Thekabarnews.com—Thailand will end its 60-day visa-free entry program for Moroccan nationals, a major change in a policy introduced to revive tourism after the pandemic.

The Thai Cabinet approved the measure on May 19, 2026. Under the new framework, the changes will take effect 15 days after publication in the Royal Gazette. The Royal Gazette is the official legal journal of Thailand.

The change directly affects Moroccan passport holders who have had visa-free access to Thailand since June 2024. At the time, those who qualified could enter the Southeast Asian country visa-free in advance. They could then stay up to 60 days.

Thailand has already extended the scheme of visa-free access to 93 countries. This is up from 57 in mid-2024. Bangkok is seeking to revive international tourism, which the COVID-19 pandemic badly hit. Consequently, officials have added 36 nationalities, including Moroccan citizens, to the scheme.

The extension of the visa exemption policy has helped boost Thailand’s attractiveness as a tourist destination globally. It has also facilitated visits to Thailand for people from more countries.

Thanks to relaxed entry requirements, Moroccans could travel to Thailand for tourism, leisure, and short visits without further visa formalities. This was possible for almost two years.

However, with the country’s tourism industry booming and policymakers rethinking immigration and border management policies, Thai authorities have decided to revisit the program.

It has not been fully explained in public. However, governments review visa-free policies as they try to balance tourism promotion, immigration management, national security concerns, and reciprocal agreements with other nations.

The move is part of a broader trend of countries tweaking entry requirements from time to time. This happens as economic conditions, travel patterns, and domestic policy priorities change.

Tourism is one of the important economic sectors of Thailand. It is a major contributor to employment, foreign exchange earnings and overall economic growth.

The country reopened its borders post-pandemic and has welcomed millions of international visitors. Officials have also rolled out a series of initiatives to help tourism recover.

The policy change may encourage Moroccan travelers to be more cautious when planning their trips. Additionally, they may need to check the updated visa regulations before coming to Thailand.

The move could also impact travel demand between the two countries. This scenario is especially true for tourists who had benefited from simplified entry procedures.

This change is not expected to make Thailand less popular with Moroccan travelers. The country’s famous beaches, cultural attractions, hospitality industry, and diverse tourism products attract these travelers.

The authorities expect to publish additional guidance on application procedures and transitional arrangements. This will happen once the new rules have been formally published.

Thailand’s move is a reminder of the fluid nature of policies around international mobility. There is a need to stay up to date with evolving visa rules as international travel rebounds. At the same time, governments improve their immigration systems.

For future visitors from Morocco, it will be important to understand the new rules before visiting one of the most popular destinations in Asia.

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