Whether you need a Morocco visa depends on your nationality, not on your UK residence status. That is the first thing to understand before you plan a trip. Many non-British UK residents can apply for the Morocco eVisa online, provided they hold the right documents. But 2026 brings a complication: the UK has moved away from the physical Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) towards a digital immigration status, and this shift affects what you can actually upload when you apply. This guide walks through who needs a Morocco visa as a UK BRP holder, what documents still qualify, and how to avoid the most common rejection reasons.
Important Update for 2026: Physical BRP Cards Are Now Phased Out
The UK has replaced Biometric Residence Permits with digital immigration status, known as a UK eVisa, accessed through a UKVI account. This change, confirmed by GOV.UK, means that most UK residents no longer hold a physical card to show their immigration status.
This matters for Morocco because the official eVisa conditions require a clear colour copy of both sides of a physical residence card. A UK share code — the digital code generated through a UKVI account to prove immigration status — is not listed among the accepted documents.
Important: some UK residents are still unaffected. If you hold a valid Biometric Residence Card (BRC) with at least 180 days remaining, you can still use it. If your nationality falls under Category A, you do not need any UK document at all. And if you hold a qualifying multiple-entry visa from certain countries, you may apply under a different category.
If you only have digital status and no physical card, check your eligibility on acces-maroc.ma before paying any fee, since fees are non-refundable. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa directly at the Moroccan consulate.
Visa Requirements Comparison
| Category | British Citizens | Non-British UK Residents |
|---|---|---|
| Visa needed? | No, visa-free | Depends on nationality |
| Stay limit | 90 days | 30 days with eVisa |
| Application type | None | eVisa if eligible, otherwise consulate visa |
| Based on | Citizenship | Nationality |
| Documents for eVisa | Passport only | Passport, photo, residence card (both sides, 180+ days) |
Understanding Morocco Visa for UK BRP Holders
A Biometric Residence Permit was the physical card the UK previously issued to non-British residents to evidence their immigration status. Many long-term UK residents held one until the recent shift to digital status. For Morocco’s eVisa system, what matters is not the card itself, but whether the applicant still holds a valid physical document, or qualifies under a different route.
Morocco’s official eVisa system sorts applicants into three categories. Category A covers a short list of nationalities who can apply using only their passport, with no UK document required at all. Category B covers nationals who need a visa and live in certain countries, including the United Kingdom, provided they hold a residence card or permit valid for at least 180 days. Category C covers nationals who already hold a qualifying non-electronic, multiple-entry visa from a recognised country.
Most non-British UK residents applying for the Morocco eVisa will fall under Category B, which is precisely where the physical card requirement creates friction in 2026.
Important: holding UK residence does not give you the same travel rights as a British citizen. Your eligibility for the Morocco eVisa depends entirely on your own nationality and the documents you can provide.
Passport Validity and Documentation Needed for the Morocco eVisa
Your passport must be an ordinary passport, valid for at least 90 days from the date you submit your application. Diplomatic, service, special passports, and refugee or stateless travel documents are not accepted under the eVisa system.
Required Documents for the Morocco eVisa (UK Residents, 2026)
| Document | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary passport | Yes | Valid at least 90 days from application date |
| Colour photo | Yes | 35 x 45 mm, taken within the last 6 months, ICAO standard |
| Residence card or permit (both sides) | Yes, for Category B | Valid at least 180 days on the application date |
| Business justification document | Only for business trips | Invitation, ministry recommendation, or similar |
| Online application | Yes | Submitted via acces-maroc.ma |
Not accepted for Category B applications: application, renewal or extension receipts, special certificates, work permits, or circulation documents. A UK share code is likewise not listed among the accepted documents under the current official conditions, so it should not be relied upon when applying.
Documents to Carry at the Border
In addition to your passport and printed eVisa, Moroccan border officers may ask to see:
- The residence card used in your application
- The visa used in your application, if you applied under Category C
- A return ticket
- Proof of funds, such as an international bank card or sufficient cash for your stay
- Travel insurance covering hospitalisation and medical repatriation for the full stay
These are border checks, not application documents, so they should not be uploaded during the online process.
Applying for the Morocco eVisa: Step by Step
- Check your eligibility on acces-maroc.ma before starting.
- Fill in the application exactly as it appears on your passport and residence card.
- Upload your photo, passport copy, and residence card copy (both sides, if applicable).
- Validate your application and pay the fee. This payment is non-refundable, even if the application is later refused.
- Track your application status through your acces-maroc.ma account.
- Once approved, receive your eVisa by email, print it, and carry it together with your supporting documents.
Standard processing takes 72 hours, or 24 hours with the express option, counted in Moroccan working days. These timeframes do not apply to incomplete applications or those containing false information, so it is worth applying at least a week before you travel. Families or groups can be submitted as a single grouped application rather than filing separately.
Start your eVisa application once you have confirmed your eligibility and gathered the correct documents.
Common Reasons for eVisa Rejections and How to Avoid Them (2026)
| Reason | Why It Happens | How to Avoid It |
|---|---|---|
| Residence card not valid long enough | Less than 180 days left | Check expiry before applying |
| Wrong document uploaded | Receipt, work permit or share code instead of the card | Upload both sides of the physical card |
| Details do not match passport | Typo in name, date or number | Copy data exactly |
| Poor-quality scans or photo | Blurry, cropped, wrong size | Follow the photo and scan standards, keep files under 1 MB |
| Non-ordinary passport | Diplomatic, service or refugee document | Apply at the consulate instead |
Remember that fees are non-refundable once your application is validated and paid, regardless of the outcome. Double-checking your documents before submission saves both time and money.
Resources for Further Assistance
- Official portal: acces-maroc.ma
- Consulate General of Morocco in London, for consular visa applications
- GOV.UK, for information on UK eVisas and share codes
Getting Your Documents Right Matters Most
Whether you need a Morocco visa as a UK BRP holder comes down to nationality, not residence status. If you still hold a valid physical residence card with at least 180 days remaining, you can likely use the eVisa route. If you only have digital UK status, remember that a share code is not currently listed in Morocco’s official conditions. Always check acces-maroc.ma before paying, and consider the consulate route if your documents do not fit the online system.
FAQ
Do UK BRP holders need a visa to enter Morocco in 2026?
It depends on nationality, not UK residence status. British citizens enter Morocco visa-free for short stays. Non-British UK residents may need the Morocco eVisa, depending on their nationality and the documents they hold, such as a valid residence card.
Can I use my UK share code for the Morocco eVisa?
A UK share code is not listed among the accepted documents in Morocco’s official eVisa conditions, which require a copy of a physical residence card. Check your options on acces-maroc.ma, or contact the Moroccan consulate if you only hold digital status.
My BRP has expired. Can I still apply?
If you hold a valid Biometric Residence Card with at least 180 days remaining, you can still use Category B. If your nationality falls under Category A, no UK document is needed. If you hold a qualifying multiple-entry visa, Category C may apply. Otherwise, apply at the consulate.
What documents do I need for the Morocco eVisa as a UK resident?
You need an ordinary passport valid at least 90 days, a recent colour photo meeting ICAO standards, and, for most UK residents, a colour copy of both sides of a residence card valid for at least 180 days. Business travellers also need a justification document.
How long does the Morocco eVisa take?
Standard processing takes 72 hours, or 24 hours with the express option, counted in Moroccan working days. These timeframes exclude incomplete or inaccurate applications, so it is recommended to apply at least one week ahead of travel.
How long can I stay with the Morocco eVisa?
The eVisa is valid for up to 180 days from the date of issue and allows a single entry with a stay of up to 30 days. Separate eVisas cannot be combined to extend a stay; you must leave Morocco before starting a new one.
Sources
- acces-maroc.ma — Conditions d’utilisation eVisa
- GOV.UK — eVisas and share codes
- GOV.UK — Morocco travel advice
