TLSContact, the firm responsible for managing French visa applications in Morocco, is implementing new procedures starting Wednesday that will include a video call feature for identity verification. This step aims to streamline the application process and reduce reliance on intermediaries.
Under the new system, visa applicants must first complete their application form on the France-Visas website and register on the TLSContact site. They will then participate in a video call where they present their passport for verification. Following this, applicants will receive an email with a proposed appointment date to visit the TLSContact center. The application will remain on the list for 45 days, during which an appointment must be scheduled. If no appointment is made within this period, applicants will need to repeat the process.
TLSContact stated that the new measures are designed to ensure fair access to appointments for all applicants. The company acknowledged mixed reactions to the changes, with some stakeholders viewing them as a positive response to recent debates, while others called for further scrutiny.
Abdelkrim Echafii, vice president of the Moroccan Consumer League, praised the new procedures for their potential to reduce the influence of brokers, who he said had hindered many Moroccans’ ability to travel. Echafii emphasized that incorporating an ID photo in previous procedures had not been effective, and the new video call verification could help address this issue.
However, Echafii also criticized the 45-day window for scheduling appointments, arguing that it is excessive for a procedure meant to verify identity and could inconvenience those with urgent travel needs, such as medical treatment or study.
Zoubair El Tounsi, a member of the Moroccan Network of the Civil Alliance for Youth, expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new procedures. He argued that while seeking permanent solutions is positive, the system should be made simpler and more cost-effective.
El Tounsi also pointed out that the introduction of video calls has not been accompanied by sufficient guidelines for handling emergencies or urgent cases.
El Tounsi emphasized the need for digital systems capable of distinguishing between genuine and automated appointment requests. He commended TLSContact’s responsiveness to public concerns but stressed the importance of returning appointment booking to a more straightforward process, similar to that in other countries.
The new video call feature marks a significant shift in how TLSContact manages visa applications and reflects ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency and fairness of the process, after many third parties exploited high demand and tight quotas to lucrative means, at times even scamming hopeful applicants.
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