Morocco Considers Visa Requirement for European Visitors
Morocco is contemplating a shift in its visa policy for European visitors, potentially introducing an entry visa requirement. This proposal, initiated by parliamentarians Khaled Setti and Loubna Alaoui, aims to establish reciprocity with European countries that impose visa restrictions on Moroccans. If implemented, non-exempt European travelers would need to obtain an entry visa online through an electronic visa delivery system (e-Visa), similar to the system already in use for other non-exempt nationalities since July 2022.
The tourism industry in Morocco has expressed concerns about a potential decrease in European arrivals if a visa is required. In 2024, Morocco welcomed 8.8 million foreign visitors, with the majority coming from Europe. The industry fears that the additional administrative burden and cost of obtaining a visa could deter some European travelers from visiting Morocco.
The proposal comes in response to visa restrictions on Moroccans traveling to Europe. In 2023, over 136,000 Schengen visa applications from Moroccan citizens were refused, costing approximately 11 million euros. The parliamentarians behind the proposal argue that the introduction of a visa requirement for Europeans would balance the visa policy between Morocco and the European Union.
As of now, this parliamentary proposal has not yet been translated into a government decision. No official announcement has confirmed the implementation of a visa requirement for Europeans. Morocco continues to welcome European citizens without a visa, and the issue of visa policy balance remains a sensitive topic in relations with the European Union. The potential impact on Morocco's tourism industry, which heavily relies on European visitors, is a key consideration in this ongoing debate.
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