UK rolls out eVisas for Pakistani students and workers
Passports no longer needed for visa stamping from July 15
DUBAI: Pakistani nationals applying for student or work-related UK visas no longer need a physical visa sticker in their passports, as the UK Government rolled out its digital eVisa system from 15 July (Tuesday).
The British High Commission in Islamabad confirmed that the move will apply to most main applicants travelling for study or employment purposes.
The digital visa system – part of an upgraded, secure border and immigration process – replaces traditional physical documentation with an eVisa, a digital record of one’s immigration permission and conditions in the UK. Applicants will access their visa details via an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
Who it covers
The eVisa system will now be used by main applicants under several UK visa categories. These include student visas (including short-term study up to 11 months), Skilled Worker and Global Talent routes, Global Business Mobility schemes (e.g. Graduate Trainee, Senior or Specialist Worker), and Youth Mobility Scheme.
Also included are International Sportsperson visas and specific Temporary Work categories, such as Charity Worker, Religious Worker, and Government Authorised Exchange. Physical visas remain in use for dependants and non-study or non-work categories, like general visitor visas.
Simplified process
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE said the new system would make the visa experience much simpler and more secure for applicants. “It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time,” she noted in an official statement.
The UK is launching eVisas in Pakistan for most students and workers applying for more than 6 months! It will make it simpler and safer, and you can hold on to your passport.
— Jane Marriott (@JaneMarriottUK) July 15, 2025
To find out more on eVisas and see whether you’re eligible, go to https://t.co/AHI9nWSoxw pic.twitter.com/tlZNSs2NpD
Those issued an eVisa can link their passport or travel document to their UKVI account, allowing seamless international travel. Through the “view and prove” feature, applicants can securely share their immigration status with third parties, such as employers or landlords (in England).
Future expansion
Existing visa holders with in-date physical stickers are not required to take any action. However, the UK plans to extend the eVisa system to all visa categories in future phases, aiming for a fully digital, secure, and paperless immigration process for all UK visa applicants.