Foreigners desiring to reside in Morocco must obtain a Registration Card or a Residence Card, which is dealt with as a residence permit, allowed to be delivered to the internal administrative authorities within 48 hours. Furthermore, the receipt of the Residence Card application or renewal application may be temporarily used as an alternate of the Registration Card.

Such application shall be submitted to the nearest "National Security" or the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie to the relevant person's residence place against MAD 100 per annum during the period of validity thereof.

Documents required for the residence of foreigners in Morocco

To obtain or renew a card registration by foreigner desiring to reside in Morocco, foreigners must submit an application attached to the following documents:

Copy of the passport pages proving the relevant person's:

• Identity.
• Entry stamp to the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Entry visa for foreigners, subject to this measure.
• Print of the filled in registration card application in two copies.
• Recent photograph.
• Rental contract, title deed or other document, which proves the actual residence in a stable place of residence in Morocco.
• Copy of the criminal record.
• Medical certificate.
• A bank certificate proving sufficient means of subsistence for the period of residence in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Document, which shows the nature of the activity desired to be practiced, if required.

Documents required to obtain a "visitor" registration card by foreigners

To obtain a "visitor" registration card by foreigners in Morocco, foreigners must submit an application attached to the following documents:

Copy of the passport pages proving the relevant person's:

• Identity.
• Entry stamp to the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Entry visa for foreigners subject to this measure.
• Print of the filled in registration card application in two copies.
• Recent photograph.
• Rental contract, title deed or other document, which proves the actual residence in a stable place of residence in Morocco.
• Copy of the criminal record.
• Medical certificate.
• A bank certificate proving sufficient means of subsistence for the period of residence in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Document, which proves that the relevant person obtained a "visitor" visa for foreigners subject to this measure.
• A declaration on honor for professional inactivity during the period of residency in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Documents required to obtain a "for work reasons" registration card by foreigners

To obtain a registration card that bears the mention "for work reasons" by foreigners, foreigners must submit an application attached to the following documents:

Copy of the passport pages proving the relevant person's:

• Identity.
• Entry stamp to the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Entry visa for foreigners subject to this measure.
• Print of the filled in registration card application in two copies.
• Recent photograph.
• Rental contract, title deed or other document, which proves the actual residence in a stable place of residence in Morocco.
• Copy of the criminal record.
• Medical certificate.
• A bank certificate proving sufficient means of subsistence for the period of residence in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Document, which proves that the relevant person obtained a visa that bears the mention "for work reasons" for foreigners subject to this measure.
• A certified work contract by the government authority governing the assignment of the relevant job.

Documents required to obtain a "student" registration card by foreigners

To obtain a registration card that bears the mention "student" by foreigners, foreigners must submit an application attached to the following documents:

Copy of the passport pages proving the relevant person's:

• Identity.
• Entry stamp to the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Entry visa for foreigners subject to this measure.
• Print of the filled in registration card application in two copies.
• Recent photograph.
• Rental contract, title deed or other document, which proves the actual residence in a stable place of residence in Morocco.
• Copy of the criminal record.
• Medical certificate.
• A bank certificate proving sufficient means of subsistence for the period of residence in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Document, which proves that the relevant person obtained a visa that bears the mention "student" for foreigners subject to this measure.
• An evidence that the relevant person is approved to study in Morocco. 

Documents required to obtain a residence card by a foreign husband of a Moroccan national wife or a foreign wife of a Moroccan national husband

To obtain a residence card by a foreign husband of a Moroccan national wife or a foreign wife of a Moroccan national husband, foreigners must submit an application attached to the following documents:

Copy of the passport pages proving the relevant person's:

• Identity.
• Entry stamp to the Kingdom of Morocco.
• Entry visa for foreigners subject to this measure.
• Print of the filled in registration card application in two copies.
• Recent photograph.
• Rental contract, title deed or other document, which proves the actual residence in a stable place of residence in Morocco.
• Copy of the criminal record.
• Medical certificate.
• A marriage contract that proves the existence of a marital relationship.
• A dwelling statement that proves that both spouses live in the same place. 

Residence card for foreigners

Residence card is delivered to Moroccans as well as foreigners by the public competent departments. Residence card proves that its holder lives in the address referred to therein. For further clarification, documents related to the procedure of obtaining a residence card shall be filed with the competent authorities within 90 days, as soon as the relevant person enters Morocco or prior to the expiry of the visa given to foreigners, subject to this procedure, who are above 18. The applicant should have resided in Morocco for more than four consecutive years, except for the following cases:

• A foreign husband of a Moroccan national wife or a foreign wife of a Moroccan national husband.
• A foreign child of a Moroccan national mother, a stateless child of a Moroccan mother, a foreigner who has refugee status and its wife and minor children.
• Foreign father or mother of a child who resides and is born in Morocco and holds a Moroccan nationality.
• Foreign husband and minor children of a foreign husband, who have a residence card.
• A foreigner who proved that its regular place of residence is Morocco for more than 15 years or since it was 10 years or who has a legal status 10 years ago.

Any grounds that support a foreigner's desire to reside temporarily or permanently in Morocco such as having a professional activity or means of subsistence therein shall be taken into consideration.

Documents required

Documents required to be submitted within 90 days at most from the date that the relevant foreigner enters Morocco or prior to the expiry of the visa granted to the foreigners, subject to this procedure or who are above 18:

• Copy of the passport that proves the identity and nationality of its holder (this document is not required in case of renewal of the residence card).
• Filling in two prints with the nearest National Security authority or Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie to the relevant person's residence place.
• 6 Photographs (2.5 x 2.5) and a bank certificate proving sufficient means of subsistence for.
• Copy of a title deed, rental contract, water, electricity or telephone bill, an accommodation certificate or statement of the dwelling owner, which proves the place of residence.

In addition to the previous documents, the applicant shall be required to give a statement of the following:

• A document that proves professional, educational, or commercial activity or marital relationship.
• A foreigner who desires to obtain a residence card, which bears the mention "visitor" must prove that it has sufficient resources to depend on and must declare that it shall not practice any professional activity that requires a license during the period of residency in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• A foreigner who desires to obtain a residence card, which bears the mention "student" must prove that it studies in Morocco and has sufficient means of subsistence for the period of residence in the Kingdom of Morocco.
• A foreigner who desires to obtain a residence card, which bears the mention licensed "professional activity" must prove that it has obtained such license.
• The applicant should have resided in Morocco for more than four consecutive years, except for the cases set forth in Article (17) of the Royal Decree No. 1.03.196 issued on 11^th, November 2003 regarding the Entry and Residency of Foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco and Illegal Immigration shown in the following:
• A foreign husband of a Moroccan national wife or a foreign wife of a Moroccan national husband.
• A foreign husband of a Moroccan national wife or a foreign wife of a Moroccan national husband.
• A foreign child of a Moroccan national mother or a stateless child of a Moroccan mother.
• Foreign father or mother of a child who resides and is born in Morocco and holds a Moroccan nationality.
• Foreign husband and minor children of a foreign husband, who have a residence card.
• A foreigner who has refugee status and its wife and minor children.
• A foreigner who proved that its regular place of residence is Morocco for more than 15 years or since it was 10 years or who has a legal status for more than 10 years.

Grounds for the availability of means of subsistence of the concerned person shall be taken into consideration upon the approval or rejection of the residence card application, including the circumstances of the practice of professional activity or, if required, the facts that may be taken as a justification of the concerned person's desire to reside permanently in Morocco.

Applications shall be filed with the nearest territorial security jurisdictions, regional security jurisdictions, Police Regional office to the place of residence of the concerned person or the Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie for those living in desert areas.

For more information, kindly refer back to Law No. 02.03 concerning the Entry and Residence of Foreigners in Morocco and Illegal Immigration promulgated in execution of the Royal Decree No. 1.03.196 dated 16th, Ramadan 1424 (11th, November 2003) or see the following government website: http://www.service-public.ma