Muhammad Faisal Kaleem

Over 289,000 Pakistani citizens travelled to the United Kingdom between January 2021 and December 2025 under various visa categories, reports Wealth Pakistan. According to the official documents, a total of 289,265 Pakistanis travelled to the UK during the period under study, visit, tourist, and work visa categories. Visit visas top all categories. A total of 133,566 Pakistanis visited the UK during the period, including 19,922 in 2025, 15,571 in 2024, 47,663 in 2023, 35,902 in 2022, and 14,508 in 2021.

The visit visas were followed by the study visas, with 86,976 students moving to the UK during the period. The yearly breakdown shows 25,492 in 2025, 20,412 in 2024, 20,348 in 2023, 12,777 in 2022, and 7,947 in 2021. Under the tourist category, 37,749 citizens travelled to the UK, including 20,070 in 2025, 16,167 in 2024, 963 in 2023, and 549 in 2021. Under the work visa category, 30,974 Pakistanis moved for employment, including 5,216 in 2025, 10,443 in 2024, 10,587 in 2023, 2,827 in 2022, and 1,901 in 2021.

Such large-scale migration has generated positive economic spillovers for Pakistan, most notably through foreign remittances, which continue to serve as a critical source of foreign exchange. The Pakistani workers and professionals in the UK remit billions of rupees to the country each year, helping stabilize household incomes and support domestic consumption. Students graduating from British institutions gain international exposure, advanced skills, and access to professional networks, which ultimately benefits Pakistan if they return or collaborate with the local institutions.

Increased people-to-people movement has also strengthened trade links, educational partnerships, and cultural exchange between the two countries. Managed migration, especially in the skills and education sectors, can play a constructive role in Pakistan’s long-term economic development. Furthermore, the rising number of Pakistanis migrating to the UK reflects growing global confidence in Pakistani human capital, particularly in education, healthcare, IT, and skilled trades. This outward mobility has eased domestic unemployment pressures while enabling workers to secure higher wages and gain valuable international professional experience.

The expanding Pakistani diaspora in the UK has also played a key role in promoting Pakistani businesses, exports, and services, particularly in the food, textiles, and small enterprises sectors. Stronger diaspora engagement policies could further enhance investment inflows, facilitate knowledge transfer, and foster entrepreneurship, thereby transforming overseas migration into a sustainable, long-term economic opportunity for Pakistan.

Credit: INP-WealthPk