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Applying for a Carte Sejour {Residency} in Morocco

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Applying for a Carte Sejour {Residency} in Morocco

Ah, the carte sejour. It conjurs up the horror of bureaucratic nightmares, long hours spent in lines, and filling out form after form of personal information.

If you’re not familiar with this process let me explain. In Morocco, tourists who do not require an entry visa, are permitted to stay for up to 90 days. During this time you’re exactly that, a tourist. You can’t get a job, or do much else, so if you’re planning on calling Morocco home you have to apply for residency. This means obtaining a carte sejour (roughly translated the staying card). Every Moroccan carries a CIN or carte nationale. It’s a national ID card that lists your pertinent information. Essentially it’s the same thing but with a different name for non-Moroccan citizens. Initial applications are good for 1 year and then are extended either yearly, or for 5 or 10 years. This card gives you permission to live legally in Morocco. Once you apply and receive this you’re also consider to have a foreign residence, in the eyes of the United States at least.

carte sejour

There are different categories to obtain the card. I was able to apply as the wife of a citizen. We were worried that because we haven’t been able to register our marriage in Morocco yet (another long story) we wouldn’t be able to apply in this category but it didn’t end up being a problem. That being said, there’s a ton of paperwork required and a trip to Rabat.  If you want to apply and are not the wife of a citizen, the process will likely be slightly different. By visiting the office etranger at the head police precinct in any Moroccan city you’ll be able to get a full list of the documents needed. You can not go to ANY police station, it needs to be the central office in the city you are living in.

Here’s the list of documents we had to gather;

  • Translation of my birth certificate to Arabic
  • Our civil marriage certificate translated to Arabic
  • A copy of our Islamic marriage certificate
  • A certificate of domicile + 2 pictures will be needed
  • A medical clearance certificate
  • Criminal Background Check
  • My CV (resume) in French or Arabic
  • Copy of my Passport including a copy of my entry stamp to Morocco
  • A copy of my husbands CIN
  • Document from our Moroccan or American bank showing my husband can support me
  • and/or letter from an employer showing employment.
  • 6 pictures
  • You’ll also need to fill out 2 yellow information cards and 2 copies of a white registration paper in the office
  • 100 dirhams for the registration

We were able to produce copies of all documents, but each document needs to be legalized and stamped. Seems straight forward? Let’s go through some “sticky spots.”

A certificate of domicile

This document is obtained from the closest police precinct. You’ll need some type of proof that you’re living at the address given, like a lease agreement. We live in a family home and so this was more like the police just knew. It’s also the same address I gave on entry so presumably it was somewhere in the system.

A medical clearance

Any doctor will know what you’re talking about if you tell them that you need a medical certificate for the carte sejour.  It’s fairly straight forward, making sure you don’t have communicable diseases and are not a threat to other people.

Criminal Background Check

To get this document you MUST go to Rabat to the Justice Ministry. You don’t need to make an appointment, but go in the morning as afternoon office hours in Morocco vary. You’ll fill out a paper requesting the background check, take a number, and wait for your turn. Bring your passport with. Most of the time they’ll take your document and tell you to come back in a few weeks. If you’re traveling far, like we were, you can push them to get it done sooner. Or beg. The earlier you go in the morning the better the chance you’ll get it the same day.

Banking Information

This was the vaguest requirement. We had no clue what they were looking for and they were never clear about it. How much money needs to be in the bank to show financial support? Figures vary about the average monthly income for most Moroccans but it’s generally accepted to be less than $600 a month. We estimated that showing we had over a years income at that amount in the bank would be sufficient.To make this even more complex, we both freelance and our income is largely held in American banks.  We were told that documents from our American banks showing deposits would work, but we didn’t want to make things any more complicated so we went with the holding in the Moroccan account and were successful. I don’t know what the requirement really is, and no one seemed to give us an answer but it must have worked because we weren’t asked any other questions.

We returned everything to the Office Etranger and had a brief “interview” of sorts. MarocBaba explained why we had moved back to Morocco and how long we’d been married etc. We then paid our 100 dirham and were given a receipt to come back in a few weeks to pick up the card.  One other note, everything was in either Arabic, French and Spanish or French and Spanish. Not super helpful but I have enough knowledge to muddle my way through the forms. I’ve been told that applying as the wife of a citizen is the easiest way and really aside from the hassle of figuring out what all the papers were and where to get them it wasn’t terrible.

My card is good for 1 year, and I will have to renew it next year. Ask me then how the renewal goes!

UPDATE: I applied for an extension of my original card before it expired. In order to do this I needed to produce all of the information above, again. Everything needed to be originals and legalized. 1 complete originals set and 2 sets of copies (but all the pages of everything must be legalized at the mukata). As an American I was able to apply for a 10 year residency permit. The length of time for the second card will depend on your country of nationality. The price is 100 dirham per year of extension (so 10 years = 1000 dirham) I applied in February, it’s now July and while I don’t have the physical card I do have the paper receipt that serves as the card until the plastic arrives.

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Comments

  1. Dear Amanda,

    I love reading your blog and receiving the recipes you send out and trying them myself when I have time as well as making a few up myself.

    I read this article with great interest as I am from the UK and married to a Moroccan Lady and we are planning to move back to Morocco to live, although for now I am and will continue for the foreseeable future to work in Qatar, and I was wondering if I could apply for my Carte Sejour, without actually living in Morocco full time? The other question is can I apply or start my application in the Moroccan Embassy in Qatar or can this only be done in Morocco its self?

    Reply

    • No you can’t. You must be living in Morocco to apply for the carte sejour. It’s not possible to apply via an embassy or when you’re not living in Morocco.

      Reply

  2. This confuses me. We have a family relocating to Morocco, but you need money in the bank. A mysterious amount. But it needs to be in a Moroccan bank. But you can’t get an account with a Moroccan bank, unless you are a Resident. But you can’t be a Resident without a Moroccan bank. It’s a Catch-22. How does one do that? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Non Moroccans can open a convertible bank account. It allows you to hold a balance in foreign currency. This is the bank account you need to have.

      Reply

      • Thank you. How much needs to be in there, per person?

        Reply

        • There’s no set number, they won’t tell you an actual figure which is super frustrating but sadly the way it is.

          Reply

  3. I’m a permanent resident but want to bring my 16 yr old to move with me. Does she need background (police) in USA & Maroc as well?

    Reply

    • I am not 100% certain on this but I do believe at 16 it might be required. I would get it just in case.

      Reply

  4. Hello
    With a 1 year resident card of Morocco can we travel anywhere in Europe?My husband hold Jordan passport and has 1 year resident card from Morocco. Can he travel to Europe?
    Thank you

    Reply

    • No. A residency card in Morocco has no bearing on your ability to travel elsewhere. You need a visa to travel to Europe.

      Reply

  5. Hi Amanda,
    My husband, children and I are planning a trip to Morocco for 6-8 months. He is Moroccan but my children and I have Canadian passports. Will we need to go through this process or can we leave Morocco for a few days then return for another 90 days?

    Reply

    • Your children (if they are his children) fall under him and do not need to leave. You will.

      Reply

  6. Hi Amanda, thanks for all of your information. My fiancé and I (both US citizens) just took the plunge and moved to Marrakech as well! I’m having some trouble locating where the Bureau des Etrangers is here so that we can get our process going, do you happen to know where that office is?

    Reply

    • It’s the main police station near Bab Doukkala. 😉

      Reply

  7. Hi Amanda!
    Love your blog, extremely insightful!

    I am Canadian and last summer (August 2017) I married my Moroccan husband. He is living and working in Morocco, and I came back to Canada for some time to get my things together. I plan to relocate to live with him in about 4-5 months (Dec/Jan). We obviously successfully survived the bureaucratic nightmare of getting married. I had organized and planned for months to make sure I had every paper with any stamp I could think of from here, and made sure they were all recent up-to-date (as I know Morocco considers documents “expired” past 3 months old… or so I’ve read), had them notarized here… etc. I almost had an anxiety attack. When we started the process there, we didn’t have any real trouble, considering we were both the same age, young & never married, both Muslim. We did have an experience with the local Gendarme officer in charge of our file; purposely delaying our papers and giving us the run around that he was really busy… and implying that I could only stay in Morocco for 3 months maximum…. we suspect he was pushing us to bride him… Luckily, we had a connection who called him and suddenly our paperwork went through the next day and no bribe was paid. Anyway all that to say… we still have all our documents in a folder from our marriage last summer, and my question is do I really have to have all my Canadian documents re-done and re-notarized here? That could cost a lot of money… and not to mention if we have to do translation there. Could we not use the physical documents that we used last summer ? The problem is that my husband on both occasions goes to the Moroccan government website for details, but their details are always extremely vague and I don’t feel confident. I don’t have the luxury to come back to Canada for papers if anything goes wrong!

    Karima

    Reply

  8. Hello Amanda,
    Thanks for making these wonderful full of information blogs of yours ! They’re also very simple & short and always state what’s needed to know ! Appreciate your work for sharing it with us 🙂

    I have a question regarding this topic but you might not have the answer but I’m going to drop my comment here in case other people visited would look up the comments and see it and answer or if you know of anybody that could help, please do show my comment !

    I’m a bit afraid & worried about Morocco’s regulations from all the negative stories & inputs that are everywhere to be seen, my Mom’s Moroccan but she changed her Nationality due to marriage and she gave birth to me & my sister in this country that my Mom took Nationality of (I’m sorry but I just don’t want to write its name) which’s where my Father is from and it’s an Arabic country.

    * So right now, we’re (My mom, I & sister) planning to go to Morocco and reside there completely. I’ve read through their laws and everything sounds simple & easygoing but everyone knows how the regulations there don’t go so smoothly and that’s the only thing that’s worrying me. My mother can get her nationality back especially since she’s getting a divorce and so the reason for removing her nationality in the first place is gone now and so after that me and my sister would apply for the Moroccan Nationality then and want to drop the one we had been born with, this too is possible if you just bring out all the papers needed and send it to The King;s Agent as they stated and well the regulations are supposed to go alright without any troubles of sort (for example them procrastinating etc etc) but I’m just worried it won’t because of the bad reputation these official workers have, especially to Moroccan citizens..

    I hope if anyone had to go through similar regulations of this type, please do share with me as I would very very much appreciate it !!

    Reply

    • What I understand of Moroccan nationality is that you can never get rid of it. Even if you want to and even if you acquire a second citizenship. Once Moroccan always Moroccan. So this makes me think really the only process your mom and you need to go through is to get the right documents. Your mom would need her Moroccan birth certificate, parents papers if possible (marriage/birth) and any older documents she might have showing her time in Morocco previously. Once her paperwork is straight, she can pass citizenship to you. It may take some time but you don’t need residency, you should be granted Moroccan citizenship.

      Reply

  9. Hey Amanda! Do you happen to know what kind of background check from the US is required. I reached out to all branches yesterday below but I’m not sure which one is needed:
    -county, state, or federal (through FBI)

    Also when I called, these departments asked me if the background search needed the additional “appostile seal” before bringing it back to Morocco. Do you happen to know about or remember this?

    I’m having a bit of difficulty, as my fiancé (Moroccan from Chefchaouen) is getting mixed information from the police now. As of today they said I can only become a resident if we are married, and not if own a rental house…Unfortunately e wcan’t be married yet as it would void our visa request into the US, which another whole story in itself.

    We’re just trying to live together! :). OK, enough for now! love your site and hope we can run into each other over the next few months in Morocco!

    Reply

    • I’d get the apostile if it’s an option. Moroccans love stamps. There are only certain ways to get residency and marriage is one of them so the police are correct. Living together has nothing to do with residency but if you’re not married it’s technically illegal.

      Reply

  10. This is a great blog, thank you!

    My family is moving to Casablanca. My wife has accepted a job working for George Washington Academy in Casablanca. George Washington Academy will help us get residency permits and a work permit for my wife.

    I am a software engineer and I would like to continue working for my US employer remotely over the Internet from Morocco. Do you know if I need a work permit to do this? If so, what kind of work permit and how do I get the work permit? Any suggestion on who I should contact to get more information?

    My wife and I are US citizens.

    Thanks!

    Reply

    • From my understanding no, you do not need to have a work permit to work remotely. You are not earning a Moroccan salary nor working for a Moroccan company so are under no contract with anyone in country.

      Reply

      • Hello Amanda & Patrick:
        Just came across this, I am in a similar situation.
        Working remotely as an Architect, New York based. I am divorced, owning a couple properties in Morocco, but all income is accrued in New York City. Is there anything that I need to know other than renewing my Tourist Visa status every 90 days?
        Thank you.

        Reply

        • You may want to check with a lawyer just to make sure but you may be able to get your residency card (if you don’t have one) because you own property here. Rumor is they’re cracking down on visa renewals to only allow you to stay in the country 180 days total in the year.

          Reply

  11. Hi Amanda,

    I am moving back to Morocco and I was wondering if the background check has to be a doc from the UK, where I am living now, or one from Morocco? Thanks! Els

    Reply

    • You’ll need a background check from the UK and in some cases they’ll ask for one from every place you’ve lived (if you’ve lived in other countries). You also have to get a document from Morocco too but for sure bring a background check from the UK.

      Reply

  12. Hello Amanda

    Can you please inform me if I will be able to bring my mother to live with me in morocco for good after having the Receipt of Carye Sejour?
    I am married to a moroccan lady and I have 4 kids who already have moroccan nationalities and living in morocco for years.Myself I just moved for good in morocco few weeks ago and I am on the process of collecting the documents to apply for the residency

    Thanks and regards

    Reply

    • I’m really not sure about this but I don’t think so. I think she will have to apply on her own. It may make a difference if you have a carte sejour but it also may not. You should check with the local police (where you applied) to see what the process would look like.

      Reply

  13. Hi
    I want to open a manufacturing business in Cassablanca n also apply for a residence permit with it how should i go about doing this ? can u recommend a good attorney who could assists in this regard or whats your opinion
    thanks

    Reply

    • I’m afraid I’m not familiar with lawyers in Casablanca.

      Reply

  14. Hi there!
    Its interesting reading the comments in this blog, from what I have seen they are very informative and helpful so Amanda should be applauded for her efforts.
    I know for a fact that Dubai residency card for example gives expats the option to get visa on arrival in several countries and not just in the middle east.
    Does Moroccan residency card allows expats to travel to other countries and get visa on arrival. Will be grateful if someone can give some information regarding this matter.

    Fahed

    Reply

    • I am not sure about this – it’s never been helpful in that way for me but might be worth checking.

      Reply

  15. Assalam Walaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatahu
    Sister, I have another question and which is “CIN”. As you mentioned above about your husband’s CIN but we in India dont have CIN. From my findings in India, it is Corporate Identity Number which is given to companies not to persons. I have also noticed it when I was looking for jobs in portals, it mentioned as to appear with CV and your CIN. I have no idea what that is. Please help…

    Reply

    • It’s the number of your carte sejour (residency permit) if you don’t have one then you don’t include it. Usually they use your passport number until you have a residency permit.

      Reply

  16. Assalam Walaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatahu sister.

    Thanks sis!

    But during my marriage process in Morocco I have supplied all the documents you mentioned and they did police verification and lot of other exercises. Alhamdulillah the court of family finally agreed and gave us the ok to marry, as a result we completed our marriage with notary. Our marriage is legally recognized in Morocco now and please tell me the Marriage Certificate can replace the list of above docs or at least it can lessen the count. Since in India it is hard to get a Birth certificate issued again, very hard and longing process…. Let me know if you can add anything additional to my query. Chokran

    Thanks again Sis!

    Reply

    • You still need all the documents. You’ll need them every time you want to file an extension too. Your residency card will be good for 1 year and you’ll need to apply for an extension, and need all the documents you submitted the first time for the second time. For whatever reason there isn’t a system in place to keep your documents on file so you have to produce them each time.

      Reply

  17. Salam Amanda, me and my husband just submitted our paperwork for residency. For the first, we paid our money but they said it’s takes a month to get the receipt, I’ve never heard of this have you?

    Reply

  18. Assalam Walaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkatahu sister,

    I am so please to meet someone who can give the best information of Morocco or Marrakech. I have got recently married to a Moroccan national and our marriage is registered in Morocco. I am an Indian, and looking forward to relocate to Morocco. Can you provide me the information for applying permanent resident for my situation?

    Mansoor Kadir

    Reply

    • When you decide to move is when you apply for residency. The information above is the information you will need to apply but you should also visit the local police station and they will advise you on any additional documents they need.

      Reply

  19. Hi Amanda. I love that you have made relocating so much easier however, I do have a rather unique question as well as one you answer but thatI was not quiet sure about. My fiance lives in morroco and I intend to move to be married soon. However am I eligible for a residence card if I had some problems with the United States criminal system back in 2001? And also, am I able to put US currencies in a morocan bank instead of keeping it in the US? Thank you so very much.

    Reply

    • You’d really need to get in touch with someone perhaps at the Moroccan embassy in the US to see what is and isn’t allowable in that regards. I’m not sure what they are looking for. I’m sure because it was so long ago it might not be as big of a deal. It also probably depends what the issue was. It is possible to have a convertible bank account in Morocco but you’ll lose a lot of money in the conversion and also restricted on what you can take out. I recommend keeping a US bank account especially if you’ll be earning or getting money in US currency.

      Reply

  20. Thank you so much Amanda. I’ve been following your facebook fanpage and blogs for a while. Recently I’m planning to start a business (running a riad) in Morocco next year, and which means that I have to apply for a residency too. But my passport only allows me to stay in Morocco for 30 days (as a tourist) and it may not have enough time for me to apply for the residency in this case?

    Reply

    • When you apply for residency they give you a receipt with your application. That paper serves as a temporary card until the other is ready. If you have that it means you’re ok to stay.

      Reply

  21. Hello, thank you for all the wisdom you have shared. One thing I want to know is how long from start to finish did it take you to get your residency?

    Reply

    • There’s no good answer to this. In some cases it takes a month in others it can take several months before you get the actual card in hand. When they accept all your paperwork they do give you a paper receipt that serves as your temporary “card” until the official one is issued.

      Reply

  22. Dear Amanda, Firstly I thank you for your kind words. I personally also think that I can still go to Morocco. There is only a minor thing to think about. The incident happened at the last evening of my holiday. So of course the chance that the Morrocean computer system would already know about this incident is not possible.
    So you can imagine how nervous I would be if I return and I stand in front of customs when they check my passport. I imagine always the worst. That I appear at customs and after they checked my passport that with on a big slam on a big red button the gendarmery will appear to take me in custody haha 😀
    Do you know perhaps if a police check at the ministery of Justice will help? And if so, how? Can I do this online or turn to the Embassy of my country in Rabat or the Morrocean Embassy in my country? And which one do I must take. From what I understand there are differences between a police check and police check.

    Thanks in advance
    Mick

    Reply

  23. Please don’t judge me but I have a serious question. When I was a few years ago in Morocco and sitting on the boulevard of Agadir with a Moroccean friend I was accused for being a homosexual. Since they took my passport and had to pay a fine Im worried since to return to Morocco. This friend got a letter from the police afterwards for an interview because of this and payed a fine og 600DH.

    My question: Is there a way to find out with the Morrocean authorities if in some way I’m registrated as an unwanted foreigner?

    I dont want to arrive at an Morrocean airport to find out an arrest warrant is waiting me.

    Once again please don’t judge me. I’m NOT gay but only in love with Morocco and want desperatly to go back.

    Reply

    • I would never judge someone (gay or not gay) for this and it makes me sad to think others would – for that I am sorry. to be honest I find this really strange. It’s not illegal to be homosexual in Morocco, especially if you are a foreign person. It is possible that the Moroccan person could get in trouble or face issues but that is typically only if the police can prove something. It sounds to me like someone was just interested in getting some bribe money. If there would have been a warrant for you, they wouldn’t have let you leave Morocco the first time. I don’t think you will face issues coming back.

      Reply

  24. Salaam Alaikum Amanda

    Soooo my hubby is retiring in 5 years and we will be moving to Morocco (I can’t wait am very excited to leave the US). What is your personal opinion on Resident Card vs Dual Citizenship? I was told dual is better as if my spouse were to pass before I (Allahu Alem) the Government could not take my property|residence from me. But is that just rumor?

    Also do you know what we need to do to bring our furry children with us (AKA 2 Ragdoll kitties)

    Jazakallahu Khair
    Teresa Aisha

    Reply

    • Hi Teresa, From what I understand it’s not possible to get Moroccan citizenship for anyone that is not Moroccan by birth. I have heard of some cases where women were able to apply (not sure the outcome) to possible gain it if they married a Moroccan man. But either way you’d need to have residency for either 5 or 10 years (again not sure the exact number if it’s even possible to get citizenship). If you’re married and your marriage is registered in Morocco, you are entitled to the same rights of property inheritance from your spouse as a Moroccan. I would highly suggest talking with an estate attorney in Morocco to see the specifics on this. I’m afraid I don’t know about pets (I’m petless!)

      Reply

  25. Hi Amanda

    Firstly thank you for your informative insight on settlement in Morocco.

    I am a South African citizen married to a Moroccan national via Nikkah ie; religious marriage,for approximately 5 years and we have a 3 year old daughter and a 6 months expectancy for our second child.

    We, my spouse and I have mutually decided to relocate to Tangier Morocco by end September 2017..

    As an entrepreneur there are various business options that I have considered, for which I am confident, can be economically viable.

    My question I have stems around the following 2 scenarios :

    1) Obtain 90 day tourist visa and proceed with spousal visa application and business registration on arrival in Tangier ?

    2) Address the issues here in SA prior to my departure ?

    NB: Only concern with 2 is the time factor and the efficiency of the officials in SA.

    Your advice and guidance based on your experience.

    Thank you kindly.

    Reply

    • You actually can’t apply for residency in Morocco until you’re in the country so number one is your only option. Also depending on the country you were married in may need proof of civil marriage. For example we married in the US and also had a religious ceremony (nikah) but both documents were needed (in Arabic) to validate our marriage.

      Reply

  26. Thank you Amanda!

    I am an American Citizen and my husband is a Moroccan National and we are in Casablanca. This article is a life saver and very helpful! Our situation is very similar to yours it seems. We are starting the process and checking and double checking we have all the paperwork together. Your article has helped to ease our minds of the process.

    🙂

    Reply

  27. Thanks for this guide it was a lifesaver when trying to decipher “the list” last summer! One thing I messed up on – I was applying based on marriage and the wording of the certificate domicile requirement lead us to believe it was for my husband. Not true! They want the certificate for the carte sejour applicant. Seems obvious now, but we were thinking “he is sponsoring me, so they want to know where he lives since I’ll be there too”. Nope. Anyway, went to the mouqata with him and his dad who showed some official papers proving ownership of their place, and then they said “yeah I guess this lady can live here too”. 2 photos and a small fee later, done!

    Also of note: some documents (government issued) such as Moroccan police check and certificate domicile can’t be made into legalised copies so you have to get multiple originals. Unclear whether they’d accept regular (non-legalised) copies, or just 1 of these docs, as we just went on the safe side and paid for more than 1 set.

    Finally, I’d been living in Korea for 2 years immediately prior and we thought they might want a copy of that police check as well. We witheld it until requested, and no one ever said anything! Not sure if this is a blanket rule for those who have lived elsewhere abroad, but in my case it wasn’t an issue.

    Reply

  28. Thank u Amanda for ur informative, helpful n quick responses.

    Reply

  29. ME: Hi Amanda, what can I do with receipt paper of Morocco Carte Se Jour? Can I apply UK spouse visa by submitting receipt paper or Morocco Carte Se Jour? Thank you.

    AMANDA: I don’t know a lot about UK immigration but I don’t understand why you would need to submit your Moroccan carte sejour. If you do then yes the receipt should be fine.

    ME: Thank you so much Amanda for your reply, I need to submit Morocco carte sejour because I’m Indonesian living in Morocco and I’m going to apply UK spouse visa from Morocco. I just want to make know if I can apply UK spouse visa by receipt paper of extended Morocco carte se jour that I got from police before I hold the original one. Jazakillahu Amanda!

    Reply

    • As far as I know the receipt paper is as good as the actual carte sejour so you should be able to use it.

      Reply

  30. Hi Amanda, what can I do with receipt paper of Morocco Carte Se Jour? Can I apply UK spouse visa by submitting receipt paper or Morocco Carte Se Jour? Thank you.

    Reply

    • I don’t know a lot about UK immigration but I don’t understand why you would need to submit your Moroccan carte sejour. If you do then yes the receipt should be fine.

      Reply

  31. Request to provide snap of that clause if you have any.
    Because one of my friend asked to cop while applying for residency
    he said you must have residency for your child also.
    please clarify.

    Reply

  32. Very helpful site,

    Amanda, I am British married to morocain lady. We have built a house in Morocco and plan to live there when I decide to finish my work, possible in 10yrs.

    Can I apply for residence now or do I have to wait till we are ready to actually move there

    Regards
    Mark

    Reply

    • You need to wait until you’re living here.

      Reply

  33. Hello Amanda I’m a moroccan citizen and I want my russian wife to come here to live with me what are the requirements ?
    I will really appreciate thank you in advance

    Reply

    • You will need to consult the Moroccan consulate in Russia to get the documents needed to do this.

      Reply

  34. I am in Morocco with my family from the USA. We are almost up with our 90 days “free-look”. We want to stay in Morocco as expats and I will continue to work in a US based online business which I can do from here.

    Can I get a residency permit?? I am not married to a Moroccan and I don’t have an employer here. I just want to become a standard expat. Does Morocco accept US expats on the basis of “we just like Morocco better”?

    Reply

    • Hi Bob, there is a list of categories that you can use to apply for a residency permit. Visit the main police office in the city you are staying in to find out the options that are available that may work for you. I don’t think there’s a we like Morocco better category – but there should be! I know many people exit around the 90 day point and re-enter the country after a few days abroad. This typically is not a problem.

      Reply

    • Hi Bob, I’m interested in possibly doing something very similar. How did everything work out for you?

      Reply

  35. I am from india. I have Moroccan residency. My wife and 2 year old son is staying with me. Both of them have RGF Visa valid for 3 months. I wish to apply for their moroccan residency so that they can continue to stay with me. Kindly advise me if my 2 year old son also need to apply for his residency or not?

    Reply

    • Children fall under their parents until the age of 16 – there’s no separate application for them.

      Reply

  37. @Kahn: thanks for your comments, and information… no matter what they just dont give visa to any Pakistani, i am married to Moroccan woman, im well set here with business, i have even children, but no matter what they just cant give visa to me because im Pakistani, every year my wife n children go there for a month but i cant go with them even though i have met all of their requirements and several times i have applied for Visa… but they just cant give me visa . if you wanna know how Moroccan embassies are working in all over the world, just go to youtube and search for Moroccan embassy… all Moroccan embassies are like this they dont help even their own citizens most of the times no one is available at embassy or doing nothing, Moroccan King replaced all ambassador recently , and guess what, no change still they are same Idiots they ‘re working nothing and getting paid. Highest unemployment rate and Corruption is making it more worst. Its Big LAUGH on Moroccan embassy in Pakistan. I can go to any country in the world but i just cant go to Morocco. @@@@@

    Reply

  38. Salam Everyone,
    I m from Pakistan Married to Moroccan, i would like to clarify something about Moroccan Embassy in Pakistan and Mixed Marriage Between Moroccan and Pakistanis,
    Why Moroccan Embassy Pakistan don’t give Visa to Pakistani easily even sometimes to those Pakistani who are already married to Moroccan. The Reason is Pakistani who are married to Moroccan thinks that just because he or she got married to Moroccan, Embassy should give Visa in any cost without even applying for Visa properly.
    2nd Reason Several Pakistani’s got Visa in Past for Business or Tourism or student and the day they reached Morocco they tried to Escape to Europe and they caught on Border.
    3rd Reason There are Bunch of Complains that some Pakistanis they force their wives to get Pakistani Nationality and banned them to go back to their country to meet their family, and by acquiring Pakistani Nationality Moroccan will loose their own Nationality and i mate one Women in Islamabad she was begging to get back her Moroccan Nationality and in any way she go back to her Country.
    One Pakistani from Karachi Married to Moroccan after some years he did 2nd Marriage and he made her lost her Moroccan Nationality and stopped giving any money to her and her children until that women file complained in Embassy and Consulate and they helped her to go back to Morocco.

    And There are several Cases happened with Moroccans in Pakistan which made Moroccan Embassy more strict actually Angry.

    I m not saying that all Pakistanis are same but this is reality some Moroccans faced really bad problems, I helped several People and showed them way to get marry and get Visa but trust me now i stopped after i saw these cases you cannot trust anyone.

    Being Pakistani i feel really shame because of these people who made country name bad.

    Reply

    • Hi,I’m from Karachi, I’m engaged with a moroccan woman. Her father wants me to live in Morocco with them, so I was hoping if you could help me in giving me some general guidelines.

      Reply

  39. hi there,
    about translation of birth certificate, does it has to be particular agency or any online translation service wouldl also be accepted?

    Reply

    • It doesn’t have to be a specific agency but it does need to be a certified translation by a professional translator. A cut and paste online translation won’t work.

      Reply

  40. HI everyone,

    Asalamualikum

    If someone will help me as i found this website very informative. I was living in Morocco for almost three years and left morocco in May – 2015. i livid in Casablanca whole of that time period. firstly i was being issued with one year residence permit and later on it was renewed for five years. In those day i fall in love with a girl living in Casablanca. our relationship is very strong. Now my first question is that i need to know that my card was valid till 2019 while from last one year i haven’t been to Casablanca. is my card still valid as i am planning to travel back and to get married. but at first we want to go for ring ceremony. could anyone will advise me. now i have residence of UAE. if anyone of you can help me in this regard. it will be yours most kindness

    Reply

    • You should be able to use your residency card to enter. If it’s still valid, it’s still valid!

      Reply

  41. I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT IMMIGRANTS WHO DID NOT GET ANY ENTRY STAMP INTO MAROCCO WHO CAME IN BY ELLEGAL WAY AND HAVE SOME OTHERS DOCUMENTRY PAPERS AS U LISTED TO HAVE A RESIDENCE PERMIT

    Reply

    • Sorry have no idea about this. You do need to prove you entered Morocco legally when you apply for residency. They take your passport and copies of your entry stamps.

      Reply

  42. Hi,
    You mentioned that you need a Criminal Background Check and that you were able to order it in Rabat. I’m confused. Is this a Moroccan background check or an American one? I will be coming to Morocco in 3 weeks and I’ll be in Rabat for the first 3 days. That’s why I’m wondering what kind of background check you obtained in Rabat! Should I go there as well?
    thanks,
    Sara

    Reply

    • You may need both a background check from the US as well as from Morocco. You should get a background check from your local police station in the US as something to have on hand. What they will request of you in Morocco can really vary.

      Reply

  43. HI amanda, I would like to know if my fiance who lives in Pakistan after getting marriage he will need every time we want to come to Morocco a visa.

    Reply

    • Yes he will. Your marriage won’t change his immigration status in Morocco.

      Reply

    • Yes every time you need the visa and as well give you harassment, it is not doubt

      Reply

    • first of all they wont give visa even first time. he has to apply from other country. remember my words.

      Reply

  44. Hi Amanda im from Philippines. we are planning to have vacation in morocco for 8 day since it doesn’t need for travel visa for Philippine citizen. my question is we cross to Spain and stay for 2 days and going back to morocco after, still do we need travel visa for Spain?
    thank you

    Reply

    • Hi James – yes you do need the proper visas to enter Spain. You will not be allowed to cross the border without them.

      Reply

      • Hi Amanda thanks for that information your web really a huge help for us travelers and of course it’s very informative… anyways any suggestions for travel agency’s their which offered cheap tour packages but of course a legitimate travel agency.. thanks & cheers!

        Reply

  45. How do you have the patience for all the Moroccan gov’t red tape? Hats off to you. My husband is Moroccan and we live in the US, and anytime we need the Moroccan embassy we have to go multiple times always needing a different form! Ugh!!

    Reply

    • No other choice 😉 It’s character building!

      Reply

  46. Hi Amanda kindly advise me am Indian got married with Moroccan she from meknes holding Moroccan passport but my daughter birth there in meknes morocco on behalf on my wife my daughter can get residency in Morocco till her full life or not my daughter holding Indian passport and please tell me my daughter can get school admission,others government department jobs,open bank account, national ID from morocco or not..my daughter got registered in Meknes baldiya (municipality) and my daughter can get the Moroccan passport also ? now daughter age is 3 years only…and please what about me (husband) am indian citizen how i will get morocco residency card if i get so what is the validity of the card?

    Reply

    • I’m really sorry but I can’t provide advice or information on specific situations like this. Please get in touch with the Moroccan embassy in India or the main police office in your wives hometown. You can not get residency until you are inside Morocco, so you can’t apply for it from abroad.

      Reply

      • Dear Amanda,
        Im an 80 year-old American Muslim woman, knowing French. I have pensions equaling $1000/month from the US and Swiss governments.
        ONCE I lived 15 years in Switzerland and once 13 in Pakistan. I want to live the rest of my life in Fes; but all this red tape sounds extremely daunting! Is there any way around it? I was ready to move until I read all this!
        Much gratitude,
        Maudie (Aminah)

        Reply

        • There is no way around going through the process to get a residency card. You can look for a lawyer that may be able to help you and handle all the running around and processing of the paperwork.

          Reply

    • HI definitely you daughter has right to get a Moroccan citizenship through her mom. Before it was only true father but the new king gave Moroccan women this right as well. All what your wife should do is go the family court in Mekness and they will tell her what she should do! Good luck

      Reply

    • Your daughter can get admission and get Nationality but passport your permission required

      Reply

    • Hello Riyasat,
      a little bit off topic, but did you get married in morocco or in india? i too am an indian and planning to get married in morocco, but still not very clear on the papers i am going to need.
      @Amanda, very helpful article, i have read your other article about the procedure of getting married in morocco… all that paperwork makes one contemplate virtues of celibacy 😛
      Thanks and Regards.

      Reply

    • Hello Riyasat, , Your daughter can get Morocco nationality from Mother side, but you have to surrender your daughter nationality immediately to Indian Embassy Rabat otherwise you will be penalized. Dual nationality not in Indian Law, after surrender Indain passport your daughter can obtain OIC card for life time validity multiple visa.

      Reply

  47. i like your website its very informative and helping.
    i married to a Moroccan woman she came Pakistan for marriage, its more than 1 year marriage now, she has gone back to Morocco 4 months before, she is going to deliver baby in May 2016 inshaaAllah, im coming there, i was wondering how can i get Residence Visa for 1 year when i come ? should i get Moroccan Marriage Certificate too ?? i have marriage papers attested by Morocco Embassy here, and police clearance certificate , Bank statement from Pakistan. please tell me if you can help me to get this procedure done for Residence Visa. and how much time it can take to get all this procedure done. Thanks

    Reply

    • I honestly am not sure. You should talk to the Moroccan embassy there and have your wife ask in Morocco as well.

      Reply

    • As Salam Alykum.

      I am Pakistani also and have Moroccan wife and baby also 1st thing when you are applying visa asked them to go you family Visa not any visa can transfer to residendency. Then other things you have to done in Morocco it’s also depend which city your wife living every city have defined requirements . I will let you know inshallah.

      ALLAH Hafiz

      Reply

      • wa alykum aslam,
        Dear Brother,
        Im very happy to find some one from Pakistan, thanks for the positive comments, my wife is from CASA … let me know all formalities i can do to apply for Family Visa.
        JazakAllah Amanda sis you Rocks

        Reply

        • Asallam o alaikum i m asim frm pakistan .. well its nice to see pakistanis marrying moroccon girls i am also one of them i am engaged with moroccon girl when i visited morocco in aug 2014.now i moved back here and i applied for visa 2 times but the embassy here is so shit they just refused to give visa to me even my fiancee father send me invitation letter from morocco attested by ministry of foreign affairs .well i am now calling here here to get married but can you guide me is that ok to do it ? i dont want visa issue after marriage can you guys guide me plz … can you txt me n my cell numb 0092-341-7077077. i am confuse so hope u will guide me

          Reply

          • No Solution Bro. Morocco Embassy treats Pakistanis like $hit.. when you go to embassy, you have to stand on the road, hot sunny 40C . i remember , no water to drink, they take your docs n u stand there for 4 to 6 hrs, when the day is finished, they give you docs back. sorry ! why? no reason. they are just formality as embassy they are doing nothing at all. forget her bro. sorry its hard to digest but its true . go to other country have nationality from there then apply visa to morocco. King of Morocco is a good man, but He is not aware of this. even you are a billionaire cant go to Morocco. sorry Bro. i shared my experience , because i have lost my girl from Morocco just like this.

          • I am replying to the comment of Maqsood. My brother I am sorry for your specific circumstance and I appreciate how you must be feeling but to tell somebody else to forget about the woman they are engaged to because the Moroccan embassy in Pakistan can be a headache is, for want of better words, an absolute joke. Nothing is ever going to be easy but by the grace of Allah he makes things possible. We all have various headaches in life, I myself am a British man living in Morocco, it has proven difficult at times but we have always found a way round it. So my advise to AsimOmar is to firstly, not listen to a word Maqsood is saying, secondly, don’t give up. I am not sure which visa you are applying for in Pakistan but maybe an idea would be to come to Morocco and visit the Pakistani embassy here, they should be able to advise you what to do. Business visas are possible and depending where you are in Morocco you may find it easy to obtain the Carte Sejour. Honestly though, don’t listen to anything Maqsood says… and Maqsood, if you read this, don’t be so negative bro, there is always a way.

          • What maqsoud said its right they behave do bad with Pakistani they have also refuse my hubby visa for no reason we are already married and have 2 kids

          • Well.I think I have a say here as well.Live in Australia and from Sri Lanka and married to a Moroccan.Never ever think the things will be easy there.I have been there twice now on one month visas but even though you are married to a Moroccan they will not let you stay in morocco.I even got the court order from Morocco after trying lawyers to show Im legitimately married and they will not let you stay there unless you have been offered a job from a company or a student .Theres nothing to put anyone down in here,We are all sharing our own experiences where we really got frustrated after attempting really really hard.You dont have to give up on anything but bare in mind that to get things done in Morocco is very very very hard as most of them dont even speak in English its really really hard even to explain your situation.No matter what documents you carry with you they will ask for something else, when you die hard and find it they will ask for another.
            I wish you all the luck though,try to get there on a tourist visa for one month and make sure they will never ever extend it either.Situation will be totally different to a person who holds a strong passport with an on arrival 3 months visa.

          • sufyaan :- bro come here experience once you will know a lot more than this. i wish if we can complaint somewhere . when i was on the morocco embassy gate, all of people there for visa purpose had same experience with morocco embassy some of i heard swearing bad at morocco embassy. i’v visited Morocco embassy 8 times every time i came back mad and upset .

        • Dear Brother,

          I am an Indain and married with Moroccan in Saudi Arabia, If you apply visa better to give travel agent because according to my experience in Riyadh, I applied on visa on 25-Jan-2016 thru online and I did not get information till 10 March 206, I sent them twice emails but no information and one of my friend applied visa he got same special non Arab, but my friend go thru travel agent and they have setting with them and he got visa within three days and paid 500 SR. Every think complicated and each step have to pay in Morocco.

          Reply

          • i also came to know in Pakistan some specific agents dont know how to catch them, they charge 25000 Dh Moroccan or Pak Rs.250,000. and get you visa without so many documents formalities, after Zimbabwe highest rate of corruption is in Morocco . that’s why any doc you need to get from morocco with different Govt. offices and each of them ask for corruption. All scholars of Islam says make Nikah easy and Zina (Adultery) expansive but its opposite in Morocco. its rocket science if you wanna marry a woman from Morocco. when you ask these people why is like this, these (Raashi) corrupt people says “its we wanna protect our woman”, its bull$hit . go to other countries Nikah is cheap & easiest and Zinah (Adultery) is expansive. In Pakistan even foreigner wanna marry same procedure and cost only $5 after 3 days papers in hand. but people usually pay $10 to $30. as gift to Shykh. Morocco Govt Infrastructure has some grave defects and some so serious,need to change them immediate . i wish if we can post all this somewhere so Moroccan King can read this. Amnada sis if you can provide us any link where we can post comments that may reach to Moroccan King?? need your suggestion pls

          • I wish Moroccan king understands English bro.Dictators.

          • Muhammad, can you give me contact number of that agent who got you visa for Morocco for 500 SR pls?

      • After a long way making all documents advised by the Maroc embassy Pakistan, got my visa refused : Reason ! hahah yeah! you get it. this embassy is just a great expanse by Morocco, they should not have embassy here in Pakistan or they should hire people who at least, at least , can help their own Moroccan people, if not Pakistani. my wife cried a lot . Hazrat Umar R.A (2nd kalif of Islam) said “Allah gives the Nation rulers according to the Subject” very sad series of experience with Moroccan Govt people .

        Reply

        • This really saddens ones heart specially when you know that it is your birth right to be with your family whenever you want; no matter, what part of globe your second half as well as kids reside. But in fact, when it comes to Maroc Embassy, they disappoint you in the most meanest way.

          I got my passport back couple of weeks ago. Nonetheless, I have visited 4 times since 2011.

          Allah Bless Muslims !

          Reply

          • asim brother send me your number i lost all contacts … against all the odds i have completed the process but spend about 6000 euros at least

        • haha well my fiancee is coming here this month now so i will take her father mother and her to their embassy and they will see by themselves what the fu..c is their embassy doing to us

          Reply

    • I’m an American. I have two kids and I’m wanting to relocate from America to Morocco permanately. As a single mother woman how can I get the same visa as u. I have enough money in my American bank, but whant were u saying about transferring ur money to a holding in Morocco?

      Reply

      • You can’t get the same residency permit as I have because mine is based on marriage to a citizen. If you have money that is in a US bank account you need to show proof of income. You’ll still need to meet one of the categories to be granted a card such as employment.

        Reply

    • brother morocco embassy in Pakistan is worst in all … they simply do not any kind of visas and don give any information. they only give visas to people through travel agents and you have to pay 4ooo euros at least .if you got married in Pakistan or any other country to a morocco citizen they o not accept it. you have to get your marriage done here in morocco then they accept it .

      Reply

  48. salam alikom amanda.. i am married to a moroccan man and converted to islam.. my problem is i have a theft of property charge which is a felony from when i was 19.. we wantto move to morocco but we are both worreid about my criminal record? do have any oppinions on this? if i would be accepted?

    Reply

    • I honestly am not sure. I know you have to submit a police record from the US but am not sure which offenses they are ok with and what they aren’t. You could possibly call the Moroccan consulate in NY and ask them they may have more info.

      Reply

    • I agree with getting help from a travel agent.They may charge you a significant amount of money but they have contacts to get the visa done without being refused.If you are that keen to go to Morocco, better pay some money and go through a travel agent.Moroccan diplomatic missions are not effective and efficient.Please bare in mind that Moroccan officials at any department are purely ready with the word “NO” and “YOU CANT” for any question you ask.very frustrating but I dont think the country has got much to offer to maintain a that kind of a higher standard of an immigration policy.
      Good luck

      Reply

  49. Hey Amanda,
    1st of all site is so interesting and very helpful,
    My question is that am christian Egyptian and willing to come to morocco and get married to a moroccan girl, so i know i must convert and i already saw all documents required above, so after marrigae i will apply for the residency ( carte de sejour) and of course i will have to resign from my work in Egypt because i will have to stay in morocco for 3 month to accomplish the procedures, so i want to know how long it will take to get married and getting the residency ( will 3 month of my visa will be enough) and after getting the residency card or the reciept will i be allowed to workin morocco ??
    Thank you in advance
    Looking forward hearing from you

    Reply

    • You should really talk to the Moroccan embassy in Egypt to see what the process will be. You may need to apply for a visa extension.

      Reply

  50. Hi Amanda ,
    I am freelancer on a business visa for 90 days , however I had to extend my stay by a week . My company submitted all documents for extension to the Grand Wilaya in Casablanca before the expiry of the visa . However there is no receipt or stamp in the passport for the extension . My office confirmed that my status is updated in the system and there will be no problem at the airport . Is this the usual practice in Morocco ? I hope there will be no problem in the airport when I travel next week . Please advise if you are aware of such procedures . Thanks !

    Reply

    • There’s no real standard procedure in Morocco, to be honest. In most cases you’ll be fine. They can’t stop you from leaving the country, though you may face issues if you try to return. Hopefully this won’t be the case.

      Reply

    • Thank you. I was told the same thing that there is no standard procedure in Morocco. Anyways there were no issues with the immigration at the airport . The officer was very friendly and did not ask anything therfore I guess the police at the grand wilaya did their job . I am back home and hope to be back sometime later in this year .

      Reply

  51. salam i’m from pakistan living in the US and i would want to know which is the best way to apply for moroccan visa form USA……..do i need to aplly for tourist visa and do a hotel booking …or i just need to show them invitation letter from my host in morocco …….so plz i need help …..coz im going for marriage

    Reply

    • I really am not sure. I would suggest contacting the Moroccan embassy in New York to find out what papers you’ll need and how to apply for the visa.

      Reply

  52. What is the process for a foreigner/tourist to register a birth in Morocco to get a birth certificate…where would one go in meknes and what documents does one need to take?

    Reply

    • Hi Aisha, I’m sorry I’m not really sure. My kids were both born in the US and we didn’t do this. I’m guessing you go to the Mokata with the paper from the hospital, your ID card/passport as well as your husbands and your marriage certificate.

      Reply

  53. Salam Amanda,

    It’s me Rajat again. I got extended my residency on behalf of marriage for another 3 months but the police did not gave me anything in written. It was just verbal communication at the police station. They said to me to come to them 3 days before departure with a valid ticket anytime within these 3 months and then they will prepare me the papers.

    Now my wife got her admission at university in UK, therefore me and her want to travel together. In this case we both have to apply visa together from British Embasssy in Rabat. They will obviously check my current status of residency in Morocco. Do you reckon that the police in agadir will give me some sort of letter stating my residency of these 3 months which I can present to British Embassy.

    Please help me on this

    Reply

  54. Hello Amanda,
    My friend asked me a favor to invite his friend in India so I went through it then he availed visa so he came here in Morocco he arrived August 25,2015.And he found a job but his employer is not willing to give a work contract.He asked me to help him to get residency card but I prefer he must have to go back to India because he is creating a problem and I don’t want to be involved because his name is under my name.Do I have the right to send him back to India?Please I need your advice.If yes what office will I go?Thank you very much.

    Reply

    • Honestly, I have no idea. I assume if his visa expires then he is out of status and will be deported. If he doesn’t get a work contract he can’t apply for a residency card. There is no way for you to help him get this card as the only options are for him to a) open a business b)marry a Moroccan or c) have a work contract.

      Reply

  55. one final question Amanda.is it really necessary to show that u have got a job offer or something like that to apply for carte sejour when you arrive to morocco as a tourist?I will be arriving ona tourist visa.Or would my money will be sufficient?any visa extensions permitted or feasible?

    thank you

    Reply

    • Hi , I have an other solution but its annoying anyway maybe it could help
      stay how much how you want in Morocco , and always before you completed 90 days cross to Ceuta or Melila they gonna Spain passport control officer will stamp your passport like if you travel to an other country and you comback again 😉

      Reply

      • That’s a short term fix and not really feasible for someone coming from south of Morocco – a long and expensive journey. They also are cracking down on this and making it more difficult to do more than a few times.

        Reply

      • This works for a few times but they are starting to crack down on doing it multiple times. It’s also hard to do unless you live in northern Morocco (long/expensive trip).

        Reply

  56. Thanks Amanda,

    Well I came back from Sydney for a while *you can call it as a break, since then I cant take a letter showing a profession or an income as Im not in Sydney anymore.But I can show a bank balance of about 6000 AUD.will that do for the bank balance or supporting income etc???
    Again obviously the bank statement is in English with numbers.ha,Will they ask an arabic bank statement
    Thanks

    Reply

    • Honestly I have no idea how much money you have to show. They wouldn’t give us an actual number, they just said “enough”. I would say the more you can show for proof of income or assets the better. You will need to have it translated to Arabic which is easy to do in Morocco.

      Reply

  57. Hey amanda, Thanks for the info.so is it possible for me to arrange a re entry to Morocco before I leave.like If Im planning to stay there for one or 2 months go out of Morocco with my wife and to get back to Morocco.Is it possible?
    Thanks

    Reply

    • You’d really need to check with the police on what you need to do based on your country of origin.

      Reply

  58. Hey ,

    I am planning to travel to Morocco next month and My fiancee is a Moroccan girl.I am planning to get married there.I will be travelling on a tourist visa.What would be my status after I marry her?can I travel out of the country and come back as a normal resident?Will I get the PR straight away or may take a while?And if a foreigner is marrying a Moroccan girl what sort of legal documents I need to produce.
    PS> Im from a country requires a tourist visa to enter to Morocco
    thanks

    Reply

    • Hi Mohamed,
      From what I understand you only can apply for a resident card if you’re living in Morocco. If you’re traveling back and forth you aren’t eligible for it. You won’t get it straight away and nothing about your status for immigration changes because of your marriage. I’m also sorry but I don’t know what documents males needs to marry Moroccan women as I have no personal experience with it.

      Reply

  59. I got married to a moroccan and i am indian national. I came here on a business visa which is expiring in next 5 days. My business will take time to set up so I thought to extend my residency on behalf of Marriage. Therefore, me and my wife went to the local police station in Agadir. We gave bundle of documents including my travel ticket for coming sunday. The police officer then told me to visit Casablanca airport (where my flight is from), and meet the airport police and they will give me the residency paper. When we called the casa airport police today, they told to us that such thing doesn’t exist. We are under a big shock now what to do? Who gave us the wrong information Casa airport police or Agadir Police?

    However, Agadir police already confirmed me that they have extended my residency but just for formality basis i have to visit casa airport 2 hours before departure of my flight and meet casa airport police. But casa police is denying now, such paper cannot be collected from them as such thing doesn’t exist.

    Please guide me

    Reply

    • Honestly, I have no idea what they are telling you. It doesn’t make any sense. I would go back to the police station until you get a clear answer and ask to speak to a supervisor. Bring your wife with and get a clear answer to what you are supposed to do.

      Reply

      • Hi Amanda,

        Thanks for your reply. I went again to the police station and they said to me finally that you’re allowed to stay in Morocco another 3 months on the basis of Marriage. But, however I need to show them the return ticket 3 days whenever I want to fly back to India with these 3 months before my Departure.

        Again he didn’t gave me any paper, it’s just a verbal communication. I asked the police so many times to provide me any paper and they said it’s fine they won’t provide any paper now, they will only give before my departure every paperwork that they gave me the residency here for 3 months. Is that the right information he gave ?

        Reply

    • I extended before my visa from Tangier and one time for my family from El Jadida and I never been asked to contact the airport !!! but please put in consideration that in the both times I have the ticket reserved already with the extended date not with the visa finish date, and also I did this in both times in the adequate time (2-3 weeks before my visa expiry)

      Reply

  60. Hello,
    a lot of useful information here so thanks.
    i applied for my carte on the basis of marriage to a moroccan and after a week received what i assume is a receipt, has my details and photo on it. bottom of the page this paper is valid for 3 months and need to be renewed 3 months. i was under the impression i will get my card for a year, not just some paper i need to review every 3 weeks. i am terrified, all info will be much apprecited.

    Reply

    • You will get your card, that paper is just temporary until the card is printed. If you come up on 3 months, you just go back to the police station, check if your card is ready, if not they will just stamp the back of the paper, sign it and give you another 3 months. Everything is completely fine and normal.

      Reply

  61. Hi Amanda, I just moved to Marrakech this week! I have to get my residency card as my husband is working here. The problem is that I didn’t know that I needed a FBI background check as well. I called the embassy and they said I can’t get a background check through them until the second year and they said that no police stations in Morocco will take my finger prints. Do you know I am suppose to do? Thanks.

    Reply

    • Have you gone to the main police station to find out what they would want? I didn’t have to provide any. The police report I gave was just from the state I moved from and I got it from the courthouse. Is there someone (a parent maybe?) back in the US that could get it for you? Or try emailing them to see if they can create it and FedEx it to you?

      Reply

    • You can do one online. We did and was accepted. How dI’d our husband find a job here ?

      Reply

  62. Hi Amanda! My husband, Myself and my son want to live in Morrocco. I wanted to know what are the requirements for U.S. Citizen to become residents?

    Reply

    • Hello — you would need to have ties to Morocco like a job contract and/or proof to show you can support yourself and why you intend to live there. Head to the main police precinct in the city you settle in and they’ll have a full list of options and requirements. You also have the option to stay up to 90 days,leave for a day or two and return to extend your time there.

      Reply

      • Hi Amanda hope ur fine.i wanna ask u is it important that my husband come with job visa stamp in his passport from his country then he can go for residency card or he can come with tourist and get job contra from morroco then apply? Really need to know

        Reply

        • Hi Chaimae,
          I just came from the police office in El Jadida with a big disappointment because of this issue, The told me that I cannot apply for the card as my entry visa is a touristic one, while it is the embassy mistake as I applied for a business one in Egypt and I gave them my Moroccan company documents !!!

          Reply

          • Hi hany what’s ur news now what happen with ur resedancy card and visa

          • Ya this is what they asks us too our job visa then he can get resedency

          • Hi Chaimae,
            I did nothing, just waiting for my next rotation to Egypt to get the new correct visa, Hopefully in early December.

          • Inchallah wish you good luck

  63. Good Morning Amanda,
    We are really a great fan of you. I am Mohammad from India and staying in Dubai, UAE since 2009 and working since then and have Employment Residency of UAE. My lovely wife is Meryem she is a Moroccan and we got married in Dec. 2013 in Morocco. Currently we both are staying in Dubai and working. We are visiting to Morocco in coming August 2015 and would like to obtain my ID card in Morocco. Kindly let me know what documents to be carried from here. Previously I carried all the documents from UAE and Indian authorities in Dubai for the purpose of Marriage.It will be a great help if you guide us so we could start processing my ID Card of Morocco during our upcoming visit to Morocco.
    Thanks and Regards,
    Mohammad

    Reply

    • Hi Mohammad, It’s actually not possible to apply for residency if you’re just visiting. You need to be living in Morocco. One of the documents that is required is a document from the neighborhood office of your residence stating you do live there. You also will likely need to go back and forth from the office several times and the card itself can take many months to get (for example I applied for my renewal in February – I don’t have the card yet in July).

      Reply

      • Dear Amanda,
        Thank you very much for you prompt response. Actually I am not looking for the residency. I have an Indian citizenship and I am looking only for any relevant card of Mococco which could help me to ease the travel and day to the procedures and could also help me to invest in Morocco such as buying properties etc.
        Regards,
        Mohammad

        Reply

        • The only card I can think of is a residency card, there’s no other card Morocco offers. I do think there is a long term Moroccan visa available for spouses of Moroccan citizens but have no experience with this as I am a US Citizen and do not need a visa for Morocco. If your marriage is registered in Morocco you may have a little more standing. Typically however all foreigners are on the same level when it comes to investing and property issues.

          Reply

  64. I am a ukrainian girl living in canada, 18, two years ago I met a moroccan guy online and we fell in love. plz dont think im naive cuz thats what I always read. I used to be catholic but now i am muslim after he AND OTHERS introduced me to islam (so dont think i calmly followed him or he pressured me or something cuz he was fine with me being catholic..fyi i am very happy being muslim, but neither of us follow strict rules with our faith). So anyway this is a relationship deal atm. We have never met yet, He is 22, ive talked with his mom on skype. meanwhile me and him talk almost every night. ive also met his friends (online). we are very honest with each other and love one another. we want to get married. Ive done a lot of research and on moroccan men and read thru the horror stories or the relationships which ended in visas and idk (only god knows) what his goal is, yet i believe that he only wants me. he both studies and works to support him and his mother (father died). also my parents knew about our relationship but they dont want us together because he is muslim and not rich… my parents dont know im muslim. also i dont know if i want to live in canada probably will move to europe and he knows this as i made it evident, and i told him that if he wants me for visa then canadas doors are closed to immigrants even if its a married couple. he assured me its not the case cuz itd be much easier if he got married there and no need for hassle if a visa was all he wanted. instead he said he loves me and in our case his mom approves of me and likes me. so we want to meet maybe next year in another country because i wont be allowed to go to morocco just yet and if we work out we want to get engaged there.
    if you have any questions feel free to ask.

    Reply

    • The common story again, you are too young to take the marriage decision now, Just take ur time and before any commitment make sure that this guy deserve you.
      You should know that the dream of the majority of guys here is to find any way to leave the country.
      If he really wants you, let him find a job and prepare a house in MOROCCO and check everything before ur next step and don’t believe any promises, Just believe what you see 😉

      Reply

  65. Hi Amanda!
    I’m so glad I found your blog while searching on moving to Morocco.
    We are a family of 5 from California, planning inshaa Allah to move to Morocco so my kids can learn Arabic and Quran memorization. I’ve read about Fez, Casablanca (which is the number one in my list so far) and Marrakech. We don’t know any Moroccan , my husband speaks Arabic so he won’t have problem with the language and I speak Spanish as well that is (I guess) widely used. I’d love to know your opinion on the city that attracts more students of knowledge in Morocco not only for their schools but also for the lifestyle there. Which city would you recommend us?. Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Hi Fey,
      Spanish is only really used in the northern parts of the country, and I don’t know if I would say widely used but some people do speak it. There isn’t enough money in the world that would get me to move to Casablanca so I’m afraid my opinion may be biased. I like both Fez and Marrakech. Personally I think Fez may have more of the traditional religious culture you are seeking. In all honesty life will be what you make it no matter where you go. Know that it will probably take some time to settle in and find exactly what fits for you. Morocco is still a very much “personal network” society vs being able to look up information online. Best of luck!

      Reply

  66. also sorry another question, if we do the leave for a day & come back generally where do people go? I’m wondering if Spain is a option?

    Reply

    • Typically you need to be out for 24 hours and you can go to Spain. Doesn’t matter where you end up going, just has to be out of Morocco if you’re approaching the 90 day mark.

      Reply

  67. Hi,

    I have a question do the kids need the resident card also to start school. I’m not married to Moroccan citizen so I’m just wondering how this going to work.

    Reply

    • Kids don’t get residency cards, only parents. Kids fall under their parents until they’re adults. Public schools may be more difficult to enroll non-citizen children in, private schools are the best option.

      Reply

  68. Hi! What are the chances to get a residence for an Estonian (European) 30 year old (or young as you wish) woman with 3 Estonian kids (actually 4th is coming soon too) who is not married to a moroccan man and not even to the Estonian father of the kids (not divorced, just cohabitation)? Is there any chance to get the permission to live there with the whole family? Or alone more than 3 months. If one of us had a job there, then maybe yes? What about studying at a university? I read that for Estonian citizen it is allowed to stay in Morocco for 3 months but in half a year, so it would mean living there 3 months and then leaving for 3 months before it would be possible to come there again in case I was living there as a tourist. Quite crazy stuff. My questions come from the fact that I visited Morocco in this May and fell in love with it and want to go back! I have some local friends there too, so maybe they can figure out more information about this certain topic for me. But the first question still is if we have ANY chance. 🙂

    Reply

    • I guess it will really depend on what you plan to do. You’ll need to show you can support yourself and your family. You don’t have to stay for 3 months and leave for 3 months, you can stay for 3 and leave just for a day or two and come back for another 3 months I think. Though I’m not super sure what the rules are for Estonians. I will say as a foreigner with no marriage, job, or business ties here it can be really hard to get residency.

      Reply

      • Thank you for clarifying! Yes it is written that an Estonian citizen can spend 3 months of half a year in Morocco. So I concluded it’s not just 3 months at once whenever but that period goes for half a year. But I believe somehow where there is a will, there is a way too. 🙂

        Reply

  69. Hi Amanda,

    Planning imminent move to Marrakech and trying to figure out how to get my stuff there. Many hoops. Since there will certainly be a long delay waiting for carte sejour, do you know if the temporary document can be used for clearing customs on the shipment? Grateful if you can shed any light.

    Jenny

    Reply

    • Hi Jenny, yes it should be fine. They give you a receipt when you apply that can be used. For example I use it when I go in and out of the country until the actual card has been issued.

      Reply

    • Hi, Amanda,

      How are you ? Amanda i want to know about for apply Moroccan Carte Sejour {Residency} in Morocco we will need police record from our Home country its should be attested by of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from my home country or from my embassy in Rabat or just as it is issue we can use it? kindly clear this i am confuse i have already get my (No Criminal record certificate ) just want to confirm this.

      Thanks & Regards
      Ahmed

      Reply

      • You need a police record from every country you have lived in. The embassy can not issue it (at least the American embassy won’t/can’t). You may be able to call your embassy directly to see if they can issue it or not.

        Reply

        • Hi Amanda

          My question is again (Police record ) which i have get from My home Country do i need to be legalized from my home Country ? for example ( Ministry of Foreign Affairs ) when i will enter in Morocco then from my Embassy ? or its dos not need to be legalized from any where ? kindly try to give me exactly full answer.
          Thanks & Regards
          Ahmed

          Reply

  70. Hi Amanda, I will join my husband in Morocco. Do I need translate bank statements to Arabic or just let them in English? Then I’m free visa to enter Morocco up to 3 months before apply n get residence permit in 3 months, can I just buy single trip ticket? Thank u Amanda.

    Reply

    • No you don’t. If you do, I would just do it in Morocco because it will be cheaper. You can apply for a resident permit as soon as you arrive. You don’t have to wait 3 months. We came on a one way ticket so you shouldn’t have any problems.

      Reply

      • Thank you Amanda. Oh ya I read on another website, soon we arrived in Morocco airport we have to tick our purpose of visit. What coloum should I tick later?coz I fly there by my self and my husband will wait me in that airport later.

        Reply

  72. Great article Amanda, enjoyable read and very informative.

    My situation is almost identical to yours however I am the male in the situation and I want to get an ID card for Morocco so I and my wife can stay there for as long as we please when we are not in the UK. In your situation I presume your husband had some kind of employment in Morocco, I on the other hand have a job in the UK, am I able to provide my UK bank statements to prove money going in and out?

    Once you have the ID card are you then eventually allowed to apply for the Moroccan passport? or is that a no go for anyone born outside of Morocco?

    Lastly, when you receive the ID card are you now able to travel freely to places like Algeria without a visa? I know that Moroccan nationals do not need a visa to travel there but I am not sure if obtaining a Moroccan ID card would give me the right to cross borders as easily.

    Thanks in advance!

    Reply

    • Usually if you have proof of income (any income) it’s enough. You’ll need to bring as much proof of this income (bank statements, employment contract etc) that will work. Apparently I have heard Americans at least can apply for a Moroccan passport BUT I believe it’s only foreign women married to Moroccan men that can apply. The ID card doesn’t open any travel benefits to you, it only grants permission to stay in Morocco beyond the 3 months.

      Reply

      • Hi Amanda,
        I went to the police station and advised of my situation. They told me that I must have a business here in Morocco in order to stay. I work for a UK company who pay me monthly into my UK account, the police told me that this does not benefit Morocco in anyway so unless I have a business here or my UK company opens up an office in Morocco then I am not allowed the residence card. It is a bit annoying but I was wondering if you knew regarding exiting and entering, we get given 3 months visa upon entry, I know I am able to extend my stay for another 3 months but once that 6 months expire am I able to leave Morocco for a week or so and then come back and stay for another 3 or 6 months?

        Reply

        • You can leave Morocco and come back for 3 month periods. Many people do this regularly for long periods of time.

          Reply

  73. Many thanks for all the information you’ve provided.
    I am Moroccan and also a British citizen, settled in morocco and married to an Indian National.who work overseas. I have tried to apply for a residency status for my husband, The police gave me the list of requirements and I provided all documents. Unfortunately they ask that my husband should provide a copy of a family visa and not a tourist visa. My husband went back and applied for a family visa. Unfortunately his application for a family visa was refused by the Moroccan Consular and was told they no longer grant family visas and that he needed to travel back to Morocco on his on a moroccan tourist visa and apply for the family visa at the Ministry of Interior Affairs instead. He was told these are the new rules. i wonder if this is true. If this is the case, how long it would take the ministry of interior to grant my husband a family visa. Please help!

    Reply

    • I wouldn’t be surprised if this were the case. We went through many, many obstacles when we tried to deal with overseas branches of the Moroccan government. I don’t know the correct answer to your question but I would say you should go to the main police station in whichever city you plan to live in and ask them what their requirements are in this situation. I do think you need to be living in Morocco to apply for the residency permit so that fact pans out. Typically once you apply for something they give you a receipt that serves as the temporary document until it’s completed. How long will it take to get the original….I would plan for a long wait. It took me nearly 10 months to get my actual residency card after I applied. I used the receipt until I got it.

      Reply

    • Hi Amanda & Malika,

      I have read Malika Post about family Visa and Tourist visa they ask that your husband should provide a copy of a family visa and not a tourist visa for residency this is happened with me. my wife is Moroccan national and last year i wanted to come for apply residency when i apply in Embassy for visa so they give me tourist visa and when i asked to i want to apply for my residency they says this is tourist visa you cant apply for residency if you want to apply for Moroccan residency you must have Family Visa its new policy then i asked to them calnce my this tourit visa and give me family visa they say sorry we cant you you come next time then we can give you.

      Now i am again making plan for Apply my family visa and Apply for my residency i would like to know update from Malika what happend now any update you find for your husband Malika have you solved your problem ?
      Amanda i want to ask i am living out of my country since 5 years do i need police record from my home country or where i am living since 5 years ? and i whats update do you have for documents for moroccan wife’s behalf residency.

      Thanks & Regards
      Ahmed

      Reply

      • You’ll need the police record from every place you’ve ever lived or worked. Maybe Malika can shine some light on your other questions!

        Reply

        • I am Mohammad Shahid, Indian working in Saudi Arabia, I buy flat in Morocco under my Moroccan wife and now I want to leave I got some information but I want to know my kids also go same process or different?

          Reply

          • I’m sorry I wish I had an answer but I really don’t know what the process is for this.

          • As Salam Alykum,

            How are you Mohammad Shahid? I would like to know is your kids are from your moroccan National wife ? if your kids are from your Moroccan wife then you can apply for your kids Moroccan Nationality if you wish then you just have to go there and ask to your wife go to asked in that city where you have buy your home from where they issue passport for to Moroccan nationals i want to apply for my kids nationality they will ask you to do some small paper work which is not so much hard then she can get Moroccan nationality after get approve apply for passport and if you don’t want to get nationality then you can apply with you at they same time with your for Moroccan dependent kids those are underage residency card. for this you have to contact to same police station where you will apply residency card and for more information kindly Apply for family visa not touriest visa as i get it just 2 days before soon i will go to morocco for apply my residency card Inshallah.

            Allah Hafiz

      • Assalamu alaikum

        Sorry for the delay in replying.
        No development yet in our case. We’ve decided to hang on for a while as we are settled in a different country. We were advised by the police that my husband should be living in Morocco before he submit his application and he should be on a family visa. We’ll insha Allah start the process in a year time.
        May Allah Help us all

        Reply

  74. selaam to you all
    hi amanda thanks for your help and i want to ask you something….i plan to have my husband’s kid for more than 90 days with me in morocco so the kid will need residency card?

    Reply

    • From what I understand children do not need residency cards, but you may want to double check at the police station when you arrive. Also you’ll need to have a document with his permission to travel in and out of Morocco with the child if he will not be with you.

      Reply

  75. Hi Amanda,

    My step father is now in Morocco. He does not require a visa and he is allowed to stay for 90 days. He wants to stay for more than 90 days, when he went to the police precicnt to ask the full list of the documents for the residency application. They asked him if he have a work contract and a lease contract which he did not have at that moment. He tried to get a job when they wont give him a contract,same thing to the house that he’s renting. Do you have any idea if there’s another option for him to get a rsident permit?

    Kindly regards,
    Japo

    Reply

    • I would say his best option is to leave the country and go back. If he has a 90 day visa waiver as most from Europe and North America do, you can leave Morocco for even a day and return to get another 90 days. Without a work contract, lease, and/or marriage to a Moroccan you have almost no options for a residency card. There are many people living in Morocco that simply go in and out ever 90 days to avoid it.

      Reply

      • Thank you for your reply. The thing is hes a FIlipino passport holder. He is required to apply a visa to exit morocco and enter another country like Spain. They said running up his own business there will grant him a residency permit is this correct?

        Reply

        • Yes having a business is another way – though it’s not as easy as it sounds to start one. But if that’s an option he should start talking with an accountant and making a plan immediately. It can take a long time.

          Reply

  76. Hi. You must have renewed your Moroccan card by now. Any luck? I would love to know you got on. Thanks.

    Reply

  77. Hi!!i go to rabat but they told me that i can just ask a police clearance in the place where i apply my carte sejour.. My question is do i need to go back to rabat and ask this police clearance? Thank you

    Reply

    • Hi Maria. There are two things you need; 1) A police certificate from your home country 2) a clearance from the Justice ministry in Rabat. To get #2 I believe you have to go to your local police station in Morocco first.

      Reply

  78. I’m Moroccan citizen and running after my husband resedency and I think the things are different for him because where ever we ask they say that he need any business to do in here

    Reply

    • That shouldn’t be the case. Though they may be trying to do that for extra money. You can ask them for the list of required documents for a spouse applying for residency. I know in Marrakech it’s now listed directly outside the office e’tranger. Try talking to someone else or asking for the requirements. You do need to show work papers for one or both of you, or proof of money in the bank.

      Reply

      • Thank u so much for ur help. Hope things work out for us this time

        Reply

      • Hi Amanda how are u doing and ur family I’m still struggling with my husband resedency last time I went to local police they refuse to give any help. So can I go to any other city and do it or if u know any one who can help can u pass me his number or information pls

        Reply

        • Chaimae, you have to go to the police in the city you live to apply. Go to the main police office, not the local office. The requirement list is posted there. Once you have everything (documents) together it should not be an issue. I’m sorry I don’t have any other advice!

          Reply

  79. Amanda,
    Thank you so much for all of your informative blogs, they have really helped me prepare for my move to beautiful Morocco!! I was wondering, the residency cards….do the kids need them? Also, is that really the only fee (the 100 dirhams)? Is there any other fees in there for the extended stay visas? Or is that all we as Americans need is the residency card? I really appreciate any help you are willing to give!! Also, I was reading somewhere that we should have a bank balance of around 20,000 dirhams….should that be per person, or per household? I just want to have everything in correct order for my arrival.
    Thank you,
    Angela 🙂

    Reply

    • Hi Angela – what we’ve been told is the kids do not need them. Now I don’t know if this is because their father is Moroccan or if it’s just standard for any child. There are some other small fees needed for stamps or things on paperwork – like translations – but it was just a few dirham here and there. Once you have residency you don’t need an extended stay visa. As for the bank account I wish I knew, honestly it was not clear the amount of money you needed to have. We had about 100,000 dirham in the bank and there was no problem. There was also the option to produce a work contract or something showing what you would be paid monthly. This is the murkiest section about what is required. Best of luck!

      Reply

    • hey amanda
      thank you for informations, that realy means lot specialy nowadays you cant find it eaisly in morocco always need to pay extra money to get our things done here it was realy hard for me to get married in morocco and all i want to ask is my husband wants to come to morocco we planning to stay here for long period does being married with me as a moroccon make things easy for my hubby to get residency and work premit thanks
      he is american

      Reply

      • For foreign men to get Moroccan residency from a Moroccan wife I think is more difficult than the other way. Work is going to be the hardest thing but if he can get the residency permit from marriage it will allow him to work as well. It’s worth a try and is really not too expensive.

        Reply

        • so basically being married with me as a moroccon will make things easier for him to get residency and work permit?
          thank you so much madame for your kind help

          Reply

  80. I didn’t have to get a medical or criminal clearance but everything else sounds the same.

    Reply

    • That’s interesting – I wonder why. Maybe it’s a new change? I had brought a police record from home because I had read it was needed but they just wanted the record from Rabat. I’ll give them some credit, they did have an actual checklist of documents to go through instead of something just arbitrarily made up!

      Reply

  81. I’m chuckling as I read your post…it actually makes the French process sound easy!! (& that’s hard to do!!).
    I just posted a similar post on my blog about my renewal of my carte de sejour in France – similar situation being married to a French man. I too, needed that laundry list of similar documents – copies and originals. However, this year to my surprise – our local prefecture (regional naturalization office ) changed their policy and it was actually a bit easier. Still TONS of paperwork, but luckily not as stressful. Good luck to you for your renewal. Thanks for sharing – love reading your blog!

    Reply

    • Here’s hoping the renewal process is easy and straight forward! I read your post on carte sejour and was surprised how similar the two still are considering it’s been 50+ years since Morocco’s independence!

      Reply

      • Hi Amanda, the renewal is indeed quite easy. I had a carte sejour for two years because I was on the board of directors of sby who started a company. Unfortunately I will have to apply again when I want to return within a few years. It will be also possible to get one because I am married. Otherwise it is almost impossible to get a carte.

        Reply

  82. One note on the Entry Stamp on your Passport. When I landed in Marrakech, I went through Passport Control, got my passport stamped, and left the airport. It wasn’t until my husband asked for my passport to photocopying for our marriage document dossier that we noticed the stamp was not clear. Fortunately, I had all my flight documents INCLUDING the luggage labels which had the information on it. I know some people just tear it off and bin it after landing but it might prove useful if this happens to you. You might want to check this is done properly at the Passport Control desk. The same thing happened when I left Marrakech.

    Reply

    • That’s a good point- often their entry stamps are not clear. Mine was done in a really light pink ink and stamped on top of another stamp. I’m not sure why they do this but it is important to double check.

      Reply

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