Figures that leave something to be desired…
It should be noted that visas issued to foreigners are divided into three categories: transit visas, short-stay visas and long-stay visas.
The number of Schengen short-stay visas issued has tripled compared to 2021, especially for those granted for “student” reasons, i.e. an increase of 238.6%, the same for visas granted for tourists (+ 224.9%). However, it is pointed out, these figures remain very modest and well “below” those recorded before Covid.
Nevertheless, the document highlights a 20.9% increase in 2022 in long-stay visas, i.e. approximately 277,038 visas in 2022, including 159,068 VLS-TS (Long-stay visa equivalent to residence permit).
Morocco in second place
This report cites the top fifteen nationalities in terms of visa issuance. Thus, India is at the top of the ranking with 158,619 visas issued, i.e. +250%, followed by Morocco with 142,921 visas issued, recording an evolution of 105.9% compared to 2021. Then come Algeria (131,264) and Turkey (103,310).
In 2021, it is specified, the greatest number of visas granted concerned Moroccan nationals with 69,408 visas, against 346,032 visas granted in 2019, followed by Algerians (63,649) and Saudis (60,292).
“Despite a pronounced dynamic in 2022, the three nationalities of the Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) which represent 360,821 visas, had obtained a total of 766,299 in 2019, more than double”, specifies the document.
Management thus informs that these figures remain “provisional” pending a final version to be published in June 2023.
Resumption of consular activity
The Head of French diplomacy, Catherine Colonna, announced last December the resumption of consular cooperation, following her meeting with her Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita in Rabat. This restoration of consular activity had been perceived as a gesture of appeasement, given the outcry aroused by the restrictive measures of Paris.
It is recalled that France had decided, in September 2021, to halve the number of visas granted to Maghreb countries, including Morocco, namely 50% of the number of visas granted to Morocco and Algeria, and 30% to Tunisia.