Who needs a working visa?
Who Needs a Working Visa?
If you are coming to Morocco to take up employment with a Moroccan company, you generally need labor authorization (a work permit) from the Ministry of Labour. This is issued as a “work authorization” visa endorsement on your employment contract, under Article 516 of the Labour Code. It is separate from any entry visa that may also be required to enter the country.
For short-term productions—film, television, commercials, branded content, and many still photo shoots—Morocco follows a different procedure. In these cases, most foreign crew members work under a CCM filming permit obtained through an accredited local production service company. In practice, this permit replaces the need for an individual work permit, but only for the duration and scope of the authorized shoot, and provided that all crew are correctly listed on the permit. Entry requirements (passport/visa/e-visa) still apply, as do local crew quotas and other industry related regulations.
Below is a practical breakdown to help you plan effectively.
1. When you do need a work visa/permit
You (likely) need full labor authorization if you are:
- Taking a salaried job in Morocco (e.g., being hired by a Moroccan production company beyond a specific shoot window).
- Staying long-term and drawing pay on a Moroccan employment contract.
- temporarily working for to a Moroccan entity outside the scope of a particular permitted shoot.
In these cases, the employer must secure authorization (the “visa” on the employment contract), and in most scenarios, obtain (or be exempted from) ANAPEC labor-market clearance first.
2. The film & photo route: working without a work permit
For foreign productions, Morocco’s Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM) issues filming permits covering feature films, television series, documentaries, commercials, institutional films, and music videos. Processing timelines differ depending on the type of production. All foreign crew members must be named on the permit, and the production is required to collaborate with an accredited Moroccan service company.
What this means for you:
If you’re a foreign crew member engaged for a time-boxed shoot covered by a CCM filming permit, Morocco does not typically require a separate personal work permit for you. Your legal basis to work is tied to the autorisation, not a labor contract with a Moroccan employer. (You must still meet passport/visa entry rules)
Extra CCM requirements that matter:
- You must be included on the crew list filed with CCM.
- The production must respect the local crew quota (see next section).
- Le production manager must be Moroccan and hold a PIC (professional ID).
- Productions must also register trainees at a set ratio (below).
3. Local crew quota
Morocco requires foreign shoots to include a minimum share of Moroccan technicians on the crew. The CCM cites a quota of at least 25% Moroccan technicians (referenced under Law 20-99 and CCM circulars). Productions must submit lists of foreign and Moroccan technicians (with PIC numbers) and respect the trainee ratio of 1 trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians.
In practice productions should plan to hire Moroccan heads of department and crew, and allocate budget for trainees. The quota system applies in several cases and is actively verified at the permitting stage. For most productions, integrating a partial local crew should be seen as an advantage, as this approach is typically more cost-efficient than flying in a full team from abroad. These quotas are designed to protect and strengthen the local workforce and have ethical grounds for their existence.
4. Entry visas vs. right to work
Even when you don’t need a personal work permit (because a CCM filming permit covers you), you still must enter Morocco legally:
- Many nationalities (e.g., EU, UK, U.S.) can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism/business; productions often rely on this for short shoots, paired with the CCM permit for lawful work on set. Always verify your passport.
- Morocco’s official Accès Maroc portal centralizes eVisa/visa information and is the place to check current entry rules and whether you need an AEVM/e-visa before travel.
Tip: Your local service company will advise which team members need pre-travel visas vs. those who can enter visa-free.
5. Quick checklist for producers
- Engage a Moroccan production service company accredited by CCM in an early stage.
- Confirm entry status for each traveler (visa-free vs. e-visa) and passport validity (six months minimum at the date of entry).
- File CCM permit with complete foreign + Moroccan crew lists, honoring:
- ≥25% Moroccan technicians,
- 1 trainee per 8 PIC technicianset
- Moroccan Production Manager (PIC holder).
- Do not put people to work if they’re not listed on the permit.
- If hiring someone long-term in Morocco (outside the shoot), switch to the labor-permit track under Article 516.
What applies in most cases
- The CCM filming permit is typically sufficient for short-term film/TV/photo work by foreign crews—but you must comply with local crew quotas and be correctly listed on the permit.
- Entry visas: separate issue—confirm whether your passport is visa-exempt or needs an e-visa before you fly.
For more information on obtaining a working visa or to discuss your upcoming project, contactez-nous dès aujourd'hui.
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