France Opens New Visa Centre in Laayoune to Serve Southern Morocco

France has officially opened a new Schengen visa application centre in Laayoune, aimed at improving access for residents of southern Morocco. Operated by TLScontact and overseen by the French Consulate General in Casablanca, the facility will handle all types of visa applications, from short-stay tourist visas to long-term work and study permits.

The opening ceremony was led by French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, who emphasized that the centre is designed to offer the same level of professionalism and efficiency as other French visa centres across the country. “Applicants from Laayoune and surrounding regions will no longer need to travel to Agadir, saving time and reducing costs,” said Lecourtier.

The new centre is equipped with state-of-the-art biometric systems and will work at full capacity to ensure faster processing. According to the French authorities, applicants who submit complete documentation can expect to receive their passports and visas within a maximum of 14 days.

Despite the launch of the Laayoune office, applicants from southern Morocco may still choose to apply at other French visa centres across the country.

Schengen visa demand in Morocco remains high. Data from Moving2Europe.eu shows that Moroccan residents submitted more than 606,800 visa applications in 2024 alone. Of these, 457,850 were approved, while 115,774 were rejected—highlighting the importance of accessible and efficient visa services.