France has announced an expansion of its consular and visa services to southern Morocco, marking a significant step in improving accessibility for Moroccan citizens residing in regions such as Dakhla, Laayoune, and Es-Semara.
The French visa service provider TLS Contact is set to launch operations in Laayoune beginning in May, a move confirmed by both local outlet Le360 and sources from Morocco World News (MWN). While full operational details are yet to be released, the expansion means residents in southern Morocco will no longer need to travel to distant cities for visa applications, reducing both time and cost burdens.
Improved Services at New Visa Center in Casablanca
In a parallel development, France has also enhanced visa processing capacity in Casablanca, where a newly established TLS Contact center can now accommodate 800 to 1,200 applicants daily. The facility offers upgraded services, including extended working hours and at-home document collection, in response to increasing demand and public expectations.
French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, welcomed these changes, emphasizing the importance of addressing visa challenges and meeting the growing expectations of Moroccan applicants. “Applicants have legitimate and increasing expectations that we must meet,” he stated, adding that the improvements reflect France’s commitment to a more efficient and accessible visa system.
Diplomatic Engagement and Regional Cooperation
The announcement follows a recent diplomatic visit to Paris by Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, who traveled to France on April 14 at the invitation of French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. Discussions reportedly centered around strengthening bilateral ties, including cooperation on regional issues.
Shortly after Bourita’s visit, France reaffirmed its longstanding position on Western Sahara, indicating continuity in its diplomatic stance.
In a related development, on April 16, French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau met with Moroccan Interior Minister Abdelouafi Laftit in Rabat, where they discussed a range of topics including migration cooperation. The visit was seen as part of broader efforts to deepen collaboration between the two countries in key policy areas.
A Step Forward in France–Morocco Relations
France’s move to expand visa services and enhance applicant support in southern Morocco is being viewed as a meaningful gesture amid ongoing efforts to stabilize and strengthen France–Morocco relations. The decision is expected to ease administrative barriers for southern residents and reinforce diplomatic goodwill between Rabat and Paris.
