The UK Government is replacing physical immigration documents for most student and worker visas with a digital proof of immigration status, an eVisa. 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.
How Does The New UK eVisa System Work?
The UK eVisa is an online record of your permission to be in the UK. When your visa is granted, you will create a UK Visas and immigration (UKVI) account. This account will be used as a central database for your immigration status in the UK.
Keep Your Passport: You no longer have to submit your passport to get a visa sticker on passport.
Easy Travel: Simply link your passport to your UKVi account for seamless international travel.
Prove Your Status: you can use the same online “view and prove” services to securely share your immigration share code with third parties like employers, landlords or for opening the bank account in England.
As British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said, this change will “make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status.”
Which Visas are switching to the UK eVisa?
The UK is rollin gout the UK eVisa fo main applicants on the most popular study and work routes. It is important to note that this digital change does not affect your immigration status or any conditions attached to your visa, as this system is only to reflect your immigration status online replacing the current physical BRP card.
The New System Applies to the following Visa Categories;
Students
SKilled Workers
Global Talent
International Sportsperson
Temporary worker routes (Charity, Creative, Religious worker, Youth Mobility Scheme)
Who Still Needs a Physical Visa Sticker?
At the moment, digital system only focusing the main applicants for the listed routes above. you still require a physical visa sticker for the following routes.
-if you are applying as dependent
– you are applying for visa not listed above
– you have an existing, valid physical visa sticker on your passport
The UK government plans to eventually expand the eVisa system to all visa routes, creating a unified and secure digital immigration portal for everyone.
Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-uk-evisas-for-pakistani-students-and-workers