Applying for a Schengen visa is becoming a real obstacle course for Moroccans. The difficulties that applicants encounter in obtaining an appointment have created an unprecedented crisis, calling into question the travel plans of thousands of people.
The reasons for this situation are multiple and complex, involving system malfunctions and illegal practices. The heart of the problem lies in the proliferation of a black market for appointments. Intermediaries, called “samsara”, exploit the loopholes in the system to grab available slots and resell them at high prices.
The use of automated software facilitates this illegal practice, making it almost impossible for applicants to obtain an appointment through official channels. The prices charged by these intermediaries can reach exorbitant sums, sometimes exceeding 3,000 Moroccan dirhams.
The crisis in Morocco is not an isolated case. Algeria has been experiencing a similar situation for years, marked by the proliferation of a thriving black market and difficulties in accessing appointments. Appointment prices have reached new heights and are often rare to find.
Several actors are being singled out to explain this situation. Intermediaries, of course, are primarily responsible for this crisis. But Schengen visa application appointment booking platforms, such as TLScontact, are also being blamed for their lack of transparency and their inability to put an end to these illegal practices.
Calls for reform of Schengen visa application process
Abdelkrim Chafii, vice-president of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, expressed doubts about the possible complicity of companies such as TLScontact, which manages the appointment system. Despite the many protests, the situation does not seem to be improving, which calls for an urgent investigation by the Moroccan authorities.
For his part, Bouazza Kherrati, president of the Moroccan Federation of Consumer Rights, called on European consulates to reform the Schengen visa application process. He proposed introducing a digital visa system and eliminating the non-refund of fees in the event of a refusal of the application. The official stressed that visa applications generate considerable profits for organized networks.
