Islamabad / London July 2025
As of 15 July 2025 the UK government has officially begun replacing traditional visa stickers with digital eVisas for most Pakistani nationals applying to the UK for study or work This move part of a broader digital immigration transformation means eligible travelers will no longer need to have physical vignettes affixed to their passports Instead their visa status will be stored online in a UK Visas and Immigration UKVI digital account
What Is an eVisa
A UK eVisa is a secure online record of a persons permission to enter and remain in the United Kingdom whether for work study or other eligible purposes It includes any conditions attached to the visa such as duration of stay or work limitations
Once an applicants eVisa is approved it is linked to their passport or travel document through a UKVI account This allows the visa holder to access update or share their immigration status easily with UK employers landlords and border control authorities all without needing a physical visa sticker
Who Is Eligible
The digital visa facility currently applies to main applicants from Pakistan under the following categories
- Students including short term courses up to 11 months
- Skilled Workers including those in the Health and Care visa route
- Global Talent applicants
- International Sportspersons
- Applicants under the Global Business Mobility program eg Senior Specialist Worker Graduate Trainee UK Expansion Worker
- Temporary Workers such as Charity Workers Creative Workers Religious Workers and others in the Government Authorized Exchange
- Youth Mobility Scheme participants
Those applying as dependents visitors or under noneligible visa categories are still required to obtain a physical sticker visa in their passports for now
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What About Existing Visa Holders
Pakistani citizens who already possess a valid sticker visa do not need to take any action Their current visas remain valid until their expiration dates Importantly shifting from a physical sticker to an eVisa does not change a persons immigration rights or stay conditions
Benefits of the New Digital System
UK immigration authorities highlight several major advantages of the eVisa rollout
- No need to submit your passport for visa stamping
- Faster application processing with fewer physical steps
- Easier proof of status using the UKs View and Prove system
- Higher security with reduced risk of document loss or forgery
- Convenient updates to personal details including new passports
Toward a Fully Digital Immigration System
This change is part of the UKs broader digital immigration transformation strategy Eventually all Biometric Residence Permits BRPs visa stickers and physical documents will be replaced by digital immigration records The plan aims to make the system faster more secure and more transparent for applicants and UK authorities alike
Impact on Pakistan
According to the British High Commission in Islamabad this is a major step forward for tens of thousands of Pakistani students and professionals who apply to the UK annually Those planning longer stays over six months will particularly benefit from the simplicity and convenience of the new eVisa model
Pakistani applicants no longer need to schedule passport collection or courier services for visa vignette placement This is expected to significantly reduce processing time and improve the overall visa experience
Summary Table
| Who Qualifies | eVisa | Sticker Required |
|---|---|---|
| Students ≤ 11 months | Yes | No |
| Long term students > 11 months | Yes | No |
| Skilled Workers incl Health & Care | Yes | No |
| Global Talent | Yes | No |
| International Sportspersons | Yes | No |
| Temporary Work Routes | Yes | No |
| Youth Mobility | Yes | No |
| Dependents Visitor Visas Other | No | Yes |
What Comes Next
The UK Home Office has announced that eventually all visa types will move to digital only formats and all physical documents will be phased out While the current rollout focuses on Pakistani work and student visa categories tourist and dependent categories will likely follow in future updates
Final Takeaway
The shift to eVisas for Pakistani nationals represents a significant modernization of UK immigration processes Students and professionals applying after 15 July 2025 can now enjoy a streamlined sticker free experience eliminating paperwork while boosting digital security While dependents and visitors will still require sticker visas for now the UKs immigration future is clearly moving toward a fully digital and globally accessible system