Another Africa Unfriendly Move Against Taiwan! Morocco Suspends Visa Application for Taiwanese – MOFA Announces Reciprocal Countermeasures

Morocco, a North African country across the sea from Europe, recently announced without warning the suspension of applications for the 'Visa Confirmation Letter' (Visa Confirmation Letter, VCL) by Taiwanese citizens. This follows Cameroon's downgrading of Taiwanese officials' courtesy visas by labeling them as 'Taiwan, a province of China,' and Kenya's malicious revocation of electronic travel authorizations (ETA) for Taiwanese officials. It marks another instance this year of African countries taking unfriendly actions against Taiwan.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced today (30) that, based on the principle of reciprocity in bilateral exchanges, it will suspend the processing of visa applications for Moroccan nationals effective July 30, except for those approved under special circumstances.

President Lai Ching-te was originally scheduled to visit Eswatini, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Africa, in late April. However, just before departure, Seychelles, Mauritius, and Madagascar unexpectedly revoked overflight permits for the presidential aircraft. Ultimately, President Lai traveled in early May by boarding the King of Eswatini's special aircraft.

In late March, Taiwanese officials planned to attend the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference in Cameroon. However, Cameroon listed 'Taiwan, a province of China' on the courtesy visa, forcing Taiwan to miss the conference for the first time in its 25 years of WTO membership. In June, during the 'Our Ocean Conference' (OOC) held in Kenya, Taiwanese scholars were denied entry, their passports and mobile phones were detained for over 20 hours, and accompanying officials had their ETAs suddenly revoked just before departure.

On July 23, the Embassy of Morocco in Japan notified Taiwanese travel agencies that it would suspend processing applications for visa confirmation letters for travel to Morocco. According to information from Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Taiwanese citizens must apply for an entry visa letter to visit Morocco, which must be processed through the Embassy of Morocco in Japan. After the embassy accepts the application, it must be reviewed by Moroccan authorities domestically. Once approved, the permit document is faxed to the applicant. Upon arrival in Morocco, the applicant exchanges this document for a formal visa at the airport to enter the country.

MOFA: Immediate Suspension of Visa Applications for Moroccan Nationals

Taiwanese travel agencies began reporting last week that the Embassy of Morocco in Japan had announced the suspension of visa applications. In response, Taiwan's MOFA issued a press release this morning confirming that the Moroccan government has instructed all its diplomatic missions worldwide to temporarily suspend related application procedures. However, Taiwanese citizens who obtained Morocco's visa confirmation letter before July 20 may still enter Morocco for business or travel purposes within the validity period, as per regulations.

MOFA noted that since Taiwanese citizens are currently unable to apply for Morocco's e-visa, short-term travel to the country depends solely on applying for the 'Visa Confirmation Letter.' Morocco's sudden decision to halt issuance has created obstacles for Taiwanese travelers and affected bilateral exchanges. Therefore, MOFA announced that, based on the principle of reciprocity in bilateral exchanges, it will suspend the processing of visa applications for Moroccan nationals effective July 30, except for those approved under special circumstances.

MOFA also called on the Moroccan government to recognize and maintain the convenience of people-to-people travel between the two countries and to restore normal civilian exchanges as soon as possible. MOFA stated it will closely monitor the Moroccan government's subsequent developments regarding visa measures for Taiwanese citizens and will adjust visa policies for Moroccan nationals accordingly on a rolling basis.