France Tightens Visa Restrictions for Moroccan Elites, Sparking Diplomatic Tension

France has extended visa restrictions to include former Moroccan ministers, officials and businessmen, reports the online newspaper Rai Al-Youm. The issue was discussed in the Moroccan Parliament following the refusal of French consulates to grant visas to former ministers, government officials, academics, businessmen, doctors and engineers. Faced with this situation, the Parliament called on the Moroccan government to defend "Moroccan dignity." It also asked the people whose visa applications had been refused to file a complaint to obtain a refund of their fees.

France had decided in late September 2021 to reduce visa issuance by 50% for Moroccans and Algerians and by 30% for Tunisians on the grounds that these three countries refuse to issue consular laissez-passer necessary for the return of their nationals expelled from France. A decision that was also justified by the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, many Moroccans have been denied French visas.