Pakistani citizens planning to visit the United Kingdom, whether for tourism or other purposes, can now benefit from a new electronic visa system. The British High Commission in Islamabad announced that successful applicants will receive their visa confirmation via email, eliminating the need for physical stickers in passports. This digital approach is part of an effort to modernize and simplify the visa application process.

Applicants will still be required to submit their applications online and attend a visa application center to provide their biometrics. However, after this session, they will no longer need to return to collect their passports. Instead, successful candidates will have a digital record of their immigration status accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration online account. This eVisa system is designed to be more secure, reducing the risk of lost or damaged documents. Applicants can generate a share code to easily prove their visa status at borders and other necessary instances. The changes do not affect current visa processing times, eligibility requirements, or conditions.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott expressed enthusiasm for the new system, highlighting its benefits for Pakistani visitors for tourism, family visits, or business. She noted that retaining one’s passport after the biometric appointment and the introduction of the share code system make demonstrating visa status simpler and more efficient.

Last year, the UK successfully implemented e-visas for students and individuals applying for work visas, with thousands of people globally utilizing the system at UK airports. Existing sticker visas remain valid and are unaffected by these new changes.