Morocco does not have one universal “expat visa”. The correct route depends on your nationality, purpose, intended stay and whether you will work, study, join family or support yourself from abroad.
Reviewed 10 August 2026. Requirements and eligibility change. Use the official Accès Maroc portal and Moroccan consular visa information for the final decision.
Morocco visa options at a glance
| Situation | Route to investigate | Important distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Short visit | Visa-exempt entry, eVisa or consular visa | A visit is not permission to settle or take local employment. |
| Local employment | Work and residence process | Employer and labour authorisation may be central. |
| Study | Student visa or residence process | Start with the recognised institution's checklist. |
| Family move | Family-based residence | Relationship and sponsor documents matter. |
| Self-funded or retirement stay | Residence based on personal circumstances | Confirm accepted income and local filing requirements. |
Do you need a visa?
Morocco's official portal checks nationality, country of usual residence, passport type, purpose and other factors. Do not rely on a generic list copied from another site. Moroccan consular guidance describes short-term, long-term, transit and border-issued visas, with tourism, work, study, business and family routes among the possible purposes.
The eVisa is available only to eligible categories. Morocco's Ministry describes a single-entry authorisation valid for up to 180 days from issue for a stay of up to 30 days; the portal is the current place to check whether your passport and supporting residence or visa status qualify.
Moving beyond a visit
If you plan to live in Morocco, identify the residence basis before your permitted stay ends. A visa or visa-free entry does not automatically authorise local work. Employment, study, family and self-funded cases can require different documents and post-arrival registration.
Documents to prepare
Depending on the route, authorities may request:
- passport and completed application form
- photographs and proof of legal residence where applying
- accommodation, itinerary or invitation evidence
- employment contract, admission letter or family documents
- bank statements or proof of means
- travel or health insurance where required
- authenticated civil records and French or Arabic translations
Ask the responsible consulate which documents need legalisation, how recently they must be issued and whether copies are accepted.
A practical sequence
- Check your passport and residence country in Accès Maroc.
- Decide whether the purpose is visit, work, study, family or another residence case.
- Confirm the correct consulate or online route.
- Prepare translations, legalisations and sponsor evidence.
- Apply before making non-refundable arrangements.
- Track the permitted stay and begin any residence process early.
For the wider move, compare living in Morocco, Casablanca and Marrakech.
FAQ
Does an eVisa let me live in Morocco?
No. The eVisa is a short-stay entry authorisation for eligible applicants, not a general residence or work permit.
Can I work on a tourist entry?
Do not assume so. Local employment requires the appropriate authorisation and residence basis.
Where should I check eligibility?
Use the official Accès Maroc eligibility checker and the relevant Moroccan consular service.