Moroccan Passport Holders Must Obtain Visas for Thailand
Effective September 15, Moroccan nationals will be required to secure a visa prior to traveling to Thailand, following a recent regulation issued by the Ministry of Interior. This significant change arises from the removal of Morocco from Thailand's updated visa-exemption list, as officially published in the Royal Gazette. The new directive, signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, signifies a shift in the travel policy that directly impacts Moroccan passport holders.
The newly implemented regulation replaces the previous 60-day visa exemption program with a more restrictive arrangement that only permits visa-free entry for a limited number of countries and territories. This revised policy allows 30-day visa-free access for 60 countries, including major nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Australia. Unfortunately, Morocco does not feature on this newly established list, thereby necessitating a visa for Moroccan travelers.
Implications of the New Visa Requirement
In addition to Morocco's exclusion from the visa-waiver program, it is also absent from two other newly created categories. A 15-day exemption applies only to travelers from Mauritius and Seychelles, while a visa-on-arrival option is available solely for nationals of Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Serbia. Consequently, Moroccan citizens now find themselves outside the framework of Thailand's visa-free travel options.
This policy change marks a notable regression for Moroccan travelers, who previously enjoyed the benefits of Thailand’s 93-country visa exemption scheme, allowing them a visa-free stay of up to 60 days. The implementation of this scheme was officially recognized by the Royal Thai Embassy in Rabat, which took effect on July 15, 2024. The rationale behind this broader reform stems from concerns regarding the misuse of the visa-free system, with Thai authorities citing a rise in illegal activities among foreigners exploiting prolonged stays.
For those Moroccans now required to obtain a visa, the application process has been streamlined. There's no need for a physical visit to the embassy, as Thailand offers an online e-Visa system accessible through its Embassy in Rabat. Individuals residing in Morocco can conveniently submit their visa applications online via the official e-Visa platform, a service that has been operational globally since January 2025. It’s important to note that this new requirement specifically applies to holders of ordinary Moroccan passports, while different arrangements may exist for those with diplomatic or official travel documents.
Travelers who have already made plans to visit Thailand before the September 15 deadline will not be adversely affected by this new rule; they will retain their authorized stay duration as granted upon entry, even if they arrive under the previous visa-free scheme. Additionally, this reform includes stipulations for visitors from the designated 60 countries who enter Thailand by land, imposing a limit of two entries per calendar year to prevent frequent
As reported by moroccoworldnews.com.
