An American's Guide to Morocco: What US Citizens Need to Know
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| Visa | No visa required for visits of 90 days or less |
|---|---|
| Passport | Check current US State Department validity guidance before travel |
| Entry stamp | Make sure your passport is stamped on arrival |
| Time | GMT all year since 20 September 2026, with no Ramadan clock change |
| Healthcare | Medicare coverage abroad is very limited; check your own policy |
| Consular help | US citizen services are handled by the US Consulate General in Casablanca |
Overview
For Americans, the entry rule is simple. The details that deserve attention are the passport stamp, the 90-day limit, health cover and Morocco’s recent return to GMT.
Entry requirements
Entry
US citizens do not need a visa for visits of 90 days or less under current US State Department guidance.
Make sure your passport receives an entry stamp. If you plan to remain beyond 90 days, deal with your status before the limit expires rather than assuming a quick exit and return solves it.
The State Department says a person who remains beyond 90 days without requesting an extension may need to appear before a judge before departure, and resolution may include a fine.
For the wider system, including eVisas and consular visas for other passports, see our visa and entry guide.
Passport and travel documents
Passport
Use the current US State Department Morocco page for passport-validity and blank-page guidance, and check it again close to departure.
If your passport is lost or stolen, US citizen services are handled by the US Consulate General in Casablanca. The US Embassy in Rabat does not provide routine consular services to the public.
Flights and arrival
Compare routes and transit requirements for your travel dates. Keep your first accommodation address available at arrival.
Money, cards and mobile data
Money
Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Cash remains useful, while card acceptance depends on the business.
Instead of relying on a fixed withdrawal amount or a particular US bank, check your own card’s foreign-transaction and ATM fees and carry a backup payment method. Our ATM and money guide covers the Morocco side.
Phones
US roaming plans vary by carrier and plan, so there is no useful universal daily price. Compare your plan with a Moroccan SIM or eSIM before departure. Our SIM guide covers the local options.
Getting around Morocco
Trains connect several major cities; buses, taxis and car hire serve other routes. Start with the transport guide.
Health, insurance and safety
Health insurance
Medicare generally has very limited coverage outside the United States, but private and employer policies vary. Before travelling, ask your insurer what is covered in Morocco, whether you must pay first and claim later, and whether emergency evacuation is included.
If the answer leaves a meaningful gap, buy travel medical insurance that fits your itinerary.
Driving and car hire
Driving
If you plan to drive, check the current Moroccan documentation requirements and your rental company’s conditions before departure, including which International Driving Permit, if any, applies to your licence.
Morocco drives on the right, distances and speed limits are metric, and local enforcement rules apply.
Local customs and practical tips
Morocco’s time zone
Morocco returned permanently to GMT on 20 September 2026, ending the GMT+1 system it had used since 2018. There is no longer a seasonal change or a Ramadan clock change, so older advice about moving clocks back for Ramadan no longer applies.
Morocco’s clocks now stay put, but US clocks still change for daylight saving time, so the gap between Morocco and home shifts by an hour when the US changes. Check the time difference for your actual dates before booking calls, connections or meetings.
Returning home and travelling with pets
Check your passport and onward-travel documents before returning. The CDC lists Morocco as a high-risk country for dog rabies. A dog that has been in Morocco during the six months before entering the United States must meet the applicable high-risk-country requirements. These depend on its vaccination records, so check the CDC’s current instructions before taking a dog abroad; a rabies vaccination alone is not enough.
For Morocco’s own entry requirements for a dog or cat, read our guide to bringing a pet to Morocco.
Consular help and useful links
Consular preparation
STEP is the US State Department’s free Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. Enrolling can make it easier to receive security updates and for the US government to contact you during an emergency.
For phone numbers, addresses and opening arrangements, use the current State Department or US mission website.
Practical Tips
- Enrol in STEP if you want US government security and consular updates.
- Keep your entry stamp and passport details easy to check during the trip.
- Check your health insurance before departure and consider travel medical cover.
- Use the current State Department page for consular contacts rather than an old saved number.
Related Guides
Check current entry and passport guidance with the Moroccan authorities and the US State Department before travelling.