Morocco: visa for Russians in 2021 on your own

The Kingdom of Morocco is located in North Africa. In Morocco, the high season lasts from spring to late autumn and, together with the low cost of living, makes this African country an excellent choice for a holiday. A pleasant bonus for Russian tourists is that a visa to Morocco for Russians in 2021, as before, is not required.

The full Arabic name of the state of Morocco is translated into Russian as “Western Kingdom”

Visa-free entry

Since 2005, a visa-free regime has been in effect for Russian citizens intending to visit Morocco for tourism purposes. However, if you permanently reside in Russia, but have citizenship of Ukraine or Belarus, you need to apply for a visa. Visa-free entry is subject to some other restrictions, in addition to Russian citizenship:

• The purpose of the trip is tourism;
• Duration of stay – up to 90 days;
• Absence of items prohibited for import;
• Compliance with local laws and law enforcement.

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

To enter Morocco without a visa you need to:

• Fill out the migration card;
• Go through customs inspection;
• Provide a passport valid for at least 6 months.

It is best to take care of filling out the migration card in advance; the forms are issued on the plane during the flight. The map is filled in in Latin letters. Acceptable ink colors are blue or black. It is not recommended to print out the card form yourself, as it will most likely not be accepted .

Although Russians do not need a visa to Morocco, in addition at passport control a tourist may be asked to confirm a hotel room reservation and confirm the availability of funds to stay in the country. They may also be asked to provide additional comments about the purpose of the trip, but this happens quite rarely, often if customs officers have any suspicions.

After passing customs control, if everything is in order, instead of a visa to Morocco, a stamp will be placed in the passport with a special number under which the tourist is registered. A similar note will be made upon departure.

If a tourist crosses the border by car, then in addition to the international passport, completed migration card and customs declaration, he will need to present an international standard driver's license. Russian driver's licenses are not recognized in Morocco. You will also need to provide the car itself for inspection by customs services, present a registration certificate and an international insurance policy.

Entry rules to Morocco

• When entering the country, you must fill out a migration card.
• The import and export of national currency (Moroccan dirham) is prohibited.

Required documents for crossing the border

• A foreign passport of a Russian citizen is valid for at least 6 months from the end date of the trip.
• Return flights.
• Hotel reservation (hotel, apartment, hostel).
• Proof of financial solvency at the rate of $150 per person per day: cash, bank cards, checks or fully paid travel package.
• Medical insurance.

Crossing the border with children

• A foreign passport of a Russian citizen is valid for 6 months after the trip for children over 14 years old.
• Original or copy of birth certificate with an insert or stamp indicating Russian citizenship (children under 14 years old), translated into English.
• Notarized consent for a child to leave the Russian Federation indicating the country and period of stay (Article 20, Chapter III of Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996) from parents or guardians, translated into English (children under 18 years of age) in case of an independent trip or a trip accompanied by third parties).

Types of visas

Russians do not need to obtain a visa to Morocco for a tourist trip. But, as noted, a visa-free regime does not give the right to stay in the country for a long period of time or to carry out work. The Kingdom issues the following visas:

• Transit;
• Tourist;
• Student;
• Working;
• Business;
• Long-term;
• Resident card.

Russians do not need a transit or tourist visa to Morocco . The main thing is to comply with the entry conditions and rules of stay for foreigners.

A student visa allows you to receive higher education in Morocco.

A work permit provides the right to carry out legal work activities and receive payment for your work.

A business visa works similarly to a work visa, only it gives the right to engage in entrepreneurship, open and register organizations.

A long-term visa, despite its name, is given for only 3 months. It is needed for persons whose purpose of visit is not work or leisure. This could be participation in conferences, meetings, or business trips without doing business.

A residence permit provides the right to live in Morocco for more than three months on almost equal rights with a citizen. Initially it is issued for one year, with subsequent applications the validity period is extended. Maximum – 5 years.

Processing times and costs

To obtain a permit, you will have to visit the Moroccan embassy several times. It is located in Moscow at Prechistensky Lane, 8a. The immigration reception department is open on weekdays from 9.00 to 17.00. You can get a consultation by phone or.

Registration takes about two working weeks. For a visa-free trip for tourism purposes, you do not need to pay a fee. To obtain student and other permits in Morocco, residents of the Russian Federation must pay a consular fee in the amount of 2095 rubles.

Required documents

To apply for a visa of the required type, you need to prepare a package of documents. All documents, except the passport, must be drawn up in Arabic or French. An alternative is a translation certified by a notary. Let us remind you that Russians do not need a tourist or transit visa to Morocco.

To obtain any visa you need:

1. A completed application form;
2. 4 photos;
3. Copy of international passport;
4. Receipt of payment of the visa fee;
5. Confirmation of place of residence;
6. Medical insurance policy.

Further, depending on the type of visa requested:

• For tourists : book round-trip tickets; a copy of the travel voucher;
• For a student : invitation from the university;
• For a worker : an invitation from a Moroccan employer, a certificate from a previous place of work;
• For business : a letter from Moroccan partners, a letter from a Russian employer confirming that you have representation rights;
• For long-term : justification of the purpose of the visit, round-trip tickets.

To obtain a residence permit, the following documents are required:

1. Two copies of the international passport;
2. 6 photos;
3. A copy of the marriage certificate (if available);
4. Guarantee of accommodation availability;
5. Financial guarantees: a certificate from a local bank confirming the opening of an account and the availability of funds on it;
6. Medical insurance for the entire stay.

Photo requirements

Many countries set their own special standards for photographs submitted by tourists. But you don’t need any special photographs to obtain a permit to visit Morocco. It is enough that it is a standard document photo measuring 3x4 cm, that the applicant’s face is open, photographed from the front, and there are no sunglasses or hats that make identification impossible.

Do-it-yourself registration process

The process of legalizing the presence of a foreigner in Morocco depends on his citizenship, goals and length of stay. Russian tourists do not need a visa to Morocco; they just need to get a special stamp in their passport and not exceed 90 days of stay in the country.

To obtain a long-term, work, business or student visa, you must contact the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Russia. The Embassy is located in Moscow.

To independently obtain a visa to Morocco, a Russian must visit the Embassy three times. At the first visit, the applicant will be given an application form and a list of required documents. On your second visit to the Consulate, a package of papers for obtaining a visa will be accepted. And during the third visit, the applicant receives back his passport, which contains the visa, in case of a positive decision.

It is not allowed to submit documents for other persons; the personal presence of the person requesting a residence permit in Morocco is required. An exception is parents acting on behalf of their minor children.

Registration for residents of the CIS

Citizens of Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries are not able to visit Morocco without a visa, even if they permanently reside in Russia. To obtain permission to enter, they will need to contact the Embassy corresponding to the distribution of zones.

This is how residents of Ukraine, Armenia and Georgia contact the Moroccan Embassy in Kyiv. Citizens of Belarus and Kazakhstan can submit papers to the Moscow Embassy. Those who have citizenship of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan must obtain permission from the Turkish Moroccan Embassy located in Ankara. Moldovans should go to Romania for a visa, to the Moroccan Embassy in Bucharest, and Tajiks to Tehran.

Rules for traveling from Morocco to Russia

Before leaving Morocco

to Russia, you must fill out a form for those arriving in the Russian Federation on the State Services website, which indicates personal data and symptoms (cough, temperature, etc.). It must be filled out before boarding the plane and presented upon arrival at the control point.

Upon returning to Russia

after Cyprus, you must do a PCR test for the presence of coronavirus infection COVID-19 within 3 days and upload the result to the State Services. An express test can be done at Moscow airports upon arrival or in any laboratory recommended by Rospotrebnadzor.

According to the new rules, which come into force on July 7, 2021, upon arrival in Russia from any country in the world: • for vaccinated

during the year and citizens who have been ill for six months - PCR testing is cancelled;
• for unvaccinated
citizens - the re-take of the PCR test is canceled; the first and only test must be taken within 3 days upon arrival.
Until the results of the study are received, self-isolation is required. The rule of taking a PCR test twice upon arrival from abroad, which was in force until 07/06/2021, has been cancelled. If the article turned out to be useful, you can support our editorial team in difficult days for tourism (the amount can be any).

To Morocco with children

The following rules apply to minor tourists in Morocco:

• If the child has his own international passport, then a migration card is filled out for him;
• If the child is included in the parents’ passport, then the migration card is filled out one for two;
• If the child does not travel with both parents, then permission from the second is required;
• If the child is accompanied by third parties, then a power of attorney is required from both parents;
• If it is not possible to obtain a power of attorney from one of the parents for objective reasons, then it is necessary to confirm such reasons.

Otherwise, there are no special rules for minors crossing the border. A visa to Morocco for a child is issued in the same situations as for adults.

Surfing in Morocco 2021

At the beginning of 2021, Morocco is the most popular and most convenient option for a surfing trip from Russia. In short, here's why:

• moderate travel budget;
• comfortable to fly;
• no quarantine;
• few restrictions due to covid-19;
• cool waves for surfing (both for learning and for cool kids);
• always tasty, satisfying and family friendly.

We talk in great detail about surfing in Morocco in our article Surfing in Morocco: choosing a school and season

And we invite you to our upcoming surf tours in Morocco. You can find out more about them at the link: Announcements of surf tours from DreamSurf

In the same article, we have collected all the wisdom of traveling from Russia to Morocco in 2021.

Price

In addition to canceling the need for Russian tourists to obtain permits to stay in the country, the Moroccan authorities also canceled the entry fee for Russians. Visa-free stay in the country for three months without the right to conduct business is free . That is, when stamping your passport, you do not need to pay any fee.

However, there is a fee for issuing a visa. The exact rates for work and business permits should be clarified during your first personal visit to the Embassy. Approximately, obtaining a permit will cost:

Payment for visa services is made in rubles, but due to exchange rates, fluctuations are possible up or down.

How much is a visa to Morocco and how much does it cost?

The cost of a Moroccan visa is from 170 dirhams.
The preparation of documents takes up to two weeks, depending on the workload of the embassy staff.

The cost of obtaining a long-term residence permit in the country should be clarified at the embassy during a personal visit.

The embassy website https://www.ambmaroc.ru/ru/visaru.htm shows the current price of a short-term visa (depending on the number of border crossings, it varies from 220 to 330 dirhams) and a transit visa - 170 dirhams.

Registration deadlines

The approximate time frame for obtaining a visa at the Embassy is announced when accepting the applicant’s documents. On average, the process of reviewing a request takes 1 – 2 business weeks. If the Consulate staff has any questions, they can call the applicant for an interview, which will slightly increase the time it takes to obtain a visa.

For a visa-free visit to the country, the paperwork process takes up to one hour due to waiting in line and going through customs inspection. Getting a stamp in your passport itself takes a few minutes.

Deadlines for obtaining a visa to Morocco

Road in the Atlas Mountains.
The Atlas Mountains are a huge mountain system located in northwest Africa, stretching from the coast of Tunisia to the Atlantic coast of Morocco through Algeria. The length of the ridges is 2500 km. The highest point is Mount Toubkal (4168 m), located in the southwest of Morocco. After accepting the application, embassy officials notify you of the approximate completion date for reviewing the package of documents. Typically this procedure takes no more than two weeks. There are situations when the applicant is called for an interview - in this case, the period for analyzing the documentation will increase.

The period for processing paperwork for traveling without a visa will be approximately an hour, this period includes going through the queue and checking at customs. The foreign passport is stamped instantly.

Extension of stay time

To renew, you need to contact the territorial office of the local Moroccan police. Depending on the purpose of your stay in the country, the first extension of the permit is possible for 3, 6, 12 months. Then you can apply for a residence permit if you want to stay in the country longer.

It is important not to miss the deadline for applying - no later than 15 days before the end of the permit.

An alternative option for extending your stay in Morocco is a “visaran” to Mauritania, Tunisia or EU countries. By leaving the Kingdom and then entering Morocco from Tunisia without a visa, you can reset the three-month counter. But it is better not to abuse this method, otherwise they may not be allowed to pass at the border during the next “visaran”.

Do Russians need a visa to Morocco in 2020?

You do not need a special permit to enter the country. To get to Morocco, a Russian citizen will only need a foreign passport (valid for at least six months) and a migration card.

After arrival, the foreigner will be given an arrival stamp and will also be assigned a personal number. You will not have to pay a consular fee. With this permit you can stay in Morocco for up to 90 days.

Morocco arrival stamp. To enter the territory of Morocco, you must have a passport, the validity of which will exceed by 6 months the date of departure from the Kingdom of Morocco. Russians are allowed to stay in Morocco for up to 90 days. Upon arrival at the airport, your passport will be stamped with the date of arrival and before departure.

It is advisable to have a return ticket with you, as border workers may request one. In certain situations, confirmation of the newcomer’s stable financial situation will be required.

Traditional lamps at a Moroccan market.
In the center of the city there is the central market of Gran Socco, where you can not only shop, but also admire the colorful shows of numerous magicians, trainers, and snake charmers. If you want to live in Morocco for longer than 3 months, you will have to purchase a special permit. It can be issued at the police station, this must be done 15 days before the end of the visa-free regime. It is better to apply in advance to avoid unforeseen situations.

If a Russian citizen has an international health insurance policy, you need to take it with you, because medicine is expensive in Morocco. However, there is emergency medical care here, which is provided free of charge.

Customs regulations of Morocco

One of the criteria for obtaining the right to visa-free entry into Morocco is full compliance with the country’s customs regulations. They are somewhat different from those usual for Russian tourists.

Currency rules in Morocco are such that foreign currency can be imported in unlimited quantities, but its use within the country is prohibited. Only local dirhams are used in circulation. But it is prohibited to export national currency outside Morocco.

The following quantities of alcohol and tobacco are transported duty free:

• 1 bottle of strong alcohol;
• 1 bottle of wine;
• Choice of: 10 packs of cigarettes, 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco.

Anything that exceeds the established standards must be declared.

Prohibited for import:

• Things prohibited by Islamic norms;
• Any weapon;
• Any drugs;
• Gasoline in cans.

Any photo and video equipment must be packaged, declared, and if necessary, you must have permission to import them, which must be obtained from the Embassy in Russia. All equipment and equipment, including sports equipment, is packed in cases and must be sealed. The import or export of valuable art objects is carried out with a special permit.

Customs legislation in Morocco is strict; violation of the rules is subject to serious penalties , including immediate deportation and subsequent ban on entry into the country.

Entry rules

To enter, you must have a passport valid for more than 6 months.

Upon entry at any checkpoint, a migration card and customs declaration are filled out. If you are flying by plane, they are usually issued in advance during the flight, or you can get them on the spot.

When you cross the border, you will be given an arrival stamp, and you do not need to pay anything for it. In some cases, you may be asked to provide proof of return flight or hotel reservations.

It is not necessary to have health insurance, but for your own good it is better to have it. How and where to buy insurance, read in a separate article.

If you wish, you can extend your stay for another 3 months by obtaining a visa on the spot. To do this, you need a Moroccan citizen to confirm the purpose of your trip. Even verbal confirmation by phone from the owner of your home will be sufficient.

Customs regulations

Foreign currency can be imported and exported in unlimited quantities, but it will need to be exchanged for local currency - the Moroccan dirham. The circulation of foreign currency throughout the country is prohibited, as is the export of dirhams.

The following are not subject to duty:

• 1 bottle of strong alcohol and 1 bottle of wine per adult.
• Up to 10 packs of cigarettes (200 pieces), or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco.
• Up to 5 grams of perfume.
• Personal items.

There are restrictions on the import of professional photographic equipment, but ordinary cameras can be imported without problems. In addition, it is prohibited to import pornographic materials, drugs, weapons and ammunition without special permission. To export historically and artistically valuable items, you must obtain permission.

Traveling with children

To travel with children to Morocco, no special documents are required, other than the standard permission from absent parents, which must be certified by a notary.

How to get to Morocco

Airport in Marrakech
There are no direct flights from Russia to Morocco. You can get there by transit through Paris with AirFrance to the capital - Rabat, as well as with Lufthansa, Alitalia, Iberia (only in Casablanca). Charter flights sometimes fly from Moscow to Agadir.

In addition, you can get to Morocco from Spain (you will need a double or multiple Schengen visa) by ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar.

Refusal

Entry into Morocco may be denied if customs rules are violated. They may also be prohibited from entering the Kingdom of Morocco from Tunisia without a visa if the passport contains a significant number of marks indicating the abuse of visarans. For tourists entering Morocco who comply with customs rules and have correctly filled out the declaration and migration card, refusals are rare.

The Embassy may refuse to issue a visa at its discretion; consular officers have the right not to explain the reasons for the refusal. Statistically they refuse if:

• Incorrectly completed papers;
• A deception has been committed;
• The visa regime was previously violated;
• Being on the “black list”.

How does the visa-free regime work?

Within the framework of a visa-free visit to Morocco, you can stay up to 90 days. If there is a need to stay longer than 3 months, you need to obtain a “Temporary Stay Permit” from the nearest Moroccan police station. You must apply for it at least 15 days before the end of the cherished 90 days.

Casablanca, Morocco

An alternative may be to travel to neighboring visa-free Tunisia or Spain (if you have a reusable Schengen card). Returning to Morocco a couple of days later, the tourist receives a new stamp and a countdown for the next 3 months of permitted stay.

Check your debts through the nevylet.rf service - current information about the presence or absence of a travel ban, an indication of existing debts.

What documents are needed

To obtain a stamp and permission to vacation in Morocco for up to 3 months, citizens of the Russian Federation only need a foreign passport and a migration card. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the stated date of departure from the kingdom.

Medical insurance is not required to obtain an entry permit, but it is better to take out one. In Morocco, only a limited range of emergency medical care is provided free of charge.

Border guards selectively ask to show a return ticket to leave the kingdom, a hotel reservation and proof of funds.

Migration card

On the plane, tourists are given migration cards by flight attendants. If necessary, they explain how to fill it out. When crossing the border at automobile checkpoints, a card form is issued on the spot.

Basic requirements for filling out a Moroccan migration card:

1. A separate card is filled out for each family/group member;
2. must be written in printed Latin letters;
3. You can use a blue or black pen.

Fes, Morocco

Documents for children

In addition to the international passport, the child must have a notarized permission from the parent who is not traveling with him.

How to get to the Kingdom of Morocco

There are no direct flights between Moscow and Rabat, the capital of Morocco. You can get into the country either by charter flight or with transfers in Paris, Frankfurt am Main, Geneva, Amsterdam and other countries. The estimated travel time when flying from Moscow to Morocco will be from 10 to 20 hours, depending on the carrier, the number of transfers and the flight route.

You can also enter Morocco by ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain or by land from neighboring Tunisia or Mauritius.

It is important to remember that if on the way to Morocco there are countries with a visa regime for Russians, you must take care of opening at least a transit visa.

Morocco is a discovery for Russians, a country that gives the magic of the Arabian night and European service at the same time. Hotels in the country operate almost all year round; tourists are always welcome in the Kingdom. But the Muslim way of local life left its mark on customs requirements and standards of behavior in Moroccan society. Morocco is an excellent choice for those who are ready to learn new things. While vacationing in the Kingdom, you can discover the charm of Moroccan culture, enjoy local cuisine, and relax like a king.

Customs regulations

In Morocco, there are restrictions on the import of alcohol and tobacco products, traditional for most countries. It is also prohibited to transport professional photo and video equipment without special permission (amateur equipment can be imported, but must be in cases).

You can import duty free per person:

• 1 bottle of wine and 1 bottle of strong alcoholic drink;
• 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco or 50 cigars.

Any printed products that contradict Islamic norms are specifically prohibited.

When arriving in Morocco by car, you can only bring gasoline in the tank. Carrying fuel in cans is prohibited.

Tangier, Morocco