Morocco faces crisis over visa slots as brokers charge up to MAD 6,000

Key Takeaways

• Moroccan applicants pay up to MAD 6,000 (€550) for Schengen visa appointment slots due to limited availability.
• TLScontact introduced video verification and automatic appointment allocation to combat brokers exploiting Morocco’s visa system.
• In 2023, over 136,000 Moroccan Schengen visa applications were rejected, causing estimated losses of 118 million dirhams.

A Crisis Over Visa Slots in Morocco: Public Outcry, Government Action, and the Fight for Fair Access

In May 2025, Morocco 🇲🇦 is facing a major crisis over access to Schengen visa appointment slots. Reports have surfaced that intermediaries—often called brokers—are charging desperate applicants up to MAD 6,000 (about €550) for a single visa slot. This situation has sparked widespread anger, urgent government intervention, and calls for deep reforms to restore fairness and transparency in the visa application process.

Why Are Moroccans Paying So Much for Visa Slots?

The heart of the problem is simple: demand for Schengen visas in Morocco is extremely high, but the number of available appointment slots is limited. According to 2024 statistics, Morocco ranked 4th globally for Schengen visa applications. Many Moroccans want to visit Europe for tourism, study, family visits, or business. But with so many people applying and so few slots, competition is fierce.

Brokers have taken advantage of this situation. Using automated computer programs called bots, they quickly grab appointment slots as soon as they become available. Ordinary applicants, who try to book appointments themselves, often find there are no slots left. The only way many can get an appointment is by paying a broker—sometimes as much as MAD 6,000 per slot. For context, the average monthly income in Morocco is just €357, making these fees unaffordable for most families.

How Did the Crisis Reach This Point?

The exploitation of visa slots by intermediaries is not new in Morocco. For years, applicants have complained about the difficulty of securing appointments and the rise of a black market for slots. But in late 2024 and early 2025, the problem exploded. National media began reporting on the high prices charged by brokers, and stories of students, artists, and families being forced to pay huge sums just to apply for a visa became common.

The issue reached a tipping point in May 2025, with public protests, heated debates in Parliament, and urgent statements from top government officials. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the crisis has undermined trust in the entire visa process and created significant hardship for ordinary Moroccans.

Government and Diplomatic Response

Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Steps In

Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Foreign Minister, has publicly acknowledged the problem. He stated that the government is working closely with European Union (EU) diplomatic missions to stop the exploitation of visa appointment systems. The Ministry has promised to introduce new measures to end these unfair practices and restore public trust.

Parliament Demands Action

The Moroccan Parliament has taken up the issue, reflecting the anger felt by many citizens. Lawmakers have demanded concrete steps to prevent intermediaries from controlling appointment slots. Some, like Khaled Setti and Loubna Alaoui from the National Union of Moroccan Workers (UNTM), have even suggested that Morocco could impose visa requirements on European visitors if the situation does not improve.

French Embassy and TLScontact Reforms

The French Embassy and its visa outsourcing provider, TLScontact, have introduced major changes to their appointment system:

• Since September 18, 2024, first-time French Schengen visa applicants in Rabat must complete a video call for identity verification before getting an appointment. This step is designed to stop brokers from booking slots for others.
• TLScontact has launched an automatic appointment allocation system. Instead of letting anyone book online (which brokers exploited), the system now randomly assigns appointments to applicants who register on the TLScontact website. Applicants receive an email with their appointment details and must pay the service fee to confirm the slot. If they don’t pay, the slot is released to someone else.
• Security upgrades include advanced CAPTCHA (a test to prove you’re human), OTP (One-Time Password) verification, and real-time monitoring to block suspicious accounts and prevent bot activity.

These reforms are aimed at making it much harder for intermediaries to control the system and profit from desperate applicants.

The Human Cost: Real Stories from Moroccan Applicants

The impact of this crisis goes far beyond statistics. For many Moroccans, the dream of visiting Europe has become a nightmare of frustration and financial loss.

• Students hoping to attend universities in France, Spain, or Germany find themselves unable to even book an appointment without paying a broker. Many families have had to borrow money or give up on their plans altogether.
• Artists and professionals invited to international events have missed important opportunities because they could not secure a visa slot in time.
• Families wanting to visit relatives or attend weddings and funerals in Europe face heartbreaking choices: pay exorbitant fees or miss out on important life events.

In 2023 alone, over 136,000 Schengen visa applications by Moroccans were refused, resulting in non-refundable costs estimated at 118 million dirhams (about €11 million). These losses hit hardest for those who can least afford them.

How the New French Visa Application System Works

For those applying for a French Schengen visa in Morocco, the process now involves several steps designed to prevent abuse:

1. Create an Account: Applicants must register on the TLScontact website.
2. Automatic Allocation: The system randomly assigns available appointment slots to registered applicants.
3. Notification: Applicants receive an email with their appointment date and time.
4. Payment: The appointment is confirmed only after the applicant pays the TLScontact service fee.
5. Video Call Verification: First-time applicants in Rabat must verify their identity via video call, showing their passport to ensure they are the real applicant.
6. If Not Selected: If no appointment is allocated within 60 days, applicants must reapply.

These steps are meant to level the playing field and ensure that only genuine applicants can book appointments.

Technical and Policy Challenges

Can Technology Solve the Problem?

Technical experts at TLScontact say that while tools like CAPTCHA, OTP, and random allocation can reduce fraud, they are not a complete solution. As long as demand for visas far exceeds supply, there will always be incentives for illicit activity. Some brokers may still find ways to game the system, especially for non-French Schengen visas that have not yet adopted these reforms.

Human Rights and Civil Society Concerns

Human rights advocates, such as Hassan El Idrissi from the Moroccan Organization for Human Rights, argue that the current system violates the principle of equal access. They are calling for both Moroccan and European authorities to implement transparent, digital-first solutions that ensure everyone has a fair chance to apply.

Diplomatic Tensions

Some Moroccan lawmakers have proposed reciprocal visa requirements for Europeans if the situation does not improve. While this has not been implemented, it signals growing frustration and the potential for diplomatic escalation.

Why Is the Problem So Hard to Fix?

The root causes of the crisis are complex:

• High demand: Many Moroccans want to travel to Europe for legitimate reasons.
• Limited supply: Embassies can only process a certain number of applications each day.
• Technical loopholes: Until recently, online booking systems were easy for bots and brokers to exploit.
• Lack of transparency: Ordinary applicants often don’t know how the system works or why they can’t get an appointment.

Even with new technical measures, the sheer volume of applicants means that some will always be left out unless more slots are made available or the process is further reformed.

Quantitative Snapshot: The Scale of the Crisis

Here’s a summary of key facts:

What Are the Next Steps for Moroccan Applicants?

If you are a Moroccan planning to apply for a Schengen visa, here’s what you need to know:

• Do not pay intermediaries: With new technical measures in place, paying a broker does not guarantee an appointment and may even put your application at risk.
• Register directly: Always use the official TLScontact website or the official embassy website for your application.
• Prepare documents carefully: Make sure you have all required documents ready before your appointment. Missing paperwork can lead to delays or refusals.
• Be patient: With high demand and new systems, it may take longer to get an appointment. If you are not selected within 60 days, you will need to reapply.
• Stay informed: Follow updates from the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and trusted news sources for the latest information.

What Could Happen Next?

Expansion of Technical Solutions

If the new French system proves successful, other Schengen countries may adopt similar reforms in Morocco. This could make the process fairer for all applicants, not just those applying for French visas.

Possible Diplomatic Moves

If the crisis continues, Morocco may consider imposing visa requirements on European nationals. This would be a major step with significant diplomatic and economic consequences, but it reflects the seriousness of the current situation.

Ongoing Monitoring

Both Moroccan authorities and EU embassies are expected to keep a close watch on the system and introduce further upgrades as needed. The goal is to prevent future exploitation and ensure that all applicants have a fair chance.

Multiple Perspectives: What Stakeholders Are Saying

• Moroccan Officials: Determined to restore trust and fairness, working with EU partners to fix the system.
• European Embassies: Concerned about the credibility of the visa process, investing in technical upgrades.
• Parliamentarians: Pushing for strong action, including possible reciprocal measures.
• Human Rights Groups: Demanding digital reforms and equal access for all.
• Technical Experts: Warning that technical fixes help, but deeper reforms are needed to address the root causes.

Real-Life Example: A Student’s Struggle

Consider the case of Youssef, a 22-year-old student from Casablanca. He was accepted to a university in France and needed a visa to start his studies in September. Despite trying for weeks, he could not book an appointment through the official system. Brokers offered him a slot for MAD 6,000—almost five months of his family’s income. In the end, Youssef missed the deadline and lost his place at the university. His story is just one of thousands that highlight the urgent need for reform.

Official Resources for Applicants

• Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.ma/
• TLScontact (French Visa Applications): https://www.tlscontact.com
• Morocco World News: For ongoing coverage and updates
• Schengen News: For policy changes and reforms

Final Thoughts: Toward a Fairer System

The exploitation of Schengen visa appointment slots by intermediaries in Morocco has reached a crisis point, with ordinary citizens paying up to MAD 6,000 just for a chance to apply. The government, Parliament, and European embassies have responded with new technical and procedural safeguards, especially for French visa applications. However, challenges remain for other Schengen countries and for applicants who still face long waits and uncertainty.

The situation is being closely watched, and further reforms are expected. For now, applicants should use only official channels, avoid intermediaries, and stay informed about new developments. The hope is that with continued pressure and cooperation, a fairer and more transparent system will emerge—one that gives every Moroccan a real chance to pursue their dreams abroad.

For more detailed analysis and updates, VisaVerge.com reports that ongoing reforms and monitoring will be key to restoring trust and fairness in Morocco’s visa application process.

Learn Today

Schengen visa → A travel permit allowing entry to 26 European countries within the Schengen Area for short stays.
TLScontact → A private company managing visa appointment bookings and application processing for the French Embassy in Morocco.
Bots → Automated software programs used by brokers to quickly book numerous visa appointment slots fraudulently.
Video verification → A process requiring applicants to confirm identity by showing passport during a live video call.
OTP verification → One-Time Password sent to applicants to confirm identity and prevent unauthorized access during booking.

This Article in a Nutshell

Morocco faces a crisis as brokers charge exorbitant fees for Schengen visa slots amid huge demand. New government and French embassy reforms use technology to fight abuse, but challenges remain. The struggle affects students and families, highlighting urgent need for fairer, transparent visa appointment systems in Morocco.
— By VisaVerge.com

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