Marrakech – Morocco has resumed processing tourist visa applications from Taiwan passport holders, ending a suspension that had stood since July. Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported the news on Monday, citing the island’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
According to the ministry, the resumption took effect on September 21 and covers applications filed for tourism purposes only. Morocco has not yet issued a formal announcement of the change, which leaves parts of the process unconfirmed.
MOFA reached the Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo by phone on September 25 and received a verbal reply that the Moroccan government had reopened tourist visa confirmation letter (VCL) applications for Taiwan nationals as of September 21. Taiwanese travelers must obtain this letter before entering Morocco.
Travel agencies moved quickly on the development. Five Dragons, an operator that handles Morocco trips, reported on its website that it had confirmed the reopening with the Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo and had resumed its VCL delivery service for Taiwanese travelers.
The Taiwanese agency Lifetour confirmed the change through the same embassy and restarted its help for tourists applying for the letters.
The dispute began over the summer. Morocco on July 20 instructed its embassies and consulates worldwide to stop processing VCL applications from Taiwanese travelers, according to MOFA’s Department of West Asian and African Affairs. The Moroccan Embassy in Japan notified Taiwanese travel agencies of the halt on July 23.
Taiwanese who had obtained a Moroccan VCL before July 20 remained free to enter the country for business or tourism during their visa’s validity. But because Taiwan nationals cannot apply for a Moroccan e-visa, the confirmation letter is the main route for short-term travel, and its abrupt suspension disrupted exchanges between the two sides.
Taiwan answered on the principle of reciprocity. On July 30, Taipei suspended the processing of visa applications from Moroccan nationals, apart from specially approved cases. Officials identified four grounds for special approval: family visits, study, diplomatic or official business, and medical treatment.
The reason behind Morocco’s original decision stayed unclear. Department of West Asian and African Affairs Director-General Yen Chia-liang pointed out that Taiwanese were not the only nationals required to secure a confirmation letter, so the measure might not have targeted Taiwan specifically.
MOFA pledged to stay in contact with Moroccan authorities through multiple channels, including asking like-minded countries for help in understanding the situation. By mid-August, the ministry described the matter as still under negotiation.
Throughout the standoff, the ministry pressed Rabat to ease the restrictions. It urged the Moroccan government to “maintain convenient travel arrangements for people from both sides” and to “restore normal non-governmental exchanges as soon as possible.”
With tourist processing now restored, attention turns to whether Taiwan will lift its own countermeasures. The ministry has not decided whether to resume accepting visa applications from Moroccan nationals. It intends first to confirm how the restored process works for Taiwan passport holders, then review its restrictions on Moroccan applicants on a rolling basis.
The reopening, for now, is limited to tourism. Until Morocco publishes a formal notice and clarifies the full scope, both governments appear to be moving cautiously toward restoring normal travel between them.
Morocco and Taiwan have no formal diplomatic relations, as Rabat recognizes the People’s Republic of China and adheres to the one-China principle. Nonetheless, limited economic, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges continue.
