ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom has launched a new digital eVisa system for Pakistani students and workers, making the visa process faster and easier. The change took effect from July 15, 2025.
According to the British High Commission in Islamabad, most Pakistani applicants travelling to the UK for study or work will no longer need a visa sticker in their passport. Instead, they will be given a digital record of their immigration status, known as an eVisa.
An eVisa is an online confirmation of a person’s permission to live, work, or study in the UK. It also shows any rules related to their visa. Applicants can access and manage their eVisas through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
The eVisa system is part of the UK government’s efforts to modernize its immigration system by using secure and digital technology. The British High Commission said millions of people are already using eVisas under other routes, and the system is now being extended to Pakistani students and workers.
— ALSO READ —
Punjab to outsource govt schools if results don’t improve: minister
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said the new system would help applicants save time and make the process more convenient. “These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports,” she said.
The eVisa rollout covers a wide range of visa types, including:
-
Long- and short-term student visas (up to 11 months)
-
Global Business Mobility visas (e.g. Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Secondment Worker)
-
Global Talent visa
-
Skilled Worker visa, including Health and Care staff
-
International Sportsperson visa
-
Temporary Work visas (Charity, Creative, Religious, and others)
-
Youth Mobility Scheme
Applicants will be able to connect their eVisa to their passports for easier travel. They can also share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or authorities in the UK using the online ‘view and prove’ service.
However, the high commission clarified that not all applicants will receive an eVisa right now. Those applying as dependants or for visitor visas will still need a physical sticker. Also, people who already have valid visa stickers in their passports do not need to do anything.
The UK Home Office plans to expand the eVisa system to cover all visa routes in the future. The aim is to fully digitize the immigration process, making it more secure, efficient, and easier for applicants around the world.
Quaid-i-Azam University suspends summer semester 2025 due to protests, financial problems
