Morocco Tightens Border Rules: Passport Stamps Now Required for Melilla Residents

Two years ago, residents of Melilla and Nador could cross the border by presenting their identity card. But this will no longer be possible as of Tuesday at 00:00, as the Moroccan and Spanish authorities have decided that only citizens holding a Schengen visa will be allowed to access their respective territories, reports El Faro de Melilla.

To read: Spain Considers Ending Visa-Free Entry for Moroccans at Ceuta and Melilla Borders

The government delegate in Melilla, Sabrina Moh, confirmed the news on Monday during a press conference, specifying that for the moment it is difficult to say whether Melilla will participate in Operation Marhaba 2022, even though the Port Authority of the city has already assured that it is actively preparing to welcome the Moroccans residing abroad.

The government delegate of Melilla has exchanged with the governor of Nador in order to make the border more secure and fluid. It is in this sense that the Moroccan authorities will require, in addition to the visa, a vaccination passport with at least two doses or a negative PCR test dated 72 hours before the trip.