Marrakech, Fez and Chefchaouen are a seven-hour flight from Dubai, and Morocco is a growing long-weekend and family destination for UAE residents. Morocco is also one of the destinations where your UAE residence can genuinely help. Besides nationalities that can apply for the e-visa directly — such as India — Morocco’s e-visa system includes a category for people who live in the UAE and other listed countries, with a residence permit valid for at least 180 days.
Checked on 20 October 2026 against Morocco’s official e-visa portal and published guidance on its eligibility categories. Sources at the end.
On this page
- The short answer by passport
- The three e-visa routes
- Fees and how to apply
- If the e-visa does not cover you
- Questions people ask
The short answer by passport
| Passport | Entry to Morocco |
|---|---|
| UAE and other GCC | Visa-free, up to 90 days |
| UK, US, EU, Canada, Australia | Visa-free, up to 90 days |
| Philippines | Visa-free, up to 90 days |
| India | e-visa, applied for directly |
| Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and other passports | e-visa through your UAE residence, if your residence permit is valid at least 180 days from the date you apply |
The three e-visa routes
Morocco’s e-visa works through three eligibility categories:
| Category | Who it covers |
|---|---|
| A — direct | Ordinary passport holders of listed countries, including India, Jordan, Thailand and Vietnam, who can apply without any other visa |
| B — foreign residents | Eligible nationals who hold a residence permit valid at least 180 days in a listed country — including the UAE, the EU, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan |
| C — visa holders | Eligible nationals holding a valid multiple-entry visa from the Schengen area, the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, Japan, Norway or New Zealand |
What this means for UAE residents: Morocco opened the e-visa to all foreign nationals holding a UAE residence permit that is valid for at least 180 days from the date you apply. So a Pakistani, Egyptian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan or Nigerian resident of the UAE can use the same online e-visa as an Indian applicant — no embassy visit needed. The portal confirms your eligibility as you start the application.
Fees and how to apply
| Official portal | acces-maroc.ma |
| Standard fee | MAD 770 (about AED 300), plus a small card fee |
| Express fee | MAD 1,100 |
| Processing | 72 hours standard, 24 hours express (Moroccan working days) |
| Entries and stay | Single entry, up to 30 days |
| Validity | 180 days from issue |
| Passport | Valid at least 90 days; 6 months is safer |
- Go to acces-maroc.ma — the only official site.
- Choose your nationality and eligibility category.
- Upload your passport, photo, and — for category B — your UAE residence visa and Emirates ID; for category C, your qualifying visa.
- Add your flight and hotel bookings.
- Pay by card. The fee is not refundable.
- Print the approved e-visa.
The portal can be slow at busy times, so apply one to two weeks before travel.
If the e-visa does not cover you
If your nationality is not eligible through any category, apply for a visa at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Abu Dhabi. You will typically need your passport, UAE residence visa and Emirates ID, photos, flight and hotel bookings, an employer letter or NOC and bank statements. Confirm requirements and processing time with the Embassy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a residence visa with less than 180 days left for a category B application.
- Paying a third-party site — they charge far more than MAD 770.
- Planning a 5-week trip on a 30-day e-visa.
- Leaving and re-entering Morocco (for example, to Spain) on a single-entry e-visa.
Questions people ask
Do Indians in Dubai need a visa for Morocco?
Yes, an e-visa. India is in the direct-eligibility category, so no other visa is needed to apply. The standard fee is MAD 770.
Does my UAE residence help me get a Morocco e-visa?
Yes. All foreign nationals with a UAE residence permit valid at least 180 days from the application date can apply for the e-visa.
Do UAE citizens need a visa for Morocco?
No. Emiratis and other GCC citizens can stay up to 90 days visa-free.
Related guides
- Egypt visa for UAE residents
- Jordan visa for UAE residents
- Spain Schengen visa from the UAE
- Türkiye visa from Dubai
Sources
- Kingdom of Morocco — official e-visa portal: acces-maroc.ma
- Fragomen — Morocco: UAE residents now eligible for e-visas
- Wego — Morocco e-visa eligible countries (categories A, B and C)
- BTW Visas — Morocco e-visa for Indians, updated 3 August 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 20 October 2026. Rechecked quarterly. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.