UK Launches Digital Visa System (eVisa) for Pakistani Students and Skilled Workers

Islamabad – In a major move to modernize its immigration process, the United Kingdom has officially launched its digital visa system (eVisa) for Pakistani students and skilled workers starting today. The new system eliminates the need for a physical visa sticker on passports for eligible applicants.
According to the UK government, an eVisa represents a digital immigration status that confirms an individual’s visa type and conditions for staying in the UK. It is accessible online through a personal UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, welcomed the change, saying it would make the process of verifying identity and visa status simpler, safer, and faster for students and workers.
Who is Eligible for the eVisa?
Initially, the eVisa system is available for the following visa categories:
Students, including those enrolled in short-term study courses (up to 11 months)
Global Business Mobility categories
Global Talent visa holders
International sportspersons
Skilled workers, including health and care workers
Temporary workers (such as charity, creative, and religious workers)
Youth Mobility Scheme participants
Benefits of the eVisa
eVisa holders can link their passport to their UKVI account, making travel to the UK more convenient.
They can securely share their immigration status with employers or other organizations using the “View and Prove” online service.
The system is expected to reduce fraud risks and improve efficiency in visa verification.
Who Still Needs a Physical Visa?
Applicants in dependent categories or those applying for non-work and non-study visas (such as visitor visas) will still receive a traditional physical visa sticker.
Individuals with previously issued physical visas can continue to use them without any additional steps.
What’s Next?
The UK government plans to expand the eVisa system to all visa categories in the near future, aiming to create a more transparent, fast, and effective immigration system.