Aistats 2026 in Morocco: Date, Deadline, Registration & Tips

The 29th Annual Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Statistics (AISTATS 2026) promises to be one of the major events in the AI/ML/statistics calendar. For researchers, students, and practitioners, knowing exact dates, deadlines, registration details, and travel tips is essential.

Below is a full breakdown of everything currently known about AISTATS 2026 in Morocco and advice to help you prepare.

What Is AISTATS & Why It Matters

AISTATS (Artificial Intelligence and Statistics) is an interdisciplinary conference bringing together experts from artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical theory, and related fields. It has become one of the primary venues for presenting innovative research that lies at the intersection of these areas. Researchers often aim to publish here because of the rigorous review process, the prestige, and the networking opportunities.

AISTATS 2026 builds on this tradition. It offers not only the chance to present papers and hear talks but also workshops, tutorials, poster sessions, and collaboration opportunities with peers globally. It is especially meaningful because this edition is in Tangier, Morocco — a location that draws attendees from both Africa and beyond, increasing diversity and geographical reach.

AISTATS 2026 Dates & Venue in Morocco

• The conference will take place from May 2 to May 5, 2026.

• The venue is Tangier, Morocco. Tangier is a coastal city on the Strait of Gibraltar, known for its historical significance, cultural richness, and accessibility from Europe and Africa.

• Workshops are scheduled separately (often the day before or overlapping with the main conference), and full conference sessions run through those four days.

Submission Deadlines & Call for Papers (CFP)

If you plan to submit a paper, here are the key dates and submission details for AISTATS 2026:

Milestone	Deadline (Anywhere on Earth, AOE)
Abstract submission deadline	September 25, 2025
Full paper submission deadline	October 2, 2025
Supplementary material deadline	October 9, 2025
Workshop proposal submission deadline	October 17, 2025
Journal-to-Conference Track deadline	January 31, 2026

What the CFP Requires

• You must submit an abstract first by the abstract deadline. This helps with organizing reviews and author planning.

• After that, the full paper is due. The review is double-blind: your paper has to be anonymized. No author names or affiliation in the main text; self-citations must maintain anonymity as required.

• Supplementary material (appendices, proofs, code, etc.) can be submitted, but follow the formatting / file guidelines.

• After acceptance, at least one author must register and present the work in person at Tangier. Exceptions are possible in certain circumstances (visa, travel emergencies) but those are exceptional.

Registration: Process, Fees & Dates

Registration Opening

• Registration opens November 17, 2025.
• Early-pricing (or early registration rates) apply until March 24, 2026. After that, regular pricing kicks in.

Fee Structure (What is Known / Typical Considerations)

While exact amounts for all categories (student, academic, industry) are not always fully detailed yet, you should consider:

• Early registration is cheaper than regular late registration.
• There are typically reduced fees for students and sometimes for attendees from low-income countries.
• It’s important to check whether the registration covers all sessions, workshops, tutorials, meals, and conference materials. Sometimes workshops have extra fees.

What You Must Do When Registering

• Create an account or profile on the official site (often via the AISTATS site or their virtual portal).
• Provide full details of your affiliation, contact, etc.
• If you have a paper accepted, register under the proper author registration category.
• Keep track of payment deadlines; late payments may incur surcharge or might even forfeit the slot.
• For international participants, check what documentation might be required for proof of affiliation, letters for visa application, etc.

Travel & Visa: Entry Requirements & Planning

Since AISTATS 2026 is in Tangier, Morocco, here are what you should plan ahead in terms of travel:

Visa Requirements

• Many nationalities require a visa to enter Morocco. Some do not. You must check whether your passport qualifies for visa-free entry or whether you need to apply in advance at a Moroccan consulate.
• Even if visa-free, ensure passport validity (often 6 months beyond travel date) and other standard entry requirements (return ticket, proof of funds, etc).

When to Apply

• Start visa application at least 2-3 months before the date of travel — ideally earlier if you anticipate delays.
• Given that registration opens in November and early registration ends in March, ensure that your visa is sorted well before the trip so you can complete registration/compliance.

Travel & Accommodation Tips

• Fly into Tangier (Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport) — there are international connections, especially via Europe. Also consider flying into Casablanca or Madrid/Spain and taking connecting transport if it’s cheaper.
• Book your hotel early. Morocco in May can have many visitors. Conference hotels sometimes fill up fast.
• Consider staying close to the conference venue in Tangier to save transit time. Public transport, taxis/rideshares, or local shuttle services might be available.

Program Highlights: What to Expect

AISTATS 2026 is structured to offer more than just paper presentations. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Keynote Talks: Speakers from leading AI/ML/statistics will likely cover emerging topics in AI, ethical machine learning, interpretability, probabilistic modeling, etc.

• Workshops & Tutorials: These are usually held either just before or overlapping with the main conference days, focusing on specialized areas. Training-style workshops can be excellent for younger researchers.

• Poster Sessions: Poster presentations are a way to share ongoing or recent work, and are great for one-on-one interactions.

• Journal-to-Conference Track: For papers already published in journals, this track allows them to be presented (typically as posters) at AISTATS.

• Networking Events and Socials: Conference dinners, meetups, possible evening cultural events in Tangier are likely to be part of the program. Valuable for meeting collaborators, forming connections, and exploring applications.

Tips to Maximise Your AISTATS 2026 Experience

To make the most of AISTATS 2026, especially given its international venue, here are some actionable tips:

Plan Early

Submit your abstract and full paper well before deadlines. Don’t wait for last minute, as formatting, anonymization, or supplementary material issues can cause rejections or delays.

Choose the Right Topics

Align your work with high-interest areas: probabilistic modeling, ethics/trustworthiness in AI, deep learning architectures, reinforcement learning, theory of ML, etc. Review past years to see what kinds of papers are accepted.

Check Formatting and Guidelines Carefully

Use the provided LaTeX style files. Adhere to page limits (excluding what is allowed, like references or appendices). Make sure your submission is double-blind.

Prepare for the Presentation

If accepted, remember your presentation (poster or talk) should be clear, engaging, and backed by reproducible results. For posters, bring good visuals; for talks, practice speaking and timing.

Visa & Travel Logistics

Start visa process early. Keep digital copies of all essential documents (acceptance email, registration proof, invitations if any). Also, get travel insurance, check COVID or health regulations if still relevant.

Budget Wisely

Factor in registration fees, airfare, hotel, meals, local transport, and incidental costs. Consider cheaper lodging if main hotels are expensive, but check proximity to the venue.

Cultural Engagement

Take time to explore Morocco, particularly Tangier: its medina, markets (souks), coasts, cuisine. Cultural experience can be a highlight of attending in Morocco. Being aware of local customs, language basics (Arabic/French), and safety norms adds to the experience.

Comparisons With Other Major Conferences

To help you decide if AISTATS 2026 is worth it relative to ICML, NeurIPS, ICLR, etc.:

• Focus: AISTATS often has more emphasis on statistical methods, probabilistic modeling, theoretical ML, and rigorous evaluation, although applied ML is well represented.

• Size: It’s typically smaller/more intimate than some huge conferences, which can mean better interaction with keynote speakers, more likelihood of your paper being noticed.

• Cost and Travel: Depending on your location, attending in Tangier may be cheaper or more expensive than flying to e.g. USA or Asia, so count travel and visa costs.

• Timing: Because deadlines and registration have specific cut-offs, planning for AISTATS may allow more flexibility if you miss deadlines elsewhere.

Final Checklist Before You Go

Here’s a summary checklist to make sure you are well-prepared for AISTATS 2026:

• Confirm paper abstract and full paper submission by deadlines
• Get notification of acceptance and register under the author rate
• Book travel (flights to Tangier or nearest international hub) early
• Sort out visa well in advance; keep documentation in order
• Reserve accommodation close to venue
• Prepare presentation/poster materials (slides, print poster, visuals)
• Pack essentials: power adapters, backup of presentations, business cards, laptop, etc.
• Budget final payments and incidentals (meals, transit, sightseeing)
• Learn basic local phrases, check local currency / payment methods

If you follow the submission guidelines, allow enough time for travel and visa, and engage with the program, you’ll maximize your benefit from attending.

FAQs

1. When and where will AISTATS 2026 be held?

AISTATS 2026 takes place May 2–5, 2026 in Tangier, Morocco, bringing together global AI, machine-learning, and statistics researchers.

2. What is the abstract and paper submission deadline?

The abstract deadline is September 25, 2025, and full papers are due October 2, 2025, both by 23:59 AOE.

3. How do I register for AISTATS 2026?

Registration opens November 17, 2025 on the official AISTATS website. Early-bird rates close March 24, 2026.

4. What are the typical registration fees?

Exact 2026 fees will be posted later, but expect tiered pricing for students, academics, and industry, with discounted early-bird rates.

5. Are there workshops or tutorials at AISTATS 2026?

Yes. Multiple specialized workshops and tutorials run before and during the conference, focusing on cutting-edge AI and statistical methods.

6. Do I need a visa to attend AISTATS 2026 in Morocco?

Most international travelers either need a visa or qualify for short visa-free stays. Check Morocco’s official visa policy and apply at least 2–3 months ahead.

7. How are papers reviewed and selected?

All submissions undergo double-blind peer review, evaluating novelty, technical quality, and significance.

8. Will there be virtual participation options?

While primarily in-person, AISTATS often provides live streaming or recorded sessions. Official details will be announced closer to the event.

9. What topics does AISTATS 2026 cover?

Key areas include machine learning, probabilistic modeling, Bayesian methods, deep learning, reinforcement learning, and cutting-edge statistical theory.

10. How can I maximize networking at AISTATS 2026?

Attend poster sessions, social events, and workshops; prepare concise introductions of your work; and engage with keynote speakers and fellow researchers.