New Procedures by Royal Air Maroc for Travelers Entering Morocco During the Africa Cup of Nations 2025

With the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations 2025 organized in Morocco, Royal Air Maroc has announced a series of new procedures affecting travelers arriving from eight African countries to Moroccan territory. This step comes as part of enhancing security and organizational measures to ensure the smooth reception of fans under optimal conditions, especially given the high anticipated attendance during this prominent continental sporting event.

Effective Dates of the New Procedures
From September 25, 2025, until January 25, 2026, all travelers coming from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gabon, Niger, Senegal, Togo, and Tunisia will be required to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (AEVM). This authorization must be presented both during departure procedures and upon arrival in Morocco. This period covers the preparations, matches, and all related activities of the tournament, making it a critical time for security and logistical organization.

What is the Electronic Travel Authorization (AEVM)?
The AEVM is a temporary digital permit allowing holders to enter Morocco during the Africa Cup of Nations. This is a new measure compared to previous arrangements where citizens of these countries were visa-exempt.
The main goals of implementing the AEVM system are:

  • Facilitating the monitoring of travelers during the tournament.
  • Enhancing national security by strictly controlling entries.
  • Providing a smoother travel experience via modern digital tools.

How to Obtain the AEVM
Royal Air Maroc clarified that obtaining this travel permit is possible through two main channels:

  • For attending the Africa Cup of Nations matches: via the “YALLA” mobile app launched by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, designed specifically for ticket purchasing and organizing travel related to the matches.
  • For other purposes (tourism, business, family visits, etc.): through the official online platform acces-maroc.ma, with requests required at least 96 hours before the scheduled trip.
    This mandatory lead time allows authorities to carefully review applications and verify data, ensuring an organized and smooth flow of travelers.

Exempted Categories from AEVM Requirement
Despite the comprehensive nature of the decision, the official communiqué specifies categories exempted from obtaining AEVM:

  • Holders of official passports (diplomatic, special, or service passports).
  • Residents in Morocco with valid residence permits.
  • Travelers in transit without leaving the international zones of Moroccan airports.
  • Spouses of Moroccan citizens with official proof of relationship.
  • Persons aged over 55 years.
    This exemption aims to facilitate movement for prioritized groups and reduce administrative burdens on sensitive categories.

Significance of These Measures for Morocco
Adopting these arrangements highlights Morocco’s commitment to:

  • Guaranteeing the safety and security of fans expected in large numbers.
  • Demonstrating organizational excellence reflecting Morocco’s capacity to host major events.
  • Simplifying travel processes via digitalization linked to modern applications.
  • Strengthening the tourism infrastructure in line with the country’s economic goals.
    The tournament is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of fans, posing major challenges especially in security, transportation, accommodation, and crowd management.

Recommendations for Affected Travelers
Royal Air Maroc urges travelers from the specified countries to:

  • Complete the AEVM procedures in advance to avoid delays or rejection at departure or arrival.
  • Use only official platforms (YALLA app or acces-maroc.ma) to prevent falling victim to fraudulent websites or scams.
  • Keep both digital and paper copies of the authorization to facilitate airport and border control checks.

Africa Cup of Nations: A Remarkable Sporting and Touristic Event
The Africa Cup of Nations 2025 is anticipated to be one of the most significant sports events in Africa in recent years, due to large fan participation and meticulous organization promised by Morocco.
This event extends beyond sport to serve as an opportunity to:

  • Boost Moroccan tourism by attracting new audiences.
  • Foster cultural exchange among African nations.
  • Consolidate Morocco’s status as a top host of global events.

Morocco’s Smart Organization Strategy
These measures align with Morocco’s smart organization strategy combining strict security and modern technology. The adoption of digital systems such as AEVM and the YALLA app represents a forward-looking vision prioritizing:

  • Reducing paper-based procedures and adopting digitization.
  • Close monitoring of arrivals without restricting freedom of movement.
  • Enhancing transparency through clear, official, user-friendly electronic gateways.

Conclusion
The procedures announced by Royal Air Maroc represent a strategic step toward a successful and safe continental tournament. Thanks to these measures, Morocco will host massive crowds under ideal organizational conditions, ensuring a comfortable and smooth travel experience for all visitors.
Travelers are advised to comply strictly with these measures and submit applications within the specified deadlines to fully enjoy a memorable football event.

About محمد الفاسي