New measures to facilitate foreign study trips for Moroccan students

The Moroccan Office of Foreign Exchange has introduced new measures aimed at simplifying and easing the regulations surrounding foreign study trips.

These changes, detailed in a recent circular, aim to enhance the convertibility system for students pursuing post-secondary education abroad.

The new provisions apply to Moroccan nationals, both residents and those living abroad, as well as foreign nationals born to Moroccan parents who do not hold a Moroccan passport or national ID card.

Key eligible expenses under this scheme include tuition fees, living costs, and housing-related expenses, such as rent and utility charges.

The circular also permits students to open an overseas account to manage these expenses, which must be closed and the remaining balance repatriated within 60 days after their studies end.

To facilitate the payment process, students must domiciliate their “study abroad” file with a designated Moroccan bank, which will handle all related payments. The bank is required to request proof of enrollment or pre-enrollment from the educational institution at the beginning of each academic year.

Payments can be made for tuition fees, living costs (up to 12,000 dirhams per month), and rent, including any deposits that may be required by the lease agreement.

The latter should not exceed three months’ rent and must be repatriated within 60 days after the lease ends.

Banks are authorized to transfer payments via wire or checks in foreign currency.

They may also load funds onto international payment cards. For minors, payments can be transferred to a parent or legal guardian abroad.

This streamlined system also extends to exchange students, who can access the same facilities for living and housing expenses, excluding tuition fees. A variety of documents are required for processing payments, ensuring transparency and compliance with the new guidelines.