MoroccoResidence

Morocco retirement visa and visitor residence card

Long-stay visitor visa and residence card marked "visiteur" (retirees, people of independent means)

In short

Morocco has no separate retirement visa, but its law provides a residence card marked "visiteur" for foreigners who can live on their own resources and undertake not to carry out any professional activity requiring authorisation. Visa-required retirees first obtain the consular "visitor" visa for settlement; visa-exempt retirees enter with a passport and apply to the police before 90 days pass.

Apply on Accès Maroc checked 29 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Long-term, through renewable residence cards
Validity
Carte d'immatriculation: 1 to 10 years by law, renewable
Fee
MAD 220Consular visa fee for visa-required applicants (one entry); the residence card carries stamp duty.
Work
No professional activity subject to authorisation
Family
A spouse can apply on the same basis or through family reunification
Path to permanent residence
After at least four years of uninterrupted lawful residence, the carte de résidence may be requested
Where to apply
Visa: consulate in the country of residence. Card: police in Morocco

Who qualifies as a "visitor"

Law No. 02-03 gives the "visiteur" mention to a foreigner who proves that they can live on their own resources alone and commits not to exercise any professional activity subject to authorisation in Morocco. This is the status used by retirees and people living on pensions, savings or rental income.

Consular "visitor" visa for visa-required nationals

The ministry's "Visitor" checklist asks for the standard form, two colour photos, proof of address and passport with copy, plus: an application to settle in Morocco for a long stay (more than one year) stating the intended place of residence or retirement; a bank statement proving sufficient means for the whole stay; a written declaration that you will carry out no professional activity; and medical cover or an insurance certificate for the period of residence. Your status must then be regularised as "visitor" with the national police.

Required documents

Identity

  • Photos and police application form

Travel

  • Passport valid longer than the stay and copy of identity pages

Money

  • Bank statements and pension or income certificates covering the period of residence

Insurance

  • Medical cover or insurance certificate for the period of residence

Other

  • Written declaration that you will carry out no professional activity
  • Proof of address in Morocco (lease or property title) for the residence card

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Other

  • Visa-required nationals: application to settle for more than one year stating the place of residence

How much income

Neither the law nor the consular checklist sets a minimum pension or balance; the test is whether your resources cover the period of residence. Bank statements, pension certificates and proof of other regular income are the usual evidence. Keep documents translated into French or Arabic where possible.

Residence card and renewals

Apply to the police foreigners' department of your place of residence before your first 90 days end, with proof of address (lease or title deed), your income evidence and health cover. The receipt replaces the card until it is issued. Renew before expiry; after four uninterrupted years of lawful residence you may request the carte de résidence.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Gather proof of pension, savings or other regular income and arrange health insurance.
  2. Visa-required nationals apply for the consular "visitor" visa through Accès Maroc; visa-exempt nationals travel on their passport.
  3. Rent or buy a home and obtain proof of address.
  4. Within 90 days, apply to the police foreigners' department for the "visiteur" card.
  5. Renew the card on time and declare any change of address.

Forms

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum pension to retire in Morocco?

No fixed amount is published. You must prove that your own resources cover your stay and that you will not work.

Can a retiree move to Morocco without a visa?

Yes, if their nationality is visa-exempt: they enter on their passport and apply in Morocco for the "visiteur" residence card before the first 90 days end. Others first obtain the consular "visitor" visa.

Can I do occasional paid work on a visitor card?

No. The card is granted on the commitment not to exercise any professional activity subject to authorisation.

Does owning a home in Morocco help?

A title deed serves as proof of address for the card, but ownership alone does not create a right of residence.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Morocco

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per stay for visa-exempt visitors; a consular short-validity visa allows stays of 1 to 90 days as decided by the consulate.
  • Transit visa Maximum stay: 72 hours per transit
  • Culture, sports and events visa Maximum stay: The eVisa for Event is single entry; the portal states a maximum of 30 days for the e-Visa granted
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days; treatment beyond 90 days requires a carte d'immatriculation from the police

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days per stay
  • Investor visa Maximum stay: Visa: up to 90 days per stay; longer stays through a residence card

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: For the length of studies, through renewable residence cards

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: As long as the approved contract and residence card remain valid

Family

Residence

Online travel permits

Protection

Morocco visa guide