The United Kingdom has announced a major change to its immigration system by replacing physical visa stickers with digital eVisas for most Pakistani students and skilled workers. The updated system will allow eligible applicants to access and share their immigration status through an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, eliminating the need for physical documentation in passports.
Starting this month, the eVisa system will apply to Pakistani nationals traveling to the UK under study and work-related categories. This includes Student visas (short-term and full-term), Skilled Worker visas, Health and Care visas, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Youth Mobility Scheme, and other Global Business Mobility and Temporary Work routes.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said in a statement: “These changes to the UK visa system 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.”
eVisas Designed for Security and Convenience
The new eVisa system is part of the UK’s broader move toward a fully digital border and immigration infrastructure. Millions of people already use eVisas on selected immigration routes, and the UK government says digital status records are more secure and efficient than physical documents.
Under the system, applicants can link their UKVI account with their passport to facilitate international travel and securely prove their immigration status to employers or landlords in England using the “view and prove” service.
Physical Visas Still Required for Some Applicants
While this rollout targets main applicants traveling for study or work, physical visa stickers will still be issued for dependents, general visitors, and others not covered by the updated categories. Existing physical visas will remain valid until their expiry.
UK Focuses on Digitization Despite Immigration Tightening
This shift comes as the UK tightens overall immigration rules but continues to prioritize efficiency for international students and skilled workers—two groups that account for a significant portion of Pakistani migration to the UK. UK Home Office figures show that tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals travel to the UK each year for higher education and employment.
The UK government has stated that eVisas will eventually become the standard across all immigration routes to create a “more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers.”
