UK Introduces Digital Visa System for Pakistani Students and Workers

The United Kingdom has initiated a significant change in its immigration process for Pakistani nationals, unveiling a digital visa system set to be implemented from July 2025. This new system replaces traditional physical immigration documents with electronic visas (eVisas), offering a streamlined experience for students and workers seeking to study or work in the UK.

How the eVisa System Works

According to an official statement from the UK Home Office, most Pakistani students and workers applying for UK visas will now receive digital proof of their immigration status. This electronic documentation, referred to as an eVisa, will serve as an online record of an individual’s immigration permission in the UK, including any associated conditions. Applicants can access and manage their eVisa by creating an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.

The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, highlighted the benefits of this shift, noting that it will simplify the process for Pakistani nationals. She explained that the new system makes it easier for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status, as well as allowing applicants to retain their passports throughout the application process. This not only expedites visa processing, but also alleviates applicants’ concerns about submitting and reclaiming important travel documents.

The UK government’s decision to transition to digital documentation is part of a broader effort to modernise its border and immigration systems. The aim is to create a more secure, efficient, and digital-first process. During the initial trial phases, millions of travellers using selected routes have already experienced the eVisa system.

Categories Covered Under the eVisa Rollout

The eVisa system will be initially available to the main applicants in several key visa categories. These include:

• Student visas, including short-term study visas for up to 11 months
• Global Business Mobility routes, such as Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, and Secondment Worker
• Global Talent visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Skilled Worker route, which covers Health and Care workers
• Temporary Work routes, including Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorised Exchange, International Agreement, and Religious Worker visas
• Youth Mobility Scheme

Applicants in these categories will be able to link their UKVI account with their passport or travel document, facilitating easier international travel and access to UK services. The new digital system also provides a ‘view and prove’ service, allowing visa holders to securely share their immigration status with employers, educational institutions, or landlords in England.

No Change to Immigration Status and Future Expansion

The transition from a physical visa vignette to an eVisa does not alter a person’s immigration status or the specific conditions of their stay in the UK. Those who currently hold valid physical documents are not required to take any action at this stage.

However, the rollout is not universal from the outset. Dependants and applicants in visa categories not initially covered, such as general visitors, will still receive physical sticker visas for the time being. The UK government has announced plans to expand the eVisa system to include all visa categories in the future, ensuring a fully digitalised immigration process.

This move forms part of the British government’s long-term strategy to digitise immigration services, aiming to improve security, reduce administrative burdens, and minimise the risk of document loss or misplacement. The transition is expected to benefit thousands of Pakistanis who apply for educational and employment opportunities in the UK each year. According to UK Home Office statistics, Pakistan was among the top sources for student and skilled worker visa applications in 2023.

New applicants are strongly encouraged to set up a UKVI account to manage their immigration status and travel arrangements through this new digital platform.