Rabat – The French embassy in Morocco has informed visa applicants that the France-Visas platform will be temporarily inaccessible starting from Friday, May 26, until May 30. The embassy has cited technical, regulatory adjustments, and improvements in the visa application process as the reasons for this interruption.
The embassy noted that visa applicants will not be able to submit their application online via the France-Visas portal during this period.
It explained that for countries where visa applications are received directly at the visa office, there will be no impact if the applications were already entered on the France-Visas platform prior to May 26.
For applicants who were unable to submit their applications online before May 26 but have scheduled appointments after May 30, the embassy assured them that their appointments will not be affected.
Pour des raisons techniques, réglementaires et d’amélioration du traitement des demandes, la plateforme France-Visas sera indisponible pour certains utilisateurs du 26 au 30 mai.https://t.co/9Ve25lJXiU
— La France au Maroc (@AmbaFranceMaroc) May 15, 2023
In countries where the collection of visa applications is outsourced to an external service provider, applicants may be able to begin the process as early as May 29. This alternative arrangement aims to minimize any inconvenience caused by the temporary unavailability of the France-Visas platform
The embassy urged visa applicants to submit their applications online before May 26.
It is recommended that individuals closely monitor the official channels and communications from the French embassy in their respective countries for any further updates or clarifications regarding the temporary unavailability of the France-Visas platform.
In September 2021, France decided to reduce the number of visas issued to citizens from Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria, triggering a year-long rift in France-Morocco relations.
The move has until recently continued to draw strong criticism from Moroccans, many of whom denounced the visa policy as a “wall” intended to separate families.
Promising a positive change, French Foreign Affairs Minister Catherine Colonna announced the restoration of “normal consular” relations with Morocco in December 2022. Minister Colonna emphasized that France would soon be lifting its visa restrictions on Moroccan applicants, aiming to alleviate tensions and promote a renewed bilateral relationship.
However, despite such reassurances by France’s chief diplomat, the frustrations caused by the visa restrictions persisted among Moroccans. In January 2023, renowned Moroccan singer Manal Benchlikha took to social media to express her disappointment after being denied a visa to France, allegedly due to a perceived “lack of financial resources.”
The incident gained attention, leading to the intervention of the Moroccan Ministry of Culture on behalf of Benchlikha and her husband. Following the ministry’s involvement, the couple eventually obtained their visas to France.
Read Also: France Restores ‘Normal Consular’ Ties with Morocco
