Taiwan Restarts Visa Processing for Moroccans After Suspension
In a significant diplomatic move, Taiwan has officially resumed the acceptance of visa applications from Moroccan nationals as of October 12, 2026. This decision follows a period of suspension that began in July, when Morocco abruptly halted visa applications from Taiwanese citizens, leading to a reciprocal response from Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The suspension on both sides had raised concerns about bilateral exchanges and travel opportunities between the two nations.
The MOFA announced this development with a statement highlighting that the resumption of visa processing for Moroccans was prompted by Morocco's recent confirmation that it would again accept visa applications from Taiwanese nationals starting September 21, 2026. Taiwan welcomed this decision, viewing it as a positive step towards restoring normal travel and diplomatic relations.
The initial visa dispute erupted when the Moroccan Embassy in Japan suspended its review of Visa Confirmation Letter (VCL) applications from Taiwanese citizens without providing any explanation. This unexpected halt led Taiwan to implement a suspension on visa applications from Moroccan nationals effective July 31, 2026, with exceptions made only for applicants involved in special government-approved projects.
MOFA expressed its concerns regarding the impact of Morocco's suspension on bilateral exchanges, noting that Taiwanese citizens could only obtain VCLs through Moroccan embassies abroad and were ineligible for Moroccan e-visas. Following the confirmation of Morocco's resumed processing of VCL applications, MOFA is currently seeking clarity on whether this applies solely to tourism-related visas or includes non-tourism applications as well.
As reported by focustaiwan.tw.
