Good news for students, workers as UK launches e-visa services for Pakistanis

In an effort to enhance immigration services for Pakistani visa applicants, the United Kingdom launched an e-visa service for students and workers on Tuesday.

The development comes two days after both countries formally signed the Trade Dialogue Mechanism Agreement, part of a broader plan to establish the UK-Pakistan Business Advisory Council and institutionalise bilateral economic cooperation.

“The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an e-visa,” said the British High Commission (BHC) in a press release issued today.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott stated that the facility was launched “for most students and workers applying for more than six months.”

Read: Pakistan, UAE sign agreement on entry visa exemption

“It will make it simpler and safer, and you can hold on to your passport,” she added.

The BHC statement noted that the e-visa service allows individuals to receive legal permission to live in the UK through a simplified visa process, with their immigration record stored securely online.

Students and workers intending to stay in the UK for longer than six months will be eligible to apply for the e-visa.

According to the statement, the UK government plans to expand the scheme to cover all visa categories in the future.

In 2024, the UK government announced its immigration system was transitioning to a fully digital format, replacing physical documents with an online system.