Investing, managing a company and residing in Morocco are separate matters. A foreign national may own a Moroccan company without residing there; long-term presence or salaried work requires the appropriate immigration and, where applicable, employment process.
Entry and visas
A valid passport and, depending on nationality, visa are required. A short-stay visa covers stays of 1 to 90 days. A long-validity visa may allow multiple entries, but a person wishing to remain over three months must seek a registration card from the competent national-security service.
Registration and residence cards
Law No. 02-03 distinguishes the ordinary registration card for extended stays from the residence card available under more durable conditions. Apply before authorised stay expires and renew before expiry.
| Profile | Main basis | Key evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Investor/shareholder | Genuine investment and resources | Articles, registry, funding, bank, address and resources |
| Corporate officer | Valid appointment and active company | Resolution, registry, filings and operating evidence |
| Foreign employee | Authorised employment | Endorsed foreign employment contract, qualifications and social coverage |
| Family | Relationship and support | Apostilled/legalised civil-status records, housing and resources |
Corporate mandate versus employment
A manager or director holds a corporate mandate, not automatically an employment contract. A separate genuine subordinate salaried role requires the applicable foreign-employment authorisation. The distinction affects payroll, CNSS, liability and residence evidence.
Practical file
- Passport, visa or lawful-entry evidence and compliant photographs.
- Lease/title or other address evidence.
- Criminal record, medical certificate and civil-status documents where requested.
- Resources, salary and company/investment evidence.
- Endorsed employment contract where salaried work is performed.
- Translations, apostilles/legalisations and certified copies.
Family, renewals and tax residence
Spouses and children require their own files. Address, passport, employer or purpose changes should be handled promptly. Administrative residence does not alone determine tax residence, which depends on permanent home, centre of economic interests, presence and treaty tie-breakers.
Frequently asked questions
Can a company be managed without residence?
Yes from abroad or during lawful visits, but sustained presence requires the appropriate status.
Does buying a home grant residence?
No. It may support address and resources but does not replace administrative approval.
Can the application wait until after 90 days?
It should be filed before authorised stay expires; overstay may cause penalties or regularisation issues.
Official sources: Law No. 02-03 · Moroccan visa types.
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