The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Republic of China (Taiwan) has announced that starting from October 7, 2016, Philippine passport holders who wish to travel to Taiwan are now eligible to apply for an E-visa (online visa). This simplified visa policy will facilitate the processing and save applicant's time, traffic hassles, and economic cost. The applicant doesn’t need to physically appear in the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines.
Philippine passport holders who intend to visit Taiwan for the purpose of tourism, business, visiting relatives, attending international conference and participating in sport events can apply for the e-visa (with the required non-refundable fee by credit card payment). When an e-visa application has been approved, applicants are required to present the print-out of e-visa at the immigration checkpoint for verification upon arrival in Taiwan. An e-visa will be valid for 3 months upon approval with duration of stay up to 30 days.
The e-visa policy will be put on a trial basis for 1 year. Visitors may still file for their visa application at Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines.
Moreover, since September 1, 2016 Taiwan has eased its visa-free requirements for Filipinos who possess one of the following documents issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, any of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States: (1) a valid resident or permanent resident card; (2) a valid entry visa (electronic visa included); or (3) a resident card or visa that has expired less than 10 years prior to the date of arrival in Taiwan. Successful applicants are qualified to apply for the ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate which allows multiple-entries to Taiwan valid for 3 months with every stay up to 30 days.
Through the implementation of these two visa relaxing measures launched by the ROC (Taiwan) to the Philippine nationals, it is expected that it will greatly enhance the convenience of traveling between Taiwan and Philippines, and further promote bilateral economic, cultural and other exchanges between the two countries.
For further information concerning the ROC (Taiwan) e-visa, please visit:
https://www.boca.gov.tw/content.asp?mp=1&CuItem=7281;
For application, please access: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/.
For the “Online Application for ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authority Certificate”, please access: https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast/.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines
Makati City, 10th October 2016
