UK launches eVisas for Pakistani students, workers

A Digital Shift in UK Immigration for Pakistan Nationals

Beginning on July 15, 2025, the UK government has implemented electronic visas (eVisas) for Pakistani citizens seeking study and employment visas valid for more than six months.

This creative change from physical passport scenes to a digital immigration status signals a significant upgrade of the UK's visa system.

Announced by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the project aims to streamline the visa process, enhancing security and convenience for students and employees traveling to the UK.

What is the new eVisa system?

Access via a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account, the eVisa is a digital record of a person's immigration status.

Applicants will now receive digital approval that is electronically connected to their passports, rather than inserting visa stickers into them.

Already employed for specific visa types, the mechanism will now encompass most Pakistani workers and students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott stated that individuals applying for visas lasting over 11 months or six months (depending on the route) will no longer be required to surrender their passports for visa stickers.

Greater flexibility and peace of mind are provided here since it implies they may keep their travel documents during the whole procedure.

Who is eligible for eVisas?

The rollout covers “main applicants” under several visa categories:

• Study visas, including short‑term routes up to 11 months
• Skilled Worker visas (often requiring relevant qualifications and for roles such as health and care professionals)
• Global Business Mobility routes (Specialist Workers, Trainees, Service Suppliers, etc.)
• Global Talent, Youth Mobility Scheme, International Sportspersons
• Temporary work routes like Charity or Creative Worker programs

Applicants for dependents or brief visitor visas will still receive conventional physical vignettes, and current valid physical visa stickers remain valid until expiry.

Why is the switch happening now?

The change is part of a long-term planned effort toward a completely digital visa system, starting in 2024.

The objective is to improve border security, reduce passport delays, and increase efficiency. Digital records are more complicated to forge and more uncomplicated to verify, allowing travellers to immediately prove their status to airlines, colleges, businesses, or landlords.

Logistically speaking, candidates no longer have to mail or submit their passports to visa processing centers. Rather than that, they connect their travel document to their UKVI account, and the official View and Prove service allows digital evidence to be shared.

Jane Marriott pointed out that while preserving visa rights, the change improves customer convenience. Applicants can use their passports openly throughout the processing without disrupting their travel plans.

Impact on Pakistani students and workers

For many Pakistani students registering in British colleges or universities, the updated system eliminates potential hurdles.

Previously, students had to hand in their passports long before their flight, which caused planning issues. eVisas now allow them to keep their passports and travel more freely.

Similarly, employees, such as those on Skilled Worker or Global Business Mobility routes, can continue to work while awaiting visa processing, thereby reducing disruption to their employment or resettlement plans.

Among the more significant structural effects are reduced airport clearance times and secure, electronically verifiable credentials for UK entry or proof of status to institutions.

What remains unchanged

Although the procedure is being updated, the visa conditions stay unchanged. Applicants keep the same rights and conditions that apply under their visa category, and no changes have been made to immigration rules, work permission, or visa duration.

Dependents and visa holders for visitors still require conventional visa stickers.

Those with valid physical visas do not need to reapply or switch to digital; their visas remain completely valid until their expiration date.

What students and workers need to do

Applicants in Pakistan should:

1. Apply for their visa through UKVI’s online portal

2. Link their passport to their UKVI account after approval

3. Use the “View and Prove” tool to demonstrate their digital status

They must ensure their passport number and personal details are correctly entered at the time of application. Those who fail to update account details risk complications before travel.

Airlines and border officials will verify digital permissions through the UKVI portal rather than physical stickers.

What supporters and observers say

Supporters of the digital switch argue that it adds convenience and flexibility for applicants while boosting fraud prevention. Officials have described it as “easier, more secure, digital and streamlined.”

Sceptics caution that not all third parties, especially landlords, employers, or financial institutions, are fully integrated with digital systems.

They recommend applicants carry proof of digital status when needed. The UK will continue to provide outreach to help institutions update their recognition processes.

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What lies ahead

This change marks the first phase of fully digitalising UK immigration. Future expansions will include dependents, visitor categories, and other visa types.

Digital records may eventually replace biometric residence permits (BRPs), although a full conversion depends on technical readiness and data security compliance.

Critics urge the Home Office to close digital and access gaps, especially for those with low tech skills or unreliable internet, echoing concerns raised during eVisa pilots.

Meanwhile, nearly 4 million non‑EU migrants are scheduled to move to digital documentation, with phased deadlines extending well into 2025 and beyond.

Newly eligible Pakistani students and workers should prepare by setting up UKVI accounts promptly, ensuring accurate passport links, and keeping digital evidence ready for travel and enrollment.

As the UK embraces this digital transition, Pakistanis stand to benefit from a smoother, more secure visa process that better supports modern mobility.