At the dawn of the 2030 World Cup, Morocco has set itself the objective of optimizing its tourism potential. Co-organizer of the event with Spain and Portugal, Morocco plans to maximize the tourist influx. This financial windfall represented by tourism should allow the Kingdom to consolidate its infrastructure and stimulate its economy. Several sectors, such as construction, telecommunications and tourism, will benefit from this momentum. In this perspective, the launch of the e-visa is a key tool to support this positive dynamic.
The Kingdom aims to promote its destination on the international scene. The introduction of the e-visa, making it easier for tourists and businessmen to obtain visas, marks a decisive step. This system has become an essential pivot, simplifying access to many countries. The craze for the e-visa, aimed at streamlining the visa granting procedure, is confirmed. This simplified process exempts visitors from having to travel to a consulate or embassy and allows the document to be kept on a mobile phone, presented by the traveler upon arrival.
The e-visa, individual authorization, allows a short-term stay (30 days maximum) in Morocco, with a validity of 180 days from its issue. The objective of this digital initiative is to position the Kingdom as a preferred destination. The success of the e-visa has brought considerable flexibility and ease to procedures, often perceived as arduous, and could otherwise curb the desire to travel and discover new horizons. By strengthening its ties with partner countries in the e-visa process, Morocco is moving towards an attractive tourism policy for international visitors.
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The Minister of Tourism, Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, revealed that around 257,000 electronic visas were issued between their introduction in July 2022 and the end of March 2024. Since the start of the digital system, 106 nationalities have benefited from this facility, opening the way to new emerging markets in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East. A significant increase in demand has been observed, particularly from citizens wishing to visit Morocco. Since December 2023 alone, 48,000 e-visas have been granted. 95% of electronic visas were for tourist trips, the rest being granted to entrepreneurs wishing to invest in the country.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, over the last 20 months, the monthly average stands at 11,900 e-visas, with a peak of 16,914 in May 2023 and a minimum of 7,148 during the launch month in July 2022.
International craze for the E-Visa
Ms. Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, said: “ In terms of market development, the e-visa has become a strategic tool for our ministry, revealing the interest of new nationalities for Morocco, in particular India, for which specific measures have been put in place in order to boost the market. » These declarations highlight the growing importance of the e-visa as a vector of attractiveness for Morocco, a determining factor for the success of major events such as the 2025 African Cup of Nations and the World Cup. du Monde 2030, by simplifying formalities for supporters around the world.
Among the 106 nationalities having benefited from the e-visa until the end of March 2024, five countries alone represent 55% of visas issued. In the first quarter of 2024, India accounted for 25% of requests satisfied, followed by Nigeria (9%), Pakistan (8%), Egypt (7%) and Jordan (6%). This digital procedure has made it possible to retain applicants from these countries.
Indian nationality alone made up 25% of e-visas issued at the end of March 2024. Statistics also show a strong return of Pakistanis in the TOP 5, with 2,699 e-visas granted last month. Emerging nationalities, such as Ukrainians and Lebanese, saw their requests for electronic visas increase significantly in the first quarter of 2024, representing respectively 35% and 38% of visas granted in 2023. An acceleration in requests was also recorded in Bangladesh and South Africa, with proportions reaching 50% and 35% of visas issued over the previous year, for the first quarter of 2024 alone.
