In short: most travelers don’t need a morocco visa at all. If you hold a passport from the United States, the United Kingdom, the EU, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, you get 90 days on arrival with no application and no fee. You just need a passport valid for the length of your stay and a stamp at the airport. Below is who’s covered, what to have ready, and the handful of cases where it’s more complicated.
Who gets in without a visa
Morocco waives visas for short tourist stays for a long list of countries. The common ones for our guests are the US, UK, all EU member states, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Japan and the Gulf states. For all of these the allowance is 90 days within a rolling period, granted free when the border officer stamps you in.
You don’t apply online, you don’t print anything, and there’s no eVisa to buy for these nationalities. Ignore any website charging you a “processing fee” for a Morocco entry permit if you hold one of those passports; it isn’t a real government service.
What your passport actually needs
The rule that trips people up is passport validity. Morocco asks that your passport be valid for the duration of your stay, but airlines and some officers apply the common six-months-beyond-entry standard, so play it safe and travel on a passport with at least six months left. Have a blank page for the stamp.
You may be asked for two things at the border: the address of your first hotel or riad, and proof of onward travel, meaning a flight out. It’s rarely checked closely, but have your booking on your phone. If you’re joining a tour, having the operator’s name and your first night’s accommodation written down makes the whole thing quicker.
The eVisa and who it’s for
Morocco does run an eVisa, but it’s for nationalities that are not on the visa-free list, and only some of those. Citizens of countries like India, for example, can apply online if they don’t already hold a valid US or Schengen visa. If you’re not sure whether your nationality is covered by the visa-free rule, check the official Moroccan consular site for your country before you book, since these lists change.
Here’s a quick way to see where you stand.
| Your passport | What you need | Length of stay |
|---|---|---|
| US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, NZ | Nothing in advance, stamp on arrival | 90 days |
| Gulf states, Japan, Switzerland | Nothing in advance, stamp on arrival | 90 days |
| Some other nationalities (e.g. India) | eVisa or embassy visa, applied online | Per visa terms |
Staying longer than 90 days
If you want more than three months, you have two routes. The old traveler trick of leaving the country and coming back to reset the clock is not reliable anymore and officers can refuse it. The proper way is to go to a local police station, the Sûreté Nationale, before your 90 days run out and request an extension, or apply for residency if you’re staying seriously long. For a normal holiday this won’t come up, but it matters for slow travelers and remote workers.
At the airport: what to expect
You’ll fill in a small arrival card on the plane or at the desk with your name, passport number and where you’re staying. Queues at Marrakech and Casablanca can be slow at peak times, so don’t book a tight connection to a domestic flight or a same-night desert departure. Once you’re stamped, that’s it; there’s no separate customs hassle for normal luggage.
With the paperwork out of the way, you can get straight to the good part. Many of our guests land in Marrakech, sleep off the flight, and are out on an Agafay desert tours run the next afternoon, since the stone desert is only 40 minutes from the city. If the Sahara is on your list too, our Morocco desert guide covers how to fit a longer circuit around your arrival.
A few money and timing notes tied to entry
The dirham is a closed currency, so you can’t buy it before you arrive. Withdraw cash from an ATM in the arrivals hall or in town once you’re through. Don’t change large sums at the airport counters, where the rate is poor. October to April is the pleasant season for travel, and it’s also when the desert nights are cool rather than cold, so plan entry around that if you can.
FAQ
Do US citizens need a visa for Morocco? No. US passport holders get 90 days visa-free, stamped on arrival, for free.
Is there a fee to enter Morocco? Not for visa-free nationalities. If a site is charging you for an entry permit and you hold a US, UK or EU passport, it’s not an official cost.
How long does my passport need to be valid? Officially for the length of your stay, but travel with at least six months of validity to avoid trouble with airlines and officers.
Can I extend my stay past 90 days? Yes, by applying at a local police station before your allowance runs out. A border run to reset the clock is no longer dependable.
Once you’re in, message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we’ll get a Morocco desert circuit ready for you.