How To Obtain a Residency Permit (Carte de Séjour) in Casablanca, Morocco

As an expat living in Morocco, I’ve navigated the complex process of obtaining a residency permit (carte de séjour) in Casablanca. Today, I’m sharing my firsthand experience to guide you through the Morocco immigration requirements, focusing on the Casablanca residency application process. While this guide is tailored for Casablanca, the general principles apply across Morocco, with some regional variations.

My Personal Journey

When I applied for my residency permit in Casablanca, I did so as a company owner. The process was detailed and required careful preparation. One of the most crucial pieces of advice I can offer is this: the procedure can vary significantly from city to city.

Key Differences Across Morocco

Through conversations with friends in other cities, I discovered that:

• Agadir may require 10 photos
• Marrakech typically asks for 6 photos
• In Casablanca, where I applied, we submit 8 photos

This variation extends to other requirements as well. To ensure you have the most up-to-date information, always check with your local Préfecture de Police. Requirements for documents like Lydec bills, rental contracts, and the number of photocopies may differ. I found that as a first-time applicant, the process was more rigorous compared to what friends experienced when renewing their Morocco residence card.

General Requirements for Morocco Residency Permit

Based on my experience in Casablanca, all applicants typically need:

1. 8 passport-sized photos
2. Criminal record check (casier judiciaire)
3. Rental contract (contrat de bail)
4. Doctor’s certificate (certificat médical d’aptitude)
5. 2 legalized copies of your passport, including entry stamp and photo page
6. 3 application forms from the Préfecture de Police

Additional Requirements by Category

As a Business Owner, I had to provide:

• Bank statement proving sufficient funds (attestation bancaire)
• 2 legalized copies each of:
  • Commercial registration (registre de commerce)
  • Company domiciliation/rental contract
  • Company statutes (statuts)
  • Legal announcement in a newspaper (annonce légale)
  • Tax declaration (déclaration des impôts)
  • Business Identification Notification (Bulletin de Notification des Identifiants)

For Married Couples:

While I didn’t apply as part of a married couple, I’ve heard from friends that the process can be slightly different. For detailed information on applying as a married couple in Morocco, check out Amanda’s guide on MarocMama.com. While it’s Marrakech-specific, it provides valuable insights applicable to other Moroccan cities.

For Students: From what I’ve gathered, students typically need:

• Admission certificate from your educational institution
• Proof of payment for tuition (at least one semester/year)
• “Prise en charge” document (consult your embassy for specifics on this financial guarantee)

For Employees: I’ve found that obtaining a work permit in Morocco can be challenging. Your employer should handle most of the process, including proving that no qualified Moroccan candidates are available for the position. This route is typically reserved for highly specialized roles.

Tips for a Smooth Application Process

Based on my experience, here are some tips:

1. Start early: Gathering all required documents can take time.
2. Get documents legalized: Many documents require official legalization.
3. Prepare for multiple visits: I had to make several trips to the Préfecture.
4. Stay patient: Bureaucracy in Morocco can move slowly.
5. Consider hiring help: If language is a barrier, a local assistant can be invaluable.

Renewing Your Morocco Residency Permit

While I haven’t gone through the renewal process yet, I’ve heard from long-term expats that it’s generally simpler than the initial application. They advise starting the renewal process at least a month before your current permit expires.

Living as an expat in Casablanca has been a rewarding experience, despite the bureaucratic challenges. Remember, requirements can change, so always verify the latest information with official sources.

Have you gone through the residency permit process in Morocco? Share your experiences in the comments below! Your insights could be invaluable to other expats navigating this process.