IMPACT – HIGH

The Moroccan government announced a Health State of Emergency, which is in effect until April 20, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Key points:

  • Until further notice, commercial flights to and from the country are suspended.
  • Requests to extend, obtain or renew residency cards are not being processed, until further notice.
  • Recent foreign entrants to the country who have been unable to leave within 90 days because of COVID-19 will be allowed to leave the country without being fined, when it is possible to travel. This is also true if they do not have an extension to remain in the country longer than 90 days. Residency cards possessed by foreigners that expire within 90 days after arriving will be honored by the government.

Additional information: During the Health State of Emergency, movement within the country is limited to essential activities such as seeking medical care, working, shopping and attending to emergencies. A 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily curfew has also been implemented.

Analysis & Comments: The travel restrictions and processing disruptions will impact the movement of people into Morocco. Employers should account for affected travelers and rearrange travel schedules accordingly. Significant delays may occur for consular and in-country processing. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Morocco’s Border Police are more strictly scrutinizing foreign nationals, specifically minor dependents, exiting and entering Morocco.

What does the change mean? Foreign nationals should apply for a document de circulation for their minor children.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: Residence permits.
  • Who is affected: Dependent children of residence permit holders.

Background: While dependent spouses and children above the age of 15 receive both a residence permit and a temporary residence permit, minor children below the age of 15 do not receive separate residence cards. To prevent issues when entering and exiting Morocco, dependent minor children, not holding a residence card, should carry a document de circulation pour étranger mineur. The document de circulation acts as an identification card/exit document.

Analysis & Comments: Foreign nationals residing in Morocco and traveling with minor children should obtain a document de circulation for their minor dependent(s) prior to traveling to avoid any trouble when re-entering the country.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more.  Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services.

This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change?  Under a pilot program, Morocco has introduced electronic travel authorization for nationals of Congo (Brazzaville), Guinea (Conakry), and Mali.

What does the change mean? Nationals of the three countries must go online and apply for an electronic travel authorization no later than 96 hours before departure.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Electronic travel authorization.
  • Business impact: The electronic visa application system is intended to streamline entry clearance upon arrival.
  • Next steps: The portal for applying for electronic travel authorization, or AVEM, is available here. Following the pilot phase, the procedures may be expanded to other countries.

Analysis & Comment: Nationals of Congo, Guinea and Mali should plan to apply as early as possible before traveling to Morocco, and no later than four days before departure, in case of delays in the newly introduced system.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Morocco has begun limiting the number of foreign nationals who are eligible to work in Morocco under the intracompany transferee, or ICT, route.

What does the change mean? Only ICTs who are transferred from an overseas parent corporation to a Moroccan subsidiary are eligible; employees transferring between sister companies are no longer eligible and will have to complete longer procedures including obtaining pre-approval from ANAPEC (Agence Nationale de Promotion de l’Emploi et des Compétences), the national employment agency, in order to qualify for work permits.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Work permits.
  • Who is affected: ICTs transferring to Morocco from a sister company.
  • Impact on processing times: The ICT process offers a faster process without the need to obtain preapproval from ANAPEC. Obtaining preapproval can take anywhere from two to 12 weeks, depending in part on whether labor market testing is required
  • Business impact: ICTs who are transferees between sister companies should anticipate longer procedures.

BAL Analysis: Global companies should be aware of the new limitation on ICTs who are transferred between affiliates rather than between an overseas parent company and a Moroccan subsidiary. Companies using the ICT route may need to consider this restriction when forming a Moroccan business unit.

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.

Copyright © 2018 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Moroccan authorities have switched to an online application process for work permits.

What does the change mean? Employers must now submit work permit applications through a new online system called TAECHIR. Hard-copy applications can only made once the e-work permit is generated by the online system. Employers must create login IDs and password in order to submit work permits through the TAECHIR program.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The change took effect June 1.  
  • Visas/permits affected: All work permits.
  • Who is affected: Employers and foreign nationals applying for work permits.
  • Impact on processing times: Officials hope TAECHIR will lead to quicker processing times, with the goal of issuing work permits within 10 days from the application date.
  • Business impact: Businesses must create a TAECHIR password and login name. BAL and its network partner in Morocco are available to assist in this process or with submitting applications through the system.

Background: The change to an electronic work permit system was announced in January and took effect in June. In order to submit electronic work permit applications, companies will be required to submit details about their company, the employee they are hiring and information about the work the employee will be doing. The TAECHIR system will then produce three copies of the work permit, which must be printed out, signed, legalized and stamped. The three copies and the required supporting documentation must then be submitted to the Moroccan employment department. If approved, one copy goes to the employer, one to the foreign worker and one is retained by the employment department.

BAL Analysis: While the online work permit system will likely lead to quicker processing times, applications may be unnecessarily delayed if employers are not familiar with the new rules. Those with questions about how to sign up for or use the new system for specific work permit applications should contact BAL.

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.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Economic Community of West African States has agreed in principle to admit Morocco as the bloc’s 16th member.

What does the change mean? Once membership is approved, Moroccan nationals will enjoy free movement within the bloc. Details must be worked out before Morocco’s ECOWAS membership becomes official.

  • Implementation time frame: Ongoing.
  • Who is affected: Moroccan nationals and nationals of the current 15 ECOWAS countries.
  • Business impact: ECOWAS’s acceptance of Morocco as a member would provide significant business benefits for Moroccan nationals and Moroccan companies, as they would enjoy free movement and free trade within the bloc.
  • Next steps: ECOWAS officials said they must fully consider the implications of Morocco’s membership before the country may formally join.

Background: ECOWAS is a trading bloc in West Africa with 15 current members:  Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Morocco applied to join the bloc after rejoining the African Union in January. In addition to Morocco, Mauritania is hoping to rejoin ECOWAS, and Tunisia is seeking observer status with the organization.

BAL Analysis: Morocco’s membership in ECOWAS would benefit Moroccan companies and business travelers. It would also signal Morocco’s continued interest in building ties with other African nations after focusing for years on developing relations with European countries.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Foreign nationals applying for or renewing residency permits are now required to fill out a new form with additional personal details and submit it to the main police station in Casablanca.

What does the change mean? The form is comparable to a resume in asking about educational background and work experience, but also seeks information about the applicant’s family members, religion, political membership and previous travel.

  • Implementation time frame: Immediate.
  • Visas/permits affected: Residency permits.
  • Who is affected: All foreign nationals applying for new or renewal residency permits.
  • Business impact: The form adds another step in the residency permit process.

BAL Analysis: To avoid delay, all pending and future applications for residence permits should include the new form.

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.

Copyright © 2017 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

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.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – HIGH

What is the change? A restructuring at the Moroccan Ministry of Employment has temporarily halted all processing.

What does the change mean? All services, including processing of work authorization applications, are on hold until further notice.

  • Implementation timeframe: Immediate and ongoing.
  • Visas/permits affected: All work permits.
  • Who is affected: Foreign nationals applying for work authorization and other services at the Ministry of Employment.
  • Impact on processing times: Applicants should expect delays and possible backlogs to develop during the freeze in services.
  • Business impact: Depending on how long it lasts, the interruption could impact business schedules and assignments in Morocco.
  • Next steps: BAL is in contact with the Ministry and will update clients on new developments.

Background: The Ministry of Employment is being restructured following the recent replacement of the agency’s general secretary.

BAL Analysis: Companies should prepare for delays in issuances of work authorizations and note that the restructuring of the Ministry may also bring changes to work permit application procedures.

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.

Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.