diff --git a/docs/formatdomain.rst b/docs/formatdomain.rst
index cec11270b9..b3f9f453aa 100644
--- a/docs/formatdomain.rst
+++ b/docs/formatdomain.rst
@@ -271,7 +271,10 @@ harddisk, cdrom, network) determining where to obtain/find the boot image.
    up libvirt copies so called master NVRAM store file either selected by the
    firmware autoselection process or defined in ``qemu.conf``.
    If needed, the ``template`` attribute can be used to override the
-   automatically chosen NVRAM template.
+   automatically chosen NVRAM template and ``templateFormat`` to specify the
+   format for the template file (currently supported are ``raw`` and ``qcow2``).
+   When firmware auto-selection is in use the ``templateFormat`` field reflects
+   the format of the picked template. :since:`Since 10.10.0 (QEMU only)`
 
    Note, that for transient domains if the NVRAM file has been created by
    libvirt it is left behind and it is management application's responsibility
@@ -285,9 +288,8 @@ harddisk, cdrom, network) determining where to obtain/find the boot image.
    **Note:** ``network`` backed NVRAM the variables are not instantiated from
    the ``template`` and it's user's responsibility to provide a valid NVRAM image.
 
-   This element supports a ``format`` attribute, which has the same semantics
-   as the attribute of the same name for the ``<loader>`` element.
-   :since:`Since 9.2.0 (QEMU only)`
+   This element supports a ``format`` attribute, which specifies the format
+   of the NVRAM image. :since:`Since 9.2.0 (QEMU only)`
 
    It is not valid to provide this element if the loader is marked as
    stateless.
diff --git a/src/conf/domain_conf.c b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
index 986c634fae..8d0d822241 100644
--- a/src/conf/domain_conf.c
+++ b/src/conf/domain_conf.c
@@ -17148,6 +17148,22 @@ virDomainLoaderDefParseXMLNvram(virDomainLoaderDef *loader,
 
     loader->nvramTemplate = virXMLPropString(nvramNode, "template");
 
+    if (virXMLPropEnumDefault(nvramNode, "templateFormat",
+                              virStorageFileFormatTypeFromString, VIR_XML_PROP_NONE,
+                              &format, VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE) < 0) {
+        return -1;
+    }
+    loader->nvramTemplateFormat = format;
+
+    if (loader->nvramTemplateFormat != VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE &&
+        loader->nvramTemplateFormat != VIR_STORAGE_FILE_RAW &&
+        loader->nvramTemplateFormat != VIR_STORAGE_FILE_QCOW2) {
+        virReportError(VIR_ERR_XML_ERROR,
+                       _("Unsupported nvram template format '%1$s'"),
+                       virStorageFileFormatTypeToString(loader->nvramTemplateFormat));
+        return -1;
+    }
+
     if (virXMLPropEnumDefault(nvramNode, "format",
                               virStorageFileFormatTypeFromString, VIR_XML_PROP_NONE,
                               &format, VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE) < 0) {
@@ -26825,6 +26841,11 @@ virDomainLoaderDefFormatNvram(virBuffer *buf,
 
     virBufferEscapeString(&attrBuf, " template='%s'", loader->nvramTemplate);
 
+    if (loader->nvramTemplateFormat > VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE) {
+        virBufferAsprintf(&attrBuf, " templateFormat='%s'",
+                          virStorageFileFormatTypeToString(loader->nvramTemplateFormat));
+    }
+
     if (loader->nvram) {
         virStorageSource *src = loader->nvram;
 
diff --git a/src/conf/domain_conf.h b/src/conf/domain_conf.h
index 45c52107e8..dff39a44ac 100644
--- a/src/conf/domain_conf.h
+++ b/src/conf/domain_conf.h
@@ -2346,6 +2346,7 @@ struct _virDomainLoaderDef {
     virStorageSource *nvram;
     bool newStyleNVRAM;
     char *nvramTemplate;   /* user override of path to master nvram */
+    virStorageFileFormat nvramTemplateFormat;
 };
 
 virDomainLoaderDef *virDomainLoaderDefNew(void);
diff --git a/src/conf/schemas/domaincommon.rng b/src/conf/schemas/domaincommon.rng
index 8360eeae3f..2ba94d1f02 100644
--- a/src/conf/schemas/domaincommon.rng
+++ b/src/conf/schemas/domaincommon.rng
@@ -348,6 +348,11 @@
                 <attribute name="template">
                   <ref name="absFilePath"/>
                 </attribute>
+                <optional>
+                  <attribute name="templateFormat">
+                    <ref name="pflashFormatTypes"/>
+                  </attribute>
+                </optional>
               </optional>
               <optional>
                 <ref name="pflashFormat"/>
@@ -7883,12 +7888,16 @@
     </element>
   </define>
 
+  <define name="pflashFormatTypes">
+    <choice>
+      <value>raw</value>
+      <value>qcow2</value>
+    </choice>
+  </define>
+
   <define name="pflashFormat">
     <attribute name="format">
-      <choice>
-        <value>raw</value>
-        <value>qcow2</value>
-      </choice>
+      <ref name="pflashFormatTypes"/>
     </attribute>
   </define>
 
diff --git a/src/qemu/qemu_firmware.c b/src/qemu/qemu_firmware.c
index 5c247b1cf2..d9d21b4771 100644
--- a/src/qemu/qemu_firmware.c
+++ b/src/qemu/qemu_firmware.c
@@ -1065,7 +1065,13 @@ qemuFirmwareEnsureNVRAM(virDomainDef *def,
 
     loader->nvram = virStorageSourceNew();
     loader->nvram->type = VIR_STORAGE_TYPE_FILE;
-    loader->nvram->format = loader->format;
+
+    /* The nvram template format should be always present but as a failsafe,
+     * duplicate the loader format if it is not available. */
+    if (loader->nvramTemplateFormat > VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE)
+        loader->nvram->format = loader->nvramTemplateFormat;
+    else
+        loader->nvram->format = loader->format;
 
     if (loader->nvram->format == VIR_STORAGE_FILE_RAW) {
         /* The extension used by raw edk2 builds has historically
@@ -1422,8 +1428,16 @@ qemuFirmwareEnableFeaturesModern(virDomainDef *def,
              * We can't create or reset non-local NVRAM files, so filling
              * in nvramTemplate for those would be misleading */
             VIR_FREE(loader->nvramTemplate);
-            if (!loader->nvram ||
-                (loader->nvram && virStorageSourceIsLocalStorage(loader->nvram))) {
+            loader->nvramTemplateFormat = VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE;
+
+            if (!loader->nvram || virStorageSourceIsLocalStorage(loader->nvram)) {
+                /* validation when parsing the JSON files ensures that we get
+                 * only 'raw' and 'qcow2' here. Fall back to sharing format with loader */
+                if (flash->nvram_template.format)
+                    loader->nvramTemplateFormat = virStorageFileFormatTypeFromString(flash->nvram_template.format);
+                else
+                    loader->nvramTemplateFormat = loader->format;
+
                 loader->nvramTemplate = g_strdup(flash->nvram_template.filename);
             }
         }
@@ -1661,7 +1675,7 @@ qemuFirmwareFillDomainLegacy(virQEMUDriver *driver,
         loader->format = VIR_STORAGE_FILE_RAW;
 
         /* Only use the default template path if one hasn't been
-         * provided by the user.
+         * provided by the user. Assume that the template is in 'raw' format.
          *
          * In addition to fully-custom templates, which are a valid
          * use case, we could simply be in a situation where
@@ -1682,8 +1696,13 @@ qemuFirmwareFillDomainLegacy(virQEMUDriver *driver,
          * In this case, the global default is to have Secure Boot
          * disabled, but the domain configuration explicitly enables
          * it, and we shouldn't overrule this choice */
-        if (!loader->nvramTemplate)
+        if (!loader->nvramTemplate) {
             loader->nvramTemplate = g_strdup(cfg->firmwares[i]->nvram);
+            loader->nvramTemplateFormat = VIR_STORAGE_FILE_RAW;
+        }
+
+        if (loader->nvramTemplateFormat == VIR_STORAGE_FILE_NONE)
+            loader->nvramTemplateFormat = VIR_STORAGE_FILE_RAW;
 
         VIR_DEBUG("decided on firmware '%s' template '%s'",
                   loader->path, NULLSTR(loader->nvramTemplate));
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-graphics.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-graphics.aarch64-latest.xml
index c7bddf4063..f6cfe2b63c 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-graphics.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-graphics.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless-mmio.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless-mmio.aarch64-latest.xml
index 1b2d6e70bd..56d40b0a9d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless-mmio.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless-mmio.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
index 5029092842..c8fa37a644 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
index 0088f3324b..1a9baa8cc1 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index 38c680fabd..c6f3a5fe6b 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
index 332d931ba1..729d2d911d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
index 49fdfc5c5f..dd044ac091 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/path/to/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/path/to/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
index f4ff7a0fc2..7cdc7eec1f 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
index ee22b16831..195b446a0a 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.xml
index 38c680fabd..c6f3a5fe6b 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-loader-raw.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2-path.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2-path.x86_64-latest.xml
index 49fdfc5c5f..dd044ac091 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2-path.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2-path.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/path/to/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/path/to/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
index f4ff7a0fc2..7cdc7eec1f 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-format-nvram-qcow2.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-insecure.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-insecure.x86_64-latest.xml
index 4812c4e600..6690c45940 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-insecure.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-insecure.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='no' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-path.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-path.x86_64-latest.xml
index 6b8dc886a6..430613f5fd 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-path.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-path.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
index f4ff7a0fc2..7cdc7eec1f 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
index 332d931ba1..729d2d911d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
index 0ae744619f..8ba1bd0f81 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_EFI.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.xml
index 0ae744619f..8ba1bd0f81 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-loongarch64.loongarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_EFI.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/loongarch64/QEMU_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
index 9cf30551a9..53381bd10e 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
index 6b8dc886a6..430613f5fd 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
index ada0411fb3..1672edd458 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' type='file'>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw' type='file'>
       <source file='/path/to/guest_VARS.fd'/>
     </nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
index 135744cb7d..94dd6a29b9 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-path.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
index 9cf30551a9..53381bd10e 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-riscv64.riscv64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-riscv64.riscv64-latest.abi-update.xml
index d0a60c5bb8..125bd021e7 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-riscv64.riscv64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-riscv64.riscv64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/riscv/RISCV_VIRT_CODE.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/riscv/RISCV_VIRT_VARS.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/riscv/RISCV_VIRT_VARS.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <cpu mode='custom' match='exact' check='none'>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
index 332d931ba1..729d2d911d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-smm-off.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-smm-off.x86_64-latest.xml
index febaad7eae..c53e9f9692 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-smm-off.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi-smm-off.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
index f4ff7a0fc2..7cdc7eec1f 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.abi-update.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash' format='qcow2'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE_4M.secboot.qcow2</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS_4M.secboot.qcow2' templateFormat='qcow2' format='qcow2'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.qcow2</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
index 332d931ba1..729d2d911d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-auto-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-aarch64-legacy-paths.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-aarch64-legacy-paths.aarch64-latest.xml
index b53f39a72e..c4ab86c675 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-aarch64-legacy-paths.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-aarch64-legacy-paths.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   <os>
     <type arch='aarch64' machine='virt-4.0'>hvm</type>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/AAVMF/AAVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/AAVMF/AAVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/AAVMF/AAVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index 637676d4ed..0dc32d0ce9 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-q35.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-q35.x86_64-latest.xml
index a4af4ec25a..e7b764b9b0 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-q35.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-acpi-q35.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-features.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-features.x86_64-latest.xml
index 4d6f2f20aa..67d90c4b1c 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-features.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-features.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
index 6c3355a3f6..a8c52c9819 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-loader-secure.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
index b8c2dfef66..7e2b963537 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   <os>
     <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-q35-4.0'>hvm</type>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
index 083562ab0b..dd69b42726 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-enrolled-keys.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
index cfd7a6824f..cd48e5e7b9 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   <os>
     <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-q35-4.0'>hvm</type>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
index a4af4ec25a..e7b764b9b0 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-no-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-noacpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-noacpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index 52f9fac842..fd217afb89 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-noacpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-noacpi-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.raw</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
index ada0411fb3..1672edd458 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-file.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' type='file'>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw' type='file'>
       <source file='/path/to/guest_VARS.fd'/>
     </nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
index 4d6f2f20aa..67d90c4b1c 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-nvram-template.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
index 9027123558..e6db577de4 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot-legacy-paths.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
   <os>
     <type arch='x86_64' machine='pc-q35-4.0'>hvm</type>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/OVMF/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
index 6c3355a3f6..a8c52c9819 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi-secboot.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
index 5bdc9bd4c1..4615cd8db8 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/firmware-manual-efi.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/path/to/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
index dba840237a..f26cce3028 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-aarch64-virt-headless.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/test_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/test_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-x86_64-q35-headless.x86_64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-x86_64-q35-headless.x86_64-latest.xml
index 6c6c1ea8b0..2291362b53 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-x86_64-q35-headless.x86_64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/hvf-x86_64-q35-headless.x86_64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='yes' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' secure='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_CODE.secboot.fd</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/test_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/ovmf/OVMF_VARS.secboot.fd' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/test_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index d318aa63a1..5db6e99736 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-no-address-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-no-address-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index 92a81991e2..eabe7c0b4d 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-no-address-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/pvpanic-pci-no-address-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>
diff --git a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/virtio-iommu-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/virtio-iommu-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
index bc6d210458..398ae4e3de 100644
--- a/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/virtio-iommu-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
+++ b/tests/qemuxmlconfdata/virtio-iommu-aarch64.aarch64-latest.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@
       <feature enabled='no' name='secure-boot'/>
     </firmware>
     <loader readonly='yes' type='pflash'>/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/QEMU_EFI-silent-pflash.raw</loader>
-    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
+    <nvram template='/usr/share/edk2/aarch64/vars-template-pflash.raw' templateFormat='raw'>/var/lib/libvirt/qemu/nvram/guest_VARS.fd</nvram>
     <boot dev='hd'/>
   </os>
   <features>