Visa Booking Woes Persist for Moroccans
Moroccan citizens are continuing to face major difficulties in securing Schengen visa appointments, despite recent efforts by authorities to clamp down on intermediaries exploiting the system.
Applicants across the country report that securing a visa appointment remains nearly impossible, with many describing the booking system as a “ghost” that shows no available slots. This comes even after the implementation of new “smart” booking systems designed to block bots and prevent black-market appointment sales.
According to Schengen.News, suspicions are growing that the appointment crisis may be more than a technical glitch. Some applicants allege that appointments are being deliberately withheld or released in such low numbers that they meet only a fraction of the rising demand.
"I watch the website all day as if chasing a mirage. This is no longer a problem of brokers, but appointments being deliberately hidden or quotas set so low they cover less than one per cent of the increasing demand," said Ahmed, a Moroccan national trying to secure a visa slot.
Local outlets such as Fes News report that appointments have become completely unavailable at both consulates and external visa application centers across the country. As a result, many are being pushed toward unofficial intermediaries, who charge up to €500 for securing an appointment—despite official channels being free of charge aside from standard processing fees.
Beyond the logistical frustration, the ongoing appointment shortage is seen as a serious restriction on Moroccans’ right to travel. Many have called for greater transparency and a thorough investigation into the current system, demanding that illegal practices be eradicated to allow legitimate applicants a fair chance.
The situation is also taking a financial toll. Many travelers are losing money to intermediaries or canceled travel plans as the demand continues to outstrip the system's capacity.
In 2024, Moroccan citizens filed 606,800 Schengen visa applications—ranking fourth globally in volume—according to SchengenVisaInfo. Of those, 457,850 were approved, while 115,774 were rejected.
The appointment booking issue remains a pressing concern, and many Moroccan nationals are urging both local and European authorities to step up efforts to restore fairness and accessibility in the visa application process.
Source: Schengen.News
