have written about the visa application process for Nigerians here and here. I’m honestly so glad I’ve documented my previous experiences because those guides have been incredibly helpful whenever I’ve had to go through the process again.

But this time, there’s a curveball.

The UK visa process has changed, and if you’re applying as a Nigerian, you may have questions about what the new UK eVisa means for you. Do you still need to submit biometrics? Will you still get a visa sticker in your passport? How do you access your UK eVisa? And perhaps most importantly, how do you travel to the UK with an eVisa?

In this guide, I’ll take you through my application experience, explain what has changed and what has stayed the same, and share everything you need to know about the UK eVisa for Nigerians, from applying to receiving your immigration status and travelling to the United Kingdom.

So, if you’re a Nigerian planning a trip to the UK and you’re wondering how to apply for a UK eVisa, what happens after your UK visa application is approved, or how the new eVisa system affects your travel, you’re in the right place. Let’s get into it.

What is the UK eVisa?

The UK eVisa is a digital record of your immigration status. It replaces physical immigration documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), ink stamps, and physical visa vignettes (stickers in your passport).

What Has Changed vs. What Has Stayed the Same?

My biggest confusion about the new UK eVisa application was figuring out what I actually needed to do, and what I could skip. Did I still need to apply through GOV.UK? Did I need to book an appointment at a biometrics collection centre? And once my visa was approved, did I need to visit the centre again, or was that it?

After going through the entire process myself, I now have answers to all of these questions, and I’m breaking down exactly what you need to do, what you don’t need to do, and what happens after your UK visa is approved.

What Has Stayed the Same:

• The Online Application Form: You still start your application on the official GOV.UK portal.
• Biometrics Appointment Still Required: Applicants and standard visitor visa applicants from Nigeria and Kenya must still attend an in-person biometrics appointment.
  • In Nigeria: VFS Global centres (Lagos Island, Ikeja, Abuja, and premium application centres in Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Kano, and Port Harcourt).
  • In Kenya: VFS Global centres (Nairobi, Mombasa) – be sure to pick the right address.
• Supporting Documents & Requirements: You still need to provide proof of financial capacity (3-6 months of detailed bank statements), proof of employment/business, accommodation details, and solid ties to your home country.

What Has Changed:

• No More Vignettes/Stickers for Most Visas: The Home Office has phased out the issuance of physical visa stickers in passports for new successful visa applicants.
• Digital Profile (UKVI Account): You can now access, view, and share your immigration status online by logging in to your UKVI account.
• One-time visit to the Application Centres: You only need to visit VFS once. You keep your passport.
• Share Codes for Verification: If you need to prove your legal status to an employer, landlord, or airline, you generate a Share Code through your online account.

Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Your UK eVisa

1. Complete the form on the GOV.UK website: Make sure all your personal details match your passport exactly and that every piece of information you provide is accurate. Once you’ve completed the form, I recommend downloading a copy for your records. This can make future applications much easier, especially if you need to refer back to information you provided previously. The form is stored for about a year, so even if you forget to download it immediately after submitting your application, you should still be able to access it later.
2. Pay the visa fee online: Once you complete the form, you will be redirected to the page for payment. Complete the payment and download the receipt for your records as well.
3. Schedule your appointment: The next step after payment is to schedule your appointment to provide your fingerprints and passport photo.
4. Upload your documents: Then you will either upload your supporting financial and personal documents beforehand online (free of charge) or pay for document scanning at the centre.
5. Attend your biometrics appointment: Finally, attend your appointment. Make sure you double-check the address on your appointment receipt before you leave. VFS Global in Nairobi has multiple locations, and the UK visa application centre is currently on School Lane, not the location off Waiyaki Way.

UK eVisa Standard Visitor Visa Fee: How much does the UK Standard Visitor visa cost?

I paid $190 USD for my UK Standard Visitor visa application. However, visa fees can change, so I recommend checking the official UK government fee calculator for the most up-to-date price based on your country of application. Check the latest UK eVisa fees

UK eVisa Application Supporting Document

These are the documents I submitted for my application – you can add more or remove any that don’t apply to you:

• A cover letter – highlighting key details regarding my finances, employment, and residency in Kenya.
• Letter of Invitation from the UK
• Evidence of employment (employment letters, promotion letters, etc)
• Bank statements (I submitted 3 months)
• Payslips (I submitted 3 months)
• Photocopy of international passport bio-data page
• Marriage Certificate
• Invoices for additional credits made into my account outside my salary
• My residency status in Kenya
• Valid tax certificate

Other documents you may include if they apply to you are:

• Documentation from the Host in the UK ( passport copy, letter of invitation, bank statement)
• Original Birth Certificates of children if applying with children
• Family Photographs (if applicable, depending on visa type)
• Evidence of assets

UK eVisa: What Next After Biometrics?

The next step after providing your biometrics is, unfortunately, the waiting game. Previously, you could track the status of your application through a tracker provided by the biometrics centre. This time around, however, there was no real-time tracker. Instead, I was simply given the expected processing timeline for my visa category.

UK eVisa: How Long Does it Actually Take?

For a standard UK visa, regular processing currently takes around 3 weeks. Of course, this can be shorter or longer depending on a number of circumstances. You’ll also be advised not to contact UKVI or the application centre until this processing period has elapsed. My previous UK visa application took 7 working days to process, while my most recent application took 8 working days.

Here’s the timeline of my application and the status updates I received:

Working Days	Status	Date
Day 01	Biometric Enrollment Done	10 September
Day 01	Application Transferred To DMC	10 September
Day 02	Application Received by UKVI	11 September
Day 04	Application Update from Gov.UK	15 September
Day 08	eVisa Approval Message	21 September

I still recommend giving yourself enough time by applying at least 4 weeks before your travel date.

UK eVisa: What Next After Approval Message?

Once your application is approved, you will receive an official decision email. The next step is then to link your UK eVisa to your UKVI account. The email will contain information on how to do so, but here’s a summary and some tips if you run into issues:

1. Create your UKVI Account: This account is different from your visa application account. VFS will offer to help you create it for a fee. You can refuse this offer and create it yourself. Start here and follow the prompts.
2. Download the “UK Immigration: ID Check” smartphone app: you will need this to scan your passport chip and perform other data collection requirements. If you run into some issues, see my recommendations in the next section.
3. The rest is pretty simple. Follow the prompts on the app and the website until the end. You will receive an email stating that the linking process has started and, shortly after, the confirmation email that your UK eVisa has been successfully linked to your account.

UK eVisa: What to Do If Your Passport Chip Doesn’t Scan

If, like me, you run into some issues during the passport scanning stage, don’t panic just yet. There are a few things you can try:

• Check whether your passport chip can be read. You can download the ReadID Me app to test this. I was able to scan my older Nigerian passports using the app, although it wouldn’t read my new one. If the app can successfully read your passport, you’ll likely have better luck with the UK visa app too.
• Try scanning the back of your passport. This one caught me by surprise. For Nigerian passport holders, the chip may be located towards the back of the passport, around the coat of arms area. So if the front isn’t working, flip it over and try again.
• Still having problems? Select “No”. When you’re asked whether your passport has a chip and you’ve tried everything without success, you can select “No” and continue with the application from there.

I ended up having to troubleshoot this part myself, so hopefully these tips save you some of the frustration I had!

Important Rules for Travelling with a UK eVisa

1. Keep Your UKVI Account Passport Details Updated: Your eVisa is digitally linked to the exact passport you used during your application. If you renew your Kenyan or Nigerian passport before travelling, you must update your passport details in your UKVI account before your flight, or the airline system will not recognize your digital clearance.
2. Double-Check Airline Boarding Protocols: Airlines run digital passenger checks with the UK Home Office prior to boarding. Always have your decision letter and login details for your UKVI account on your mobile device as a backup.
3. Dual Nationality Considerations: If you hold dual citizenship, ensure your eVisa is explicitly linked to the passport you are physically travelling with.

So, there you have it! Everything you need to know about applying for a UK eVisa, at least based on my own experience. I hope this guide answers some of your questions and makes the process a little less confusing.

If you still have questions, leave them in the comments below. I’d also love to hear about your own experience applying for a UK eVisa, where you’re applying from, and how long your application took to process. Sharing your timelines could be really helpful for other readers going through the same process. Happy travels! ✈️