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The United Kingdom has explained how visa holders, including Nigerians, can create UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) accounts and access their electronic immigration status, known as eVisa.
The UK government outlined the steps as part of its transition from physical immigration documents to digital records.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) shared the guidelines in a pictorial posted on its X account on Monday, advising visa holders to create an account, verify their identity and link it to their eVisas.
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s identity and immigration status. It contains details of the type of visa held, whether the individual has indefinite leave to remain in the UK, and the conditions attached to their immigration status.
According to the UK government, eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents, and people who successfully apply for a UK visa or another form of permission to stay in the country will receive one.
How Nigerians can create UKVI accounts and access eVisas
The UK government outlined the following steps for applicants and visa holders to access their digital immigration records:
1. Apply for a UK visa
Visit the official UK government website, [GOV.UK](https://www.gov.uk/), and complete the online visa application.
Depending on the type of application, you may also be required to provide biometric information and prove your identity at a Visa Application Centre.
2. Wait for a decision
After submitting your application, wait for an email notification from UK Visas and Immigration informing you that a decision has been made.
UKVI advised applicants to check their spam and junk folders to avoid missing the notification.
3. Create a UKVI account
Once your visa application is successful, visit [gov.uk/evisa](https://www.gov.uk/evisa) and follow the instructions to create a UK Visas and Immigration account.
The system will confirm when your account has been successfully created.
4. Verify your identity
Sign in to your UKVI account and confirm your identity using the UK Immigration: ID Check app.
5. Link your account to your eVisa
Follow the instructions to link your UKVI account to your electronic immigration record. This will allow you to access your digital immigration status.
6. View your eVisa
Once your eVisa is ready, you will receive an email notification.
Sign in to your UKVI account to view your immigration status and check that all the information displayed is correct before travelling.
The UK government said visa holders do not need to pay to create a UKVI account or access their eVisas.
It explained that people who have successfully linked their eVisas to their UKVI accounts would usually be able to access their digital immigration records immediately, although the process could take up to 24 hours.
How can Nigerians use their UK eVisas?
According to the UK government, eVisa holders can view their immigration status online and generate a share code when they need to prove their right to work or rent accommodation in the UK.
They can also use their digital immigration status when travelling, provided they have added their passport or travel document details to their UKVI accounts.
The government advised travellers to ensure that their passport information is correctly linked to their accounts before making a journey.
Although eVisas have replaced physical immigration documents, some holders of biometric residence cards may still be able to use them in certain situations.
The UK government also clarified that existing visa vignettes, which are visa stickers placed in passports, remain valid until their expiry dates.
