Immigration – Focus on Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Geographically, Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It is one of only three countries (with Spain and France) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court.

Morocco’s predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Berber. Moroccan Arabic, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken. Morocco is an influential member of the Arab League and a part of the Union for the Mediterranean. It has the sixth-largest economy in Africa. 

Moroccan Labour Law strictly enforces the notion that any foreigner wishing to work in Morocco is in possession of the necessary authority to do so. Gaining such permission form the Ministry of Employment is a two-stage process and, with Morocco’s infamous bureaucracy, can be extremely lengthy.

The first stage is to gain authorisation for a foreign worker to fill the post from the National Agency for Promotion of Employment and Skills, otherwise known as ANAPEC. Only upon such authorisaiton can a work permit be applied for from the Ministry of Employment.

The Kingdom of Morocco is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Geographically, Morocco is characterized by a rugged mountainous interior and large portions of desert. It is one of only three countries (with Spain and France) to have both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy with an elected parliament. The King of Morocco holds vast executive and legislative powers, especially over the military, foreign policy and religious affairs. Executive power is exercised by the government, while legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Assembly of Representatives and the Assembly of Councillors. The king can issue decrees called dahirs which have the force of law. He can also dissolve the parliament after consulting the Prime Minister and the president of the Constitutional court.

Morocco’s predominant religion is Islam, and the official languages are Arabic and Berber. Moroccan Arabic, referred to as Darija, and French are also widely spoken. Morocco is an influential member of the Arab League and a part of the Union for the Mediterranean. It has the sixth-largest economy in Africa.

Moroccan Labour Law strictly enforces the notion that any foreigner wishing to work in Morocco is in possession of the necessary authority to do so. Gaining such permission form the Ministry of Employment is a two-stage process and, with Morocco’s infamous bureaucracy, can be extremely lengthy.

The first stage is to gain authorisation for a foreign worker to fill the post from the National Agency for Promotion of Employment and Skills, otherwise known as ANAPEC. Only upon such authorisation can a work permit be applied for from the Ministry of Employment.

Once the work permit is obtained, the applicant must proceed to the police department for the residence permit, or carte de sejour.