In order to ship your personal effects from Morocco to another country, you must obtain authorization from the Moroccan Customs Office in the region where you live in Morocco. To obtain this authorization, you will need to provide a sworn statement notarized by the U.S. Consulate in Casablanca that provides your biographical and residence information in Morocco and your new address in the country to which you are moving. You can obtain and fill out this document at the U.S. Consulate during our normal American Citizen Services hours. Please note that you must pay a $30 notarization fee and bring your U.S. passport for this service.
PASSPORTS How much does it cost to get new pages in my passport?
Additional pages can be added to your passport free of charge. You may appear in person to apply for this service. However, if over the age of 16, you have been issued a U.S. passport previously, and your previous passport was not lost or stolen, you can forward the application and your passport to the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca through another person. Please note that we do not accept applications by mail.
What is the cost for a passport or a passport renewal?
- US $100.00 for an adult first time issuance or replacement of a lost or stolen passport
- US $85.00 for a minor (under 16 years of age)
- US $75.00 for an adult renewal
How long before my passport is issued?
Passports are now printed in the U.S. and shipped to the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca. As a result, your passport will usually be ready for pickup in less than ten days. However, due to possible delays in processing, we cannot guarantee your passport will be ready in less than ten days. We encourage American citizens to apply for a new passport at least one month in advance of any planned travel.
My passport was stolen or lost. Can the U.S. Consulate issue an emergency passport? What is the cost?
In true emergencies, we can issue you an emergency passport, valid for a short period of time, within 24 hours. PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO ACQUIRE A PASSPORT AS PART OF THE PLANNING REQUIRED FOR NORMAL TRAVEL IS NOT AN EMERGENCY. You will be required to wait for a regular passport to arrive from the U.S. This process usually takes between seven and ten days.
To apply for a new passport after your passport was lost or stolen, please bring the police report for the lost identification (declaration de perte), passport pictures (5x5cm) on white background and $100.00 (in US or Moroccan currency, or you may pay with a credit card) during normal ACS office hours.
You can find more information on passport related issues at:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
REGISTRATION
How do I register at the Consulate?
The U.S. Department of State has a secure online travel registration website which allows you, as a tourist or as a resident in Morocco, to register your presence with the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General in Morocco. In addition, the U.S. Department of State will use this information to communicate with and assist you, your family members and any contact you authorize in the event of an emergency.
To register, please visit our worldwide travel registration website directly at:
https://travelregistration.state.gov
PLEASE NOTE: As Ameican citizens may now use the online registration system to register their presence in Morocco. We no longer accept registrations by fax, email or telephone. However, American citizens are always welcome to register their presence in person at the U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca during our normal service hours.
SOCIAL SECURITY
I am a U.S. citizen living in Morocco. Can I receive Federal Benefits here?
It is possible to receive federal benefits in Morocco. To begin receiving your Social Security payments in Morocco, you must apply for your benefits directly with the Social Security Administration (SSA) in the U.S. You can obtain the application forms at http://www.ssa.gov, pick them up from the American Citizen Services unit during our normal service hours, or request them via email at acscasablanca@state.gov. Once completed, you must submit the application packet to the SSA at the following address:
Social Security Administration
Office of International Operations
SS-5 workgroup
PO Box 17758
Baltimore, MD 21235-7758
Telephone in the United States: 405-965-5404
Fax in the United States: 410-966-6029
Website: www.socialsecurity.gov
I am currently receiving Social Security/other Federal benefits in the U.S. and would like to move to Morocco. What do I do?
To change the mailing address for the Social Security payments, you must submit Form SSA-21 and a certified photocopy of your passport to SSA. Form SSA-21 is available at the American Citizens Services unit or online at http://www.ssa.gov. The American Citizen Services unit will also make a certified copy of your original passport when you bring it in. There is no fee for this service when it is being used for Social Security purposes.
How do I receive my benefits?
Most U.S. Treasury checks are sent directly to their recipients.
What is the difference between receiving benefits by check and direct deposit?
Those receiving benefits via direct deposit will have access to their money faster. Generally, with direct deposit, your benefit payments are deposited directly in your bank account on the fourth day of every month. If you receive benefits by check, it may not arrive for several weeks. As a result of additional possible delays with the Moroccan postal system, the U.S. Consulate encourages recipients, if possible, to have their benefits checks deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account. This helps prevent difficulties in cases of lost, stolen, misplaced or late payments.
For comprehensive information on Federal Benefits, please access the website of the Social Security Administration at http://www.ssa.gov.
TAXES Who do I contact of help with my U.S. taxes? Where can I file my U.S. tax returns?
The Internal Revenue Service maintains a website at http://www.irs.gov. This website has links to IRS tax forms and public general information.
I am a U.S. citizen working in Morocco. Where can I get information on tax-related issues?
Information on taxes for U.S. citizens living abroad can be viewed at:
http://www.irs.gov/faqs/index.html
VISA AND ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR MOROCCO
ENTRY REQUIREMENT: The Moroccan immigration authorities require that U.S. citizens possess a valid passport to enter the country (student and military identity cards are not accepted). At present, vaccinations are not required. Upon your arrival, you may be asked to produce evidence that you have financial resources sufficient to cover your expenses during your stay in Morocco.
LENGTH OF STAY: Although entry visas are not required, you must declare your intention to become a resident within 15 days of your arrival or depart Morocco three months after your arrival. Failure to comply with the three month regulation may result in prosecution by Moroccan authorities.
RESIDENCE PROCEDURES: If you intend to establish residence within 15 days of your arrival, you must apply for an alien registration card (Carte d'immatriculation/Carte de Sejour) at the Foreigner's Office (Service des Etrangers) in the Police Station or Gendarmerie Royale in the village where you will reside. The alien registration card is granted by the National Police (Surete Nationale) in Rabat. Processing time for residence permits varies widely and largely depends on how actively one follows up on his/her application. When it is issued, the card is valid for ten years. For those Americans expecting to reside in Morocco for an extended period of time, it is recommended that they apply for a residence permit. The following is a list of documents required in support of a residence application:
Provide evidence of your means of livelihood or source of income (pension, annuity, social security, trust funds, bank statements, etc.).
If you will be employed in Morocco, submit a contract signed by your employer and approved by the Ministry of Labor in Rabat.
If you are self-employed or a professional, obtain and submit a work authorization from the Secretary General of the Government of Morocco.
Valid passport (if your U.S. passport is due to expire in 12 months or less, we suggest that you renew your passport before making application for the residence permit).
Aids tests are mandatory for all persons (age 15 to 60) wishing to reside in Morocco. The Aids test must be conducted in Morocco at a facility approved by the Moroccan Ministry of Health. A residence permit will not be issued until the absence of the HIV virus has been determined.
Three application forms for a residence permit, which are available through Moroccan immigration offices.
Six recent photos.
Fee of 1000 dirhams.
All of the above information is subject to change and this list is not all inclusive.
VISA REQUIREMENTS FOR OTHER FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS
The U.S. Consulate General in Casablanca has a document entitled "Visa Requirements of Foreign Governments," which spells out visa requirements for American citizens and immunization requirements for all countries worldwide. Contact the U.S. Consulate for information. Requirements for obtaining a visa for Morocco are covered separately.
VISAS
For information about non-immigrant visas, please visit general information on how to apply for a non-immigrant visa to the U.S., or email nivcasablanca@state.gov.
For information about immigrant visas, or the status of an immigrant visa petition, please visit petition or the status a an immigrant visa petition, or please e-mail ivcasablanca@state.gov.
U.S. Citizens will not be permitted to discuss visa cases during U.S. Citizen Services hours. If you have a question regarding an immigrant or nonimmigrant visa case, please send an email to ivcasablanca@state.gov or nivcasablanca@state.gov.
For other questions and concerns not covered on this list, please do not hesitate to email us at acscasablanca@state.gov.
Emergency Information
Frequently Asked Questions
