Happy travels: UK rolls out e-Visa system for Pakistani visitors

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott calls UK e-Visa a ‘hugely exciting step’ for Pakistani travellers

Hamid Khan Wazir

ISLAMABAD: In a significant development to make the application process hassle-free, the United Kingdom has introduced an electronic visa (e-Visa) system for Pakistani applicants, as physical stickers will no longer be required in passports for people travelling for study and work purposes from July 15.

British High Commissioner in Islamabad, Jane Marriott CMG OBE, said: “This is a hugely exciting step for Pakistanis visiting the UK for tourism, visiting loved ones, or business meetings, that removes a big step from the application process. As well as being able to save time by holding on to your passport, the new share code system makes it easier than ever to demonstrate your visa status.”

The British High Commission announced that applicants will complete visa applications online, and successful applicants will receive a digital proof of immigration status instead of a physical visa sticker.

Starting July 15, physical visa stickers will no longer be required in passports for the majority of main applicants travelling to the UK for study or work purposes. The UK government will replace physical immigration documents with digital proof of immigration status, known as an e-Visa.

Separately, in a video posted on her social media account X, Marriott stated: “From today, visitors to the UK will get eVisas AND you get to keep your passport while you wait! Simply create your @UKVIgovuk account, apply as normal, and we'll email it to you. Happy travels!”

Visitors will continue to submit applications online and attend a visa application centre to provide biometrics. Successful applicants will have a digital record of their immigration status accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account, eliminating the need to return to the visa centre to collect their passports after biometrics.

eVisas provide a more secure way to manage immigration status and reduce the risk of lost or damaged documents. Applicants can generate a share code to prove their visa status at borders and elsewhere. There is no change to visa processing times, eligibility criteria, or conditions.

UK visa applicants are strongly discouraged from using visa agents and are advised to apply directly via gov.uk, the official source for trusted information.

Last year, eVisas were successfully rolled out for students and those on work visas, and thousands of people worldwide have already used them at UK airports. Existing sticker visas remain valid and unaffected by these changes.

The digital transition does not affect the immigration status or rights of any individual, and holders of existing visa stickers do not need to take any action.