Morocco has announced that it will begin issuing e-visas on July 10 to foreigners coming from 49 countries in a bid to boost its tourism sector. [1] The e-visa has a duration of 30 days and can be extended up to six months and become multiple-entry in Morocco.
A statement issued on June 23 by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism, Crafts, Social Economy, and Solidarity stated that the new electronic visa will be issued to an evolving list of countries that qualify for it, including Israel and Thailand, VisaGuide.World reports.
As the Ministry explains, the list will gradually be extended to include several other countries. Foreigners coming from 49 countries will be able to apply for electronic visas through an online platform managed by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry has also stressed that those whose applications are approved can expect to receive their e-visas after 24 or 72 hours of application. In addition, electronic visa taxes have not yet been disclosed.
“The holders of resident cards from visa-exempt countries such as the Schengen Area, Switzerland, Canada, England, among others. Holders of Schengen visas for US visas are also concerned by this measure,” the statement reads.
In this regard, Minister of Tourism Fatim-Zahra Ammor pointed out that it has been long awaited for this measure to be taken as the same will enable access to more markets adding that a visa is a key factor in choosing a destination.
“Through electronic visas, Morocco becomes more competitive in the international arena,” Minister Ammor, also noted while thanking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for this record achievement.
According to the Ministry, such an action comes to strengthen decisions already undertaken by the supervisory bodies of the Ministry of Tourism in terms of promoting the destination of Morocco, increasing the number of air connections, and diversifying the offer.
The goal of the authorities is to create a positive and unforgettable tourist experience, thus starting with the visa application and ending with the stay in the country.
A recovery of international tourism has already begun, taking into account the abolition of the PCR test requirement, and according to the officials, now is the right time for launching electronic visas for some key market countries.
According to the Treasury and Finance Directorate, Morocco recorded 1.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of 2022. The directorate also explains that both vaccinated and unvaccinated tourists and members of the diaspora currently have the right to enter the North African country.