After reducing the number of visas granted to Moroccans by 50% at the height of the crisis with Morocco, France has decided to facilitate the procedures for obtaining visas for them, following the normalization of its relations with Rabat.
France’s clearly expressed support for Morocco’s plan for autonomy in the Sahara has led to an easing of tensions with Morocco. Relations between the two countries have been tense in recent years, particularly due to this sensitive issue. During this period of crisis, France decided in 2022 to reduce the number of visas granted to Moroccans and Algerians by 50%, and to Tunisians by 30%.
Paris had justified this controversial decision by the lack of cooperation from Morocco in the return of its nationals in an irregular situation. An unjustified motive, according to the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, who had assured of the frank collaboration of the kingdom in this matter.
After its recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara, France decided to ease this measure and facilitate the procedures for issuing visas to Moroccans. In a promotional video published on its social networks, the French embassy in Morocco indicated that it receives nearly 1,200 visa applications every day, specifying that 90% of these applications are accepted. Statistics confirm the change in French policy towards Morocco in terms of visas.
From over 342,000 in 2019, the number of French visas granted to Moroccans plummeted to 97,572 visas in 2020 due to the COVID-19 health crisis and travel restrictions. Despite the reopening of borders in 2021, the number of visas issued did not exceed 69,408.
