United KingdomUK eVisa for Pakistani Visitors: What Changed and What to Do
Since 25 February 2026, Pakistani nationals granted a UK Standard Visitor visa receive an eVisa instead of a vignette sticker in their passport. The British High Commission in Islamabad announced the change, which extends the digital system already used for students and workers to tourists, family visitors and business visitors. You still apply online on GOV.UK and still give biometrics at a visa application centre, but you keep your passport after the appointment and receive the decision by email. The rules for who qualifies did not change. This post explains what is different, what stays the same, and the new mistakes we see at our Blue Area office.
What you need for a UK visit visa under the eVisa system
All documents must be original or certified by the issuing department. Never submit forged papers.
Valid passport (the one you will travel on)
Your eVisa is linked to the passport you applied with. If you renew your passport, update your UKVI account before you travel.
Email address you control
The decision and eVisa access arrive by email. Use a personal address you can open abroad, not an agent's inbox.
UKVI online account
You create it after approval to view your eVisa and generate share codes. Keep the login details and phone number safe.
Financial and ties evidence
Six months of bank statements, income proof, employment or business papers and family ties evidence, exactly as before.
Travel plan and accommodation
Hotel bookings or a host invitation with the host's status and address, and a realistic itinerary.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Apply online on GOV.UK
Complete the Standard Visitor application and pay the UKVI fee. We check every answer against your documents first.
Biometrics at the visa application centre
Give fingerprints and a photo, then take your passport home with you. There is no second visit to collect it.
Decision by email
UKVI emails the outcome. There is no sticker; the email tells you how to access your eVisa.
Create your UKVI account
Link your eVisa to your account and check that your name, date of birth and passport number are correct.
Travel with the linked passport
Airlines and UK Border Force check your eVisa digitally. Generate a share code if anyone needs proof of your status.
Evidence rules have not changed
The eVisa changes how a visa is issued, not how it is decided. Caseworkers still apply Appendix V: you must show you are a genuine visitor who will leave, and that you can pay for the trip without working or public funds.
Processing Time & Consular Submission Centers in Pakistan
Unchanged; the British High Commission said processing times did not change with eVisas
Timelines are based on typical consular adjudication schedules and may fluctuate during peak holiday windows.
Islamabad & Karachi Consular Facilities
Biometrics and physical passports are lodged at VFS Global Islamabad/Karachi or authorized Gerry's Visa Drop Box counters in Blue Area Islamabad.
Common Refusal Reasons & How to Avoid Them
Frequently Asked Questions (United Kingdom)
Do Pakistanis still get a UK visa sticker in the passport?
No. Since 25 February 2026, UK visit visas for Pakistani nationals are issued as eVisas. Sticker visas issued before that stay valid until they expire.
Do I still need biometrics for a UK visit visa from Pakistan?
Yes. You still attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and a photo. The difference is that you keep your passport after the appointment.
Does the eVisa change UK visa fees or processing times?
The British High Commission said processing times, eligibility and conditions did not change. Your adviser confirms the current fee before you pay.
Do Pakistanis need a UK ETA instead of a visa?
No. The UK ETA is for visa-exempt nationalities. Pakistani passport holders still need a full visitor visa.
This guide is based on statutory rules from official authorities (GOV.UK: UK Visas and Immigration eVisa guidance; British High Commission Islamabad announcement, 25 February 2026). Consular fees and immigration rules are verified on a continuous basis. Our advisers confirm the current government tariff before submission.
Next step
Need an expert review for your United Kingdom visa?
Visit our consultancy desk at Eagle Plaza, Blue Area, Islamabad or talk to an adviser on WhatsApp. We inspect your bank statement, formulate your cover letter, and guide you through submission.
Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Mezzanine No. 122, Eagle Plaza, Fazal-e-Haq Road, Blue Area, Islamabad 44000, PakistanDirections