Morocco: New Reforms for Passports, Universities, and a Public Lab

The Moroccan Government Council held on July 9, 2026, adopted several key decisions directly affecting Moroccans, including those living abroad. First, two draft decrees regulate the new biometric passport and modernize transport rules. For higher education, two texts (decrees no. 2.26.327 and 2.26.329) now establish a unified specification for applications for the presidency of a public university or institution. These measures, taken under framework law 59.24, aim to strengthen merit, transparency, and good governance in the sector. Finally, the Official Laboratory of Analyses and Chemical Research of Casablanca (LOARC) will be transformed into a public limited company (draft law no. 03.26). For expats, these reforms mean better quality of consular services (passport), more transparent university governance if you or your children are considering higher education in Morocco, and a modernized chemical research sector, potentially creating investment or scientific collaboration opportunities.