Rabat – Moroccans ranked second worldwide among beneficiaries of French Schengen visas in 2025, according to Olivier Ramadour, France’s Consul General in Rabat.
Speaking on the radio program Inter Matin on Chaîne Inter, Ramadour said France granted more than 300,000 Schengen visas to Moroccan citizens in 2025. This represents an increase of nearly 20% compared to 2024, making Morocco the second-largest beneficiary country after China, and ahead of India.
Ramadour said the figures once again reflect “the priority of the bilateral relationship with Morocco” and the “quality and strength of the human ties” between the two countries. He stated that the visa issue is “an integral part” of the strategic partnership linking France and Morocco.
French consular services in Morocco have made significant efforts in recent years to facilitate access to visa appointments and reduce processing times, he said. Visa application submissions are handled by an external service provider, while French consular authorities continue to process and decide on applications.
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The consul general also addressed the issue of intermediaries, commonly known as “brokers,” who book visa appointments and resell them. He said such practices undermine equal access to appointments. While he acknowledged that some intermediaries help applicants prepare their files, he criticized those who use digital systems to reserve available slots and resell them at higher prices. He recalled that booking a visa appointment is free of charge.
Ramadour further clarified that visa refusals are based on clear criteria agreed upon by all Schengen member states. He added that every refusal decision is justified and can be appealed, first before a special visa appeals commission and then before the French administrative courts.
Visa issues have strained relations between the two countries in recent years. In 2021 and 2022, France significantly reduced the number of visas granted to Moroccan nationals, citing disagreements over migration and the readmission of irregular migrants.
The move led to frustration among Moroccan applicants, many of whom complained about high refusal rates and limited appointment availability. These included students, professionals, and artists.
However, the situation began to improve as diplomatic relations warmed. Ties saw notable progress after France formally recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara. Cooperation between the two countries has considerably strengthened since then, and visa issuance numbers have steadily increased.