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Marrakech – Morocco received more than 606,000 Schengen visas from European Union countries in 2024, with a refusal rate of approximately 20%, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita.
France alone issued about 284,000 visas to Moroccan citizens, representing nearly 46% of the total visas granted and marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year.
“The countries of the European Union issued more than 606,000 visas to Moroccans last year, while the refusal rate did not exceed 20% of submitted applications, which is an average rate compared to other countries,” Bourita stated in a written response to a parliamentary question.
The top Moroccan diplomat noted that relations with Europe have shown notable improvement, as evidenced by the visa issuance figures. This improvement reflects “a shared political will between both parties to overcome the problems and tensions that marked their relations in this field during the previous period,” Bourita explained.
Morocco now ranks fourth globally for Schengen visa applications in 2024, following China, India, and Turkey, according to data released by SchengenVisaInfo in May. Moroccans have surpassed Russians, who were once the largest group of Schengen visa applicants.
With 282,153 applications submitted to France in 2024, Moroccans constitute the second-largest group of applicants for French visas, after Algerians. France remains the top destination for Schengen visa seekers worldwide, receiving over a quarter of all applications.
Visa policy is a sovereign decision
Bourita said that visa policies represent a sovereign right of each state. “Morocco’s choice to impose or exempt entry visas to its territory remains a sovereign decision that does not respond to moods or circumstantial reactions,” he said.
The minister stated that Morocco’s approach is based on “three objective considerations: reciprocity, political and economic imperatives, as well as the context of bilateral relations with each country.”
“Moroccan practice in this area is based on a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the balance of interests, distinguishing between countries based on the nature of cooperation, shared history, and signed agreements,” Bourita added.
He also remarked that “the adoption of modern electronic visa systems reflects this same approach aimed at strengthening the Kingdom’s openness through digitizing its services, without giving up national sovereignty.”
According to the minister, the Moroccan passport has shown continuous improvement in international rankings, now figuring among the 70 most powerful passports worldwide.
Indeed, Morocco’s passport has climbed to 67th place globally in the latest Henley Passport Index, marking its best performance in a decade.
The new ranking represents a four-position jump from last year’s 71st place, allowing Moroccan citizens visa-free access to 73 destinations worldwide.
This achievement is Morocco’s strongest showing since 2006, when the passport ranked 66th globally. Morocco now ranks first among all North African countries in passport mobility.
A study from SchengenVisaInfo compiled in August 2024 identified Switzerland as the Schengen country with the highest approval rate for Moroccan applicants at 83.9%, followed by Poland (83.1%), France (81.3%), Portugal (80.05%), and Czechia (75.60%).
Visa system dysfunctions must be corrected
Bourita also addressed the issue of visa application processing, stating that his ministry “firmly calls on foreign embassies and consulates in Morocco to process visa applications within reasonable timeframes, with constant respect for Moroccan citizens and their dignity, particularly for urgent humanitarian requests such as those related to medical care or studies.”
He mentioned that during bilateral meetings with representatives of diplomatic missions and consular centers accredited in Morocco, the ministry “consistently raises the issue of visa systems, their dysfunctions, and urges corrections to avoid exploitation by some illegal intermediaries or brokers.”
Data shows that 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024, representing a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019.
Overall, the Schengen visa rejection rate decreased to 14.8% in 2024, down from 16% in 2023 and the all-time high of 17.9% in 2022.
Despite the positive trends, challenges remain, including the black market for visa appointments, which has seen intermediaries exploiting online systems and reselling appointments for up to MAD 10,000 (approximately $1000).
Read also: Bourita: Morocco’s Visa Policy Based on Reciprocity, National Interest
