Announced by the British High Commission in Islamabad and launching from 15 July, this shift replaces traditional paper visa stickers with secure, digital immigration status linked to applicants’ passports via UK Visas & Immigration (UKVI) accounts.
This announcement follows just a day after Pakistan and the UK signed the Trade Dialogue Mechanism Agreement.
In Islamabad, the British High Commission (BHC) said in a statement today that: “The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an e-visa.”
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said on X (formerly Twitter), “most students and workers applying for more than 6 months.” “This change will make the visa process simpler for students and workers,” added Jane Marriott. “It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving time.”
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
Why this matters
- Convenience & speed: Passport travel won’t require surrendering documents—a relief for students facing exams, workers managing job permits, or anyone needing to travel quickly.
- Enhanced security: A digital record reduces risk of lost or forged visas and allows real-time verification via the UKVI “View & Prove” portal.
- Wider immigration overhaul: Following a 2024 announcement to digitise the UK’s entire immigration system, millions already use e-visas on other visa streams.
Who is eligible?
Applicants for the following categories—if staying longer than six months—will receive e-visas:
- Student visas (including up to 11-month courses)
- Skilled Worker (health & care)
- Global Business Mobility (e.g., Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee)
- Global Talent & International Sportsperson
- Temporary Work schemes (Charity, Creative, Government Exchange, International Agreement, Religious Worker)
- Youth Mobility Scheme
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However, those applying as dependents or for visitor visas still need physical stickers, and existing valid paper visas remain unaffected.
Going from a physical to an e-visa won’t affect the person s immigration status, it was clarified.
The statement read: “Holders can link their travel document (such as passport) to their UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) account to facilitate straightforward international travel.”
The UKVI — introduced in 2024 — is an account that visa holders staying in the UK for longer than six months are required to create. The UKVI that was launched in 2024 will serve as an online record of a person’s immigration status.
For students like Ayesha, preparing for a semester in Manchester, life just got easier. “No waiting weeks for my passport back—just linking it digitally and knowing I m good to go,” she says. Similarly, overseas workers won’t have to postpone job starts while waiting for visa clearance.
What applicants need to do:
- Apply via the standard UK visa process
- Register and verify a UKVI online account
- Submit biometrics at local visa centres in cities like Lahore, Islamabad, or Karachi
- Once approved, link the e-visa to your passport and travel as usual
The UK government intends to extend e-visas to all visa types, including family and visitor categories, by late 2025 — a move that could transform immigration for millions.
The e-visa rollout marks a significant step toward a smoother, digital-first UK immigration experience—saving time, boosting security, and reflecting a global shift to online travel credentials.
