Morocco ends 24-hour Spanish visas for workers in Ceuta and Melilla

The Moroccan authorities have recently confirmed that Spanish consulates will no longer issue time-limited (24-hour) visas for workers wishing to enter Ceuta and Melilla. This measure mainly affects cross-border workers who rely on these visas to work in the Spanish enclaves.

Before the pandemic, more than 2,200 Moroccan women worked daily in CeutaThis figure has now dropped to around a thousand. Around 70% of domestic workers in Ceuta are Moroccan residents who work there during the day and return home at night. It is estimated that there are a total of 8,000 frontier workers in the city, including both documented and undocumented workers.

This change in policy comes after the Moroccan authorities expressed their dissatisfaction with the special treatment accorded to cross-border workers who simply needed a passport and a visa valid for 24 hours to enter the Spanish autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

Reasons for this decision

One of the main reasons for this decision could be Morocco's desire to strengthen its borders and further control migratory flows between its territory and these Spanish enclaves on the African continent.

This measure can also be interpreted as a means for Morocco to put pressure on Spain to obtain concessions in various areas, such as economic, trade and security cooperation.

Recommendations for cross-border workers

• Existing cross-border workers who already have a visa are encouraged to check their expiry date and plan to renew in good time.
• Those who need a new visa to work in Ceuta or Melilla should find out how to obtain a Schengen visa.
• Jobseekers living in Morocco and looking for work in Ceuta or Melilla should take this new regulation into account before applying for available vacancies.

The end of time-limited visas could indirectly affect local businesses that depend on cross-border workers. Due to the higher cost and more complex process of obtaining a Schengen visa, some workers may decide not to pursue employment in Spanish enclaves, which could lead to labor shortages and difficulties in recruiting qualified personnel.

• Morocco

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