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Morocco World
18 hours ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Refusal Rate at 20% as Moroccans Received 606,000 Schengen Visas in 2024
Marrakech – Morocco received more than 606,000 Schengen visas from European Union countries in 2024, with a refusal rate of approximately 20%, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita. France alone issued about 284,000 visas to Moroccan citizens, representing nearly 46% of the total visas granted and marking a 17% increase compared to the previous year. 'The countries of the European Union issued more than 606,000 visas to Moroccans last year, while the refusal rate did not exceed 20% of submitted applications, which is an average rate compared to other countries,' Bourita stated in a written response to a parliamentary question. The top Moroccan diplomat noted that relations with Europe have shown notable improvement, as evidenced by the visa issuance figures. This improvement reflects 'a shared political will between both parties to overcome the problems and tensions that marked their relations in this field during the previous period,' Bourita explained. Morocco now ranks fourth globally for Schengen visa applications in 2024, following China, India, and Turkey, according to data released by SchengenVisaInfo in May. Moroccans have surpassed Russians, who were once the largest group of Schengen visa applicants. With 282,153 applications submitted to France in 2024, Moroccans constitute the second-largest group of applicants for French visas, after Algerians. France remains the top destination for Schengen visa seekers worldwide, receiving over a quarter of all applications. Visa policy is a sovereign decision Bourita said that visa policies represent a sovereign right of each state. 'Morocco's choice to impose or exempt entry visas to its territory remains a sovereign decision that does not respond to moods or circumstantial reactions,' he said. The minister stated that Morocco's approach is based on 'three objective considerations: reciprocity, political and economic imperatives, as well as the context of bilateral relations with each country.' 'Moroccan practice in this area is based on a comprehensive strategy that takes into account the balance of interests, distinguishing between countries based on the nature of cooperation, shared history, and signed agreements,' Bourita added. He also remarked that 'the adoption of modern electronic visa systems reflects this same approach aimed at strengthening the Kingdom's openness through digitizing its services, without giving up national sovereignty.' According to the minister, the Moroccan passport has shown continuous improvement in international rankings, now figuring among the 70 most powerful passports worldwide. Indeed, Morocco's passport has climbed to 67th place globally in the latest Henley Passport Index, marking its best performance in a decade. The new ranking represents a four-position jump from last year's 71st place, allowing Moroccan citizens visa-free access to 73 destinations worldwide. This achievement is Morocco's strongest showing since 2006, when the passport ranked 66th globally. Morocco now ranks first among all North African countries in passport mobility. A study from SchengenVisaInfo compiled in August 2024 identified Switzerland as the Schengen country with the highest approval rate for Moroccan applicants at 83.9%, followed by Poland (83.1%), France (81.3%), Portugal (80.05%), and Czechia (75.60%). Visa system dysfunctions must be corrected Bourita also addressed the issue of visa application processing, stating that his ministry 'firmly calls on foreign embassies and consulates in Morocco to process visa applications within reasonable timeframes, with constant respect for Moroccan citizens and their dignity, particularly for urgent humanitarian requests such as those related to medical care or studies.' He mentioned that during bilateral meetings with representatives of diplomatic missions and consular centers accredited in Morocco, the ministry 'consistently raises the issue of visa systems, their dysfunctions, and urges corrections to avoid exploitation by some illegal intermediaries or brokers.' Data shows that 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024, representing a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year. Despite this growth, numbers remain below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019. Overall, the Schengen visa rejection rate decreased to 14.8% in 2024, down from 16% in 2023 and the all-time high of 17.9% in 2022. Despite the positive trends, challenges remain, including the black market for visa appointments, which has seen intermediaries exploiting online systems and reselling appointments for up to MAD 10,000 (approximately $1000). Read also: Bourita: Morocco's Visa Policy Based on Reciprocity, National Interest
Daily Mirror
25-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Holidaymakers in France could be turned away at the border for five reasons
The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be needed for travel to and between 25 EU countries and four other nations from 2027 Brits planning to jet off to France, Spain and other popular holiday spots could soon be turned away at the border if they don't have a travel permit. Post- Brexit rules mean that anyone travelling on a British passport will need this document before heading to any part of the Schengen area, which includes 25 EU countries and four others. EU bosses are introducing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), a new travel permit, to beef up security and tighten the borders of the Schengen zone. The scheme has been delayed several times, but according to the latest update, UK travellers won't need one for EU travel until at least April 2027. Earlier this year, the EU's Directorate-General for Migration and Home Affairs announced that the ETIAS will be launched in the last quarter of 2026. However, due to a transitional and grace period, the requirement to apply for an ETIAS before setting off won't become mandatory until 2027. The roll-out of ETIAS is tied to the launch of the Entry/Exit System (EES), and each permit will set you back €20 (£17.44). After numerous delays, the EU has agreed to start implementing the EES from October this year. This phased introduction allows member states to gradually introduce the new border system over a six-month period, reports the Liverpool Echo. It will be required for travel to and between the following nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. If you're journeying to a Schengen area destination with a UK passport, you'll be required to register biometric information, including fingerprints or photographs, when you arrive. The EES registration will substitute the existing system of manually stamping passports as visitors enter the EU. The ETIAS is linked to an individual's passport and stays valid for three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. Should you obtain a new passport, you'll be required to obtain a fresh ETIAS travel authorisation. Possessing a valid ETIAS travel authorisation permits multiple entries into the territories of participating European nations for brief visits, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Nevertheless, this doesn't guarantee entry. At the border, officials will request your passport and supplementary documents to confirm you satisfy the entry requirements. Most ETIAS applications are processed and approved "almost immediately", but mistakes in your application could result in rejection. Without a valid ETIAS, you'll be barred from entering countries like France, Spain and Italy. SchengenVisaInfo has outlined five potential reasons for your ETIAS application being turned down: You don't have a valid passport You miss to attend a required interview You submit an incomplete application You're considered a '"risk" You have a Schengen Information System (SIS) alert If your ETIAS application is rejected, you have the right to challenge the decision.
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Daily Record
Five reasons why Scots could be refused entry to Spain or Greece
New rules will soon come into play, following Brexit Scots heading to Spain, Greece and other popular destinations could soon be refused entry for five reasons, according to travel experts. One of these includes making a mistake when filling out an application most UK travellers will soon need to complete. Post-Brexit rules dictate that anyone travelling on a British passport to the Schengen area, which comprises around 25 EU countries and four other nations, will soon need an European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) - a new travel permit that will become a requirement from 2027. Only children and those aged over 70 will be exempt. EU leaders said earlier this year the ETIAS scheme, being introduced to enhance security, will be launched in the last quarter of 2026, after a number of postponements. However due to a transitional and grace period, the necessity to apply for an ETIAS before departure won't become mandatory until 2027. The roll-out of ETIAS is tied to the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES), and each permit will cost 20 euros. After numerous postponements, the EU has agreed to gradually introduce the EES from October this year. It will be required for travel to and between the following nations: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. If you're journeying to a Schengen area destination with a UK passport, you'll be required to register your biometric information, including fingerprints or photographs, when you arrive. The EES registration will substitute the existing method of manually stamping passports when tourists enter the EU. Having a valid ETIAS travel authorisation permits multiple entries into the territories of participating European nations for brief visits, typically up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Most ETIAS applications are handled and approved "almost immediately", but mistakes in your application could result in refusal. Without a valid ETIAS, you'll be refused entry to countries like France, Spain and Italy, and SchengenVisaInfo has outlined five reasons why your ETIAS application might be rejected. These include not filling out the application properly, being flagged as a "risk", having a flag against your name in the Schengen Information System (SIS), or not attending an interview when invited to do so. If your ETIAS application is denied, you have the right to challenge the decision.
The South African
05-06-2025
- The South African
The EU countries mostly likely to approve your 2025 Schengen visa
Schengen visas are hot commodities for travellers wishing to visit European nations this Northern Hemisphere summer, and according to SchengenVisaInfo , there are 10 countries who are most likely to issue you a Schengen visa for your travels. According to statistics, the list of EU countries that had the highest approval rates in 2024 was again used to predict which would allow the most visitors in 2025. This list was led by Iceland, which approved 91.25 percent of the applications it received for 2024. The easiest countries to grant you a visa this year, based on their approval rates in 2024, are as follows: Iceland – 91.25 percent of Schengen visa applications filed in 2024 were approved. Slovakia – 89.25 percent were approved. Italy – 88.72 percent were approved. Romania – 88.36 percent of Schengen visa applications were approved. Switzerland – 88.12 percent were approved. Hungary – 87.23 percent were approved. Norway – 87.20 percent of Schengen visa applications were approved. Greece – 85.86 percent were approved. Austria – 85.78 percent of applications were approved. Luxembourg – 85.65 percent were approved. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Morocco World
04-06-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Bourita: Morocco's Visa Policy Based on Reciprocity, National Interest
Doha – Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita outlined Morocco's visa policy principles during a session at the Chamber of Counselors on Tuesday, emphasizing that the country adopts a sovereign approach based on political, historical, economic, and social considerations. Speaking during the weekly oral questions session, Bourita explained that Morocco's visa policy rests on three fundamental principles: reciprocity, protection of economic and political interests, and flexibility adapted to specific contexts. 'Each country is free to establish its own rules,' Bourita stated as he addressed questions about Morocco's e-visa system. He noted that the cost and security features of the Moroccan e-visa have evolved in line with international standards. The minister mentioned that visa prices increased last month, with e-visa platforms charging additional fees for expedited processing, such as obtaining an e-visa within 24 hours. Regarding Schengen visas, Bourita provided specific figures, reporting that European Union countries issued approximately 610,000 visas to Moroccan citizens in 2024, with a rejection rate of about 20%. France alone granted 283,000 visas to Moroccans, representing a 17% increase compared to the previous year. According to the minister, this represents the highest number of visas France has issued to any non-OECD country. Recent data shows Morocco now ranks fourth globally for Schengen visa applications in 2024, following only China, India, and Turkey. According to SchengenVisaInfo, 11,716,723 Schengen visa applications were submitted to EU countries in 2024, marking a 13.5% increase compared to the previous year, though still below pre-pandemic levels of nearly 17 million in 2019. Read also: Morocco Signed 7,500 International Agreements, Two-Thirds Under King Mohammed VI Bourita acknowledged challenges Moroccan citizens face when applying for Schengen visas, warning against certain practices by diplomatic representations or intermediaries that 'undermine the dignity of Moroccan citizens.' He affirmed that the country cannot tolerate such behaviors and reserves the right to respond accordingly. The black market for visa appointments has become a serious issue for Moroccan applicants. Intermediaries have been exploiting online appointment systems, using advanced software to snatch slots and resell them at prices reaching up to MAD 10,000 (around $1,000). The minister also addressed complaints handling, revealing that 1,345 requests and complaints were processed in 2024 through the national complaints portal ' These were categorized into four main types: consular matters, civil status requests, criminal issues, and social concerns. Bourita explained that complaints falling within the ministry's direct jurisdiction are handled internally, while others are forwarded to relevant departments or the Hassan II Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad. Close coordination with the Mediator institution ensures proper follow-up of cases. Visa injustice and diaspora potential dominate policy talks The discussion of Morocco's visa policy comes amid growing parliamentary pressure to implement reciprocal measures against European countries. In March, parliamentarians Khalid Es-Satte and Loubna Alaoui requested that the Foreign Ministry consider imposing visa requirements on European citizens entering Morocco, arguing that European countries generate significant revenue from fees charged to Moroccans while Europeans can enter the country without restrictions. This proposal emerged amid frustration over difficulties Moroccans face when applying for Schengen visas. In 2023, Moroccans lost MAD 118 million ($11.8 million) due to rejected Schengen visa applications, with a total of 136,367 refusals. More than half were processed by Spanish and French embassies and consulates. Hanane Atarguine, a deputy from the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), has advocated for reimbursing fees to applicants whose visas are denied, pointing to the financial and psychological burden the current process places on many Moroccans. In contrast to potential reciprocal measures against European countries, Morocco has demonstrated restraint regarding Algeria's unilateral decision to reimpose visa requirements on Moroccan citizens in September 2024. Algeria claimed the decision was necessary to combat 'organized crime networks, drug and human trafficking, illegal immigration, and espionage,' allegedly conducted by Morocco—accusations made without supporting evidence. When Morocco imposed visas on Algerians in 1994 following a hotel bombing in Marrakech, Algeria reciprocated. Morocco unilaterally lifted the requirement for Algerians in 2004, with Algeria following suit for Moroccans in 2005. Despite Algeria's recent reimposition of visa requirements on Moroccans, Morocco has chosen not to respond in kind for Algerian citizens. As the visa policy debate continues, Bourita stressed the need to better leverage the potential of Moroccan expatriates, particularly through creating a dedicated database of Moroccan talents abroad. He noted that investments from the Moroccan diaspora, estimated at 6 million people across more than 100 countries (with 80% concentrated in six European countries), represent only about 10% of their remittances. This figure must be increased to make these competencies a true driver of national development, Bourita concluded. Tags: Nasser BouritaVisas
