Morocco Family Reunification Visa

The Moroccan Family Reunification Visa is a national visa issued by Moroccan embassies or consulates to close family members of Moroccan citizens or foreign residents legally living in Morocco. It allows eligible relatives to enter the country to reunite with and reside alongside their sponsor.

Who Can Apply?

These are the family members who can apply for the Family Reunification Visa to join the sponsor in Morocco:

1. Spouse (legally married to the sponsor)
2. Minor children (under 18)
3. Children under Kafala or legal adoption
4. Dependent parents of the sponsor, in specific cases

Who is a Sponsor? (Family Member Living in Morocco)

To support a Family Reunification Visa application, the sponsor must be:

1. A Moroccan citizen living in Morocco, or
2. A foreign national who legally resides in Morocco with:
   • work residence card,
   • a student residence card, or
   • any other long-term Moroccan residence permit.

The sponsor must provide proof of:

• Legal status in Morocco (Moroccan ID or valid residence card)
• Accommodation in Morocco.
• Proof of family link (marriage certificate, full birth certificates, Kafala/adoption documents, etc.);
• Sufficient financial means to support the family member after their arrival.

Note: The sponsor does not submit the visa application. They only provide documents to support the family member applying for the visa.

Application Requirements 

1. A valid passport (generally at least 6 months' validity beyond the application date, plus at least 1 blank page).
2. Passport-sized photos.
3. Sponsorship documents, as discussed above. 
4. Recent bank statement (often 3 months), unless fully sponsored by the family member in Morocco;
5. No signal that the applicant constitutes a threat to public order or security.
6. Travel itinerary (flight booking) to Morocco.
7. Cover letter explaining the request for family reunification and the relationship with the sponsor.
8. The purpose of the visit must be genuine. 

Validity and Stay Duration

Validity

The Family Reunification Visa is generally issued with a validity of about 3 months, allowing the applicant to enter Morocco within this period.

Stay Duration

After entering Morocco, the applicant must apply for a residence card (carte de séjour) at the local immigration office. This card allows long-term stay and is typically issued for 1 year (renewable).

Application Procedure

Step 1: Identify the Correct Moroccan Embassy/Consulate

Find the Moroccan embassy/consulate or the official visa centre for your country and get the visa application form.

Step 2: Submit the Application

Book an appointment and submit the completed application form along with the required documents. Your application will then be sent to the Embassy of Morocco for assessment.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

The embassy reviews the application. Processing times vary but usually take several days to a few weeks, depending on the case.

Step 5: Receive your visa

If approved, you will receive a visa sticker in your passport that allows you to enter Morocco for family reunification.

Step 6: Apply for a residence card after arriving in Morocco

Once you enter Morocco, you must apply for a residence card at the local immigration office to stay long-term.

Note: Holding a Family Reunification Visa does not automatically grant a long-term residence status. After arrival, family members must apply for a Moroccan residence card with the local authorities to remain in Morocco beyond the initial stay permitted by their visa.

Key Points to Remember

• Requirements may vary by embassy or official visa centre; always check the local instructions.
• Documents issued in other languages may need translation into Arabic or French.
• Visa approval is not guaranteed; the final decision is made by the Moroccan Embassy.
• Processing times can vary based on workload or additional document requests.
• You cannot convert other visa types into a family reunification status inside Morocco.