Visa and entry to Morocco: what to know for Marrakech

To enter Morocco and visit Marrakech you need a valid passport and, depending on your nationality, a visa or not. French and British citizens, like most Western travellers, can stay up to 90 days without a visa; other nationalities must apply for a visa, sometimes online. This guide gathers the rules published by the French and British foreign ministries and the Moroccan authorities, consulted on 7 October 2026, the arrival formalities at Marrakech-Ménara airport, the rules for minors and those on dirhams and foreign currency. Rules change: always confirm with the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country before booking.

Do I need a visa?

Hall of Terminal 1 at Marrakech-Ménara airport

French citizens: entry without a visa for a tourist stay; beyond 90 days an extension is required (France Diplomatie, Conseils aux voyageurs, Maroc, updated 15 September 2026).
British citizens: up to 90 days without a visa for tourism; a longer stay requires applying for an extension at a Moroccan police station (gov.uk, Foreign travel advice, Morocco, entry requirements, updated 19 August 2026).
Other nationalities: the list of countries exempt from a visa is not the same for everyone. We do not reproduce it: check it on the official portal acces-maroc.ma, which offers an eligibility test based on nationality, country of residence, passport type and purpose of travel, or with a Moroccan consulate.

The electronic visa (e-visa)

Morocco has set up an official online visa application portal, acces-maroc.ma, linked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and online consulate sites. The portal's eligibility test tells you whether your profile qualifies for the e-visa or whether you must go through a consulate. The fee, processing time, length of stay and validity of the e-visa are shown on the portal when you apply; they are not given here because we could not confirm them on an official page. Apply several weeks before departure and beware of paid websites that imitate the portal: use only the official address.

Passport and documents to show

Passport required: France specifies that the national identity card is no longer accepted to enter Morocco.
Validity: the UK says it must remain valid for at least 3 months after the date of arrival; some foreign sources require more. To be safe, allow 6 months of validity and blank pages, and check with the consulate.
Return ticket and proof of funds: France notes that these may be requested.
Entry stamp: have your passport stamped on arrival; a missing stamp can complicate your exit (FCDO). Sending a passport by post in Morocco is illegal.
Irregular stay: a fine and deportation, with an entry ban, are mentioned by France.

Children and minors

According to France Diplomatie (15 September 2026), a minor must have their own valid passport and proof of parentage (birth certificate or family record book); parental authorisation is needed if travelling alone or with only one parent. For grandparents or other accompanying adults, the safest course is to ask the consulate. See also Marrakech with children.

On arrival at Marrakech-Ménara

Formalities take place in the terminal before baggage reclaim: border police check and passport stamp. Keep the name and address of your riad or hotel and your return ticket to hand. After that, the transfer is covered in from the airport to the city centre, and you can buy a SIM card with your passport (eSIM and SIM cards in Morocco).

Terminal 2 at Marrakech-Ménara airport

Dirhams and foreign currency: what you can bring in and take out

Subject	Rule (October 2026)
Dirham banknotes	Import and export prohibited above 2,000 dirhams for non-residents (customs and Office des changes)
Foreign currency	Free to import; above the equivalent of 100,000 dirhams, a written declaration to customs on entry, to be kept to justify the origin on exit (Moroccan customs; the FCDO gives the same threshold, to declare on entry as on exit)
Exchange	Non-residents change currency at authorised banks or bureaux; keep the receipts

The dirham cannot be exchanged abroad: spend it or convert it back before leaving. Details are in money and tipping in Marrakech.

Drones and other prohibited items

Drones are strictly forbidden without prior professional authorisation: a fine, confiscation and prosecution are possible (France Diplomatie). Leave them at home. For drugs and alcohol, see alcohol in Marrakech and scams to avoid.