September 2026

2 changes logged for long stay in Asia. 1 tightened, 1 restructured. Every item is in The Wire with a source you can open and the date it was checked.

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2026-09-15 Thailand Tightened

Visa free entry halved to 30 days and short work removed

The 60 day exemption for 93 countries was repealed and replaced by 30 days for 60 nationalities, gazetted on 31 August 2026 and effective 15 September. One 30 day extension remains at THB 1,900, land border entries are capped at two per calendar year, and visa on arrival was cut from 31 nationalities to three.

Linked to the legal instrument. Thai language, Volume 143, Special Issue 207 Ngor.

2026-09-15 Philippines Restructured

SRRV restructured: Smile tier abolished, age floor 40, higher deposit under 50

The Special Resident Retiree Visa was rebuilt in September 2026. The Smile tier is gone. Minimum age is 40. Applicants aged 40 to 49 need USD 50,000 without a pension, or USD 25,000 with one. Age 50 and over remains USD 30,000 without a pension, or USD 15,000 with a pension of USD 800 to 1,000 a month.

Linked to the route operator, not the legal instrument.

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