The United Kingdom has formally launched a fully digital visa system for visitors, marking a significant transformation in its immigration and border management framework. Under this new initiative, physical visa stickers placed inside passports are being gradually replaced by electronic visas (eVisas), and for certain nationalities, an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has also been introduced. This reform is part of the UK government’s broader strategy to modernise border control, enhance security screening, and streamline the application and verification process for travelers.
An eVisa is a digital record of a person’s immigration permission stored in the UK government’s online system. Instead of receiving a visa vignette pasted into their passport, successful applicants now receive confirmation electronically. Their immigration status is linked directly to their passport details and can be accessed through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) online account. Through this account, travelers can check their visa status, update passport information, and generate share codes if needed to prove their legal status. This digital transition also replaces older documents such as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) and Biometric Residence Cards (BRCs).
Alongside the eVisa system, the UK has introduced the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for nationals of countries that previously did not require a visa for short visits. The ETA functions similarly to travel authorization systems in other countries. It must be obtained online before travel, is generally valid for multiple entries over two years (or until the passport expires), and allows short stays of up to six months per visit. Airlines are required to verify ETA approval before boarding passengers to the UK.
However, Pakistani passport holders are not visa-exempt and therefore do not qualify for an ETA for ordinary tourism. Pakistani citizens must continue to apply for a Standard Visitor visa if they wish to travel to the UK for tourism, family visits, or short business trips. The key difference under the new system is that the visa will now be issued electronically rather than as a physical sticker.
To apply, Pakistani applicants must first complete an online application form through the official UK government website. They must choose the appropriate visa category, most commonly the Standard Visitor visa, and pay the required application fee. Applicants are generally advised to apply up to three months before their intended travel date. After submitting the online form and payment, they must book and attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in Pakistan, such as those located in major cities including Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. At this appointment, biometric data including fingerprints and a photograph are collected.
Once the visa is approved, the applicant receives confirmation digitally. The visa is linked to the passport used during the application. Travelers must ensure they carry the same passport when traveling, as immigration officers will verify their visa status electronically upon arrival in the UK. If a passport is renewed after visa issuance, the details must be updated in the UKVI online system before travel.
The UK government states that this digital shift improves border security by allowing earlier background checks and reducing document fraud. It also aims to make the system more efficient and environmentally sustainable by eliminating paper-based processes. For Pakistani applicants, the core application process remains largely the same, but the issuance and verification of visas have now entered a fully digital era, reflecting the UK’s broader modernization of its immigration system.
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