In a move set to simplify the lives of thousands of Pakistanis, the United Kingdom has rolled out its new eVisa system for most Pakistani applicants travelling on study and work visas.
Declared on Tuesday by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the change means that from July 15, the days of waiting for a physical visa sticker in your passport are largely over for many categories of travellers.
Instead, applicants will get a digital visa, accessible through a secure online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
This new system is offering a
- Convenient
- Faster
- More secure way to manage your immigration status in the UK
“Hold Onto Your Passport!”
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott summed up the appeal in simple terms:
“It will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time.”
Read more: New digital immigration system of UK to make visa process easier for Pakistanis
Anyone who’s spent weeks fretting about their passport being stuck at the embassy will instantly understand the relief this brings. For students with tight deadlines or professionals needing to travel at short notice, it’s a big improvement.
Who Gets the eVisa?
The UK’s eVisa system will initially cover the main applicants for a range of visa routes, including:
✅ Students, including short-term study for up to 11 months
✅ Skilled Workers, including health and care staff
✅ Global Talent applicants
✅ International Sportspersons
✅ Global Business Mobility routes (Senior/Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker)
✅ Temporary Work categories (Charity, Creative, Religious workers, etc.)
✅ Youth Mobility Scheme
What About Others?
Not everyone will move to eVisas just yet. The High Commission clarified that dependents and other visa types, like general visitor visas, will still require physical visa stickers.
If you already have a valid physical visa in your passport, there’s no need to worry or take any action—it remains valid until it expires.
A Step Toward a Fully Digital System
UK officials keep on saying this is part of a bigger plan to modernize and secure their immigration system. Millions have already used eVisas on select routes, proving the system is strongly reliable.
Ultimately, the plan is to extend eVisas to all visa categories, making the whole process digital and hassle-free.
The Impact for Pakistanis
For Pakistani students going to universities in the UK, or skilled workers taking up new opportunities, this change is the strong indication of a clear win. No more long waits for your passport to be returned. Now no need to get panic when you miss the flights at the last exact moment.
It’s a meaningful step toward making global travel and study more accessible and a reminder of the growing vitality of digital solutions in a connected world.