Taiwan resumes processing visa applications for Moroccans

Taiwan yesterday resumed accepting visa applications from Moroccan nationals, ending a months-long suspension imposed after the North African country abruptly halted visa applications from Taiwanese nationals in July.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it had made the decision after receiving official confirmation that Morocco had resumed accepting visa applications from Taiwanese nationals on Sept. 21.

The ministry said it welcomed the Moroccan government’s decision and would reciprocate by resuming the processing of visa applications from Moroccan nationals.

People walk on Mohammed V Avenue in Rabat in 2022.

Photo: Reuters

The visa dispute began when the Moroccan embassy in Japan, where Taiwanese travel agencies most frequently submit visa applications for travelers heading to the North African country, on July 23 suspended its review of visa confirmation letter (VCL) applications from Taiwanese without providing a reason.

Citing the principle of reciprocity, the ministry announced that it would stop processing visa applications from Moroccan nationals effective July 31, except for applicants involved in special projects approved by the Taiwan government.

The ministry at the time said that the Moroccan government’s suspension had seriously affected bilateral exchanges, as Taiwanese passport holders could obtain VCLs only through Moroccan embassies abroad and were not eligible for Moroccan e-visas.

Late last month, the ministry said that a staff member at its office in Tokyo had confirmed with the Moroccan embassy in Japan that it had resumed processing of VCL applications from Taiwanese travelers on Sept. 21.

However, the ministry said it was still seeking confirmation from Moroccan authorities on whether the resumption covered only tourism-related applications or also those for non-tourism purposes.

Therefore, the ministry had not yet resumed processing visa applications from Moroccan nationals at that time, it said.