Morocco has launched free electronic visas (e-visas) exclusively for supporters heading to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 via its sleek new Yalla app. This perk aims to turbocharge fan travel, making entry to the tournament as seamless as swiping right on a match ticket.
Yalla app’s one-stop passport to Morocco
At the heart of this initiative is the Yalla app—a multilingual powerhouse designed for speed and simplicity. Available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, the app is a full-fledged digital gateway. Users create a mandatory Fan ID, link it to their AFCON tickets or event plans, and voilà: an e-visa processes in minutes, all without a single stamp or queue.
Key features that scream “future of travel tech”:
- 100% Online Workflow: No paperwork hassles. Upload your docs, snap a selfie for biometrics, and get approval via push notification. Processing times? Under 48 hours, often faster.
- Integrated Fan Experience: Ties directly into stadium access, fan zones, and even real-time event updates. Think of it as your digital matchday companion.
- Global Accessibility: Supports multiple languages and works from anywhere, democratizing access for fans from over 50 African nations and beyond.
This rollout, which kicked off in September 2025, hits free status right on the eve of the tournament (December 21, 2025–January 18, 2026). Hosted across six Moroccan cities, AFCON 2025 is set to draw 1.5 million visitors, and Yalla is Morocco’s tech bet to handle the influx without border bottlenecks.
Not quite ‘Visa-Free for All’
Eligibility is laser-focused on AFCON attendees—ticket holders, official supporters, or those with verified event ties. For the uninitiated, Morocco’s standard e-visa system via acces-maroc.ma still carries a fee (typically €20–€50, nationality-dependent) and serves broader tourism or business needs.
That said, over 70 nationalities already enjoy 90-day visa-free entry for leisure, putting Morocco ahead of many peers in the visa-waiver game. The Yalla experiment could be a testing ground: If it nails frictionless processing at scale, expect calls for a permanent, app-driven visa overhaul.
Broader implications
Morocco’s move underscores Africa’s rising star in edtech and travel innovation. With Yalla built on secure blockchain-like verification (for now, it’s robust API-driven), it sidesteps common pitfalls like fraud or delays. And in a post-pandemic world where 80% of travelers demand digital-first experiences, this could inspire copycats—from the FIFA World Cup to regional summits.
 2025 via its sleek new Yalla app.){kind=link}