Morocco Family Reunification and Dependant Residence

Immediate family members of foreign nationals who hold a valid Residence Permit or récépissé in Morocco may apply for a Residence Permit based on family reunification. This category applies to spouses, minor children, and, in some cases, dependent parents. Each eligible family member must submit a separate application in person at the police station with jurisdiction over the place of residence.

The principal applicant must already hold a valid Residence Permit or valid récépissé before dependants can apply. Family members cannot apply on the basis of a Work Permit alone. The Residence Permit enables access to basic services, schooling for minor children, banking, and other administrative functions while living in Morocco.

Morocco does not recognise same-sex unions or life partnerships for immigration purposes. Only legal spouses and biological or legally adopted children are eligible under family reunification. Dependent parents may be accepted in some locations, subject to proof of dependency and financial support from the principal applicant.

Key features of dependant Residence Permits in Morocco include:

• Each family member is issued their own Residence Permit once approved.
• There are no fixed minimum income requirements; however, the main applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support their family in Morocco.
• Residence Permits for dependants are usually valid for one year and renewable.
• Minor children under 18 are generally not required to hold their own Residence Permit if both parents have valid permits.
• Children do not require a separate study visa to attend school in Morocco, as long as the sponsoring parent holds valid residence status.

All applications must be submitted in person at the competent police station. There is no online process for family reunification residence applications.

Last Updated: 24/11/2025

Family members applying for Residence Permits under family reunification must submit their applications in person at the police station with jurisdiction over their place of residence in Morocco. Supporting documentation must reflect the family relationship, valid status of the principal applicant, and proof of financial support. Documents issued outside Morocco may need to be translated into French or Arabic and legalised or apostilled.

Documents Required – Principal Applicant (Sponsor):

• Copy of the Residence Permit or valid récépissé.
• Copy of the Work Permit or employment confirmation, if applicable.
• Proof of financial means to support dependants (salary confirmation or recent bank statements).
• Proof of address in Morocco (rental contract, notarised accommodation certificate, or host declaration).

Documents Required – Spouse:

• Valid passport with copies of all used pages.
• Marriage certificate proving legal marital status (translated and legalised if issued abroad).
• Passport-sized photographs in the format required by Moroccan authorities.
• Application form for Residence Permit (available at the police station).

Documents Required – Minor Children:

• Valid passport or national identity document, where applicable.
• Birth certificate showing parental relationship (translated and legalised if issued abroad).
• Copy of principal applicant’s Residence Permit or récépissé.
• Proof of financial support from the main applicant.

Documents for Dependent Parents (Case Dependent):

• Valid passport and copies of all used pages.
• Proof of dependency (financial support evidence, medical or welfare documentation).
• Proof of family relationship with the principal applicant.
• Copy of the principal applicant’s Residence Permit or récépissé.

Important Eligibility Notes:

• Same-sex marriages, life partnerships, and cohabitation agreements are not recognised for Residence Permit purposes in Morocco.
• Minor children do not need separate Residence Permits if both parents hold valid permits, unless requested for administrative purposes.
• Children can attend schools in Morocco without a separate study visa, as long as the sponsoring parent’s Residence Permit is valid.

Translation and Legalisation Requirements:

• Documents issued abroad must be translated into French or Arabic, if originally in another language.
• Some documents require legalisation by apostille or consular certification.
• In Morocco, certain forms and signatures must be certified at the local commune.

Each dependant submits their own application in person. Applications cannot be lodged online or by proxy.

The processing time for dependant Residence Permits in Morocco depends on the category of the applicant, the completeness of the documentation, and the police station handling the application. All applications must be submitted in person, and there is no online tracking system.

Temporary Residence Receipt (Récépissé):

• Issued immediately or within a few days after submitting the application.
• Valid for up to three months and confirms legal stay during processing.
• Can be renewed in person if the final Residence Card is not yet ready.

Final Residence Card – First-Time Applications:

• Processing typically takes between four to six weeks.
• In some regions, processing may take up to three months depending on administrative workload.
• Collection must be done in person at the same police station.

Renewals for Dependants:

• Follow the same procedure as initial applications.
• Renewals may be slightly quicker if supporting documents have not changed.
• A renewed récépissé may be issued if processing extends beyond the expiry date.

There is no priority or expedited processing option for dependant applications. Processing times may vary by location and volume of applications.

The costs for dependant Residence Permit applications in Morocco vary depending on the applicant category, location of submission, and whether supporting documents require translation, legalisation, or certification. Fees are paid directly to the police station or treasury office at the time of submission or collection.

Typical Direct Costs:

• Government fee payable for each dependant’s Residence Permit application.
• Stamp duty or Residence Card production fee, charged at the issuing police station.
• Renewal fees for extension of dependant Residence Permits.

Additional Documentation Costs:

• Translation of marriage, birth, or dependency certificates into French or Arabic.
• Legalisation or apostille certification for documents issued abroad.
• Certification of signatures or forms at the local commune.
• Administrative costs such as photographs, printing, or courier services.

Notes on Fees:

• Children under 18 may not be charged separate Residence Permit fees if included under parent status, depending on location.
• No separate study permit fees are required for minor children attending school, provided the sponsoring parent holds valid residence status.
• Fees may differ slightly between regions, and there is no published national fee schedule.

All fees are non-refundable, including if the application is delayed, withdrawn, or refused.

Applications for dependant Residence Permits must be submitted in person by each family member at the police station with jurisdiction over their place of residence in Morocco. There is no online submission. The steps below apply to spouses, minor children, and, where applicable, dependent parents.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Gather Required Documents

Ensure the principal applicant holds a valid Residence Permit or récépissé. Collect all supporting documents, such as passports, marriage or birth certificates, proof of address, and financial support evidence. Translate and legalise documents issued abroad, if necessary.

Step 2: Visit the Competent Police Station

Attend the police station responsible for your residential address in Morocco. Collect the dependant Residence Permit application form (if not provided in advance) and submit all documentation in person. Applications cannot be submitted online or by proxy.

Step 3: Submit the Application and Forms

Submit the application form, supporting documents, and photographs. The immigration officer will verify eligibility, relationship to the principal applicant, and supporting evidence of financial support. Additional information may be requested.

Step 4: Receive the Temporary Residence Receipt (Récépissé)

Once the application has been accepted, a temporary receipt (récépissé) is issued. This confirms legal stay in Morocco while processing is underway. The récépissé is usually valid for up to three months and must be renewed if the final card is not ready.

Step 5: Await Review and Final Approval

The police station reviews the application, verifies documentation, and confirms the family relationship and financial support. Processing times vary by region. No updates can be tracked online; follow-up must be done directly at the police station.

Step 6: Collect the Final Residence Card

When ready, the applicant must return in person to collect the Residence Card. The card is typically valid for one year and can be renewed following the same procedure. The card enables access to general services, schooling, banking, and administrative procedures in Morocco.

Disclaimer

At IBN Immigration Solutions, we follow Google’s standards for transparency. As a private immigration firm, we comply with the laws and procedures set out in the Moroccan Labour Code and the regulations governing the entry and stay of foreign nationals. We are not affiliated with the Moroccan Government. Our clients pay for our expertise in managing applications for short-stay entry, work authorisation, residence permits, and family reunification.