In order to stimulate its tourism sector, Morocco is preparing to equip itself with an electronic visa delivery system which will replace the traditional visa on passport and will simplify the procedures for many travellers.
At the end of the meeting of the Council of Government this Thursday, June 23, Mustapha Baitais, the government spokesperson, declared that Morocco will launch its online visa service from July 10, 2022.
This electronic visa format will facilitate, for foreigners subject to the visa, the rapid obtaining, within 24 hours or 72 hours maximum, of the travel document for Morocco, without traveling to the consulates of the Kingdom. The processing of visa applications will thus be done via a web platform, managed by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reports the media Le 360 , which specifies that the validity of the e-Visa will be 30 days, with nevertheless the possibility to extend the visa for 6 months in multiple entries.
During his press briefing , Mustapha Baitais, explained that 3 categories of travelers would be affected by this simplification of online consular formalities, namely:
- foreign nationals, subject to the Moroccan visa requirement, legally resident (more than 180 days) in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or in Japan,
- foreign citizens holding a Schengen, British, American, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand visa valid for at least 90 days,
- Israeli and Thai nationals, who benefit from easy entry into the Schengen Area and the United States (other countries will gradually be added to this list).
Citizens of 49 countries should be eligible for the electronic visa, the price of which will soon be communicated after publication in the Official Bulletin.
“More competitive on the international scene”
“We have been waiting for this catalyst for a long time, which will give us access to more source markets. This is a huge step that aims to strengthen Morocco’s competitiveness as a world tourist destination, given the paramount importance of the visa in the selection of tourist destinations,” said Moroccan Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor on her Facebook page, as the country simplified its entry formalities last month .
To travel to Morocco by air, sea or land, tourists aged 12 and over can either present a valid vaccination passport (the French vaccination pass is recognized by Morocco) or a negative PCR test result less than 72 hours old. recalls the Moroccan National Tourist Office . In addition, travelers must complete a health form available online or distributed on board the plane or boat.
