France Explains Moroccan Visa Delays

French diplomatic sources have revealed that the difficulties faced by Moroccans in securing appointments to submit their Schengen visa applications for France are due to an unprecedented surge in demand during the summer, and not the result of any malfunction at the consulates. Olivier Ramadour, the French consul in Rabat, explained that the consulate has provided more than 5,000 additional appointments compared to last year, and that the number of visas granted this year exceeds those approved in 2023. He noted that the demand is increasing across various groups, including students, workers, and tourists, which increases pressure on the application centers and delays in obtaining appointments. The consul emphasized that processing long-term applications, especially for studies, requires additional procedures. Despite efforts to expand capacity, the daily appointment intake is only about 850. He also pointed out that the continued activity of mediators offering appointments for a fee is being addressed through the development of technical mechanisms in coordination with TLScontact. Additionally, the European visa system is still working on enhancing its digital processes. He reaffirmed that demand will continue to grow during the summer and advised travelers to start their visa procedures weeks or even months in advance to avoid delays.

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