Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipino tourists

Taiwan extended the visa-free privilege of Filipino tourists for another year from Aug. 1, 2019 through July 31, 2020.

The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines said the privilege was a display of Taiwan’s amity with the Philippines as the country continues to boost the travel convenience for Filipinos to visit Taiwan for leisure, business and other short-term purposes. 

It said the visa-free privilege also aimed to deepen Taiwan’s multifaceted relations with the Philippines, especially in the fields of tourism, trade, investment, education, agriculture, fisheries and healthcare, it said.

The Philippines is not only Taiwan’s closest neighbor but also a priority partner for Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy,” which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity with its neighboring countries in the region. 

It said the implementation of the visa-free treatment since Nov. 1, 2017 resulted in a rapid increase in Filipinos visiting Taiwan. In 2018, visitors from the Philippines reached 419,000, recording a 44-percent increase from 2017. 

Regional airlines both from Taiwan and the Philippines launched more direct flights and opened new routes to the major cities between the two countries. 

Filipinos have more choices as they could now depart for Taiwan from Manila, Puerto Princesa, Clark, Cebu and Kalibo, helping Philippine travelers save more time and money.

Teco also encouraged more Filipinos to maximize the visa-free status and visit Taiwan as often as possible to enjoy its beautiful attractions, the wide variety of shopping and dining options and the warm hospitality. 

It asked the Philippine government to grant visa-free treatment to the nationals of the Republic of China on the basis of reciprocity to attract more Taiwanese tourists and businessmen. Othel V. Campos

Filipino travelers may enter Taiwan and stay for up to 14 days without having to apply for a visa as long as they have at least six-month passport validity from the date of entry with a confirmed return plane or boat ticket or a valid visa for an onward destination, information of lodging and contact details for their stay in Taiwan and financial statement.

The visiting party should also have no criminal record, as verified by immigration upon arrival at an airport or seaport in Taiwan.

The duration of the 14-day visa-free is not extendable.