TLScontact, the official visa services provider for France in Morocco, has expanded its automated visa appointment system to several major cities across the country in an effort to enhance efficiency and curb fraudulent practices in the Schengen visa application process.
Initially launched as a pilot program in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, the system has now been extended to Fez, Oujda, Tangier, and most recently Casablanca. This move aims to eliminate the widespread issue of appointment slot manipulation by intermediaries using bots and other technological tools to book and resell appointments at inflated prices.
Improving Fairness and Accessibility for Moroccan Applicants
With the introduction of the automated system, Moroccan nationals applying for Schengen visas to France will benefit from a more transparent and secure process. Under the new measures, visa appointment slots are only confirmed once the applicant completes the payment of the service fee. This change ensures that appointment times cannot be hoarded or sold to others, providing fairer access—particularly for first-time applicants who may be unfamiliar with the system and more vulnerable to scams.
According to TLScontact, the implementation of the system has already shown promising results. In Rabat, where the pilot program began, bot activity targeting appointment slots dropped by 48% within the first four weeks. Even in the first week alone, a 12% reduction was observed. Since the launch, over 15,000 secure visa appointments have been allocated to applicants in Rabat, signaling improved service delivery and reduced fraudulent interference.
Visa Demand Remains High in Morocco
Visa application statistics underscore the strong demand for travel to France from Morocco. According to data from SchengenVisaInfo, the French consulate in Rabat processed the highest number of visa applications in the country in 2023, receiving 164,998 requests. The consulates in Casablanca and Oran followed with 89,844 and 73,215 applications, respectively.
Given this high volume of applications, the new system is a crucial development in optimizing service capacity while protecting applicants from exploitative practices. By ensuring appointments are distributed fairly and transparently, TLScontact and French authorities aim to restore trust in the visa application process.
A Model for Future Visa Systems
The rollout of the automated appointment system in Morocco may serve as a model for similar initiatives in other countries facing challenges related to visa appointment fraud. The French authorities, in collaboration with TLScontact, have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the integrity, security, and efficiency of the visa services offered to Moroccan citizens.
As demand for Schengen visas continues to grow, these reforms are expected to contribute to smoother, more reliable travel experiences for applicants across Morocco.
