Work permits and visas in Morocco: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Morocco? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of work permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Morocco. Add in local tax, labor, and immigration laws, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work permits in Morocco, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Morocco?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Morocco, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s immigration and work permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Morocco

Who needs a work visa in Morocco?

All foreign nationals (i.e., anyone who is not a Moroccan citizen or permanent resident) must obtain a valid visa and work permit to live and work in Morocco.

Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Morocco, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

What types of work visas are available in Morocco?

For foreign workers, Morocco offers several types of work permits, as follows:

Short-stay work visa

If you require the services of foreign professionals for short projects, training assignments, or consultancy work, the short-term work visa may be the most suitable option. This visa covers contracts of less than 90 days, and is ideal when the employment need is temporary and specific in nature. It allows foreign nationals to legally engage in paid work without committing to a longer residence in Morocco.

To obtain a short-term work visa, you still need to apply for a work permit on behalf of the employee. This process involves proving the necessity of hiring a foreign national (often by demonstrating that a local candidate is not readily available for the role). You should also ensure that the employment contract clearly outlines the project scope and duration, since visa extensions beyond the initial period can be complex. For compliance, it’s important to begin the process early to avoid project delays.

Long-stay work visa

For longer employment (i.e., beyond 90 days), the long-term visa (Visa de Long Séjour) is the primary pathway. This visa is typically issued for contracts longer than three months and is often tied to renewable one-year residence permits. It is suitable for companies seeking to fill skill gaps with international expertise in sectors such as IT, engineering, or management.

You must apply for a standard work permit through the Moroccan labor authorities before the employee can apply for this visa at a Moroccan consulate. As with the short-term visa, the authorities will expect evidence that you have conducted a local labor market search, and that no qualified Moroccan candidate could fill the role.

Because the long-term visa is tied to residency, you should also assist your employee with post-arrival registration and residence permit applications. Failure to complete this process may invalidate the employee’s right to work.

Trainee work visa

If your company wants to host foreign interns or trainees, Morocco provides a dedicated trainee work permit and corresponding visa. This pathway is commonly used for structured training programs, exchange initiatives, or internships where professional development is the primary goal. It allows organizations to bring in young professionals or students to gain experience without committing to permanent employment.

Again, you must still apply for the permit, ensuring the training agreement outlines the program’s duration, learning objectives, and any financial support provided. Clear documentation helps the Moroccan labor authorities distinguish training arrangements from standard employment, which is important to avoid compliance risks.

Hosting trainees can be a valuable way for companies to build international networks and test future talent pipelines, but you must treat the arrangement as an educational experience rather than a substitute for hiring staff.

What about bulk hiring?

If your company needs to hire or relocate more than five foreign workers, note that a draft recruitment authorization is required. This permit streamlines the hiring of multiple foreign employees under a single authorization, ensuring labor authorities are fully aware of the scale and scope of recruitment. It is particularly useful for large projects or expansion phases where specialized foreign expertise is needed quickly.

In cases such as this, you must submit a collective application, providing job descriptions, justifications for foreign hires, and evidence of attempts to recruit Moroccan nationals. Because this type of authorization can attract greater scrutiny, you should anticipate longer processing times and more extensive documentation requirements.

Once approved, individual work permits and visas will still be issued for each employee, but the umbrella authorization significantly simplifies bulk hiring compliance.

What are the work visa requirements in Morocco?

To acquire a work visa in Morocco, your employee will need to provide the following documents:

• A signed employment contract
• A valid passport
• The completed visa application form
• Passport-sized photos
• Proof of qualifications
• A clean criminal background check
• A medical certificate
• Proof of accommodation in Morocco (such as a lease agreement)
• Proof of payment of the visa application fees

As the employer, you will also need to provide a valid work permit authorization (issued by the Moroccan Ministry of Employment), as well as proof that the position cannot be filled by a Moroccan national (see below).

How to obtain a work visa in Morocco

In Morocco, the work visa application process looks like this:

1. The employer obtains the work permit

As the employer, you must submit a work permit application to the Ministry of Employment (Direction de l’Emploi) requesting authorization to hire the foreign worker.

This includes the employment contract, job description, and justification for hiring a foreigner.

The Ministry evaluates whether the position could be filled by a Moroccan national before granting approval.

2. The employee obtains the visa

Once you receive the work permit authorization, your employee applies for a work visa at the Moroccan embassy or Moroccan consulate in their country of residence.

They must submit the approved work permit along with all the documents listed above.

The Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs processes the application and issues either a short-term or long-term visa, depending on the employment contract.

3. Entry into Morocco

Upon arrival, the foreign national must register with the local police within 15 days.

Note that, for employment longer than 90 days, your worker must apply for a residence permit (Carte de Séjour) from the local authorities. This is usually valid for one year, and is renewable.

As the employer, you should typically assist with this step to ensure compliance.

The overall processing time for work permit approvals can take several weeks, and visa issuance at local consulates may add additional time. As a result, you should begin the application process well before the expected start date of employment.

Does Morocco offer a digital nomad visa?

No. Morocco does not currently offer a digital nomad visa, and it is not legal for individuals to work on a tourist visa.

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Morocco, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Morocco on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local payroll tax and labor laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Morocco, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.