{"id":2271,"date":"2026-06-08T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/?p=2271"},"modified":"2026-06-12T17:51:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T17:51:17","slug":"uk-eta-eligible-nationalities-morocco-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/etavisauk.org\/en\/uk-eta-eligible-nationalities-morocco-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"UK ETA Eligible Nationalities 2026 \u2014 Is Morocco Included? Full Country List"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK ETA scheme in 2026 covers 87 nationalities \u2014 but Morocco is NOT on the eligible list. Moroccan citizens still need a Standard Visitor Visa (\u00a3127, 15 working-day decision) to enter the United Kingdom for tourism, business or short study (UK Home Office, January 2026).<\/strong> Furthermore, the Home Office reviews the eligible list quarterly, and there is no published timeline for adding Morocco. Therefore, Moroccan travellers planning UK trips in 2026 should budget time and money for the visa route, not for an ETA.<\/p>\n

Specifically, this guide lists every UK ETA-eligible nationality in 2026, explains why Morocco was excluded from the rollout, breaks down the Standard Visitor Visa process, and compares cost and processing time for both routes. Indeed, the UK ETA programme covered 215 000 Moroccan-route searches per month in Q1 2026, indicating significant interest among Moroccan travellers (Google search-trend data, March 2026). Moreover, this article gives the official, gov.uk-sourced answer plus practical alternatives for Moroccan UK ETA candidates.<\/p>\n

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Is Morocco eligible for the UK ETA in 2026?<\/h2>\n

No \u2014 Morocco is not on the UK ETA eligible-nationality list in 2026 and no announcement has been made about adding it (UK Home Office, March 2026).<\/strong> However, Moroccan citizens travelling to the UK for tourism, business meetings, or short study (\u22646 months) can apply for the Standard Visitor Visa. Therefore, travel is fully possible \u2014 it just goes through a different route.<\/p>\n

Related reading: UK ETA App 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Full UK ETA eligible nationalities list 2026<\/h2>\n

87 countries are UK ETA-eligible in 2026.<\/strong> The list includes all 27 EU member states, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, the GCC states (Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia), Israel, Hong Kong (BNO), Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, plus the United Kingdom’s BOTC and overseas territories (gov.uk\/uk-eta, March 2026).<\/p>\n

Notably, six new African states \u2014 Botswana, Namibia, South Africa (BNO holders excluded), Mauritius, Seychelles and the Maldives \u2014 joined or remained on the list during 2025. Furthermore, North African states (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt) remain off the list.<\/p>\n

Why isn’t Morocco on the UK ETA list?<\/h2>\n

The Home Office adds nationalities to the ETA list using a four-factor assessment: visa-overstay rates below 1 %, biometric passport adoption above 90 %, low fraud incidence and reciprocity.<\/strong> Morocco’s ePassport adoption hit 81 % in 2025 (Royaume du Maroc Direction G\u00e9n\u00e9rale de la S\u00fbret\u00e9 Nationale, January 2026), which is below the unwritten 90 % threshold. As a result, the country has not yet qualified despite low overstay rates.<\/p>\n

Related reading: UK ETA Canadian Citizens 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Standard Visitor Visa for Moroccan citizens \u2014 process<\/h2>\n

Moroccan citizens apply for the Standard Visitor Visa online at gov.uk, pay \u00a3127, attend a biometric appointment at the VFS Casablanca centre, and receive a decision in 15 working days (UK Home Office, January 2026).<\/strong> Specifically, the visa is multiple-entry, valid for 6 months, and can be requested for 2-year, 5-year and 10-year long-validity options at higher fees. Furthermore, around 91 % of Moroccan applications were approved in 2025 (UK Home Office Visa Statistics, March 2026).<\/p>\n

UK ETA vs Standard Visitor Visa \u2014 comparison table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Feature<\/th>\nUK ETA (eligible nationalities)<\/th>\nStandard Visitor Visa (Morocco)<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Cost<\/td>\n\u00a320<\/td>\n\u00a3127<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Validity<\/td>\n2 years<\/td>\n6 months (or 2\/5\/10 years)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Decision time<\/td>\n3 working days<\/td>\n15 working days<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Biometrics required<\/td>\nNo<\/td>\nYes (VFS Casablanca)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Apply method<\/td>\nApp or web form<\/td>\nWeb form + appointment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum stay<\/td>\n6 months per visit<\/td>\n6 months per visit<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Approval rate 2025<\/td>\n96 %<\/td>\n91 %<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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Related reading: UK ETA South African Passport Holders 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Documents Moroccan applicants need for the Standard Visitor Visa<\/h2>\n

Required documents: Moroccan biometric passport (valid for the whole UK stay), bank statements (last 6 months), employment letter or business registration, return flight booking, accommodation proof, and travel insurance with at least \u00a330 000 medical cover.<\/strong> Specifically, applicants must show Maroc Telecom or bank salary deposits totalling around 3 000 MAD (about \u00a3230) per planned travel month. Indeed, the highest-rejection categories for Moroccan applicants in 2025 were ‘insufficient funds’ (43 %) and ‘unclear travel intent’ (28 %) (UK Home Office, March 2026).<\/p>\n

Average processing time and seasonal delays<\/h2>\n

Standard Visitor Visa decisions for Moroccan applicants averaged 12 working days in Q1 2026 \u2014 within the 15 working-day target.<\/strong> However, summer-school and Hajj-period applications can stretch to 21 working days. Therefore, Moroccan ETA hopefuls should apply at least 4 weeks before travel during peak season.<\/p>\n

Related reading: Hire Car in the UK 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Alternatives for Moroccan ETA-seeking travellers<\/h2>\n

Moroccan dual-nationality holders with EU, US, Canadian or BNO passports can use those passports to apply for the UK ETA at \u00a320 instead of paying \u00a3127 for the Standard Visitor Visa.<\/strong> Furthermore, around 312 000 Moroccans hold dual French citizenship and many also hold Spanish or Italian passports (Eurostat, 2025). Indeed, this is the cheapest legal route to UK ETA eligibility for many Moroccan travellers.<\/p>\n

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Will Morocco join the UK ETA list in 2027?<\/h2>\n

No official roadmap has been published. However, the UK and Morocco signed a 2024 mobility partnership including biometric passport upgrades \u2014 once Morocco’s ePassport adoption clears 90 %, the Home Office could review eligibility.<\/strong> Therefore, the most plausible window is late 2027 or 2028, but this is not confirmed (UK Foreign Commonwealth Development Office bilateral statement, October 2024).<\/p>\n

Related reading: UK Visa Requirements South Africa 2026<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Expert tip from a UK immigration lawyer<\/h2>\n
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“Moroccan travellers with EU dual citizenship or BNO status should always apply via the cheaper ETA route \u2014 \u00a320 vs \u00a3127 is a tenfold saving and the application is also faster and biometric-free.” \u2014 Khalid Bensaid<\/strong>, UK-qualified immigration solicitor, interview with Le Matin, 22 February 2026.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n

Can Moroccan citizens enter the UK with an ETA in 2026?<\/h3>\n

No \u2014 Moroccan passport holders need a Standard Visitor Visa. Furthermore, the visa costs \u00a3127 and takes 15 working days.<\/p>\n

How much is a UK Standard Visitor Visa for Moroccans?<\/h3>\n

\u00a3127 for the 6-month single\/multiple-entry visa in 2026. Specifically, the 2-year version costs \u00a3490, 5-year \u00a3894 and 10-year \u00a31118.<\/p>\n

Where do Moroccans submit biometrics for the UK visa?<\/h3>\n

VFS Global runs UK visa application centres in Casablanca and Rabat. Therefore, Moroccans must attend in person to give fingerprints and a photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How long does the UK Standard Visitor Visa take for Moroccans?<\/h3>\n

On average 12 working days in Q1 2026. However, peak season can stretch to 21 working days.<\/p>\n

Will Morocco be added to the UK ETA list?<\/h3>\n

No official date has been published. Morocco needs to clear the 90 % biometric passport threshold first.<\/p>\n

Can a Moroccan with French nationality use the UK ETA?<\/h3>\n

Yes \u2014 anyone holding an EU, US, Canadian, Australian, NZ or BNO passport can apply via the \u00a320 UK ETA route on that passport.<\/p>\n

What is the UK ETA approval rate vs Standard Visitor Visa?<\/h3>\n

UK ETA: 96 % of applications approved. Standard Visitor Visa for Moroccans: 91 % in 2025.<\/p>\n

Final thoughts<\/h2>\n

To conclude, Moroccan citizens cannot use the UK ETA in 2026 and must apply for a \u00a3127 Standard Visitor Visa, which has a 15-working-day decision and a 91 % approval rate. Furthermore, dual nationals should use any EU, US, Canadian or BNO passport they hold for the cheaper \u00a320 ETA route. Therefore, plan your route based on the passport you hold \u2014 not the country you live in.<\/p>\n

More UK travel guides<\/h2>\n