ISLAMABAD – The British High Commission has announced the launch of an e-visa facility for Pakistanis travelling to the United Kingdom for study or work, aiming to simplify the visa process and reduce paperwork requirements.
According to the official statement issued by the British High Commission in Islamabad, the new e-visa system will eliminate the need for physical visa stickers for most Pakistani students and professionals moving to the UK under various visa categories.
“This change will simplify the visa process for students and workers,” said British High Commissioner Jane Marriott. She added that e-visas will allow holders to keep their passports without the need for a visa vignette and will not affect anyone’s immigration status or conditions.
The High Commission further stated that the e-visa is part of a secure, digital, and user-friendly system already used by millions of people across different UK immigration routes. The online visa will allow individuals to check and prove their immigration status easily through their UKVI accounts.
Under the new arrangement, Pakistani nationals applying for visas in categories such as Student, Skilled Worker, Global Talent, Health and Care, Sportsperson, Youth Mobility, and Creative Worker will receive an e-visa instead of a sticker visa.
Visa holders will be able to link their travel documents to their UKVI accounts, making it simpler to prove their immigration status to airlines, employers, and landlords in the UK.
However, the High Commission clarified that sticker visas will still be required for dependents and visitor visa holders for the time being, as the e-visa system is gradually expanded to all visa categories.
British officials say the transition to e-visas is part of a broader shift towards fully digital immigration systems to enhance efficiency, security, and convenience for travellers.
