Morocco Considers Visa Retaliation as Algeria Ends Exemption Policy

This request follows Algeria’s sudden announcement of imposing visas on Moroccans, thus breaking with an exemption policy in place since 2004.

This Moroccan reaction is part of a context of growing tensions between the two neighboring countries. Moroccan officials notably accuse Algerian citizens of having participated in a recent attack on the city of Ceuta and of having made offensive remarks towards the kingdom.

In this climate of mistrust, some fear that the absence of visas for Algerians may facilitate the infiltration of ill-intentioned individuals onto Moroccan soil, especially as major events such as the 2025 Africa Cup and the 2030 World Cup approach.

It should be noted that Morocco had already imposed visas on Algerians in 1994, following an attack in Marrakech attributed to the Algerian intelligence services. This measure had then led to the closure of the borders between the two countries.