Macron’s Visa Restrictions Strain Franco-Moroccan Relations, Report Finds

The issuance of visas by France to Moroccans is still a subject of debate. In a report published by the Oxford University Politics Blog, its authors Mehdi Alioua, a Moroccan sociology professor, and Jeanne Nougue, a French research assistant, emphasize the importance of migration in the Franco-Moroccan diplomatic crisis. According to them, while many analyses focus on the role of politics and issues such as the Western Sahara dossier in the deterioration of relations, the visa restrictions imposed by France on Moroccans play a more important role than expected.

In September 2021, Paris had decided to halve the entry permits granted to Moroccans. A decision justified by the reluctance of the kingdom to readmit its nationals in an irregular situation in France, including those who have received the obligation to leave French territory (OQTF). In the eyes of Alioua and Nougue, the lack of cooperation from Morocco was "not as dramatic as presented by France". Noting that the diplomatic deterioration took place in the context of the 2022 French presidential election, where the country’s far right made speeches on security and immigration very important themes in French politics, effectively repatriating migrants who have been the subject of an OQTF appeared as a test for Emmanuel Macron who must "protect" France from the threat represented by immigrants.

According to the authors of the report, the visa restrictions would therefore be part of what some have called the "Macronist voluntarism", which does not hesitate to take "radical" measures, "even if it means sacrificing diplomatic relations on the altar of domestic security". Currently, Paris is striving to resolve the visa crisis. "There is no longer any limitation in terms of visa issuance by France. Any person who meets the required conditions to obtain a visa will obtain their visa," said Christophe Lecourtier, French ambassador to Morocco on Radio 2M, adding that a 80% increase in the number of visas issued in 2023 is planned.