Latest news with #UKVI
Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK introduces e-Visas for Pak students, workers
ISLAMABAD: In a positive development, the government of the United Kingdom (UK) on Tuesday introduced e-Visas for Pakistani students and workers as part of an 'improved' border and immigration system. 'Most of main applicants travelling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from 15 July,' the High Commission of UK in Islamabad announced here in a statement. The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa, the statement added. The High Commission highlighted an eVisa is an online record of a person's immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The eVisas are part of an enhanced border and immigration system that will not only make the visa process easier, but is more secure, digital and streamlined. eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of people already using them on select immigration routes. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott stated, 'These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time.' Updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect anyone's immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. E-visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for students, including short term study for 11 months, global business mobility routes (specifically, senior or specialist worker, graduate trainee, UK expansion worker, service supplier, secondment worker etc. Holders can link their travel document (such as passport) to their UKVI account to facilitate straightforward international travel, the UK HC remarked. People who have created a UKVI account will be able to use the view and prove service to prove their status securely with third parties, such as employers or landlords (in England). Applicants applying as a dependent, or as a main applicant for visas other than study or work, e.g. general visitor visas, will still need a physical sticker visa. Anyone with existing, in date, physical visa stickers do not need to take any action, the statement further emphasised. This will eventually be rolled out to all visa routes meaning a more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Gulf Today
18 hours ago
- Business
- Gulf Today
Britain launches digital eVisa for Pakistani students, workers
Britain has introduced an eVisa mechanism for Pakistani students and workers to make the visa process easier, the British High Commission in Islamabad said on Tuesday. In a statement, the commission said most main Pakistani applicants travelling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from July 15. "The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa," it added. An eVisa is an online record of a person's immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. eVisas are part of an enhanced border and immigration system that will not only make the visa process easier, but is more secure, digital and streamlined, as per the statement. It further said that eVisas are tried and tested, with millions of people already using them on select immigration routes. The British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott said the changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. "It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time." However, the embassy statement clarified that updating from a physical document to an eVisa does not affect anyone's immigration status or the conditions of their permission to enter or stay in the UK. E-visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for: • Students, including short term study for 11 months • Global Business Mobility routes (specifically, Senior or Specialist Worker, Graduate Trainee, UK Expansion Worker, Service Supplier, Secondment Worker) • Global Talent • International Sportsperson • Skilled Worker (including Health and Care) • Temporary Work routes (specifically, Charity Worker, Creative Worker, Government Authorized Exchange, International Agreement, and Religious work routes) • Youth Mobility Scheme The statement said applicants applying as a dependent, or as a main applicant for visas other than study or work, such as general visitor visas, will still need a physical sticker visa. Anyone with existing, in date, physical visa stickers do not need to take any action. This will eventually be rolled out to all visa routes meaning a more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers, read the statement.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK launches digital eVisas for Pakistani students, workers
Listen to article The United Kingdom has officially introduced digital eVisas for Pakistani students and workers, marking a significant step towards a modernised and streamlined immigration process. Starting from July 15, 2025, most primary applicants applying for UK study or work-related visas will no longer require a physical sticker visa in their passports. Instead, they will be issued a digital record of their immigration status, known as an eVisa. An eVisa is an online confirmation of an individual's permission to enter, stay, or work in the UK. It also outlines any conditions attached to their immigration status. This digital status can be accessed and managed through an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The change does not affect an individual's immigration status or the conditions of their stay but represents a shift in how this information is stored and shared. According to the British High Commission in Islamabad, the eVisa system aims to make the visa process more secure, efficient, and user-friendly. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE emphasised the convenience of the new system, stating that the transition to eVisas would simplify the process for Pakistani students and professionals. 'These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time,' she said. The rollout applies to a wide range of visa categories. These include students—both for long-term and short-term study up to 11 months—along with individuals applying under the Global Business Mobility routes such as Senior or Specialist Workers, Graduate Trainees, and Secondment Workers. Other eligible categories include Global Talent, International Sportspersons, Skilled Workers (including those in the Health and Care sector), various Temporary Work routes, and applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme. eVisa holders will be able to link their travel documents, such as passports, to their UKVI accounts to enable smoother international travel. Through the 'view and prove' service, individuals can securely share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or other authorised entities, particularly in England. However, not all visa applicants will receive an eVisa at this stage. Those applying as dependants or under visa categories not related to work or study—such as general visitor visas—will still be issued a physical sticker visa. Similarly, individuals who already possess valid physical visa stickers do not need to take any action, as their existing documents remain valid. This is part of a phased approach by the UK Home Office to fully digitise its immigration system. The goal is to eventually replace all physical immigration documents with secure, accessible digital records. The transition to eVisas aligns with global trends in immigration management and reflects the UK's commitment to using technology to improve the customer experience for visa applicants worldwide.
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
UK launches eVisas for students, workers in Pakistan
Most students and workers applying for study or work-related UK visas for more than six months will no longer need a physical sticker visa in passports from today (July 15), as the UK has launched eVisas in Pakistan. This step will make the visa process simpler and safer, and you can hold on to your passport at the same time. As per the UK government website an eVisa is a digital proof of immigration status. It is an online record of a person's immigration permission in the UK, and any conditions which apply, which can be viewed by creating and accessing an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. In a video on question/answer related to UK visas, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott confirmed that the online facility is available only for the applicants seeking a study or work visa for longer than six months, for now. To a query, Marriott said the applicants will have to take the passport for scanning, but they will get it back the same day if they're applying for a study or a work visa. '…because on the 15th of July we're going digital,' she said. She said the online system was designed to make the process faster. 'No back and forth, less waiting, more time for pack,' she said. To a query pertaining to how to show the immigration officials about the visa approval, she said: 'So you can show you've got a visa because you'll get an email with your decision and an eVisa in your UKVI account. 'Show officials at the border using the 'view and proof' tool on The UK high commissioner said it would not affect one's immigration status. 'Same visa. Same right. Just less paperwork and who doesn't love less paperwork?' she stated. 'Create an account on the visa portal today. Apply early. Get your supporting documents ready and please always stick to the official source. Go to Gov. Uk/ evisa. See you in the UK,' she added. According to the UK's official website, e-Visas are being rolled out for the main applicants for:
Arab News
a day ago
- Business
- Arab News
UK launches eVisas for Pakistani students, workers
ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom on Tuesday said it was replacing physical visa stickers with digital immigration status records, or eVisas, for most Pakistani students and workers to streamline the application process and make it easier to prove immigration status. The change means that main applicants traveling to the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer need a physical sticker in their passport. Instead, they will use an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account to access and share proof of their status. 'These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time,' British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said in a statement. The rollout of eVisas for Pakistani nationals is part of a broader shift toward digital border and immigration systems across the UK. The government says millions of people already use eVisas on select routes, and the system is designed to be more secure and convenient than physical documents. The new eVisa option covers routes including students (including short-term study), Skilled Workers (including Health and Care visas), Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Youth Mobility Scheme, and various Global Business Mobility and Temporary Work categories. Holders will be able to link their passport to their UKVI account to make international travel smoother and can securely share their status with employers or landlords in England using the 'view and prove' service. Physical sticker visas will still be required for dependents, general visitors, or any applicants not traveling for study or work. Existing physical visas will remain valid until they expire. The shift comes as the UK tightens immigration rules for some categories but aims to make the application process more efficient for students and skilled workers, two groups that make up a large share of Pakistani migrants to the UK each year. According to UK Home Office data, tens of thousands of Pakistani nationals travel to the UK annually for higher education and employment opportunities. The British government said the eVisa system would eventually be expanded to cover all visa routes to create 'a more secure and streamlined process for all UK visa customers.'
