UK Rolls Out E-Visa System for Pakistani Students and Workers

The United Kingdom has officially launched e-visas for Pakistani students and workers, transitioning to a fully digital immigration system aimed at improving efficiency and security.

The announcement, made by the British High Commission (BHC) in Islamabad on Tuesday, follows the recent signing of the UK-Pakistan Trade Dialogue Mechanism Agreement and the establishment of a UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council—steps intended to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation.

According to the BHC, the UK government is replacing physical immigration documents with digital records, known as e-visas, for most student and worker visa categories. These e-visas will serve as online proof of immigration status and are linked to the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

In a statement on social media platform X, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott confirmed that the e-visa system would apply to “most students and workers applying for more than six months,” highlighting that the move is expected to make the visa process faster, safer, and more convenient. She noted that applicants will now retain their passports during processing, which saves time and streamlines international travel.

The BHC explained that e-visas are already in use across select UK immigration routes and have proven effective, with millions of users. The government plans to gradually extend the digital system to all visa categories.

Eligible applicants for the new e-visa system include individuals applying for:

• Student visas (including short-term study up to 11 months)

• Global Business Mobility routes (e.g. Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker)

• Global Talent visa

• International Sportsperson visa

• Skilled Worker visa (including health and care sectors)

• Temporary Work routes (Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, Religious work)

• Youth Mobility Scheme

Applicants applying as dependents or for other visa types, such as visitor visas, will still receive a physical visa sticker in their passport.

Individuals with existing, valid physical visas are not required to take any action under the new system.

The UKVI account—introduced in 2024—is mandatory for those staying in the UK for longer than six months. It provides a digital record of their immigration status and links to their travel documents, ensuring smoother entry and verification processes.

Marriott emphasized that the shift to e-visas does not affect current immigration status or visa rights, and is simply a modernization of the existing system.

Source: Web Desk