Visas For Morocco: What Do You Need?

For citizens belonging to a visa-exempt country, you will only require a valid passport (with at least 6 months remaining). Border officials may also request to see proof of onwards travel, i.e. a flight booking scheduled for within the 90-day period.

If you are a citizen from one of the countries listed below then you are eligible to stay in Morocco for 90 days without applying for a visa.

• Algeria
• Andorra
• Argentina
• Austria
• Australia
• Bahrain
• Belgium
• Burkina Faso
• Canada
• Chile
• China
• Colombia
• Congo
• Croatia
• Cyprus
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Gabon
• Germany
• Greece
• Guinea
• Iceland
• Indonesia
• Italy
• Ireland
• Ivory Coast
• Japan
• Hong Kong (limited to 30 days)
• Hungary
• Kuwait
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg

• Macao
• Mali
• Malta
• Maldives (limited to 30 days)
• Malaysia
• Mexico
• Monaco
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Niger
• Norway
• Oman
• Peru
• Philippines
• Poland
• Portugal
• Puerto Rico
• Qatar
• Romania
• Russian Federation
• San Marino
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Singapore
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Togo
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

The 90-day period is calculated from the date of entry stamped on your passport; it is not 3 calendar months.

If you do not belong to one of the visa-exempt countries then you will need to obtain a tourist visa prior to travel. Applications for tourist visas for Morocco can be made online via the Access Morocco Website.

Application for a standard e-visa costs 770dh (€77) and takes up to 3 business days to process. Express e-visas cost 1100dh (€110) and take up to 1 business day.

Tourist visas for Morocco are valid for 180 days from the date of approval, and allow travellers to stay in Morocco for up to 30 days.

To request an extension of a tourist visa, you must visit a Central Police Station in Morocco. However, these are not always granted.

Residence Card

Foreigners who wish to stay in Morocco for longer than 90 days must apply for a Carte de Sejour (Residence Card). This permits you to live and work legally in Morocco.

In cities, you can apply for a Residence Card at a Préfecture de Police or Commissariat Central (Central Police Station). For those in rural areas and villages, you must visit the Gendarmerie.

Applications for Residence Cards in Morocco are infamously tedious, requiring numerous documents. These include, copies of birth certificates, police record checks, medical certificates and recent bank statements.

The exact criteria, fees and eligibility will depend on the type of Residence Card you are applying for. Some categories will require proof of business, Moroccan spouse, property, retirement or a work contract.

Initial Residence Cards will be granted for a period of 1 year. Following this you will need to re-apply to obtain a further 3 years; then 5 years; then 10 years; etc.

For visa-exempt foreigners, it is possible to extend your 90-day stay in Morocco by leaving the country, obtaining a stamp of departure, and then returning. This is completely legitimate, and there is no specified time for remaining out of the country.

There are three options for obtaining a stamp of departure from Morocco. These include:

1. Catch a Ferry to Spain

This is particularly relevant if you are already in the north of Morocco. There are two ferry companies – FRS Service and Inter Shipping Service – that make multiple daily crossings from Tangier to Tarifa. The route takes between 1 or 2 hours depending on the ferry company.

It is also possible to catch a ferry to France or Italy; however, these voyages take much longer.

2. Cross The Border Into Ceuta or Melilla

There are two cities within the Moroccan territory that belong to Spain: Ceuta and Melilla. As such, travellers will have their passports stamped upon entry into the two regions. The Ceuta border crossing is the preferred option for travellers wishing to renew their visas for Morocco.

Ceuta Border Crossing

Local buses (CTM and Supratours) depart daily from Tangier to Tetouan, stopping at F’nideq – the border town in Morocco. Bus tickets can be purchased online. From F’nideq, you can catch a shared taxi to the border – 4km away.

You can cross the border as a pedestrian, or drive through in your own vehicle.

If you enter the border on foot, you can then catch another taxi to the centre of Ceuta for €8. Alternatively, there is a bus departing every 20 minutes from the border crossing. Bus tickets cost €1.

Note that many migrants and refugees attempt to cross the Ceuta and Melilla borders illegally. As such, the area around the border crossings are quite chaotic, with a heavy police presence.

3. Fly to a Neighbouring Country

If you have the means to do so, you can take a flight to a nearby country and spend a few days or so, before returning to Morocco with eligibility for a further 90-days. The Canary Islands, mainland Spain and Portugal are some of the cheapest options.

If you overstay your tourist visa or allotted 90 days, then you will be liable for a fine; deportation order; or ban from re-entry. You will be required to appear before a judge before leaving the country.

There are no mandatory vaccines required for foreigners visiting Morocco. However, it is advised that travellers are up-to-date with Hepatitis A and Tetanus immunisations.

Travellers may also consider getting vaccinated against Rabies and Typhoid. Whilst incidents of travellers contracting Rabies are rare in Morocco, the virus is present within the stray dog population. 

It is possible to bring a non-Moroccan registered vehicle into the country for tourism purposes. Many travellers entering from Europe opt to bring their own car or van into Morocco via a ferry from Spain.

There are no taxes required for vehicles entering Morocco. However, vehicles are only permitted to remain in Morocco for a period of 6 months within a calendar year.

To enter Morocco with a vehicle you will need the following documentation:

• The vehicle’s grey letter (authorisation to enter Morocco)
• Declaration of the owner of the vehicle
• Rental contract (if rented; specifying permittance to take the vehicle abroad)
• Car insurance (including Moroccan territory)
• Vehicle data sheet

Safe travels.