Practical guide to facilitate your integration in Morocco

Learning about the legal and regulatory framework which governs immigration is one of your first concerns as a migrant (or future migrant), asylum seeker or refugee in Morocco. This section sheds light on the legal and regulatory provisions that govern your entry and your stay in Morocco.   Immigration to Morocco is governed by Act No. 02-03 relative to the entry and stay of foreigners in the Kingdom of Morocco, illegal emigration and immigration. As an independent State and member of the international community, Morocco has an internal legislation and international commitments that provide foreigners with the full freedom of access, residence, settling and exit of the Moroccan territory. The Act no. 02-03 presents the conditions and procedures for the issuance of residence permits in Morocco (registration card and residence card). It also presents all the cases of rejection and renewal of these titles, the cases of escorting to the border and expulsion, the movements of foreigners and the criminal provisions. Once you arrive in the Moroccan territory, you have to introduce yourself to the competent authorities which are responsible for the control at the border posts. You must bring a passport issued by the State of origin, or any other valid document recognized by the Moroccan State as a valid travel document. Also, depending on the State of origin, you may have to present the visa issued by the Moroccan administration. Please note that the regulatory framework governing immigration to Morocco is currently being reviewed. It will soon be subject to several changes regarding the regulation of the migration flows in order to be in compliance with the foundations and the universal human values which constitute the DNA of the new policy of immigration and asylum in Morocco. Learn more

This section deals with the main questions relative to your family: matrimonial regimes, marriage, birth, death… The matrimonial regime may vary depending on your case. In fact, if your spouse is Moroccan, the Code of the Moroccan Family (Moudawana) is applied. Otherwise, it is your common national law (if you have the same nationality) or your respective national laws (if you have two different nationalities) which are applied. Divorce and inheritance issues follow the same logic. This code has revolutionized the legislative and social perception of the Moroccan family and reflects a desire and a determination of the society to modernize the Kingdom and consolidate its achievements, particularly in the field of equality between men and women and the consecration of the sense of responsibility and citizenship. The Moudawana has especially helped to restore the balance within the Moroccan family. Co-responsibility within the couple is one of its main achievements: the family is placed under the joint responsibility of the two spouses.   In this context, women fully enjoy their rights at the same level as men. They must make decisions with their husbands about family matters in the frame of an agreement. Learn more

In Morocco you can have access to several services related to your health and the health of your partner(s) and your children. This section helps you to assimilate your right of access to health care services. It also presents you healthcare and hospital infrastructures existing in Morocco and eventually gives you a better understanding of the welfare regime. Learn more

If you wish to pursue your studies in Morocco or if you have children that you want to enroll in a Moroccan school, this section provides you with insights into the Moroccan education system. The Moroccan education system is free and compulsory for all children aged from 6 to 15 years old. Education is proposed in Arabic and French but it is also open to other foreign languages (English, Spanish, German …).   The Moroccan educational system is organized as follows: Pre-school education: Begins in kindergarten at the age of 4. According to the National Charter of Education and Training, this education is accessible to all children under 6 years old. This level generally welcomes children aged from 4 to 6 years old before enrolling primary school. Primary education: Lasts for six years and for children aged from 6 to 12 years old. Students must complete a Certificate of Primary Education in order to be admitted in the secondary cycle. Middle education (“le collège”): It lasts 3 more years and leads to the obtaining of the certificate of middle school. Secondary education: It lasts 3 years. At the end of the first year, students choose to prepare a baccalaureate in general, technical or traditional education. In all three cases, students are required to take the baccalaureate exam which is the gate to higher education. Higher education: Includes private institutions, and public universities/ non-university institutions. Learn more

If you are looking for accommodation, you will have plenty of choices. This section presents housing supply, housing laws and all the regulations governing the procedures if you want to build or buy your home, etc.   The housing supply in Morocco is diverse. It allows you to choose between several types of housing: villas, apartments and/or studios, houses … within several categories: • Economic homes • Housing of average standing • Luxury homes Home prices, being for sale or for rent, vary depending on the type, the category, the area, the city and the neighborhood. Learn more

This section contains the core elements that help you better manage your personal finances through a better understanding of the key banking services. The Moroccan currency is the dirham (MAD). It is divided into 100 cents. Different metal coins and bank notes are in circulation (coins of 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, coins of 1, 2, 5, 10 dirhams and bills 20, 25, 50, 100 and 200 dirhams). The Moroccan Dirham is not freely convertible. Refer to the exchange rate for the value of the dirham relative to other currencies.   Opening a bank account, which is essential, is generally an easy task. Banks offer a variety of accounts and packages. The two main types are: • Account in dirhams • Account in convertible dirhams Some banks offer the possibility of opening a temporary checking account until you receive your registration card to open a permanent account. To open a bank account, please contact one of the agencies of the bank of your choice. You can also visit the website of banking institutions to learn more about the procedure Learn more

If you want to start a business or start your own business, you will find in this part the answers on the business environment in Morocco and the steps that will help you to build your business. Morocco has moved up from 87th to 71th place in terms of business climate for 2015. Morocco has won 16 seats compared to the last edition of “Doing Business” from the World Bank. There are several actors and agencies that can support you in your investment project: • Actors of development and investment promotion: Moroccan Agency for Investment Development (AMDI), Investment Department, Agricultural Development Agency (ADA), Moroccan Society of Touristic Engineering (SMIT), … • Actors of support and assistance: Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Regional Investment Centers … • Funding Actors: Credit institutions, investment funds, capital markets… For further information about the investment opportunities in each region of Morocco, you can consult the websites of the Regional Investment Centers: • CRI Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceïma : www.investangier.com • CRI L’Oriental : www.orientalinvest.ma • CRI Fès-Meknès : https://fesmeknesinvest.ma/ • CRI Rabat-Salé-Kénitra : www.rabatinvest.ma • CRI Béni Mellal-Khénifra : http://coeurdumaroc.ma/cri/public/ • CRI Casablanca-Settat : https://www.casainvest.ma/ • CRI Marrakech-Safi : www.crimarrakech.ma • CRI Drâa-Tafilalet : www.tadla-azilal.ma • CRI Souss-Massa : www.cri-agadir.ma • CRI Guelmim-Oued Noun : http://www.guelmiminvest.ma/ • CRI Laâyoune-Sakia El Hamra : www.laayouneinvest.ma • CRI Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab : http://ww17.dakhla-invest.com/ Learn more

To travel in Morocco, you have a large choice of means of transport (plane, train, bus, car …). This part aims to present the different means that you can use for your daily movements and for your trips.   In Morocco, the road is the most common mean of transport for people (90%). The Moroccan road network is considered among the best of the African continent networks. The Moroccan road network managed by the Ministry of Equipments, Transport and Logistic is classified into four categories: highways, national roads, regional roads and provincial roads. Public transportation service is varied and is in constant development: Small taxi: Each city has a distinctive color of its taxis (red for Casablanca, blue for Rabat …). The small taxi can take no more than 3 people going in the same direction. In most cities, the imposed minimum pricing varies between 5 and 7.50 DH. Tramway: Available only in Rabat and Casablanca. New tramway projects are being studied for the cities of Marrakech, Meknes, Fez and Tangier. Big Taxi: Collective Taxi ensuring connections within or between cities. Bus : Means of public transport ensuring connections within or between cities at cheap fares (between 4 and 10 DHs depending on the lines). Coach: Economic means of transport ensuring inter-city transportation services. Coaches serve several distant destinations which are not served by trains. Train: Inter-city means of transport serving several cities but not covering the whole Moroccan territory. Learn more

Do you want to have fun and explore nearby natural, touristic, cultural and historic attractions in Morocco? This part helps you discover entertainment activities, tourist sites, the main cultural and artistic events and manifestations, and associative work in order for you to enjoy your trip in Morocco. Your new host country is rich with important cultural heritage and countless natural and historical attractions (placing Morocco in top 30 of the most visited destinations in the world). The Kingdom therefore offers the opportunity to learn / practice a multitude of activities to satisfy your desire to thrive and entertain. In most cities you can visit places loaded of memories and discover the cultural and artistic heritage of universal interest, such as: • Old Medinas • Palace • Riads • Medrassas • Mellahs • Souks and Market • Museums and art galleries • Theaters Regarding associations and voluntary work, in Morocco it is a practice that refers to ancient forms of mutual aid and collective solidarity which is why it has a sort of sacred connotation. Over the past 15 years, Morocco has experienced strong mobilization of civil society which has been improving the living conditions for all the population. If you want to participate in association activities or volunteering, there are several organizations and associations who will open their doors to you. You only have to choose according to your preferences or needs and the association (social, artistic, cultural …) that you want to join. Learn more