Do Moroccan citizens need a Schengen visa? Visas to Morocco for Russians

The state of Morocco has become relatively new, but already very popular for beach holidays and tourism among Russians. This destination especially attracts lovers of oriental exoticism and beach holidays on the hot sand.

The stunning landscapes of Morocco intersect with modern technology in surprising ways. From time to time it seems that time has stopped in this country, or got lost in the narrow, intertwining streets.

The kingdom is located in the northern part of the African continent. The country is not suitable for year-round beach holidays, but you can see the sights at any convenient time. This direction is popular from early spring to late autumn.

This country attracts not only with its amazing color and warm climate, which is conducive to relaxation, but also with the fact that citizens of the Russian Federation do not need a visa to travel.

But before visiting Morocco, you should still read our article and find out what necessary documents will be required for entry, depending on the purpose, the specifics of the visa and visa-free regime for Russians, and how much it costs to obtain a visa.

Main attractions

Nowadays, you can explore the remaining buildings from the once majestic El Badi Palace. The construction of this palace required huge sums of money; precious materials for decoration were imported from many countries in Europe, Asia and neighboring countries.

There is a legend that during the construction of the palace, every working architect received gold once a year, which was equal in weight to his own weight. Afterwards, the palace was destroyed, valuable materials were dismantled, and now all that remains are ruins that are striking in their scale.

The mosque is the third largest in the world in size. And this is not surprising. The two hundred and ten meter high minaret is visible from almost anywhere in Casablanca. In addition, the building was equipped with the most modern technological advances: a sliding ceiling, a laser beam that is directed towards Mecca and much more. Outside and inside, the mosque resembles a royal palace; the walls of the building were painted by about ten thousand artists.

It is hardly possible to find at least one person in the world who has never heard of the Sahara. This is a huge desert with majestic landscapes. Its area is more than eight million kilometers.
The desert borders eleven countries. But you can see the amazing Sahara only from three countries: Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco itself.

Fez has been considered the cultural capital of Morocco for many years. It attracts tourists from all over the world. And there is nothing strange in this, because this is where you can see a lot of sights, see national traditions and rituals. This ancient city is divided into two parts.

It has more than six thousand streets. Each of them literally breathes history, and the houses on them seem to be frozen in time. Amazingly beautiful mosques, fountains and traditional Arabic architectural ensembles can all be seen in Fes.

The collection located in the museum is not very large, literally a thousand exhibits. However, this does not mean that she is unattractive. The fact is that it presents unique interior elements, jewelry, carpets and much more. A very interesting place for those who are interested in history, culture and life.

Features of visa-free entry for Russians

A visa-free regime with Morocco is open to Russian citizens who enter the country for the purpose of tourism.

Important! Citizens of Ukraine and Belarus living in the Russian Federation will need to obtain a visa.

But there are also some restrictions for the visa-free regime, in addition to Russian citizenship:

The purpose of the trip must be tourism.
The period of stay is up to 90 days.
Do not import prohibited substances.
Following local laws and regulations.

To extend your stay you will need to obtain a special permit. This will need to be done no later than 15 days before the end of the three-month visa-free period.

Documents for crossing the border

To cross the Moroccan border without a visa you must:

Apply for a migration card.
Carry out customs control.
Have a passport with you, valid for at least six months.

You will need to take care of drawing up a migration card in advance; the form will be issued during the flight. The design is made in Latin letters, black or blue ink.

You should not print out the card form yourself; there is a very high probability that it will not be accepted.

Despite the fact that Russians do not need a visa to visit Morocco, during the passport control process employees may ask for proof of a hotel room reservation and availability of funds for their stay in the country. In addition, they may ask for additional comments about the purpose of the visit. However, this happens extremely rarely. As a rule, in cases of suspicion among customs officers.

When customs control has been passed, a stamp will be affixed to assign a special tourist registration number. At the time of departure the corresponding mark will be placed.

When the border of a state is crossed by car, in addition to a foreign passport, an issued migration card and a customs declaration, a driver’s license is required, which is valid internationally. A Russian driver's license is not valid within Morocco. In addition, it is necessary to present the car for inspection by customs services, provide a registration certificate and an international insurance policy.

Types of visas to Morocco

A visa is not required to enter Morocco when the purpose of the trip is tourism. However, it should be noted that the right to stay in the state for a long time or conduct work activities is granted only with a visa.

Transit

This type of visa is not required for Russian citizens to enter Morocco. People from other countries will need it in order to cross Moroccan territory on their way to third countries. The list of documents for this visa will be the same as for another visa. In addition to the standard set, you will need tickets and a visa (if necessary) to the destination country.

Tourist

Citizens of the Russian Federation will also not need a tourist visa document. The main rule is to carefully follow the conditions of entry and the rules of stay on the territory of foreign citizens.

Student

This type of visa allows you to study at a university in Morocco. To receive one, you will need an invitation from a Moroccan educational institution.

Working

The work type of visa allows you to carry out legal work activities in this state. The validity period of this visa is individual in each case. To complete it, you will need an invitation from an employer from Morocco.

Business

A business visa is similar in effect to a work visa. It allows you to conduct business activities in Morocco.

Long-term

This visa is issued for a period of 3 months. As a rule, the purposes of the visit include business trips, business trips, and conferences. To receive, you will need confirmation of the need for a visit from the receiving party.

Resident card

The residence permit is valid for one year; when a foreigner wishes to stay in the country longer, it is allowed to extend the validity. The maximum period of stay in the state is 5 years. Possession of this type of visa practically equals rights with citizens of this country.

List of required documents for visa application

The right to apply for a visa, you will first need to select a complete package of documents. All papers must be translated into Arabic or French. It is not necessary to translate your passport. The translation must be certified by a notary.

For an adult:

Photos (4 pcs.).
International passport (copy).
Confirmation of payment of the visa fee.
Booking accommodation in Morocco.
Medical insurance.

To enter Morocco with children, you must meet certain conditions:

This is the basic list of rules for entry into Morocco; there are no additional requirements from the Moroccan side.

Additional package:

Applying for a tourist visa will require a reservation from the hotel where the candidate plans to stay during the holiday.
Those planning to study in the Kingdom will need to present a letter of invitation from the university, which will indicate enrollment in the educational institution's list of studies.
Applying for a work visa will require presenting an invitation from a potential employer, in addition, you will need a certificate from your previous place of work.
To obtain a business visa, you must present an invitation from Moroccan partners and written confirmation from Russia proving the right to represent a Russian organization on your behalf.
A long-stay visa requires round-trip tickets.

Anyone wishing to obtain a residence permit in Morocco must provide the Consulate with:

Copy of international passport (2 pcs.).
Photos (6 pcs.).
Marriage certificate (if available).
Confirmation of availability of accommodation in Morocco.
A bank statement confirming the availability of finances.
Medical insurance for the entire period of stay in the state.

Document requirements

As a rule, countries impose many different conditions on photographs for a visa document. The Kingdom, on the contrary, does not set any special requirements for photographs. The size of the photo must be 3 by 4 cm. Only any accessories that do not allow identifying the citizen in the photo are prohibited.

Finance

When going through border control in Morocco, officers may inquire about the financial viability of a foreigner. To stay in the Kingdom you need at least $50 per day per adult and half of this amount for a minor.

You can confirm the availability of these funds with a bank statement, a credit card valid in the Kingdom, cash or a letter from the sponsor.

Medical insurance

Medical insurance is not included in the list of mandatory documentation, but it is better to obtain it. Morocco is a country with a peculiar climate, and medical care here is very expensive.

Visa application procedure

To go through the procedure for obtaining a visa to the Kingdom of Morocco, you must contact the Moroccan Embassy located in Moscow.

The process itself consists of three stages:

Receipt of the application form and a set of necessary papers by the applicant.
Transfer of completed visa documentation.
The process of returning a foreign passport with a visa stamp in a situation of a positive decision.

Attention! Transferring documentation to third parties is prohibited. The embassy requires the personal presence of the candidate requesting a visa. The only exceptions may be parents of minor applicants.

Rules for filling out the form

The form must be filled out legibly, always in black ink. Registration in English, Arabic or French is allowed.

All information is entered in the same way as in a foreign passport:

P.p. 1- 3. It is necessary to indicate personal information: last name, last name before marriage and patronymic. In addition, note the gender of the candidate.
pp. 4. Enter the date and place of birth here.
pp. 5. In this paragraph, indicate your nationality.
pp. 6. Marital status (single, married, etc.).
pp. 7. In the case of a marriage, information about the other half (first and last name) is indicated here.
pp. 8. Information about children must be provided here if they are included in the applicant’s passport and are traveling to the Kingdom with the candidate.
pp. 9. Here you must indicate the details of your international passport: type of document, number and series, date and place of issue, as well as validity period.
pp. 10. Indicate your permanent residence address and telephone number.
pp. 11. Write down your profession.
pp. 12-13. Indicate your place of work, address and employer contacts.
pp. 14. Indicate the Moroccan border control point through which you will enter the country.
pp. 15. Here it is necessary to note the purpose of the visit to the Kingdom: business, tourist, family or other.
pp. 16. This paragraph indicates the Moroccan residential address.
pp. 17. Indicate the date you are leaving the country and the validity period of the visa.
pp. 18. Write here that you undertake to leave the country in a timely manner and have no intention of violating the state’s migration regulations.
Next, you should write down the address and date of registration of the questionnaire and sign the form. After entering the necessary information into the form, you will need to paste a photo and hand the paper over to the Embassy staff.

Cost and terms

In addition to the visa-free regime, the Moroccan authorities have also canceled the required entry fee for Russian citizens. Staying in the country for three months without a business permit is free.
But there is a fee for obtaining a visa.

The tariff for work and business visas will have to be clarified at the time of your visit to the Embassy. All Moroccan visa documents are valid for 3 months. In addition, they are one-time only. But while in the Kingdom they can be extended.

The period for obtaining a visa at the Moroccan Embassy is agreed upon at the time the candidate’s papers are accepted. As a rule, the decision-making procedure on a request takes 1-2 weeks.

If consular officials have questions, they will invite the candidate for a conversation, and this may cause an increase in the period for receiving documents.

Customs regulations

The rules for obtaining a visa-free regime in Morocco are slightly different from those usual for citizens of the Russian Federation.

Attention! The rules for transporting currency into Morocco are that you cannot bring it into the country in unlimited amounts, but you are not allowed to use it within the Kingdom. For payments in the country, only local dirhams are used. However, the export of national currency from the country is not permitted.

It is allowed to import without duties:

1 bottle of high alcohol content alcohol.
1 bottle of wine.
10 packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

In case of exceeding the norms, it is required to declare.

Prohibited for import:

Items that are prohibited by Islam.
Weapon.
Narcotic substances.
Petrol.

Photo and video equipment must be packaged and declared; if necessary, you will need to present permission to import them. You can get it at the Russian Embassy. Equipment and equipment must be packed and sealed. The import and export of valuable objects and objects of art is carried out with a special permit.

Moroccan customs regulations are strict and any violation will result in severe penalties.

Refusal of a visa

In case of refusal, it will certainly be justified in a written notification. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is familiarize yourself with the cause of the failure and understand how easy it is to eliminate it. When the validity period of any documents is in question, an appeal is useless until the documents are reissued.

If the reason is different, then it is allowed to appeal to the Consul of Morocco. In this case, the authorities will be forced to re-examine the set of documentation. The candidate may be called for an interview.

If it happens that the decision is still negative, then a challenge will only be possible in court. Then it is recommended to seek help from a special immigration lawyer.

Among the main reasons for refusal:

Incorrectly completed documents.
Insufficient funds for a visit to the Kingdom.
Having an outstanding criminal record.
Suspicions of terrorism or extremism.
Public insult to Islam.
Violation of Moroccan legislation during previous visits.
Providing false documentation.

How much will the tour cost? The average cost of the cheapest ticket to the Kingdom will be about 300 euros. But you can track all kinds of discounts and monitor Internet resources for the availability of even cheaper tickets. A day's rent for housing starts from 25 euros. A bus ride starts from 4 euros. The rest of your expenses will depend on where you go for entertainment. It is worth noting that people in Morocco like to bargain for any purchases. You should not avoid this, as this is a good opportunity to buy something much cheaper.
Should I give a tip? Moroccan establishments include a tip in the order. But, of course, the staff likes to get some extra money. You don’t need to give a lot, the following amounts will be enough:
- Maids from 2 dirhams per week.
- For security guards from 1-2 dirhams.
- Guides from 5-10 dirhams.
- For car washers from 2-5 dirhams.
Is it possible to save money on a hotel and rent an apartment? Everyone decides what kind of housing to rent on their own. Usually people rent hotels or apartments. As a rule, a day costs from 25 euros. For a long time it is better to rent an apartment. In the south, the cost will be from 150 euros (including electricity and water), in the north of the country housing costs more from 350 euros.
How should you behave? In the modern cities of the Kingdom, people have become accustomed to short clothes and naked bodies on the beach, as religious families have left the city with the invasion of tourists. But in more ancient cities, morality is an important element. If someone greets you, be sure to say hello back. Be sure to use polite words in your speech. It is better to say thank you in Arabic or French, since not everyone speaks English.
Basic traditions that should not be broken? If you offer to drink Berber tea, do not refuse. Moroccan people are friendly, which usually means that a person is willing to socialize. It is better not to openly photograph local residents. It is better not to point the lens at women in veils at all. You cannot enter the mosque, you are only allowed to admire the architectural structure from the outside. Discussion of the king, politics and religion is not recommended, it is haram. Even if the interlocutor begins to express his own opinion about the situation, it is better to ignore them. It is strictly forbidden to express disrespect for the currency of the state. This can lead to imprisonment for 5 years.

Official representative offices

Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Russian Federation:

Moscow: Prechistensky lane, building 8 A.

Morocco is located in the northern part of Africa, in this country the holiday season lasts almost nine months a year, and the low cost of tours and accommodation makes it a great holiday destination. Plus, Russian travelers do not need to apply for a tourist visa. The word Morocco is translated into Russian as “Western Kingdom”. Well, let's figure out what Russian tourists will need to visit the “Western Kingdom”.

Visa-free entry for Russians into this country has existed since 2005, when the Kingdom of Morocco unilaterally introduced this permit. If a longer stay is necessary (more than 3 months), Russians must apply for a residence permit. To do this, you should contact the local authorities of the Ministry of Internal Affairs no later than 15 days before the end of the visa-free stay.

To enter Morocco, Russians will need:

fill out the migration card correctly;
undergo inspection at customs;
Show your foreign passport; it must still be valid for at least six months.

Note! The visa-free regime is provided only for citizens of the Russian Federation. Foreign citizens permanently residing in Russia and having the appropriate permission to do so are required to obtain an entry visa to enter the Kingdom of Morocco. To do this, you should contact the Moroccan Embassy in Moscow.

Sometimes the passport control procedure can become a little more complicated: the customs officer has the right to require you to present a hotel reservation and proof of financial solvency. Please note that you are required to have these documents with you in any case; of course, they may not be asked, but you must have them with you. In addition, if for some reason airport employees consider you suspicious, they may require you to undergo a personal search. There is nothing wrong with this procedure, especially given the turbulent situation in the world. There is no need to resist if you have nothing to hide and do not intend to bring anything prohibited. The inspection will be quick and painless.

If everything is fine and you have passed customs inspection, then they will not put a visa in your international passport, but a special stamp where your individual number will be indicated; when you depart from the country, exactly the same mark will be made in your passport.

When crossing the border by car, you should acquire an international license; ordinary Russian licenses are not valid in the Kingdom. Also at customs you will need to show the registration certificate for the car and insurance for it.

The rules for entering Morocco are slightly different from the standard ones. One of the main criteria for obtaining visa-free entry is unquestioning compliance with customs rules.

As for currency, things are as follows: you can import an unlimited amount of foreign money into the territory of the Kingdom of Morocco, but exporting local money is strictly prohibited! On the territory of the country, you can use only local money - dirhams, in fact, as in all other developed countries.

Alcohol and tobacco can be brought into the Western Kingdom, but in limited quantities:

strong alcohol – 1 bottle;
wine – 1 bottle;
10 packs of cigarettes.

If you want to bring in more alcohol or tobacco products, you must declare them.

things that are prohibited by Islamic norms;
weapon;
drugs;
gasoline in cans.

Photo and video equipment must be packed and declared. If you are bringing professional equipment with you, for example, large lenses, you must obtain special permission to import these items from the Moroccan Embassy in Russia. Also, any other equipment and sports equipment must be packed in special cases and sealed. Import/export of all kinds of art objects is possible only with permission, which must be obtained in advance.

Important! The customs policy of this country is very strict, if you break the rules, punishments follow, you can even be immediately deported from the country and banned from entering in the future.

Extension of visa-free stay

As such, there is no procedure for extending visa-free stay for Russians in Morocco. If you need to stay in the Kingdom for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit by contacting the local police department 15 days before the end of the visa-free stay.

There is another unofficial way to extend your visa-free stay. You can leave Morocco and go for one day and return to the Kingdom again, thereby resetting the three-month counter of your stay in the country. However, everything is at your own risk. There is no official ban on such a procedure, but most likely customs officers will have additional questions for you, which can lead to unpleasant consequences. If staying in Morocco for more than 3 months is not a whim, but a necessity, it is better to apply for a residence permit.

What visa is needed in Morocco, and in what cases

Russians who intend to visit Morocco for tourism purposes do not need to apply for a visa. However, a visa-free stamp does not allow you to stay in this country for a long period (more than 90 days), and it is also prohibited to work or study. For these purposes, Morocco issues special visas:

working;
business;
transit;
student;
long-term;
resident card.

Important! Citizens of the Russian Federation do not need to apply for a transit visa. Russians can stay in Morocco for up to 90 days without additional permits!

With the help of a student visa, a person has the opportunity to obtain higher education at one of the universities in Morocco.

With a work visa, you have the opportunity to legally work in this country and receive wages for your work. A business visa similar in principle, in addition to everything else, it gives the opportunity to open your own companies in Morocco.

Despite its name, a long-term visa is not actually a long-term visa; it is only issued for three months. The main purpose of this visa is a business trip, conference, etc.

A residence permit is initially issued for a period of one year; if a person plans to continue to stay in this country, he can apply for an extension of this visa, the maximum period of stay is 5 years. This type of visa opens many doors, with it you are almost on an equal footing with citizens of that country.

Documents for a visa to Morocco

To be eligible to apply for a visa, you must first prepare a package of papers. All documents must be translated into Arabic or French; the passport does not need to be translated; translations must be officially certified by a notary. It is worth reminding once again that Russians do not need to waste their personal time on obtaining a tourist and transit visa.

To apply for a visa you need to collect the following documents:

photographs – 4 pieces;

copy of foreign passport;

proof of payment of the visa fee;

present a document where you will be staying in Morocco (hotel reservation, rental housing, etc.);

honey. insurance.

The above is only a standard set of documents that is required for any type of visa. Depending on the type of visa, additional documents will also be required.

In order to obtain a tourist visa, you only need to have a reservation from the hotel where the applicant plans to stay during your vacation.

Students planning to study in the Kingdom need a letter of invitation from the university, which states that the student is enrolled in studies.

To obtain a work visa, you need to have a letter of invitation from your future employer, and you also need to have a certificate from your previous place of work.

To obtain a business visa, you need to submit an invitation from partners in Morocco and a letter from an employer from Russia, which confirms that you have the right to represent the company in your own person.

For a long-term visa, you only need to have round-trip tickets with you.

Almost everyone has the right to apply for a residence permit; to do this, you need to bring to the Consulate:

copy of foreign passport – 2 copies;
photographs – 6 pieces;
marriage certificate (if you have one);
documents confirming that you have a place to live in the Kingdom;
a bank statement confirming that the applicant actually has funds;
honey. insurance for the entire period of stay in the country.

What should the photos be like?

Tourists who loved to fly to Egypt on vacation were initially disappointed because this country had become inaccessible for vacation. But after surviving for several days, they began to rejoice again, because there is such a country as Morocco, which is better than Egypt, and maybe cheaper in price! And it was to this tourist country that hundreds of thousands of our compatriots flocked. To spend your vacation. Let's get a look. Do Russians need a visa to Morocco in 2019 to vacation here? We will tell you how to get a visa and what documents are needed. So, let's begin.

And so, let’s say right away that you don’t have to apply for a visa to vacation in Morocco. According to the agreement signed by the countries, Russians will be able to visit Morocco for holidays without a visa in 2019. But you still have to collect some documents.

And this only document is a foreign passport. Yes, you only need a passport and you can enter the country for a holiday. Upon arrival, or maybe even on the plane, you will have to fill out a form, which will need to be handed over to customs officers. And you can calmly step onto the earth and begin your vacation.
True, Moroccan customs officers still have some requirements for a foreign passport. First, your passport must be valid. And also it should not end for another 6 months from the moment you leave the kingdom of Morocco. This rule is quite common in other countries. So there is nothing surprising here.
The application form, or emigration card, can be filled out in our country or, as we have already said, on the plane or at customs. If you fill out everything in Russia, then you can go straight from the plane to the hotel. And if you decide to fill out the form on the plane or upon arrival, then you will have to wait a little before starting your vacation.

The form is easy to fill out: enter all the information in printed Latin letters.
This is how you can get to Morocco and enjoy your holiday in the country. But remember that without a visa you can only relax there. If you decide to earn extra money and you are caught, then be prepared to be deported from the country. And you will be banned from visiting Morocco for ten years, and maybe for the rest of your life. So it’s better not to violate customs rules.