The government council approved on Thursday a draft decree that amends the rules governing biometric passports, introducing a new generation of the document carried by every Moroccan.
A passport that combines advanced security with the beauty of Moroccan identity
Mustafa Baïtass, the minister in charge of relations with Parliament and the government spokesperson, announced that the new passport (which comes under decree No. 2.26.551 amending the previous decree of 2008) will provide a higher level of digital security while simultaneously reflecting “the Moroccan identity in its various dimensions,” from the Atlas Mountains to its deserts, and from the Mediterranean Sea shores to the Atlantic Ocean.
Baïtass explained that this project, presented by the Minister of the Interior, is part of an ambitious national strategy to enhance the protection of the Moroccan passport against increasing international security challenges, such as forgery and illegal use.
What’s new in the new passport?
- Advanced biometric technologies (fingerprints, 3D image, secure electronic chips).
- A design that highlights Moroccan symbols and heritage in a modern and elegant style.
- Smoother and faster extraction procedures, to be determined by a joint decision between the Ministries of the Interior and Foreign Affairs.
Current passports will remain fully valid until they are gradually replaced with the new generation, so that no citizen faces any confusion.
The status of the passport
The Moroccan passport has recorded new progress in the global ranking of the Henley Passport Index for 2026, ranking 65th globally (compared to 67th in the previous ranking), reflecting a noticeable improvement in the strength of the national passport and its ability to enhance the freedom of movement for Moroccan citizens.
The Moroccan passport grants its holders access to 72 countries and destinations without the need for a prior visa, whether through direct entry (Visa-Free) or visa on arrival (Visa on Arrival) or electronic travel authorization (eTA).
Key visa-free destinations available:
- Europe: Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Georgia.
- Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand (for a limited time), Hong Kong.
- Africa: Tunisia, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Niger, Mali, Gambia, and most ECOWAS countries.
- Latin America: Ecuador, Brazil (in some cases), Peru, Colombia.
- Other regions: Mauritius, Seychelles, Jordan, Lebanon (under certain conditions).
The Moroccan passport is considered the strongest in the Maghreb region, ranking fifth on the African continent, surpassing several countries.
