Your first 90 days in Morocco: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
The convertible-dirham account is the detail that decides whether your money can leave the country — an ordinary resident dirham account cannot be freely repatriated. Get the account type right at opening, because converting later is bureaucratic.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply for the carte de séjour (residence card) at the local police prefecture within 15 days of deciding to stay beyond 90 days
Within 15 days of the decision to reside — practically, before your 90-day visa-free stay expires
The file is lodged at the prefecture covering your address and wants a lease or property deed, proof of means, a medical certificate and passport copies, all in French or Arabic. Processing commonly takes several months, during which you hold a récépissé.
Get your Identifiant Fiscal (tax identification number)
Employment, business activity, property and any filing with the Direction Générale des Impôts require it.
Registered with the Direction Générale des Impôts; the CNSS social-security number is separate and is handled through the employer for salaried work.
Open a bank account
Attijariwafa, BMCE and Banque Populaire open convertible-dirham accounts for foreign residents, which is the account type that matters — the dirham is not freely convertible, and a convertible account is what lets you move money back out. Ask for 'compte en dirhams convertibles' by name at opening.
Enrol in healthcare
The AMO scheme covers contributors and has been extended significantly in recent years; foreign residents in formal employment are enrolled through CNSS. Private clinics in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech are good and inexpensive, and most foreign residents combine a local private plan with international cover.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence is valid for one year from taking up residence; after that Morocco requires an exchange through the NARSA, with licences from France and several other countries exchanging on paper and others requiring a test. Driving is on the right.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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First 90 days in Morocco: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Morocco?
Apply for the carte de séjour (residence card) at the local police prefecture within 15 days of deciding to stay beyond 90 days — Within 15 days of the decision to reside — practically, before your 90-day visa-free stay expires. The file is lodged at the prefecture covering your address and wants a lease or property deed, proof of means, a medical certificate and passport copies, all in French or Arabic. Processing commonly takes several months, during which you hold a récépissé. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the Identifiant Fiscal and do I need one?
Identifiant Fiscal (tax identification number) is Morocco's personal tax/ID number. Employment, business activity, property and any filing with the Direction Générale des Impôts require it. Registered with the Direction Générale des Impôts; the CNSS social-security number is separate and is handled through the employer for salaried work.
Can I drive in Morocco on a US license?
A foreign licence is valid for one year from taking up residence; after that Morocco requires an exchange through the NARSA, with licences from France and several other countries exchanging on paper and others requiring a test. Driving is on the right. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Morocco?
The AMO scheme covers contributors and has been extended significantly in recent years; foreign residents in formal employment are enrolled through CNSS. Private clinics in Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech are good and inexpensive, and most foreign residents combine a local private plan with international cover. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Morocco's system treats foreign residents.