Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Tétouan

About Golden Visa Law in Tétouan, Morocco

Morocco does not operate an official golden visa program in the sense used by some European countries. In practice, what many people call a golden visa in Tétouan is a path to lawful residence based on investment, company formation, employment, family reunification, study, or retirement. The legal framework allows foreign nationals to apply for a long-stay visa to enter Morocco, then apply for a residence card in Morocco through the local Foreigners Service of the police in Tétouan.

If your goal is residence through investment, the most common route is to establish or invest in a Moroccan company, act as its manager or director, and demonstrate real economic activity and sufficient means. Buying real estate by itself does not automatically grant residence, although ownership can help demonstrate means and address. After one or more years on a temporary residence card, many residents become eligible to apply for a longer validity residence card, subject to conditions set by the authorities.

Given the terminology used by private agencies, it is important to understand that Morocco offers residence by investment or business activity rather than a formal golden visa. Applications are considered case by case under national immigration law, and local practice in Tétouan will guide document formats, translations, and procedures.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Selecting the correct residence category can be complex. A lawyer can assess whether investment, entrepreneurship, employment, family, retirement, or study is the most realistic path for your situation and timeline. This avoids refusals caused by applying under the wrong ground.

If you plan to invest or start a company in Tétouan, legal counsel can incorporate the entity, draft articles, register with the commercial registry and tax authorities, and ensure compliance with labor, social security, and sector rules. Proper structuring helps with both the immigration file and future tax efficiency.

For real estate, a lawyer and notary can conduct title due diligence with the land registry, verify zoning and encumbrances, manage escrow and payments under exchange control rules, and ensure your purchase contracts meet immigration evidence standards.

Banks, notaries, and authorities require documented source of funds and compliance with anti-money laundering checks. Legal guidance reduces delays by preparing certified translations, apostilles, and legalized documents that meet Moroccan formalities.

Immigration outcomes are discretionary and evidence driven. A lawyer can prepare submissions, track deadlines, respond to requests for information, lodge administrative appeals if refused, and manage renewals to avoid gaps in status. For family members, a lawyer can coordinate marriage and birth certificate formalities, translations, and timing of dependent applications.

Local Laws Overview

The principal law governing entry and stay of foreigners is Law 02-03 on the entry and stay of foreigners in Morocco, emigration, and irregular immigration. Long-stay visas are typically obtained from a Moroccan consulate before travel. After arrival, the residence application is filed in person with the Foreigners Service of the General Directorate of National Security in Tétouan. You will receive a receipt while the card is processed.

Common categories relevant to a golden visa style objective include investor or company director, independent professional, salaried employee, family reunification, student, and retiree or person of independent means. Each category has specific documentary requirements that generally include a valid passport, police clearance from the country of residence, medical certificate, proof of address in Tétouan, proof of means, and category specific evidence such as company documents or employment authorization.

For investors and entrepreneurs, authorities typically ask for company statutes, negative name certificate, commercial registry extract, tax identifiers, social security registration if employing staff, bank certificate showing capital contribution, business lease or registered domicile, and a description of the project. The Regional Investment Center for Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima can facilitate many steps. Real estate ownership can support a file but does not by itself grant residence.

Employment based applications require a Moroccan work authorization. Employers obtain a work authorization through the competent labor authority, with labor market formalities often coordinated with ANAPEC. The signed employment contract in the required Moroccan format is part of the residence file for salaried workers.

Foreign civil status documents used in Morocco usually must be legalized and translated into Arabic or French by a sworn translator. If your country and Morocco are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is commonly required rather than consular legalization.

Property matters are recorded with the National Agency of Land Conservation, Cadastre and Cartography. Purchases are formalized before a Moroccan notary. To preserve transfer guarantees for foreign investors, funds should be brought into Morocco through the banking system in convertible currency and documented in line with exchange control rules administered by the Office des Changes.

Tax rules distinguish between resident and nonresident status. Individuals generally become tax resident if Morocco is their primary center of interest or they spend 183 days or more in a 365 day period in Morocco. Residents are typically taxable on worldwide income, subject to treaty relief. Moroccan companies pay corporate tax and collect VAT where applicable. Early tax planning reduces surprises when your residence is approved.

As to duration, initial residence cards are usually issued for one year and renewable. After a period of regular stay and integration, some residents may be able to obtain a longer duration residence card. Separate from residence, naturalization as a Moroccan citizen is governed by the Nationality Code and has distinct and more demanding conditions, including longer residence and integration criteria.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Morocco have a golden visa program in Tétouan?

No. Morocco does not have a formal golden visa that grants residence solely in exchange for a fixed investment amount. However, you can obtain residence based on investment or business activity by establishing and running a company or by other lawful categories such as employment, family, study, or retirement.

Is buying real estate in Tétouan enough to obtain residence?

No. Purchasing property alone does not automatically grant residence. It can support your application by demonstrating address and financial means, but you still need to qualify under an accepted residence category such as investor, company manager, retiree with sufficient means, or family reunification.

What is the typical process to get residence through investment?

Most applicants incorporate a company in Morocco, open a bank account, contribute capital, secure premises or a registered domicile, register with tax and social bodies as needed, then apply for a long-stay visa at a Moroccan consulate. After entry, you file a residence application at the Foreigners Service in Tétouan with your company and personal documents.

How long does the process take?

Timelines vary by consulate and workload. Long-stay visa processing can take several weeks. The residence card in Tétouan may take a few weeks to a few months. You normally receive a filing receipt that allows you to remain in Morocco lawfully while your card is produced.

Can my spouse and children be included?

Yes. Family members can usually apply under family reunification if the main applicant has obtained residence and can show adequate housing, insurance, and means. Marriage and birth certificates must be legalized and translated. Timing and sequencing should be planned with your lawyer.

Do I need to speak Arabic or French?

There is no language test for residence. Many procedures and forms are in Arabic or French, so using a local lawyer or translator is practical to avoid errors. Day to day interactions with offices in Tétouan are commonly in Arabic or French.

What are the financial requirements?

There is no one size fits all investment minimum. Authorities look for credible evidence of business activity and sufficient means to support yourself and dependents. For retirees or persons of independent means, regular income and health insurance are important. For investors, capital, premises, and activity appropriate to the business plan are expected.

What taxes will I pay if I become a resident?

If you are considered tax resident in Morocco, you are generally taxable on worldwide income. Morocco has tax treaties that can reduce double taxation. Corporate income, payroll, and VAT may apply to your company. It is prudent to obtain tax advice before and after your immigration filing to align your corporate structure and personal tax position.

Is the Moroccan e-visa enough to apply for residence?

No. The e-visa is for short stays. To apply for a residence card you normally need a long-stay visa issued by a Moroccan consulate, unless you already hold a valid residence card and are renewing in Morocco.

What happens if my application is refused?

You may have options to refile with stronger evidence or to submit an administrative appeal. A lawyer can assess the refusal reasons, correct documentary issues, and interact with the relevant authority. Acting quickly is important to maintain lawful status and avoid overstay problems.

Additional Resources

General Directorate of National Security - Foreigners Service in Tétouan. This is the local police unit that receives residence applications, issues receipts, and delivers residence cards.

Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Consular Services. Moroccan consulates abroad process long-stay visas before you travel to Morocco to apply for residence.

Regional Investment Center Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima. The regional one-stop shop that assists investors with company creation, permits, and guidance on local procedures in Tétouan and the surrounding area.

Office des Changes. The authority responsible for foreign exchange regulations and investor transfer guarantees. It is important for documenting funds brought into Morocco and for future repatriation rights.

OMPIC - Moroccan Office of Industrial and Commercial Property. Manages the commercial registry and company filings needed for investor or entrepreneur cases.

ANCFCC - National Agency of Land Conservation, Cadastre and Cartography. The land registry that records property titles and encumbrances in Tétouan.

ANAPEC - National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills. Often involved in procedures related to hiring foreign employees and labor market formalities.

Order of Notaries and local notaries in Tétouan. Notaries formalize real estate purchases and corporate deeds and ensure compliance with notarization requirements.

Order of Lawyers in Tétouan. The local bar association through which you can identify licensed attorneys experienced in immigration, corporate, and property law.

General Tax Directorate and the local tax offices in Tétouan. For obtaining tax identifiers, paying taxes, and clarifying your tax residence status.

Next Steps

Clarify your objective. Decide whether your primary path is investment and entrepreneurship, employment, retirement, family reunification, or study. The correct category dictates the documents and timeline.

Schedule a consultation with a lawyer in Tétouan. Bring passports, CVs, proof of funds, and any family documents so the lawyer can assess eligibility, risks, and a filing plan. Ask about expected timelines at the consulate serving your country and at the Tétouan Foreigners Service.

Prepare your file. Incorporate the company if pursuing the investor or entrepreneur route, open a Moroccan bank account, document the transfer of funds in convertible currency, secure premises in Tétouan, and obtain required registrations. For family or retirement cases, assemble legalized and translated certificates, proof of income, housing, and insurance.

Obtain the correct visa. Apply for the long-stay visa at the Moroccan consulate that has jurisdiction over your residence. Keep certified copies of everything you submit.

Apply in Tétouan. After arrival, file your residence application at the Foreigners Service. Keep the filing receipt safe. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information and attend appointments for fingerprints or collection.

Organize compliance. Register for taxes, social security if employing staff, and maintain commercial records. Track your card expiry and begin renewal preparation several weeks in advance. Keep your lawyer informed of any changes in address, business activity, or family status that may affect your residence.

This guide is informational and reflects general practice in Tétouan. Individual circumstances differ. A licensed Moroccan lawyer can provide tailored advice and manage your process from planning to card issuance and renewal.