Agadir – The British Embassy in Morocco has announced that the United Kingdom will fully transition to a digital visa system starting February 25, shifting how foreign nationals prove their immigration status when traveling to or residing in the UK.
Under the new system, the UK will replace traditional passport visa stickers and paper-based immigration documents with electronic visas (eVisas). The reform applies to all visa-required travelers, including Moroccan nationals, and forms part of a broader modernization of the UK’s immigration framework led by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
According to the British authorities, once a visa application is approved, applicants will no longer receive a physical visa vignette in their passport. Instead, their immigration permission will be issued as an official digital record, securely stored online and accessible through a personal UKVI account.
UK authorities state that the eVisa will eventually become the sole form of proof of immigration status, replacing all physical documents previously used, including biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards, and passport stamps.
How the system will work
To access their eVisa, travelers and residents must create a UK Visas and Immigration online account. Registration is free of charge, and there are no additional fees for viewing or using the eVisa once it has been issued.
Through this account, visa holders will be able to view their immigration status online, check visa validity and conditions and generate a secure sharing code to prove their legal status.
This sharing code can be provided to employers, landlords, or government bodies, allowing them to verify immigration status directly through the UK government’s system.
For travel purposes, visa holders must continue to carry a valid passport or travel document. UK authorities emphasize that the passport details must be correctly linked to the eVisa to avoid travel disruptions. The eVisa itself does not replace the passport but functions as the official confirmation of immigration permission.
Fees and application costs
The UK government has confirmed that there is no cost associated with creating a UKVI account or accessing an eVisa. But standard visa application fees still apply, depending on the type and duration of the visa requested. These fees are set by the UK government and are separate from the digital visa system itself.
British officials say the move to eVisas is designed to enhance security, reduce document fraud, and simplify administrative procedures for both travelers and institutions. By eliminating physical documents that can be lost, stolen, or altered, the UK aims to create a more reliable and efficient immigration system.
The transition is being implemented gradually, with many visa holders already using digital status records. From early 2026 onward, all newly issued visas are expected to be fully digital by default, making the eVisa the standard proof of immigration status in the UK.
The British Embassy in Morocco has encouraged visa applicants and UK residents to familiarize themselves with the new system ahead of the February 2026 deadline to ensure a smooth transition.
