The Carte d'Immatriculation Visiteur is Morocco's residence permit for financially independent foreign nationals who wish to live in the country without engaging in any professional activity. Established under Loi 02-03, it is issued by the Direction Generale de la Surete Nationale (DGSN) through local police prefectures. The program targets retirees, pensioners, rentiers, and anyone who can demonstrate sufficient personal resources from pensions, savings, rental income, or investment returns. It is Morocco's primary pathway for non-working foreign residents seeking long-term residence.
The initial card is typically issued for 1 year. Successive renewals progressively extend validity: first to 2-3 years, then 5 years, then up to 10 years. Renewal requires updated documentation including proof of continued financial resources, valid passport, accommodation proof, Moroccan criminal record extract, and updated photographs. The renewal fee is MAD 100. The card becomes void if the holder is absent from Morocco for more than 6 consecutive months. A renewal request must be filed within 15 days of the card's expiry to avoid penalties.
After 4 years of continuous legal residence, the holder may apply for a carte de residence (10-year residence card), renewable for successive 10-year periods. After 5 years of continuous residence, the holder may apply for Moroccan nationality by naturalization, though this is discretionary.
Spouse and minor children may each apply individually for their own Carte d'Immatriculation Visiteur with the same requirements. There is no joint family application. Each dependant must independently demonstrate sufficient financial resources or show that the primary applicant has sufficient resources to support the household. Minor children under 18 with at least one parent holding a card may be issued a circulation document for foreign minors. Family reunification under a separate "regroupement familial" mention is also available.
Foreign residents whose habitual home or centre of economic interests is in Morocco, or who spend 183 or more days per year there, become Moroccan tax residents and are subject to income tax on worldwide income. As of 1 January 2026, under the Loi de finances 2026, pension income is treated very favorably:
Retirees whose income comes exclusively from now-exempt pensions are no longer required to file an annual income tax return. Morocco has double taxation agreements with over 50 countries, and non-residents are taxed only on Moroccan-source income. Property owners pay housing tax (taxe d'habitation) and municipal services tax.
Long-stay visa: Apply in person at a Moroccan consulate for a visa de long sejour type D with the "visiteur" mention. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. Requires passport, application form, photographs, proof of accommodation, proof of financial resources, and health insurance documentation.
Entry and registration: Upon arrival in Morocco, open a Moroccan bank account and arrange regular pension or income transfers. Retirees seeking maximum tax advantage often open a non-convertible dirham account to qualify for the 80% reduction on transferred foreign pensions, while a convertible account allows free repatriation of funds.
Carte d'immatriculation application: Apply in person at the local DGSN prefecture de police or surete provinciale within 90 days of entry. Submit the complete dossier. A renewable receipt (recepisse) valid for 3 months is issued as temporary proof of legal residence.
Card issuance: The biometric carte d'immatriculation is typically issued within approximately 35 days (around 20 days for receipt issuance, 15 additional days for card production).
Fees: MAD 100 fiscal stamp for the carte d'immatriculation. Long-stay visa fee: approximately MAD 220-1,000 depending on nationality and duration.
Note: Some nationalities (EU, US, Canadian citizens) can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days and apply directly for the carte d'immatriculation, though obtaining a long-stay visa beforehand is strongly recommended. All foreign-language documents must be translated into Arabic or French and legalized. The visiteur card strictly prohibits all professional activity, including remote work and freelancing.