The Thai authorities announced the cancellation of the 60-day visa exemption system that had been in place since July 2024, following the approval of the Thai Cabinet. The decision affects 93 countries, including Morocco.
Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, Surasak Fancyaruenorakul, confirmed on May 19, 2026, that the countries previously included in the exemption, including Morocco, would revert to the old rules. Thus, Moroccans will return to enjoying a 30-day visa exemption upon entry for tourism purposes, with the possibility of extending their stay for an additional 30 days within Thailand.
As for long stays, they require obtaining a tourist visa or a long-term residence visa depending on the purpose of the visit.
The Moroccan Embassy Clarifies
In a simultaneous development, the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Bangkok issued an official statement on May 20, 2026, warning Moroccan citizens about the tightening of the Thai authorities’ oversight on financial evidence from tourists.
The statement mentioned that the Thai authorities would conduct stricter random checks on the financial capability of visitors, and travelers may be required to present sufficient cash to cover the duration of their stay.
The embassy clarified that if the requested proof is not provided, entry to Thai territory may be denied at the discretion of the immigration officer. The statement emphasized that this is not a new regulation, but a stricter enforcement of existing rules.
The embassy urged Moroccans to prepare well before traveling by providing a return ticket, accommodation bookings, and evidence of sufficient financial resources.
As for the implementation date of the cancellation of the 60-day exemption, the details are expected to be published in three statements from the Thai Ministry of Interior, with the new procedures set to come into effect 15 days after publication in the official gazette. Travelers who have already entered Thailand under the old system are advised to retain their right to stay until the granted period expires.
It is noteworthy that the 60-day system was established to support tourism after the Corona pandemic, but it faced internal criticism in Thailand regarding unregulated long stays. The Thai authorities will reevaluate the entry conditions for each country individually, taking into account security, economic, and tourism aspects.
