Morocco Digital Nomad Visa: Is it possible to be a digital nomad in Morocco?

Is there a Morocco digital nomad visa for those wanting to live and work in Morocco? The short answer is: no, there is currently no Morocco digital nomad visa. But you still have options for living and working remotely in the country.

As many professions go towards full-time work from home and allow for their employees to do their work from anywhere, more and more people are becoming digital nomads. I am a “digital nomad” who works remotely from a different country while living in Morocco (read more about that here).

What is a digital nomad?

Basically, a digital nomad is somebody who leverages technology to work remotely. Usually, this implies that they work overseas, but sometimes they work in the country they’re from. It’s great, because it gives you the flexibility to move about, travel, and work from anywhere. In the past, being a digital nomad was very difficult because a lot of employers have heavy restrictions about their company and client information going overseas. However, there’s been a shift in how employers view security and data, which has given a lot of employees more freedom to work anywhere.

Can you be a digital nomad in Morocco?

Morocco is a destination of interest for many digital nomads. The low cost of living, the beachside, laid-back vibe, and the close proximity to Europe make it an attractive destination for digital nomads.

I think it’s very possible to be a digital nomad in Morocco, but I would highly suggest you do this: have a friend or family member there who can translate and negotiate for you when you get here. Whether that’s finding a friend online, connecting with somebody you already know before moving here, or striking up a conversation through the Moroccan subreddit.

It’s not impossible to function in Morocco without knowing Arabic, but it’s difficult. You’re going to get overcharged, lost, and have a hard time overall. Darija is a difficult language, and it’s not one of those languages that you can just use a translator app and have no problems. It’s so distinct from modern standard Arabic that even if you speak MSA you’re going to struggle. There really is no way around how difficult the language can be, even in the bigger cities and especially when doing things like setting up wifi, renting an apartment, and shopping at the souks.

Check out this link if you’re interested in finding out how to find remote work in Morocco.

Is there a Morocco digital nomad visa?

Morocco does not have a dedicated Moroccan digital nomad visa.

Many visitors can stay up to 90 days visa-free but overstaying will require paying a fine to the police station in order to get a block removed from your visa. Those wanting to stay more than 90 days can apply for a carte de sejour, a residency card for living and working in Morocco.

Here are the requirements for U.S. residents to obtain residency. Different rules apply for different nationalities, however.

The residency process can be quite difficult, especially for people who don’t have a job working for a Moroccan company or someone who isn’t married to a Moroccan. I got mine for my husband who sponsored my residency. But even then, the process was pretty long and frustrating (for him, not for me, I did nothing and refused to be helpful).

Is Morocco good for digital nomads?

If you know French or Arabic, you’ll likely be okay even living and working without a Morocco digital nomad visa. If you only speak English or another language? You’re going to have a hard time. Not only that, outside of the major cities (Casablanca, Marrakech, Rabat), it can be tough to find people who speak English at all, which makes connecting with the locals quite difficult. English is becoming more common, but it’s still not even the 3rd (or 4th) most spoken language.

There are plenty of amazing benefits to living and working as a digital nomad in Morocco. The low cost of living is one major draw, as a person could comfortably live for less than $1,000 USD a month.

Conclusion

While you can’t get a Morocco digital nomad visa, you can certainly move here and live while working remotely. The low cost of living, amazing food, and lovely people will make your time here in Morocco enjoyable as a digital nomad.