Kingdom of Morocco · residence general
Long-stay Visa (Visa D)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
For anyone planning to live in Morocco for more than 90 days: the long-stay Visa D is the entry visa you obtain before travelling, and it is the step that comes before you register for a residence card once you arrive.
- Processing time
- Indicative only - consular processing times vary; confirm current timelines with the relevant Moroccan consulate.
- Government fees
- Indicative only - consular visa fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official channel.
- Typical duration
- A long-stay entry visa used to enter Morocco and then register for a residence card; confirm validity and conditions on the official page.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- No
In short
As of 10 July 2026, the Long-stay Visa (Visa D) for Kingdom of Morocco is an unsponsored Morocco immigration route. Sources: official Kingdom of Morocco government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/morocco/long-stay-visa#answer
What is the Long-stay Visa (Visa D) in Kingdom of Morocco?
Long-stay Visa (Visa D) is an unsponsored Morocco route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only - consular visa fees apply; confirm current amounts on the official channel; indicative processing time is Indicative only - consular processing times vary; confirm current timelines with the relevant Moroccan consulate; typical duration is A long-stay entry visa used to enter Morocco and then register for a residence card; confirm validity and conditions on the official page. This route does not lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The long-stay Visa D is the front door for people who intend to settle in Morocco rather than just visit. You apply for it at a Moroccan consulate in your home country, on a basis such as work, study, family or means of support, and it lets you enter Morocco to then register for the matching residence card (titre de sejour) at the Service des Etrangers. It is an entry visa, not a residence status in itself, so it does not lead to settlement on its own - it simply opens the route to the residence card that does the long-term job. Good to know: the basis you give for the Visa D should line up with the residence category you will apply for after arrival.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓A clear basis for a long stay, such as employment, study, family or sufficient means of support.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ✓An application made at a Moroccan consulate or embassy before travelling.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ✓A valid passport and the supporting documents for the chosen basis.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ✓The intention to register for the matching residence card at the Service des Etrangers after arrival.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
Common blockers
- !Travelling on a short-stay or tourist basis when you actually intend to live in Morocco long term.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- !A Visa D basis that does not match the residence category you later apply for.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- !Incomplete supporting documents for the long-stay basis at the consulate.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·A valid passport and completed long-stay visa application.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ·Documents supporting your basis (work contract, enrolment, family link or proof of means).Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ·Proof of accommodation or a hosting arrangement in Morocco.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
- ·Evidence of sufficient funds for your stay.Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) ↗
Application pathway
Check the route fit
Decide the basis for your long stay and confirm the Visa D is the right entry route for it on the official channels.
Build the evidence pack
Assemble the passport, basis documents, accommodation proof and funds the consulate requires.
Submit through the official channel
Apply for the long-stay Visa D at the Moroccan consulate or embassy in your country before travelling.
After approval
Travel to Morocco on the Visa D, then register at the Service des Etrangers for the matching residence card within the required time.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Long-stay Visa (Visa D) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Long-stay Visa (Visa D).
Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) · verified
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Related routes
Work Residence Card (carte de sejour, salarie)
For foreign nationals taking up a job in Morocco: this is the employment-based residence card (carte de sejour) you hold once a Moroccan employer has secured an ANAPEC-authorised work contract for you, letting you live and work in the country lawfully.
Self-funded Residence Card (retirees and people of independent means)
For retirees and people who can support themselves without working in Morocco: this residence card (carte de sejour) lets you live in the country on the strength of your own income or savings, without needing a local employer.
Student Residence Card (carte de sejour, etudiant)
For international students enrolled at a Moroccan university or institute: this student residence card (carte de sejour) lets you live in Morocco for the length of your course, renewing alongside your studies.
Frequently asked questions
Is the long-stay Visa D a residence permit?+
No. The Visa D is the entry visa that lets you come to Morocco for a long stay; your actual residence is established by registering for a residence card (titre de sejour) at the Service des Etrangers after you arrive. Confirm the current steps on the official DGSN page.
Can I work on a long-stay Visa D alone?+
The Visa D gets you in, but lawful work also needs an ANAPEC-authorised work contract and the work-category residence card. Make sure your Visa D basis matches the route you intend to follow, and confirm the rules on the official channels.
Does the basis I give for the Visa D need to match the residence card I'll apply for in Morocco?+
Yes. The basis you give for the Visa D, such as work, study, family or means of support, should line up with the residence category you apply for after arrival, and a Visa D basis that does not match the residence category you later apply for is a common blocker. Confirm the current requirements on the official channels.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in MoroccoHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN)
Last checked: 1 June 2026