Taiwan Visa-Free Entry for Filipinos (Extended until July 31, 2021)
Itching to travel to Taiwan when the pandemic subsides? Well, with the latest development in the wandersphere, you’re in for a big treat!
Once again, Filipinos may enter Taiwan completely visa-free. Yes, you’ve read that right! Philippine passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan for tourism, business and visiting relatives for a duration of up to 14 days EXTENDED until July 31, 2021.
According to the Press Release of Taipei Economic Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines dated July 23, 2020, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announces one-year extension of trial visa-free entry until July 31, 2021, for nationals from the Philippines, among other countries. The data source is the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan).
To further promote the New Southbound Policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened a meeting with other related government agencies on May 29 concerning visa measures for nationals from New Southbound Policy partner countries and Russia. Topics of discussion were whether to extend trial visa-free entry for nationals from the Philippines (including Thailand, Brunei and Russia).
The agencies participating in the meeting, having evaluated the status and outcomes of the measures so far, jointly made the following decision that starting August 1, 2020, trial visa-free entry for nationals from the Philippines will be extended for one year until July 31, 2021.
In line with epidemic prevention measures taken by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), MOFA has announced entry regulations for foreign nationals during the epidemic. The aforementioned adjustments to visa measures for nationals from New Southbound Policy partner countries are based on previously existing policies and do not take precedence over temporary border control measures put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether restrictions on foreign nationals coming to Taiwan for tourism purposes will be relaxed depends on the CECC’s assessment of the worldwide development of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the aforementioned visa measures were first implemented, the number of visitors from the Philippines has risen steadily. According to statistics from the National Immigration Agency, the number of nationals from the Philippines visiting Taiwan under these measures in 2019 increased by 100.37 percent, indicating that the measures have had a considerable effect in attracting foreign travelers. MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune these measures, seeking to attract even more visitors while still ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient.
Last July 2, 2019, Taiwan announced that the trial period of the visa-free privilege for Filipino nationals will continue until July 31, 2020, and will be reviewed for further extension, as per press release of TECO in the Philippines.
As per policy, Philippine travelers may enter Taiwan and stay for up to 14 days without having to apply for a visa should they comply with the conditions listed below:
- Possess an ordinary/regular passport with remaining validity of at least six months from the date of entry;
- Hold a confirmed return plane or boat ticket, or a confirmed plane or boat ticket, along with a valid visa, for an onward destination;
- Provide the confirmation of hotel reservations or an address and contact details for their stay in Taiwan, as well as a financial statement;
- Have [no] criminal record, as verified by immigration upon arrival at an airport or seaport in Taiwan.
Among the four (4) countries that I ticked off in East Asia last 2019, I can say that Taiwan is the first and only VISA-free country that I visited. This lead me to a satisfying realization that one thing you’ll surely love about Taiwan is skipping the hassle of securing the VISA requirements.
For some travel inspirations in Taiwan, here’s a 4D3N Travel Guide in Taiwan with P10,000 budget (ALL-IN).
