Nationals of Morocco have continued to complain about long waiting times and strict and complicated procedures when applying for French Schengen visas.
Moroccan visa applicants have continuously called on the relevant authorities to do something about this situation. However, the procedures have remained the same, causing widespread discontent, Schengen.News reports.
According to the Schengen Statistics Portal, Moroccans applied for the second-highest number of French visas in 2023. Despite them being among the top applicants, they feel wronged by the French authorities.
Unhappy with the current situation, a Moroccan applicant said that the process for applying for a French Schengen visa is complicated. The same said that they never know if their application will be approved despite submitting all the required documents and beyond, France Info explains.
We Are Suffering From Intermediaries, an Applicant Said
In addition, another applicant complained about being unable to find available appointment slots or having to wait for a long period and having to ask for help from intermediaries instead in exchange for money.
The visa applicant said that they are suffering from intermediaries when it should be really easy to make an appointment online for free. The applicant also complained about the high amount of money they have to pay intermediaries to secure an appointment for them.
France Wants to Tighten Visa Rules for Countries Blocking Repatriation
In September 2021, France decided to halve the number of Schengen visas granted to Moroccans. Such a decision was taken by the French authorities following the lack of cooperation by Moroccan authorities in the readmission of their nationals staying irregularly in France. This measure remained in force for just over a year.
However, just recently, the French authorities said that the country wants to tighten the visa rules further for countries that are blocking the repatriation of their nationals.
The plan was shared by the Prime Minister of France, Michel Barnier, but he did not explicitly say to which countries the measure would apply. Still, it is believed that the measure is aimed at Maghreb countries as some of them have not been issuing consular passes needed for the expulsion of their nationals who stay irregularly in France.
Source: https://schengen.news/moroccans-continue-to-complain-about-delays-strict-procedures-for-french-schengen-visa/
