The United Kingdom has launched a digital visa system for Pakistani students and workers, replacing physical immigration documents with electronic visas (eVisas) from July 2025.
In an official statement issued by the UK Home Office, the government confirmed that most students and workers applying for visas to the UK will now receive a digital proof of immigration status, known as an eVisa.
“An eVisa is an online record of a person’s immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account,” the statement read.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, termed the move a major step toward simplifying the visa process for Pakistani nationals. “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, saving them time,” she said.
The shift to digital documentation is part of the UK government’s broader efforts to modernise its border and immigration system, aiming for a more secure, digital, and streamlined process. Millions of travellers on selected immigration routes have already been using eVisas under trial phases.
Visa categories
Under the new system, eVisas will be issued to the main applicants for the following categories:
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Student visa (including short-term study for up to 11 months)
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Global Business Mobility routes, such as Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker
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Global Talent
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International Sportsperson
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Skilled Worker route, including Health and Care workers
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Temporary Work routes (Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, Religious Worker)
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Youth Mobility Scheme
The digital system allows users to link their UKVI account with their passport or travel document, enabling easier access to services and international travel. Visa holders can use the ‘view and prove’ service to securely share their immigration status with third parties such as employers, educational institutions, or landlords in England.
No impact on immigration status
The update from a physical visa vignette (sticker) to an eVisa does not change a person’s immigration status or the conditions of their stay in the UK. Existing visa holders with valid physical documents are not required to take any action.
However, not all visa applicants will receive an eVisa initially. Those applying as dependants or under categories not covered in the initial rollout, such as general visitors, will continue to receive a physical sticker visa. The UK government plans to extend the eVisa system to all visa routes in the future.
Future plans
The British government stated that this move is a part of a long-term digital transformation of immigration services. Officials say the eVisa system not only increases security but also helps reduce administrative burden and document loss risks.
The decision is expected to benefit thousands of Pakistanis applying for educational and employment opportunities in the UK each year. According to UK Home Office statistics, Pakistan was among the top countries for student and skilled worker visa applications in 2023.
With the new system now in place, future applicants are advised to create a UKVI account to manage their immigration status and travel documentation digitally.
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