Immigration department restructuring should ease processing

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Morocco has taken a number of steps to reorganize its immigration department, including replacing the former department head, promoting the department to a “division,” and placing it under the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training.

What does the change mean? The new organization will hire additional staff, which will improve processing times.

• Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
• Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
• Who is affected: Employers and foreign workers applying for work permits.
• Impact on processing times: The hiring of additional staff and a second immigration official authorized to sign work permits should speed up processing.
• Business impact: The changes are expected to have a positive business impact by improving the stature of the immigration department.
• Next steps: Applicants do not need to do anything differently at the moment. BAL is following these developments and will alert clients if procedures change.

Background: Last week, the long-time head of the immigration department was replaced and the department, which was previously designated as a “service,” will now be recognized as a “division” under the authority of the Ministry of Employment and Vocational Training. In addition, the ministry will appoint a second staff member empowered to approve and sign work permits.

BAL Analysis: Previously, only one immigration official was responsible for adjudicating and signing all work permits for Morocco; the restructuring should speed up processing.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Morocco. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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