One of the new, but already quite popular for leisure and tourist destinations has become a country such as Morocco. Do we need a visa for Russians (2017), in which cases, what kind of documents will have to be issued to enter the country as travelers, to relatives and relatives, on business, to study and work, travel to a permanent place of residence - all these nuances we consider below. This kingdom is located on the territory of the African continent, in its northern part. For recreation, it is not year-round, although for sightseeing you can come here at any time. The high season lasts from early spring to late autumn.
When you do not need to apply for a visa
Let's start with some nice information. Visas to Morocco for Russians who are going to come here for tourist purposes have not been required since 2005. Therefore, it was not difficult to visit this country; it was not necessary to deal with various bureaucratic obstacles. But even now this kingdom is on the list of visa-free countries for Russia. In order to relax here, you just need to have a passport to travel abroad. In addition, on an airplane or at the airport, you will have to fill out a migration card, where you indicate the information required by customs officers and border guards. However, this rule applies subject to certain conditions:
- if you have Russian citizenship (holders of Ukrainian, Belarusian passports, documents of residents of other countries of the former Soviet Union will not be able to enter the country without visas, even if they constantly reside in the territory of the Russian Federation);
- if you enter Morocco solely for the purpose of tourism or visiting relatives;
- if you intend to be in the country no more than ninety days.
What you need to apply for entry
Although visas to Morocco are not needed for Russians arriving in the country as tourists, some documents must be brought with you. First of all, this is your passport, which must be valid - that is, until the end of its term should remain at least six months from the moment you leave your homeland. True, such a requirement is not out of the ordinary, it is presented in almost any country. Moreover, your children should have foreign passports. Please note that for a separate document, children must also enter Morocco. The manufacture of such passports in Russia may take three to four months, so it is better to take care of this in advance. Filling out a migration card is quite simple. A sample of how to do this can be downloaded on the Internet, but also at the airport, examples of the correct design of such forms are hanging on the walls or on tables. The card must be filled out in Latin block letters, legibly.
Additional documents
Of course, if only the father or mother leaves with the children, then you need to have a notarized permit for the export of your child from Russia. In addition, experienced tourists are advised to bring along some additional documents that were required when the visas were issued in Morocco for the Russians. This, for example, return tickets, invitations from friends or relatives, hotel reservations or travel vouchers, bank statements, medical insurance. Most travelers at the border usually do not ask for this, but the country's legislation gives customs officers the right to demand these documents. And if such a case comes, it is better that you have them. Three months is usually enough to get acquainted with all the sights of the country or to stay. But if suddenly you need a longer period for your stay, this can be arranged. But you must do this in advance. This is at least fifteen days before the expiration of your visa-free stay in the country. Otherwise, you may be in trouble.
What is required to visit the country for other purposes
Do you need visas to Morocco for Russians who want to find a job, do business or study in this country? Yes, sure. The Russians will also need a long-term visa to participate in various conferences, colloquiums or meetings. Each type of trip in these cases requires different documents. All of them must be executed in Arabic or French (otherwise you provide a notarized translation). To apply for any full-fledged visa, you will need the following documents:
- application form for a certain type of entry permit, filled in according to the rules;
- Valid passport and its copy;
- Russian passport with the address of your place of residence;
- four recent standard photographs measuring 3 by 4 centimeters;
- medical insurance;
- document confirming the payment of the visa fee.
Workers, entrepreneurs and students: what is needed?
If you are applying for a study visa, you will need an invitation from the institution where you are going to get an education. When you open an entry permit to work at the embassy, they will require a certificate from the place of your previous employment. In addition, you will need to present an invitation from the Moroccan employer. If you are going to do business, then you will need letters and confirmations from foreign partners. Invitations are also needed from the scientific communities or civic organizations at the conferences or seminars of which you are arriving.
Residence permit and departure for permanent residence
Keep in mind that any visa - student, work or business - also valid for no more than ninety days. Therefore, in order to stay in Morocco for more than three months, you must register with the police and apply for a residence permit. It is issued for a period of one year, then is extended for five, and then for ten years. For its registration, you will need to present six photos, photocopies of your passport, a copy of birth and marriage certificates, a certificate of residence, from a Moroccan bank and an income document. Residence permit is confirmed by the so-called national card, which allows you to live in the country almost on equal terms with its citizens. The cost of a visa to Morocco for Russians starts from one and a half to two thousand rubles. But each type of entry permit has its own price, which should be clarified at the embassy. Payment is made in rubles, but at the exchange rate. To apply for permanent residence in Morocco, you must apply for the citizenship of this country. This requires a national card for at least five years. Citizenship is also issued after two years of legal marriage with a resident of Morocco.
How to get there
If you want to get to this country, it is preferable to do it by air. Flights "Moscow-Morocco" arrive in Casablanca - one of the largest and most luxurious airports in the country. The cost of the flight is about 270 US dollars one way. They get to Casablanca in six hours. There are planes with landing in Rabat. Direct Moscow-Morocco flights depart from Sheremetyevo. They arrive both in Rabat and in Casablanca. They are mainly carried out by the Royal Air Mark carrier. The most convenient connecting flights for Scandinavian Airlines. And the most low-cost flights - at the "Portuguese". They fly to Marrakesh from Moscow for $ 145 (one way).
Morocco: 2017 Tours
This country is a combination of African and Arab exotic and European-class service. Therefore, many companies offer extensive travel programs on it. Such trips, as tourists themselves admit, destroy their stereotypes about Arab countries. After all, Morocco is not only beach resorts. These are impressive cities with a rich history and amazing sights. By agreeing to an excursion package, you will see the real Morocco. Tours for 2017 are not too expensive - $ 500-700 for a week or ten days. You will be offered to visit the white beaches of Agadir, museums of ancient civilizations of Rabat, see the unique Spanish flavor of Essaouira, the luxury of Casablanca, the authenticity of Marrakesh. An independent tourist trip to Morocco is also quite possible. This country is politically stable, safe, sellers and merchants are unobtrusive. You can move to different regions using public transport, which is well developed here. These are air-conditioned buses and minibuses. But know that if you are invited to visit or in a cafe, it is better not to refuse, otherwise the locals will be offended. In no case should you touch the food with your left hand, only with your right.