Moroccan transport companies are being seriously threatened by the Schengen visa obstacles they keep on facing, Istiqlalian MP Jamal Diwany from the House of Representatives has said.
Addressing a question to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, on the measures it plans to take to facilitate the movement of truck drivers, Diwany said that several companies are being threatened with bankruptcy due to Schengen visa issues.
Moreover, he specifically said that these issues are linked to the issuance of visas by the Spanish consular services, suggesting that there needs to be more visa application and processing centres in the country.
“Several international road transport companies in Agadir are threatened with bankruptcy because of obstacles linked to the issuance of visas by the Spanish consular services, in the absence of a specific counter to process their requests like Tangier,” the statement of Diwany reads.
Taking into account the difficulties Moroccans face when applying for a Schengen visa, Minister Bourita has been urged to take measures as soon as possible. He has been required to hold talks with his EU counterparts to facilitate the granting of Schengen visas for truck drivers from Morocco.
Responding to this request, Minister Bourita said that they are constantly making efforts to facilitate the procedure for everyone, in particular to “making appointments, to reduce the complexity circuits and above all to treatment that preserves the dignity of visa applicants.”
Apart from truck drivers, other citizens of Morocco planning to reach the Schengen Area for other purposes also keep complaining about strict rules and high rejection rates.
Since Morocco has not reached a visa-free travel agreement, all of its citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter the bloc, regardless of their purpose of travel.
When applying for a Schengen visa, citizens of Morocco are required to submit several documents. They need to submit the completed visa application form, their passport, two identity photographs, and a civil status certificate.
Moreover, they also need to submit a roundtrip flight itinerary, proof of accommodation, proof of having purchased travel health insurance, a cover letter, proof of paid visa, and proof of enough financial means, among others.
Additional documents are required, too, depending on the employment status of the applicant and the purpose of entry to the bloc.
