《TAIPEI TIMES》 Taiwan suspends visa processing for Moroccans

Protesters hold a giant national flag during a demonstration in Rabat on Feb. 25, 2014. Photo: AFP

By Huang Chin-hsuan and Fion Khan / Staff reporter, with staff writer and CNA

Taiwan has suspended visa processing for Moroccans in response to Morocco halting visa applications for Taiwanese travelers worldwide, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The Moroccan embassy in Japan on Thursday last week informed Taiwanese travel agencies that it would suspend its visa confirmation letter application service for Taiwanese seeking to travel to Morocco, the ministry said in a statement.

Taiwanese are required to obtain the letter before traveling to Morocco, the Bureau of Consular Affairs Web site says.

Applications are submitted through the Moroccan embassy in Japan, which forwards them to Morocco for review. Once approved, the authorization document is sent to applicants by fax, enabling them to obtain a visa upon arrival at a Moroccan airport, the Web site says.

The ministry said it confirmed that the Moroccan government had instructed its embassies and consulates worldwide to stop processing such applications.

Taiwanese who obtained a confirmation letter before Monday last week can still enter Morocco for business or leisure while the document is valid, the ministry said.

Morocco’s sudden suspension of the service has created obstacles for Taiwanese travelers and affected bilateral exchanges, it said.

Based on the principle of reciprocity, Taiwan would suspend the processing of visa applications from Moroccan nationals from yesterday, except for cases approved on a special basis, the ministry said.

The ministry urged the Moroccan government to maintain convenient travel arrangements for people from both sides and restore normal non-governmental exchanges as soon as possible.

The ministry said it would closely monitor developments regarding Morocco’s visa policy toward Taiwan and adjust visa measures for Moroccans accordingly.

新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES