Thailand ends visa-free entry for Moroccan tourists from September 2026

11:30

Moroccan tourists planning a trip to Thailand now face an additional administrative requirement. Since September 15, 2026, holders of ordinary Moroccan passports must obtain an appropriate Thai visa before travelling, following Bangkok's revision of its visa-exemption system.

The change ends the visa-free arrangement that had allowed Moroccan passport holders to enter Thailand for tourism for stays of up to 60 days. That framework had been introduced in July 2024 as part of a broader Thai initiative aimed at facilitating international travel and tourism.

Thailand has since substantially reorganised the system. The previous 60-day exemption framework covering 93 countries and territories was withdrawn, while a revised 30-day scheme was introduced for a smaller group of eligible countries. Morocco is not included in the new 60-country list.

Morocco no longer included in the 30-day exemption list

The reform is therefore more significant for Moroccan travellers than a simple reduction from 60 to 30 days.

Under the new rules, ordinary passport holders from 60 designated countries and territories can enter Thailand without a visa for tourism for up to 30 days, subject to immigration requirements. Morocco is absent from that list, meaning Moroccan tourists must arrange a visa before departure.

The Thai authorities have also revised their Visa on Arrival arrangements. The current Visa on Arrival list covers only three nationalities — Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia — further narrowing the number of travellers who can rely on simplified entry procedures.

For Moroccan travellers, the practical consequence is straightforward: a holiday in Thailand now requires advance visa preparation rather than relying on visa-free entry at the border.

E-Visa makes the application process remote

The new requirement does not necessarily mean that Moroccan applicants must make a physical trip to the Thai Embassy in Rabat.

Since November 26, 2024, foreign nationals residing in Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia have been able to submit Thai visa applications through the country's online e-Visa platform. The Royal Thai Embassy in Rabat states that applicants no longer need to submit their passports and original supporting documents physically at the embassy.

Once an application has been approved, the applicant receives confirmation by email. A printed copy of that confirmation must be presented to the airline at departure and to Thai immigration officials upon arrival.

The electronic procedure therefore simplifies the administrative process, even though the visa requirement itself has become stricter for Moroccan tourists.

TDAC remains mandatory

Obtaining a visa is not the only pre-arrival requirement Moroccan travellers need to consider.

Thailand also requires foreign visitors to complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC) before entering the country. The requirement applies regardless of whether a traveller enters Thailand under a visa, a visa-exemption arrangement or another authorised entry scheme.

The TDAC replaced the traditional paper arrival form and is part of Thailand's digitalisation of border procedures. Foreign travellers are required to complete the registration online within three days before their arrival.

For Moroccan tourists, this means that obtaining the appropriate visa and completing the TDAC are separate procedures.

What Moroccan tourists should prepare

The new rules make advance planning particularly important for travellers who have already booked flights or accommodation.

Before departure, Moroccan passport holders should verify the appropriate Thai visa category, complete the application through the official e-Visa system where applicable, keep the approval confirmation available for airline check-in and complete the TDAC within the required period.

Thailand's Embassy in Rabat also stresses that final admission remains subject to the decision of Thai immigration authorities at the point of entry.

The policy change marks a new phase in Thailand-Morocco travel arrangements. After more than two years of visa-free access under the previous framework, Moroccan tourists must now incorporate visa processing into their travel preparations before heading to Thailand.