Moroccan Lawmakers Propose Visa Requirements for EU Citizens as a Reciprocity Measure

Two Moroccan parliamentarians, Khaled Al-Satti and Lobna Alaoui, have proposed that the country imposes visa requirements on EU citizens as a reciprocity measure.

The parliamentarians, who are members of the Moroccan National Union of Workers in the Chamber of Councillors, made an official request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

They asked the Ministry to consider this measure, stressing that while Moroccans need to obtain a Schengen visa to enter the bloc, EU citizens enjoy unrestricted access, Schengen.News reports.

While the Ministry has not made any statement on the issue after the request, it is believed that the matter will be discussed and measures may be taken if considered necessary.

The call of the two parliamentarians follows growing discontent among Moroccan nationals, Atalayar explains.

Schengen Visa Rules Are Too Strict, Moroccans & Organisations Complain
Moroccans have been complaining about strict rules when wanting to obtain a visa for some time. In addition to Moroccan nationals, different organisations have also raised concerns about the current rules and have asked for facilitations.

The Moroccan Coalition of Human Rights Organisations said that the EU consular missions in Morocco continue to keep in place very stringent rules.

The same stressed that they do not offer the possibility to make an appeal or ask for a fee refund for applicants who have had their visa rejected. Statistics from SchengenVisaInfo show that in 2023 alone, a total of 136,367 Moroccans had their visa rejected.

Other organisations have shared similar opinions too, with them highlighting that the rules are particularly impacting those seeking medical attention, students, and families wanting to reach the bloc for leisure purposes.

Moroccan Ambassador to France Urges for Fairer Visa Process
Concerned with the obstacles that Moroccan nationals face, the Ambassador of Morocco to France, Samira Sitail, already called on the Schengen member states to address these issues.

According to Ambassador Sitail, Moroccan passport holders spend high amounts of money every year on Schengen visas just to receive a negative decision on their application.

Amid these obstacles, the Ambassador said that the situation must be handled accordingly by the EU authorities while calling the entire visa practice indecent.

In addition to the above-mentioned, Ambassador Sitail noted that the credibility of the Schengen visa issuance system is at stake, especially for passport holders of African countries.

Moroccan nationals have said that they are being subject to very long waiting times for an appointment slot and for their visa to be processed. The same also complained about intermediaries, saying that they are blocking appointments and then selling them in the black market for a high amount of money.

Source: https://schengen.news/moroccan-lawmakers-propose-visa-requirements-for-eu-citizens-as-a-reciprocity-measure/