Do Moroccan citizens need a visa to visit France?
Yes, Moroccans must obtain a visa to travel to France. For tourist trips, a short-term Schengen Type C visa is required. It allows you to stay in France and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. It is important to understand that this specific visa is suitable for vacations, visits to friends, or short trips.
What types of visas are available in France for Moroccans?
France issues Type C Schengen visas to Moroccan citizens in three categories:
- single-entry visa - allows one entry into the Schengen Area
- double-entry visa - allows two entries
- multiple-entry visa - allows an unlimited number of entries during the validity period
Even if you have been issued a multiple-entry visa for a long period, the main rule applies: your stay cannot exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.
For what duration are visas to France issued to Moroccan citizens?
The validity period of the visa is determined on a case-by-case basis and depends on your visa history, the purpose of your trip, and the quality of your documents.
Most often, visas are issued:
- for specific travel dates
- for several months
- as a multiple-entry visa for a longer period (for those who have already traveled to the Schengen Area)
It is important to note: the visa’s validity period may be long, but the actual stay is limited by the 90/180 rule.
How much does a visa to France cost for Moroccans?
- 90 euros - for adults
- 45 euros - for children aged 6 to 12
- free of charge - for children under 6
An additional visa center service fee applies (on average 20–40 euros depending on the country of application).
What documents do Moroccan citizens need to obtain a visa to France?
The French consulate evaluates three key factors: the purpose of the trip, financial capacity, and the intention to return.
Basic set of documents:
- application form completed via France-Visas
- passport (valid for at least 3 months after return, with blank pages)
- 2 standard-size photos
- proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or invitation)
- tickets or a detailed travel itinerary
- financial documents (bank statement for the past 3–6 months, proof of income, or a sponsorship letter)
- proof of employment (indicating salary and vacation time) or enrollment
- documents confirming ties to the country of residence (employment, family, property)
- medical insurance
For minors:
- birth certificate
- notarized consent from parents/guardians for travel (if the child is traveling without them or with only one parent)
- copies of parents’ passports
- the application form must be signed by parents or legal guardians
Do Moroccans need health insurance in France?
Yes, insurance is mandatory to obtain a visa. The policy must be valid throughout the Schengen Area and cover at least 30,000 euros. It must include coverage for emergency care, hospitalization, and repatriation. Without a valid insurance policy, visa applications will not be accepted or will be denied.
How can Moroccan citizens obtain a visa to France?
1. Choosing an embassy or visa center. First, you need to determine where exactly to submit your documents. The application is submitted to the French consulate or through an official visa center (TLScontact, VFS, etc.) in your country of residence.
Important! You must apply to the Schengen country that is the main destination of your trip. If you plan to travel through several countries, choose the country where you will spend the most time.
2. Filling out the application form. The application form is filled out online via the France-Visas website. All information must fully match your documents: full name as it appears in your passport, travel dates as listed in your reservations, and accommodation address as listed in your hotel booking. Errors or discrepancies may lead to delays or a refusal.
3. Preparing documents. At this stage, a complete set of documents is compiled. It is important that all documents confirm: the travel itinerary, financial means, and the intention to return.
4. Scheduling an appointment. After filling out the application form, you must schedule an appointment at the visa center or consulate. During peak season (spring–summer), available dates can fill up quickly, so it’s best to book in advance.
5. Submitting documents. On the scheduled day, the applicant submits the documents in person. You must bring the complete package, the application form, and your passport. If the documents are insufficient or raise doubts, the application may be rejected or considered with a high risk of denial.
6. Biometric data collection. Biometric data - a photo and fingerprints (for individuals aged 12 and older) are collected during the application submission. If you have previously submitted biometric data for a Schengen visa (less than 59 months ago), it may be reused, but you may still be asked to submit it in person.
7. Payment of fees. You must pay the consular fee (90 euros for adults, 45 euros for children) and the visa center’s service fee. Payment is usually made when submitting documents.
8. Application processing. The standard processing time is up to 15 calendar days. In more complex cases or if additional verification is required, the processing time may be extended to 30-45 days. During this period, you may be asked to provide additional documents.
9. Receiving the passport. Once a decision has been made, the passport is returned via the visa center or delivered by courier (if this option is available). Along with the passport, the applicant receives either a visa or a denial decision with an explanation of the reasons.
Can Moroccan citizens extend their visa in France?
In most cases, a tourist visa cannot be extended. Exceptions are possible only in cases of force majeure or humanitarian situations (for example, serious illness or flight cancellations).
A transit Schengen visa is a permit for persons who need to enter the territory of the Schengen area only to change their vehicle.
Depending on how you travel (by plane or by sea), there are two types of French transit visas:
- Transit Schengen visa for the airport
- Schengen transit visa for seafarers
They have different requirements and validity periods.
The Schengen visa for airport transit is a permit intended for travelers who need to make a connection at a Schengen airport. It allows them to stop and wait in the international transit area of a Schengen airport for their flight to their destination country.
However, this visa does not allow its holder to leave the international transit zone of the airport, even if the traveler has to wait all night.
Who needs a transit visa to the French airport?
You need an airport transit visa to change flights at a French airport if you are from the following countries:
- Angola
- Bolivia
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominican Republic
- Guinea
- Haiti
- India
- Small
- Mauritania
- Nepal
- Philippines****.
- Russia***
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Turkey
- Palestinians****
*A transit visa is required even for holders of a diplomatic passport of Guinea.
**A transit visa is not required for seafarers who hold a seafarer's identity card in accordance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Seafarers' Identity Card Convention No. 108 (1958) or No. 185 (2003), the Convention on the Facilitation of International Carriage by Sea (FAL Convention) and French national legislation.
***A transit visa is required for persons traveling from an airport in any of these countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Turkey or Egypt.
**** Transit visa is required only for holders of Palestinian refugee travel documents.
Documents required to obtain a transit visa to the French airport:
- Passport or travel document (recognized by the French authorities, valid for no more than 10 years, valid for at least 3 months of the visa validity period, undamaged and with at least 2 blank pages) + photocopy of the passport data page.
- Duly completed application form for a short-term visa to France;
- Two recently taken passport-size (biometric) photographs.
- Visa or other authorization document for entry to the final destination (valid) + photocopy.
- Booking a round-trip flight.
- An official cover letter from the employer stating that the reason for traveling to the final destination is related to the candidate's work (signed and stamped) + a full travel itinerary if traveling for work.
- A cover letter written by the candidate, stating the reason for traveling to the final destination - if traveling for private matters.
- A completed list of children or family members who live outside the candidate's home country (if applicable).
How to apply for a Schengen transit visa
- Fill out the application form.
- Gather the necessary documents;
- Make an appointment.
- Attend the appointed time to submit the necessary documents.
- Pay the fee. The fee for a transit visa is 60 euros. However, you should check the list of visa fees, as you may have to pay a lower fee or none at all.
Where to apply for a Schengen transit visa
You have to apply for a Schengen transit visa at the visa office of the country where the airport/seaport where you will change to another flight/ship is located. Such a representative body may be
- Embassy of the country where the airport/seaport is located
- consulate
- A third-party visa center to which the country has outsourced the visa application process
- Embassy/consulate of another country with which this country has concluded an agreement on outsourcing visa services
How much does a transit visa to a French airport cost?
Applicants will have to pay 90 euros after applying for a visa at the French airport.
Pets imported from third countries (non-EU countries) must be declared and presented to customs for document and identity verification before they can be allowed into the European Union. Importing an undeclared animal may result in a fine and confiscation of the animal.
Only the following animals accompanying the traveler are considered pets according to veterinary regulations and, as such, are allowed under the conditions set out below:
- dogs (including guide dogs), cats, ferrets;
- reptiles;
- amphibians;
- invertebrates (except for bees and crustaceans);
- rodents and domestic rabbits;
- ornamental fish;
- all types of birds (except poultry).
All other animals (including monkeys) are excluded and must be presented for veterinary examination at a border inspection post when entering France.
The person accompanying the animal must be either the owner or a person who is responsible for it on behalf of the owner.
Customs authorities carry out the inspection in the context of non-commercial transportation involving no more than five specimens. If these conditions are not met, the veterinary authorities are responsible for the inspection of the animals concerned at the border inspection post. A Common Veterinary Entry Document (CVED) is issued after the inspection is completed and must be submitted with the customs declaration.
PLEASE NOTE: if traveling in connection with exhibitions, competitions or sporting events, the maximum number of domestic carnivorous animals (dogs, cats, ferrets) may exceed five if the animals are over six months old and have written proof of registration;
Restrictions and bans on the import of animals
- There is a ban on the import of certain attack dogs into France. These are category 1 dogs without a pedigree recognized by the French Ministry of Agriculture, belonging to the following breeds: Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier (pit bull), Mastiff (bull) and Tosa.
- Special conditions and restrictions apply to protected species, especially certain birds and reptiles, according to the Washington Convention - the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
- There are special conditions for importing such animals to other EU member states. You should consult the embassies of these countries in your third country of residence.
For more information, please follow the link https://www.douane.gouv.fr/fiche/travel-coming-france-your-pet.
When imported into France:
When entering the territory of France from countries that are not members of the European Union and that are not part of the French customs territory (e.g. French Polynesia, New Caledonia, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Martin), you have the right not to declare goods that are imported without payment of customs duties and customs charges, in limited quantities, and that meet the following requirements:
- You have the right to carry (import) only those goods that you carry in your personal luggage with you.
- Non-commercial goods for personal use, consumption or gifts, goods purchased in the EU or other countries with receipts or invoices that include VAT;
- The total value of the goods must not exceed the amounts indicated below in the equivalent in euros (traveler aged 15 years and older):
1. in the case of transportation of goods by any means of transport, except for air and sea - 300 €;
2. in case of transportation by air or sea - 430 €;
3. for children under the age of 15 in the amount of up to € 150.
Duty-free import of cigarettes - 200 pcs, spirits - 1 liter, wine - 2 liters, perfume - 50 g, coffee - 500 g, food: fish - 2 kg, caviar - 250 g, animal products - 1 kg, new items or food for personal consumption - up to a maximum of 300 euros (150 euros for children under 15 years of age) is allowed.
PLEASE NOTE that the country allows the import of cash at the rate of 10 thousand euros per family, not per person. The amount does not change regardless of the number of family members.
It is prohibited to import gold bullion, plates and coins without the permission of the country's bank, as well as illegally produced printed materials.
The following are subject to mandatory customs control when exported: Weapons, antiquities and art, gold and precious metals.
France