UK expands eVisa system

ISLAMABAD: Britain on Friday announced expansion of its eVisa system to include new biometric customers, transitioning from physical documents to an online immigration status.

“This technological update will simplify a crucial part of the visa process, enhance security, and reduce reliance on paper documents,” British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMB OBE said in a statement issued by the high commission here.

She said the UK was continually improving to facilitate travel for Pakistanis to its territory.

The British High Commission said Biometric Residence Permits, vignette stickers in passports or ‘wet ink stamps’ were among some of the physical documents that would no longer be needed.

“If you are granted a visa to stay in the UK for longer than six months – for example to work or study – you will now need to create a UKVI online account to access your eVisa. The account acts as an online record of your immigration status. For those granted a visa to stay in the UK for less than 6 months, for example as a tourist, you do not need to create a UKVI account.”

According to the high commission, the process is free, secure, and easy to follow.

“Do not travel to the UK until you have received your passport and valid UK visa from the Visa Application Centre. Changing from a physical document to an eVisa does not alter your immigration status or the conditions of your entry or stay in the UK,” it said.

The BHC said upon arriving in the UK, visitors would still need to collect BRP.

It added that all BRP cards were valid until December 31, 2024, though their expiry didn’t impact their immigration status.

“You can use your BRP to set up your UKVI account and access your eVisa. Continue to carry your BRP until it expires and take it along with your passport when travelling abroad to demonstrate your right to return to the UK,” the high commission said in the statement. Ends