The UK has officially retired physical Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and passport vignettes. As of May 2026, all international students are managed via a digital-only e-Visa system. For Nigerians, this means no more “waiting for passport collection” stress, but it introduces a new set of digital responsibilities.
1. How the e-Visa System Works
Your immigration status is now a digital record held by the Home Office.
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Biometrics: You still visit VFS Global in Lagos/Abuja for your scan.
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Approval: You get an email confirmation.
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Access: You log into the UKVI website to “view and prove” your status.
2. The Critical Role of the “Share Code”
In the UK, you will need a Share Code for almost everything:
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Renting a flat.
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Opening a bank account (like Monzo or Lloyds).
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Proving your 20-hour-per-week work right to employers. You generate this code in seconds from your phone, but it is only valid for 30 days.
3. Avoiding Airport Denials in 2026
Since airlines now verify your visa digitally through your passport, any mismatch (e.g., your name being “Oluwaseun” on your passport but “Seun” on your UKVI account) will cause the system to flag you. You must ensure your university has your full legal name as it appears on your passport bio-page before they issue your CAS.