Who needs a working visa?

Who Needs a Working Visa?

If you plan to work for a Moroccan company, you generally need a labor authorization (work permit) from the Ministry of Labour. This comes as a “work authorization” visa endorsement on your employment contract under Article 516 of the Labour Code and is separate from any entry visa required to enter Morocco.

For short-term productions—such as film, TV, commercials, branded content, or many photo shoots—Morocco has a different system. Most foreign crew operate under a CCM filming permit obtained through an accredited local production company. This permit effectively replaces the need for individual work permits for the shoot’s duration and scope, provided all crew members are listed correctly. Standard entry requirements (passport, visa, or e-visa) still apply, along with local crew quotas and industry regulations.

The following breakdown offers practical guidance to help you plan efficiently.

1. When you do need a work visa/permit

You (likely) need full labor authorization if you are:

  • Taking a salaried job in Morocco (e.g., being hired by a Moroccan production company beyond a specific shoot window).
  • Staying long-term and drawing pay on a Moroccan employment contract.
  • temporarily working for to a Moroccan entity outside the scope of a particular permitted shoot.

In these cases, the employer must secure authorization (the “visa” on the employment contract), and in most scenarios, obtain (or be exempted from) ANAPEC labor-market clearance first.

2. The film & photo route: working without a work permit

For foreign productions, Morocco’s Centre Cinématographique Marocain (CCM) issues filming permits covering feature films, television series, documentaries, commercials, institutional films, and music videos. Processing timelines differ depending on the type of production. All foreign crew members must be named on the permit, and the production is required to collaborate with an accredited Moroccan service company.

What this means for you:

If you’re a foreign crew member engaged for a time-boxed shoot covered by a CCM filming permit, Morocco does not typically require a separate personal work permit for you. Your legal basis to work is tied to the permit, not a labor contract with a Moroccan employer. (You must still meet passport/visa entry rules) 

Extra CCM requirements that matter:

  • You must be included on the crew list filed with CCM.
  • The production must respect the local crew quota (see next section).
  • The production manager must be Moroccan and hold a PIC (professional ID).
  • Productions must also register trainees at a set ratio (below).

3. Local crew quota

Morocco requires foreign shoots to include a minimum share of Moroccan technicians on the crew. The CCM cites a quota of at least 25% Moroccan technicians (referenced under Law 20-99 and CCM circulars). Productions must submit lists of foreign and Moroccan technicians (with PIC numbers) and respect the trainee ratio of 1 trainee for every 8 PIC-holding technicians.

In practice productions should plan to hire Moroccan heads of department and crew, and allocate budget for trainees. The quota system applies in several cases and is actively verified at the permitting stage. For most productions, integrating a partial local crew should be seen as an advantage, as this approach is typically more cost-efficient than flying in a full team from abroad. These quotas are designed to protect and strengthen the local workforce and have ethical grounds for their existence.

4. Entry visas vs. right to work

Even when you don’t need a personal work permit (because a CCM filming permit covers you), you still must enter Morocco legally:

  • Many nationalities (e.g., EU, UK, U.S.) can enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism/business; productions often rely on this for short shoots, paired with the CCM permit for lawful work on set. Always verify your passport. 
  • The official portal Accès Maroc centralizes eVisa/visa information and is the place to check current entry rules and whether you need an AEVM/e-visa before travel. 

Tip: Your local service company will advise which team members need pre-travel visas vs. those who can enter visa-free.

5. Quick checklist for producers

  • Engage a Moroccan production service company accredited by CCM in an early stage.
  • Confirm entry status for each traveler (visa-free vs. e-visa) and passport validity (six months minimum at the date of entry).
  • File CCM permit with complete foreign + Moroccan crew lists, honoring:
    • ≥25% Moroccan technicians,
    • 1 trainee per 8 PIC technicians
    • Moroccan Production Manager (PIC holder).
  • Do not put people to work if they’re not listed on the permit.
  • If hiring someone long-term in Morocco (outside the shoot), switch to the labor-permit track under Article 516. 

What applies in most cases

  • The CCM filming permit is typically sufficient for short-term film/TV/photo work by foreign crews—but you must comply with local crew quotas and be correctly listed on the permit.
  • Entry visas: separate issue—confirm whether your passport is visa-exempt or needs an e-visa before you fly.

For more information on obtaining a working visa or to discuss your upcoming project, contact us today.

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