---
title: "Visa and tax rule changes: September 2026 · Settle Anywhere"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-09/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-12
---

Change log

# Visa and tax rule changes: September 2026

3 official rule changes take effect in September 2026, popular countries first, each with its official source.

## [Thailand revoked the 60-day visa exemption that covered 93 countries and territories](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-09-15-thailand-fdb860/)

Thailand revoked the 60-day visa exemption that covered 93 countries and territories; from 15 September 2026 visa-free tourist entry is 30 days for 60 listed countries and territories (previously 57), 15 days for Seychelles and Mauritius, and a visa on arrival of up to 15 days for Azerbaijan, Belarus and Serbia. Other nationals need a visa unless a bilateral agreement applies, and visitors admitted under the old exemption may stay until the end of their stamped period.

In force from 15 September 2026, official notice of 31 August 2026 · Affects: Tourist Visa · Official source: [Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand](https://image.mfa.go.th/mfa/0/GuK2XatnjK/%E0%B8%82%E0%B9%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7_%E0%B8%9B%E0%B8%8A%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%9E_%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81_FB/26-08-69/VISA_Exemption_and_VoA_2026.pdf), [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand](https://www.mfa.go.th/en/content/pb-summary-03092026-en)

## [United States: F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period instead of for duration of status: the time needed to complete the programme on the Form I-20, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-09-15-united-states-0b40e8/)

F-1 students are admitted for a fixed period instead of for duration of status: the time needed to complete the programme on the Form I-20, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave. A longer stay needs an extension of stay approved by USCIS.

In force from 15 September 2026, official notice of 17 July 2026 · Affects: [F-1 / M-1 Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/f-m-student/) · Official source: [Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-17/pdf/2026-14439.pdf)

## [United States: J-1 exchange visitors are admitted for a fixed period instead of for duration of status: until the programme end date on the Form DS-2019, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/2026-09-15-united-states-99b4e9/)

J-1 exchange visitors are admitted for a fixed period instead of for duration of status: until the programme end date on the Form DS-2019, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave. A longer stay needs an extension of stay approved by USCIS.

In force from 15 September 2026, official notice of 17 July 2026 · Affects: [J-1 Exchange visitor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/j-exchange-visitor/) · Official source: [Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-07-17/pdf/2026-14439.pdf)