Key Takeaways

  • Foreign nationals require a Visa de Travail and a Carte de Séjour (Residence Permit) before commencing employment in Morocco; the employment contract must be visaed by the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Competences (ANAPEC).
  • Morocco requires that the employer demonstrate, via a Labour Market Test (priorité nationale), that no suitable Moroccan national was available for the role before an employment contract can be approved for a foreign worker.
  • Morocco’s growing tech, renewable energy, outsourcing, and financial services sectors attract significant numbers of foreign specialists, and the government has introduced streamlined pathways for strategic sectors.

Morocco is a North African nation with Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, bordered by Algeria, Mauritania, and Spain (Ceuta and Melilla). Rabat is the administrative capital; Casablanca is the economic powerhouse. Morocco has one of the most open and diversified economies in Africa, with strengths in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, renewable energy, ICT, tourism, and financial services. The country has attracted major foreign investment under its successive National Pact for Industrial Emergence (PNEI) plans. Work permits (via employment contract visa) are administered by the Ministry of Labour and ANAPEC; residence permits are issued by the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN).

When Is a Work Visa Needed in Morocco?

Under Moroccan Labour Code, any foreign national intending to engage in paid employment in Morocco must have an employment contract approved (visé) by ANAPEC and obtain a Visa de Travail and Carte de Séjour. The requirement applies to:

  • Employees recruited by Morocco-registered companies, including multinational subsidiaries
  • Intra-company transferees from overseas parent companies
  • Technical specialists and consultants engaged on contracts exceeding 90 days
  • Foreign directors and key executives of Morocco-registered entities
  • Offshore and nearshore services sector workers in Casablanca Finance City and free zones

Types of Morocco Work Visas and Permits

Visa de Travail (Work Visa)

The Visa de Travail is issued by Moroccan consulates following approval of the employment contract by ANAPEC. It is a long-stay visa (Type D equivalent) that allows the foreign national to enter Morocco and take up their role. The visa is valid for three months and must be converted into a Carte de Séjour on arrival.

Carte de Séjour (Residence Permit)

The Carte de Séjour is issued by the DGSN (police prefectures) and serves as the long-term residence authorisation for foreign nationals living and working in Morocco. It is applied for within 90 days of arrival. The Carte de Séjour is renewed annually and is linked to the continued employment relationship.

ANAPEC-Visaed Employment Contract

Before a Visa de Travail can be issued, the employment contract must be submitted to ANAPEC for review and approval (visa). ANAPEC checks that the Labour Market Test (priorité nationale) has been satisfied — i.e., that the employer has advertised the role and confirmed no suitable Moroccan candidate was available. The ANAPEC-approved contract is the cornerstone of the entire work authorisation process.

Business Visa

Short-term commercial visits — meetings, inspections, trade events — may be conducted on a Business Visa for up to 90 days. Most nationalities can enter Morocco without a prior visa for stays of up to 90 days. A Business Visa does not permit paid employment or ongoing service delivery.

How to Apply for a Work Visa in Morocco

1

Employer Conducts the Priorité Nationale (Labour Market Test)

The employer must register the vacancy with ANAPEC and allow a minimum period for ANAPEC to source Moroccan candidates. If no suitable Moroccan national is identified, ANAPEC issues a statement confirming the employer may recruit a foreign national. This step is mandatory for virtually all non-executive roles.

2

Employment Contract Approved by ANAPEC

The employer submits the signed employment contract to ANAPEC for review and official visa (stamp of approval). The contract must comply with the Moroccan Labour Code in all material respects, including minimum wage and leave entitlements. ANAPEC’s approval stamp is required before the Visa de Travail application can proceed.

3

Foreign National Applies for the Visa de Travail

The foreign national applies for a Visa de Travail at the nearest Moroccan embassy or consulate. Required documents: valid passport; ANAPEC-visaed employment contract; police clearance certificate; medical certificate; proof of accommodation in Morocco; and completed application form.

4

Enter Morocco

On arrival with the Visa de Travail, the foreign worker enters Morocco and must begin the Carte de Séjour application process within 90 days. The employer typically assists with this process.

5

Apply for the Carte de Séjour

The Carte de Séjour application is submitted to the local police prefecture (DGSN) with: passport; Visa de Travail; ANAPEC-approved employment contract; proof of accommodation; and recent photographs. Processing takes 4–8 weeks in-country.

6

Register with CNSS and Renew Annually

The employer must register the foreign worker with the Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale (CNSS). Monthly contributions cover pension, health, and workplace accident insurance. Both the employment contract and Carte de Séjour must be renewed annually, with ANAPEC re-approval required for contract renewals.

Morocco Work Permit Costs and Fees

Immigration fees in Morocco are denominated in Moroccan Dirham (MAD):
Permit Type Cost
ANAPEC Visa on Employment Contract MAD 200–400
Visa de Travail (Consular Fee) Varies by nationality, typically MAD 200–500
Carte de Séjour MAD 200–400 per year

CNSS contributions are ongoing payroll costs rather than one-off fees. Professional service and legal fees add USD 500–1,500. Total first-year employer costs typically range from USD 700 to USD 2,000.

Morocco Work Visa Sponsorship

Morocco’s work authorisation is employer-tied through the ANAPEC-approved contract. Changes of employer require a new ANAPEC approval process. Employers must notify ANAPEC and the DGSN if the employment relationship ends before the Carte de Séjour expires.

Employers must comply with the Moroccan Labour Code (Code du Travail), the SMIG minimum wage (MAD 15.56/hour), leave entitlements, and CNSS contribution obligations. Rules for Casablanca Finance City and industrial free zones may differ.

For international companies without a Moroccan entity, an employer of record (EOR) registered in Morocco can manage the ANAPEC process, sponsor the work visa, run payroll in MAD, and ensure full Labour Code and CNSS compliance.

Work in Morocco with Confidence

Morocco’s work authorisation system is well-defined and predictable for employers who invest in the ANAPEC process. The priorité nationale step is the most time-sensitive element and should be initiated at least 2–3 months before the intended start date.

Remote People’s North Africa specialists provide end-to-end work permit management in Morocco, from ANAPEC registration through to annual Carte de Séjour renewals.

Frequently Asked Questions

ANAPEC (Agence Nationale de Promotion de l'Emploi et des Compétences) is Morocco's national employment agency. It administers the priorité nationale requirement — ensuring that Moroccan candidates are considered first for every vacancy before a foreign national is hired. Its approval stamp (visa) on the employment contract is a legal prerequisite for obtaining a Visa de Travail.

The priorité nationale process typically takes 2–4 weeks from registration of the vacancy to ANAPEC's confirmation that no suitable Moroccan candidate was found. Employers should factor this into their overall hiring timeline. Some sectors — particularly IT, engineering, and executive roles — move faster if ANAPEC's candidate pool is clearly insufficient for the specialisation required.

The Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel Garanti (SMIG) is Morocco's guaranteed minimum hourly wage, set at MAD 15.56/hour in 2024. All employment contracts must meet or exceed the SMIG. There is also an agricultural minimum wage (SMAG) for farm workers. Senior and specialist roles typically command considerably higher market-rate salaries.

Yes. Spouses and dependent children may apply for a Family Reunification Carte de Séjour from the DGSN. Dependants wishing to work must go through the full ANAPEC and Visa de Travail process.

Yes. An EOR registered in Morocco can manage the priorité nationale registration with ANAPEC, obtain the visa on the employment contract, sponsor the Visa de Travail, and manage the Carte de Séjour, CNSS contributions, and full Labour Code compliance on behalf of an international company without a Moroccan entity.

Relocate to Morocco

Remote People provides EOR services in Morocco and across North Africa. We manage ANAPEC registration and priorité nationale compliance, employment contract approval, Visa de Travail sponsorship, Carte de Séjour applications, CNSS registration, payroll in MAD, and full Labour Code compliance.

Contact Remote People to start hiring in Morocco today.

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