Update · 2026-10-30

Visa policy updates: September–October 2026

Official updates since mid-July 2026, including the Northern Mariana Islands' EVS-TAP suspension, Turkmenistan's e-Visa launch, South Africa's ETA and US visa bonds.

This roundup covers official visa and entry-policy announcements published between 12 July and 30 October 2026. Check the linked authority again before booking: several changes are phased, location-specific, or take effect after publication.

Thailand: 60-day visa exemption ends on 15 September

Thailand will replace its 60-day tourist visa exemption on 15 September 2026. The revised system gives 60 countries and territories a 30-day visa exemption, creates a 15-day exemption for two, and reduces visa-on-arrival eligibility to three. Travelers admitted before 15 September may stay until the date stamped in their passport. The change covers tourism exemptions and visa on arrival, not other visa categories.

Check a Thailand route before departure; eligibility now depends on the passport-specific list under the revised scheme.

South Africa: ETA launched with a phased rollout

South Africa officially launched its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) on 12 August 2026. Applicants create a profile, scan their passport, upload a selfie and complete biometric checks. The government says approved applications can receive an ETA within 24 hours.

The launch followed a pilot for travelers from China, India, Indonesia and Mexico. On 1 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs said short-stay ETA applications were live for 53 countries, with more being added weekly. The current rollout covers arrivals at OR Tambo, Cape Town, King Shaka and Lanseria international airports. Visa-required travelers should confirm their passport is live in the official portal before applying.

New Zealand: most visitor applications move to the enhanced online system

From 24 September 2026, new applications for most visitor visas must use enhanced Immigration Online. Drafts in the old system can be submitted until 7 October; remaining drafts are deleted on 8 October. Separately, from 1 October 2026, listed visitor and transit visa applications will no longer be accepted on paper. Applications already submitted through the old or paper process continue normally.

Canada: Ebola-related border measures extended to 27 November

On 28 September 2026, Canada extended its temporary immigration measures for residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and South Sudan by 60 days, through 27 November 2026. People whose last country of residence when they applied was one of these countries cannot travel to Canada while the measures are in force, even with a previously approved visa, permit or electronic travel authorization. IRCC will keep processing affected applications but will not finalize them during the suspension.

United States: paid expedited B-visa interview pilot

The US Department of State is testing an optional expedited interview program through 31 December 2026. Eligible B-visa applicants at participating posts may pay USD 750, in addition to the normal USD 185 application fee, for an interview within 10 business days, subject to availability.

The pilot currently covers US Mission Canada, Bogotá, Guatemala City, San José, Tegucigalpa and US Mission Mexico. The fee is non-refundable, a booked expedited appointment cannot be changed, and faster scheduling does not guarantee visa approval.

United States: visa bonds apply to B-1/B-2 applicants from 50 countries

The permanent visa bond program took effect on 3 August 2026. On 2 October, the Department of State published its current list of 50 covered nationalities. An otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 applicant traveling on a passport from a listed country must post a USD 10,000, 15,000 or 20,000 bond, with the amount set at the interview. Pay only after a consular officer directs you through Pay.gov; a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.

Bonded travelers must now enter and leave through a commercial air port of entry, including CBP preclearance locations. Charter flights, general aviation, land borders and sea ports do not meet the bond condition.

United States: broader online-presence review from 1 October

From 1 October 2026, US visa screening will expand its online-presence review to applicants for I media visas and TN/TD USMCA professional visas. The Department of State instructs applicants in these categories to set all social-media profiles to public or open. This does not add the requirement to tourist B visas, but it does affect journalists and eligible Canadian or Mexican professionals applying in the listed categories.

United States: H-1B entry restriction extended to September 2027

A presidential proclamation issued on 18 September 2026 extends the entry restriction for certain H-1B workers through 21 September 2027. For affected workers outside the United States, the employer's petition must be accompanied or supplemented by a USD 100,000 payment. The proclamation allows discretionary national-interest exceptions and applies to people seeking entry after the new effective date; employers and applicants should review the implementation guidance for their exact case.

Turkmenistan: e-Visa system begins operating on 1 October

In an announcement dated 1 October 2026, the State Migration Service confirmed that its e-Visa system began operating that day for foreign citizens and stateless people seeking entry, stay or transit permission. Applicants can use the service through the official migration portal. The announcement does not specify visa validity, fees or exemptions from supporting-document requirements; check the portal or the relevant embassy for your visa category.

Northern Mariana Islands: EVS-TAP suspended for Chinese nationals

A DHS notice published on 27 October 2026 suspends EVS-TAP from 14:00 EDT on 30 October 2026. The CNMI-only visa-exempt route for Chinese nationals is suspended for both new applicants and existing authorization holders. Travelers already lawfully admitted under EVS-TAP may finish their authorized stay, but need a visa for future visits. Do not rely on an existing EVS-TAP approval for travel after the suspension takes effect.

What travelers should do

Entering Thailand on or after 15 September: recheck your passport's new exemption or visa-on-arrival status.
Applying for South Africa: confirm that your passport is among the live ETA countries and use one of the four supported airports.
Applying for New Zealand: finish old-system drafts before the cutoff or start in enhanced Immigration Online.
Affected by Canada's Ebola measures: do not travel until IRCC lifts the suspension, and monitor your application status.
Considering the US expedited pilot: use only the official appointment system and treat USD 750 as a scheduling fee, not an approval fee.
Applying for a US B-1/B-2 visa with a listed passport: budget for the bond and plan both crossings through commercial airports.
Applying for an I, TN or TD visa: make social-media profiles public before the expanded review begins on 1 October.
Planning H-1B entry from abroad: confirm whether the employer payment or a national-interest exception applies before travel.

Applying for Turkmenistan: check the official migration portal for the e-Visa process and required supporting documents.

Traveling to Saipan or elsewhere in the CNMI: confirm your visa before departure if you previously relied on EVS-TAP.