Ivoirians Must Apply for Visa to Travel to Morocco Starting September 1
Moroccan authorities reinstate visa requirement for Ivorian travelers from September 1, 2024, as part of a two-year pilot program to strengthen border controls and combat identity fraud.
The Moroccan government announced on 14 August 2024 that Ivorian nationals wishing to travel to Morocco will again require a visa starting 1 September 2024. The measure, taken in consultation with Ivorian authorities, is part of a strategy to tighten border controls and combat identity fraud.
Duration and Objectives of the Measure
The visa requirement will apply for a two-year pilot period. Senegal’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivoirians Abroad clarified that the initiative aims primarily to:
Enhance the credibility of Ivorian passports internationally
Curb identity theft and fraudulent use of Ivorian travel documents
Improve management of migratory flows between Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco
Exempt Traveler Categories
The Ivorian ministry specified that certain groups are exempt from the new visa requirement:
Holders of diplomatic or service passports
Residents in possession of Moroccan residence cards
Beneficiaries of valid visas for the Schengen Area, United Arab Emirates, United States or Canada
Abdelmalek Kettani, Morocco’s Ambassador to Côte d’Ivoire, told Visamundi: “Ivorian travelers transiting through Casablanca airport on to other destinations do not need a visa provided they do not leave the international transit zone.”
Application Process and Requirements
Ivorian nationals subject to the visa rule must apply through Morocco’s diplomatic missions in Côte d’Ivoire and submit:
A valid passport
A completed visa application form
Proof of accommodation reservation in Morocco
Round-trip flight booking
Evidence of sufficient financial means for the stay
Costs and Processing Times
The Moroccan visa for Ivorian citizens costs 14,000 CFA francs for a single-entry visa and 22,000 CFA francs for a multiple-entry visa. Processing times vary; applicants should submit requests at least two weeks before intended travel.
Morocco’s Visa-Free Countries
More than 70 countries enjoy visa-free entry to Morocco for stays up to 90 days. Notable exemptions include: Algeria, Germany, Andorra, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Canada, Cape Verde, Chile, China, Cyprus, Colombia, South Korea, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, United States, Finland, France, Gabon, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Niger, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Netherlands, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Dominican Republic, Czech Republic, Romania, United Kingdom, Russia, San Marino, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Countries Eligible for Morocco e-Visa
Nationals from the following countries may apply for an e-Visa:
Thailand
Israel
Azerbaijan
Guatemala
India
Jordan
In addition, citizens of other countries may qualify if they hold a valid residence permit for the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, Norway or New Zealand, or possess a valid visa for the United States, United Kingdom, Schengen Area, Australia, Canada, Ireland or New Zealand.
