Morocco student visa and student residence card

The ministry's student checklist covers three situations: students selected by the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI) or another official funding body, whose names AMCI sends in advance to the consulate; students enrolled at a Moroccan public university or higher-education institute; and students enrolled at a private higher-education institute, whose visa needs the prior approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs unless the school is one of the major schools recognised by the competent authority.

Minors who come to Morocco for studies under a visa of more than three months receive, on request, a circulation document instead of a residence card.

Visa-required students submit the standard form, two 4 x 3 cm colour photos on a white background, proof of address, a passport valid longer than the stay and a copy of its identity pages, plus the enrolment certificate or AMCI scholarship, proof of means or the guarantor's undertaking. Trainees add the original internship agreement signed by the host organisation, and researchers the hosting agreement with an approved Moroccan research organisation.

Students must prove sufficient means of subsistence for the duration of their studies; the ministry warns consulates to watch for fictitious support documents. Support can be provided by a close relative or a guarantor living in Morocco through a signed and legalised undertaking. The guarantor must reside lawfully in Morocco and cover the student's accommodation and expenses, commit that the student will regularise their stay with the national police, cover repatriation costs if the student is expelled, and commit that the student leaves Morocco when the residence permit expires.

Within the first 90 days, apply to the foreigners' department of the police (DGSN) in your city for a carte d'immatriculation. The law grants the "étudiant" mention to a foreigner who shows that they study in Morocco and have sufficient means. The application receipt replaces the card until it is issued, and you must be able to show the card to the authorities within 48 hours if asked. Changes of address must be declared.

If the card is refused or withdrawn, the law requires you to leave Morocco within 15 days of notification.

The card is renewable for the same reason as long as you remain enrolled and keep sufficient means. Apply before expiry; the law requires a foreigner to leave Morocco when the card expires unless it is renewed or replaced by a carte de résidence.