Key Takeaways:
- Unjust Schengen visa system: Moroccan Ambassador to France criticized the barriers faced by Moroccan nationals.
- Financial and time burdens: Moroccans endure high costs and long waits for visa decisions.
- Lack of transparency and corruption: Limited appointments force applicants to rely on expensive intermediaries.
- A systemic trust crisis: African nations’ faith in European visa systems is deteriorating, endangering EU’s reputation.
Introduction
When applying for Schengen visas, hundreds of Moroccans have been traumatised with the humiliation and bureaucratic hurdles. “There is no need for us to explain or justify this indecency and injustice through the channels of diplomacy,” Morocco’s Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail said, calling out the system itself as “indecent.” Bold statements call for reform, but reforms are a pipe dream for millions across Africa.
However, a golden ticket for Moroccans who want to study, work or visit Europe is a Schengen visa. There’s a price tag for that ticket, not only in fees but in never-ending waiting. Over 310,000 Moroccans have applied for a French visa in 2023 alone. Of these 251,950 applications were approved, 55,615 were denied.
And for those denied? Or wait indefinitely and pay up the intermediaries. It’s not just rigorous, it’s dehumanising.
“If you are Moroccan you’re usually waiting for six months and crying to your friends about how impossible it is to get an appointment and they hire people who charge five times more than their salary just to put you in their slot…” Even with all the paper perfectly in order, approval never is.
A Growing Distrust
The Moroccan Ambassador said this is not just about visas, but about Europe’s credibility. Schengen is no longer a bridge or a barrier countries in Africa are discovering that it is a barrier. Unwittingly, Europe, proclaiming openness, is widening the gap between the West and adjacent, less open regions. T
he Schengen system should rethink its stance if it hopes to remain relevant and fair. It’s not sustainable for millions to feel like second class citizens based only on their passports.
