The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on July 2, 2019 that the visa-free privilege for the nationals of the Philippines will continue for another year from August 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020. This privilege is 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, or other short-term purposes. The visa-free privilege also aims to deepen Taiwan’s multifaceted relations with the Philippines, particularly in the fields of tourism, trade, investment, education, agriculture, fisheries and healthcare, etc.
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. The implementation of the visa-free treatment since 1 November 2017 has resulted in a rapid increase of Filipinos visiting Taiwan. In 2018, visitors from the Philippines reached 419,000, recording a 44% percent increase as compared to the number in 2017. Furthermore, regional airlines both from Taiwan and the Philippines have 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 travellers save more time and money.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines encourages more Filipino friends to maximize the visa-free status and to visit Taiwan as often as possible to enjoy its beautiful attractions, the wide variety of shopping and dining options and the warm hospitality. At the same time, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines urges the Philippine government to grant visa-free treatment to the nationals of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on the basis of reciprocity, so as to attract more Taiwanese tourists and businessmen to visit the Philippines. It will surely strengthen the bilateral ties and mutually benefit our two countries.
Philippine travellers 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 a clean 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 and begins on the following day of arrival in Taiwan.
For more visa information regarding the Republic of China (Taiwan), please visit the following website: http://www.roc-taiwan.org/ph or follow Facebook @ Taiwan in the Philippines.
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines
July 2, 2019
