The Kingdom of Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the chief of state, and the prime minister as the head of government. The capital is Rabat, and its largest commercial center is Casablanca. Morocco has 38 million people, mostly Arab-Berbers and Sunni Muslims. The official languages are Arabic and Berber, with French often used in business, government, and diplomacy.
Morocco is mountainous, with the Rif mountains along the northern coast and the Atlas Mountains in the center. Morocco’s fertile lowlands support agriculture, with major crops including barley, wheat, and sugar beets. Other key sectors of the economy include tourism, aerospace, automotive, phosphates, textiles, apparel, and subcomponents.
U.S. - Moroccan Relations
The Kingdom of Morocco and the United States of America are bound by a special alliance dating back to 1777 when Morocco became the first country to formally recognize the newly independent United States. In 1786, Morocco and the United States signed a Treaty of Friendship that is still in force, making it the longest-standing unbroken treaty in US history. This treaty formalized US-Moroccan relations and was signed by the Sultan of Morocco, Mohammed III, as well as John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.
Consular Services and Visa Information
Embassy Rabat does not offer consular services and does not have entry facilities for public visitors. Visas are not required for visits lasting less than 90 days.
Overstays: If you remain in Morocco beyond 90 days without having requested an extension of stay, you will need to appear before a judge prior to departing Morocco. Please contact the immigration office at your local police station for details.
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Lost or Stolen Passport
Please obtain a police report for a lost or stolen passport in the area where the loss or theft occurred. Consulate General in Casablanca requires proof of U.S. citizenship prior to issuing the report of loss.
Residence Permits
Travelers who plan to reside in Morocco must obtain a residence permit (certificat d’immatriculation). Applications should be submitted to the Bureau des Étrangers of the Prefecture de Police or Commissariat Central in major cities, and to the Gendarmerie in remote areas and villages.
Dual Nationality
Moroccan authorities consider all persons born to Moroccan fathers to be Moroccan citizens. Passports and who are born to a Moroccan father may have trouble leaving Morocco without the father's permission, even if the parents are divorced and the mother has legal custody.
HIV/AIDS Entry Restrictions
The Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Morocco.
Safety and Security
The U.S. citizens are reminded to remain vigilant with regards to their personal security. Citizen campers should camp in guarded campgrounds rather than isolated campsites. Do not leave bags unattended. Keep them in sight and avoid placing passports, cash, cell phones, or other valuables in the outer pockets of backpacks or purses, or on tables in public places.
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Criminals use weapons, primarily knives, during some street robberies and burglaries. Joggers should be mindful of traffic and remain in more heavily populated areas. Rideshare drivers and passengers have reported harassment and physical violence by taxi drivers. Avoid carrying large sums of cash and be particularly alert when using ATMs.
Credible information indicates terrorist groups continue to plot potential attacks in the region, including Morocco. Lone wolf attacks can occur without warning and are difficult to detect and disrupt. Morocco is an important counterterrorism partner of the United States, and it has capable security services.
In December 2018, two Scandinavian tourists were murdered by three Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) supporters in the Imlil Mountains near Marrakesh.
Demonstrations
Demonstrations occur frequently in Morocco. They typically focus on political or social issues and are rarely confrontational or violent. They may take place in response to political or economic issues. By law, all demonstrations require a government permit, but spontaneous unauthorized demonstrations, which have greater potential for violence, can occur.
Scams
Internet romance and financial scams are common in Morocco. citizens. Tell your friends and family where you are, meet in a popular public place, and avoid consuming suspicious food or drinks.
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Technology Usage Abroad
Mobile devices can be compromised, stolen, or damaged anywhere in the world. Before traveling abroad, it is best to keep all software (operating system and apps) updated. If possible, use a virtual private network and encrypted voice over IP (VoIP) applications.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.
Tourism
The tourism industry is generally regulated in major tourist areas. Rules about general practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Dangerous areas and activities are marked with signs. Trained staff are usually there to help with organized activities.
Outside of major tourist areas, the tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are rare. Hazardous areas/activities are not always labeled properly. Staff may not be trained or certified by the host government or recognized authorities. It may take more time for first responders to reach areas outside major cities to provide urgent medical care.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.
Western Sahara
From 1975 to 1991, Western Sahara was the site of armed conflict between Moroccan government forces and the POLISARIO Front, which continues to seek independence for the territory. Tensions along the border in Western Sahara heightened in November 2020 when Moroccan forces conducted an operation on the border to clear a blockade by the POLISARIO Front; both sides have since engaged in a low intensity conflict along the border. There are thousands of unexploded mines in the Western Sahara and in areas of Mauritania adjacent to the Western Saharan border. Exploding mines are occasionally reported and have caused death and injury.
Legal Considerations
You are subject to local laws. If you break local laws, even if you don’t know, you may be kicked out of the area, arrested, or put in prison. Police may detain you for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.
Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries. They may be illegal according to local laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods may post significant risks to consumer health and safety. You may be subject to fines and/or have to give up counterfeit and pirated goods if you bring them back to the United States.
Faith-Based Travelers: Islam is the official religion in Morocco. However, the constitution provides for the freedom to practice one's religion. The Moroccan government does not interfere with public worship by the country’s Jewish minority or by expatriate Christians. Proselytizing is, however, prohibited. citizens have been arrested, detained, and/or expelled for discussing or trying to engage Moroccans in debate about Christianity. citizens were expelled from Morocco for alleged proselytizing. Many of those expelled were long-time Moroccan residents.
LGB Travelers: Consensual, same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Morocco. Penalties include fines and up to three years’ imprisonment.
Travelers with Disabilities: The law in Morocco prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual or mental disabilities. Society’s acceptance and inclusion of persons with disabilities is not as prevalent as in the United States. Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure, although the national rail system offers wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, and designated seating areas. While building codes enacted in 2003 require accessibility for all persons, the codes exempt most pre-2003 structures, and authorities rarely enforce them for new construction.
Women Travelers: Women walking alone in certain areas of cities and rural areas are particularly vulnerable to assault by men. They should exercise caution when in public spaces, including nightclubs or other social establishments. Women are advised to travel with a companion or in a group when possible and to ignore any harassment.
Customs and Import Regulations
Moroccan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Morocco of items such as firearms, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drones, religious materials, antiquities, business equipment, and large quantities of currency. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Morocco in Washington, D.C., or the Moroccan Consulate General in New York for specific information concerning customs requirements.
Additional Information
Citizenship: The Government of Morocco considers all persons born to Moroccan fathers to be Moroccan citizens. Recently, Morocco has begun allowing Moroccan mothers of children born outside Morocco to petition for their children’s citizenship.
Residence Permits: In order to obtain a residence permit, travelers must present (among other requirements) a criminal history record check. This record check can only be obtained in the United States. Consulate and Embassy are unable to take fingerprints to send for FBI record requests. Individuals planning on residing in Morocco or relocating to the United States may be asked to provide a notarized change of residence form.
Consular officers are prohibited by law and regulation from accepting personal property for safekeeping regardless of the circumstances involved. citizens should take every precaution to ensure that available legal safeguards are in place either before, or immediately after, purchasing property in Morocco or taking up residence there. citizens are also encouraged to seek local legal advice on assigning a Power of Attorney, or Procuration, to be used in Morocco if necessary.
Photographing Sensitive Locations: Taking photographs of anything that could be considered of military or security interest may result in problems with Moroccan authorities. Travelers should not photograph palaces, diplomatic missions, government buildings, or other sensitive facilities.
Individuals considering playing basketball professionally in Morocco may wish to consult with a lawyer regarding the terms of their contract prior to signing.
Health and Medical Information
Adequate medical care is available in Morocco’s largest cities, particularly in Rabat and Casablanca. In the event of vehicle accidents involving injuries, immediate ambulance service is usually not available.
Review all sub-sections. consulates do not pay medical bills. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. You may also be required to pay a deposit before being admitted for treatment. See our Insurance Overseas page for more information on insurance providers with overseas coverage.
Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas. Pharmaceuticals, which can be bought without a prescription or with a prescription in the United States, are usually easy to buy with few controls. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration have rules for bringing medication back to the United States. Medication bought abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back. The medication must be for personal use and approved for use in the United States.
Although surrogacy agencies/clinics may claim surrogacy is legal in Morocco, there is no legal framework to pursue surrogacy in Morocco. If you decide to pursue parenthood in Morocco via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship.
Water Quality & Food Safety: In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. Many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.
Altitude: Some locations in Morocco, such as the Atlas Mountains, are at high altitude. Be aware of the symptoms of altitude sickness and take precautions before you travel.
Road Conditions and Safety: Traffic accidents are a significant hazard in Morocco. citizens. Modern freeways link the cities of Tangier, Rabat, Fez, Casablanca, and Marrakesh. Secondary routes in rural areas are often narrow and poorly paved.
Traffic Laws: In the event of a traffic accident, including accidents involving injuries, the parties are required to remain at the scene and not move their vehicles until the police have arrived and documented all necessary information. The police emergency phone number is “190”. If you are stopped for a speeding violation, you have the right to request the video footage documenting the infraction. Pay at the local city’s treasury (La Perception). If you want to contest a violation, you may file a complaint at court. Foreign driver’s licenses are valid for use in Morocco for up to one year. After that, foreign residents must pass the Moroccan driver’s test and obtain a Moroccan driver’s license. Arabic or French.
Public Transportation: While public buses and taxis are inexpensive, driving habits are poor, and buses are frequently overcrowded. City buses are not safe. The train system has a good safety record.
Rideshare Apps: Rideshare apps operate in a legal gray zone across Morocco. Rideshare drivers and passengers have reported harassment and physical violence by taxi drivers. Travelers should exercise caution if traveling via rideshare apps, especially around hotels, airports, convention centers, and other locations frequented by taxi drivers.
See our Road Safety Page for more information. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has found Morocco’s Civil Aviation Authority meets international standards for aviation safety oversight.
Registration
Registering your trip with the Morocco embassy is crucial for ensuring your safety and maintaining effective communication during your stay abroad. In the event of natural disasters, like earthquakes or floods, having your trip registered allows the embassy to quickly identify your whereabouts, ensuring you receive timely information and support. Moreover, in medical emergencies, registration allows the embassy to assist you better, providing localized healthcare resources or arranging repatriation if necessary.
Morocco maintains a robust diplomatic presence in the United States, featuring an embassy located in Washington, D.C., and several consulates in major cities such as New York and Chicago. These diplomatic missions serve pivotal roles in facilitating bilateral relations through cultural exchanges, economic cooperation, and promoting mutual interests.
Embassy of: 1615 Bay Head Rd.
| Document Certification Service | First Document | Each Additional Document | Turnaround Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Service | $136 | $96 | 5 days |
| 3-Day Service | $126 | $86 | 5 days |
Discovering the Magic of Morocco: A Traveler's Guide to Hidden Gems and Cultural Riches
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