Taiwan suspends visas for Moroccans as the kingdom marks 27 years of economic progress under King Mohammed VI
Taiwan has suspended most visa applications from Moroccan citizens after Rabat halted the processing of travel authorisation letters for Taiwanese visitors, opening a new diplomatic dispute as Morocco manages mounting pressure over migration and its international partnerships.
Black News 
Taiwan has suspended most visa applications from Moroccan citizens after Rabat halted the processing of travel authorisation letters for Taiwanese visitors, opening a new diplomatic dispute as Morocco manages mounting pressure over migration and its international partnerships.
- Taiwan suspended most visa applications from Moroccans after Morocco stopped processing travel authorisation letters for Taiwanese citizens.
- The suspension, effective July 30, complicates travel and business exchanges, though exceptions may be made in rare cases.
- Morocco's move came as it marked King Mohammed VI's 27th year on the throne, amid praise for economic and diplomatic achievements.
- Both events highlight increasing diplomatic and migration challenges for Morocco as it seeks to balance international partnerships and domestic pressures.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the measure took effect on July 30 under the principle of reciprocity, although applications may still be considered in exceptional cases.
The decision followed instructions from the Moroccan government directing its embassies and consulates worldwide to stop processing visa confirmation letters for Taiwanese nationals.
The kingdom’s embassy in Japan, which handles applications from Taiwan, informed travel agencies of the suspension on July 23.
Travel arrangements disrupted
The restrictions have disrupted travel plans and affected business and people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.
Taiwanese visitors must obtain a confirmation letter before travelling to the North African country for business or tourism, which allows them to secure a visa on arrival once approved.
The applications are processed through the embassy in Japan because Rabat does not formally recognise Taiwan and instead maintains diplomatic relations with Beijing under the One-China policy.
Meanwhile, Taipei said travellers who obtained confirmation letters before July 20 could still enter while the documents remained valid.
Taiwan has since urged Rabat to restore the previous travel arrangements and said it would continue reviewing its visa measures as the dispute develops.
More broadly, the row is significant because the kingdom has spent years positioning itself as a gateway for investment, manufacturing and tourism linking Africa, Europe and Asia.
Diplomatic dispute follows throne anniversary
The visa dispute emerged as King Mohammed VI marked 27 years on the throne, an anniversary that drew praise from foreign leaders for Morocco’s economic transformation and expanding diplomatic influence.
Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping was among the leaders who congratulated the monarch, highlighting the strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between Rabat and Beijing.
However, the diplomatic celebration coincided with renewed pressure along Morocco’s northern border, where tens of thousands of migrants entered Ceuta, Spain’s territory on the North African coast.
The influx overwhelmed local services, prompted Madrid to deploy additional security personnel and raised fresh concerns over the protection of Europe’s external borders, before more than 48,000 people reportedly returned to Morocco.
Morocco’s wider foreign-policy considerations
The Taiwan visa dispute is separate from the Ceuta migration crisis, but both developments have added to the diplomatic and regional pressures facing Rabat as it expands its international influence.
Morocco has strengthened ties with partners across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Middle East while pursuing new investment, trade and security agreements.
The visa restrictions have disrupted travel and business exchanges between Morocco and Taiwan, with both sides now reviewing their policies in response to the dispute.
