Most travellers — including US, Canadian, UK, EU/Schengen, Australian, New Zealand and Japanese passport holders — enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days, easily long enough for any desert itinerary. You need a passport valid for at least six months beyond arrival.
Who can enter visa-free
Morocco grants visa-free tourist entry, usually for up to 90 days, to citizens of a long list of countries — the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, all EU/Schengen states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and many more. You arrive, clear immigration and collect an entry stamp; no paperwork in advance for a standard desert holiday.
Confirm your own nationality's status before booking, since rules can change. If your country isn't on the visa-free list, you may need a visa or e-visa arranged ahead of your flight into Marrakech (RAK), Fes (FEZ) or Casablanca (CMN).
At the border
Have these ready and entry is quick, even on a busy desert-season arrival at Marrakech or Fes — the two usual launch points for tours to Merzouga and Erg Chigaga.
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date.
- Proof of onward or return travel (occasionally requested).
- An accommodation address for the arrival card — your first-night riad or the tour operator's details work fine.
- An entry stamp — keep it safe; you'll need the matching exit stamp when you fly home.
Staying longer
The standard tourist entry is 90 days — far more than even the longest desert-and-cities loop needs. To stay beyond that, apply for an extension at a local police station before your stamp expires rather than relying on a quick exit-and-return, since officers have discretion.
Frequently asked
Do I need a visa for a Morocco desert tour?
Most nationalities — including US, Canadian, UK, EU, Australian, NZ and Japanese passport holders — do not. You enter visa-free for up to 90 days for tourism, which covers any desert itinerary. Confirm your specific passport's status before you travel.
How long can tourists stay in Morocco?
Up to 90 days on the standard visa-free tourist entry — ample for the longest Sahara, gorges and imperial-cities loop. Extensions go through a local police station before your stamp expires.
What passport validity does Morocco require?
A passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date is the safe standard, with a blank page for the entry stamp.
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Planning
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
If the desert is the heart of your trip, plan around the dunes first. October to April is the prime Sahara window — comfortable days in Merzouga and Erg Chigaga, brilliant stargazing and cold but magical camp nights. Spring and autumn are the all-round sweet spots for combining the dunes with the cities and the Atlas.
Planning
Morocco Travel Costs & Budget
A Sahara desert tour fits almost any budget. A shared standard tour with a basic camp can be remarkably cheap; a private 4x4 trip with a luxury camp at Erg Chigaga and a driver-guide sits firmly in premium territory. Knowing where the money goes helps you spend it on the parts that matter.
Practical
Getting Around Morocco
Trains cover Morocco's northern cities well, but the desert lives beyond the rail map. To reach Merzouga, Zagora or Erg Chigaga you'll travel by private 4x4 or driver-guide, by long-distance bus, or on an organised tour — and the journey through the Atlas and the Draa Valley is a highlight in itself.