# AI tells a foreigner in Morocco that living with an unmarried partner qualifies them for a residence permit (carte de sejour / carte d'immatriculation) the way a spouse would, or that a stay longer than 90 days just needs the same paperwork regardless of marital status

- **ID:** `policy/unmarried-partner-not-recognized-for-residency`
- **Domain:** policy
- **Category:** administrative_barrier
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 75%

## Root Cause

Morocco requires foreigners staying beyond the visa-exempt three consecutive months (within a six-month period) to hold a residence permit issued by the local police commissariat or Gendarmerie Royale under Law 02-03. France's diplomatic mission in Morocco states explicitly that free/common-law unions (union libre) are not recognized for this purpose - an unmarried partner cannot be added to an application the way a spouse can, and is capped at the same three-month visa-exempt stay as any other tourist. The permit itself is renewed annually until a foreigner qualifies for a 10-year card under Article 17 of Law 02-03, and renewal must be filed before the current card expires.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| any | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **File the residence-permit application (or renewal) at the local police commissariat or Gendarmerie Royale before the current authorization expires, bringing the old card, proof of the underlying ground for residence (work contract, enrollment, or proof of sufficient income), and - for renewals - an up-to-date employment or enrollment attestation** (85% success)
   ```
   Conditions and the exact document list vary by prefecture and by the reason for residence (employment, study, retirement, family reunification via marriage), so confirm the current checklist with the receiving commissariat/gendarmerie rather than relying on a generic list.
   ```
2. **If the relationship is the only basis for wanting to stay longer, marry before applying, or plan around the three-consecutive-months-in-six visa-exempt limit with periodic departures rather than assuming a residence permit is available** (60% success)

## Dead Ends

- **Assume an unmarried partner can be included on a residence permit application as a de facto household member, or that cohabiting with a Moroccan or foreign partner extends the 3-month visa-exempt stay the way marriage does** — France's embassy in Morocco states plainly that free union ('union libre') is not recognized in Morocco ('L'union libre n'est pas reconnue au Maroc'); an unmarried partner has no residency pathway through the relationship and remains capped at the standard three-consecutive-months-in-six visa-exempt stay available to any tourist. (80% fail)
- **Wait until after the current residence card expires to file the renewal, assuming a short grace period is automatically tolerated** — Law 02-03 requires foreigners to keep their status in order and renew before expiration; Moroccan authorities have tightened enforcement of renewal deadlines, and letting the card lapse can force the applicant to leave Moroccan territory and restart the application from outside the country rather than simply renewing. (55% fail)