Morocco

Carte d'Immatriculation Visiteur

The Carte d'Immatriculation Visiteur is Morocco's residence permit for financially independent foreign nationals who wish to live in the country without engaging in any professional activity. Established under Loi 02-03, it is issued by the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) through local police prefectures. The program targets retirees, pensioners, rentiers, and anyone who can demonstrate sufficient personal resources from pensions, savings, rental income, or investment returns. It is Morocco's primary pathway for non-working foreign residents seeking long-term residence.

• Proof of sufficient financial means (no fixed statutory minimum; assessed case-by-case)
• In practice, a minimum Moroccan bank balance of approximately MAD 100,000 (~USD 10,000) for applicants without regular income, or 3-6 months of bank statements showing consistent pension/income transfers
• Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
• Long-stay visa (visa de long sejour type D) with "visiteur" mention, obtained from a Moroccan consulate before entry
• Proof of stable accommodation in Morocco (legalized rental contract, property deed, or utility bill)
• Private health insurance (commonly required in practice)
• Written commitment not to exercise any professional activity in Morocco
• Criminal record extract from country of origin (apostilled or authenticated)
• Medical certificate confirming absence of contagious diseases (less than 3 months old)
• No educational, professional, or language requirements

• Valid passport with long-stay visa entry stamp
• Completed application form in two copies
• Six passport-size photographs (2.5 x 2.5 cm)
• Proof of residence in Morocco (legalized rental contract, property deed, or utility bill)
• Criminal record extract from country of origin
• Medical certificate (less than 3 months old)
• Proof of sufficient means of existence (bank statements, pension certificates, savings attestation, or guarantor attestation)
• Written commitment not to exercise any professional activity
• Fiscal stamp payment receipt of MAD 100

The initial card is typically issued for 1 year. Successive renewals progressively extend validity: first to 2-3 years, then 5 years, then up to 10 years. Renewal requires updated documentation including proof of continued financial resources, valid passport, accommodation proof, Moroccan criminal record extract, and updated photographs. The renewal fee is MAD 100. The card becomes void if the holder is absent from Morocco for more than 6 consecutive months. If not renewed before expiry or if renewal is refused, the holder must leave Morocco within 15 days.

After 4 years of continuous legal residence, the holder may apply for a carte de residence (10-year residence card), renewable for successive 10-year periods. After 5 years of continuous residence, the holder may apply for Moroccan nationality by naturalization, though this is discretionary.

Spouse and minor children may each apply individually for their own Carte d'Immatriculation Visiteur with the same requirements. There is no joint family application. Each dependant must independently demonstrate sufficient financial resources or show that the primary applicant has sufficient resources to support the household. Minor children under 18 with at least one parent holding a card may be issued a circulation document for foreign minors. Family reunification under a separate "regroupement familial" mention is also available.

Foreign residents spending 183 or more days per year in Morocco become Moroccan tax residents and are subject to income tax on worldwide income. Pension income benefits from favorable tax treatment: a 55% deduction on the first MAD 168,000 and 40% beyond. An additional 80% reduction applies if the pension is converted to dirhams through a Moroccan bank account. Morocco has double taxation agreements with over 50 countries. Non-residents are taxed only on Moroccan-source income. Property owners must pay housing tax (taxe d'habitation) and municipal services tax.

1. Long-stay visa: Apply in person at a Moroccan consulate for a visa de long sejour type D with the "visiteur" mention. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Requires passport, application form, photographs, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources, and health insurance documentation.

2. Entry and registration: Upon arrival in Morocco, open a Moroccan bank account (a convertible dirham account is recommended for free repatriation of funds) and arrange regular pension or income transfers.

3. Carte d'immatriculation application: Apply in person at the local DGSN prefecture de police or surete provinciale within 90 days of entry. Submit the complete dossier. A renewable receipt (recepisse) valid for 3 months is issued as temporary proof of legal residence.

4. Card issuance: The biometric carte d'immatriculation is typically issued within approximately 35 days (20 days for receipt issuance, 15 additional days for card production).

Fees: MAD 100 fiscal stamp for the carte d'immatriculation. Long-stay visa fee: approximately MAD 220-1,000 depending on nationality and duration.

Note: Some nationalities (EU, US, Canadian citizens) can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days and apply directly for the carte d'immatriculation, though obtaining a long-stay visa beforehand is strongly recommended. All foreign-language documents must be translated into Arabic or French and legalized. The visiteur card strictly prohibits all professional activity, including remote work and freelancing.

Links

• https://www.sgg.gov.ma/Portals/0/profession_reglementee/Dahir_immigration_fr.pdf
• https://www.demarchesmaroc.com/titres-de-sejour/
• https://gadem-guide-juridique.info/category/sejour-territoire/carte-immatriculation/

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