Starting today (15 July), most Pakistani students and workers travelling to the UK will no longer require a physical visa sticker in their passports. The UK government is transitioning to a new
digital system, replacing physical immigration documents with electronic visas, or eVisas.
An eVisa is a secure online record of a person’s immigration status in the UK, detailing their permission to enter or stay and any conditions attached. Applicants can access their eVisa by creating a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account.
The move is part of the UK’s efforts to modernise its border and immigration services — offering a faster, safer, and fully digital process. Millions of people have already used eVisas successfully through other immigration routes.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, commented:
"This update to the UK visa system will make it much easier for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can keep their passports with them, saving valuable time."
Switching to an eVisa will not affect anyone’s immigration status or the conditions of their stay in the UK.
Who Will Receive eVisas?
The eVisa system is now available for main applicants in the following visa categories:
Students (including short-term study up to 11 months)
Global Business Mobility routes:
Senior or Specialist Worker
Graduate Trainee
UK Expansion Worker
Service Supplier
Secondment Worker
Global Talent
International Sportsperson
Skilled Worker (including Health and Care roles)
Temporary Work routes:
Charity Worker
Creative Worker
Government Authorised Exchange
International Agreement
Religious Worker
Youth Mobility Scheme
Holders can link their passport or travel document to their UKVI account, making international travel simpler. The UK’s ‘View and Prove’ service allows visa holders to securely share their status with employers, landlords (in England), and other organisations when needed.
Who still needs a physical visa sticker?
Dependants of applicants and those applying for other visa types, like visitor visas, will continue to receive physical visa stickers for now. Existing valid visa stickers remain valid — no immediate action is required for these holders.
In time, the UK plans to extend eVisas to all visa categories, creating a fully digital, more secure, and streamlined experience for all applicants. Photo by Usman1566, Wikimedia commons.