Starting July 15, 2025, the United Kingdom has officially launched its eVisa system in Pakistan for most students and workers applying for visas valid for more than six months. This shift to digital visas eliminates the need for physical visa stickers in passports, allowing applicants to retain their documents throughout the process.
An eVisa serves as a secure online record of immigration status, including conditions, and is accessible via the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account portal.
The system covers key immigration routes such as:
- Skilled Worker (including Health and Care roles)
- Global Talent
- Youth Mobility Scheme
- Temporary Work (e.g., Charity Worker, Creative Worker)
- Global Business Mobility (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker)
- International Sportsperson
- Short-term study visas up to 11 months
British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott confirmed that while applicants still need to present their passports for biometric scanning, they’ll receive them back the same day. “On the 15th of July, we’re going digital,” she said in a video Q&A, describing the shift as a way to reduce waiting times and paperwork.
Travelers will receive an email with their visa decision and can prove their status at the UK border using the “View and Prove” tool on Gov.uk.
The new system is part of the UK’s broader transition to digital immigration records, a move also being implemented in countries like Nigeria. The rollout is currently limited to main applicants for eligible visa types, but expansion to dependents and other categories is expected in future phases.
Posts on X show widespread support for the initiative, especially among students and professionals, praising the convenience and transparency of the new system.
As the UK continues to digitize its immigration services, this move also strengthens Pakistan-UK bilateral ties, following recent trade and policy discussions aimed at improving access and mobility.
For eligibility details and application steps, visit the official UK government visa portal at gov.uk/evisa.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 15th, 2025
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