Visa-free Taiwan Program Extended Until July 2019

Last October 2017, Taiwan ROC’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a 9-month visa-free trial program to citizens of the Philippines, Thailand & Brunei. As per the Minister office’s report, this trial program resulted in a 27.65% increase in tourist arrival in Taiwan. 🇹🇼

Beautiful Jiufen – located somewhere north of Taipei 😍

8 months & a few days after [earlier today], Taiwan’s MOFA officially announced that this visa-free treatment to nationalities of the above mentioned countries has been extended for another year from 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019. Tourists can stay in Taiwan up to 14 days.

Just like the current visa-free program, Filipino nationals need to wish to enter Taiwan need to satisfy the following conditions:

An ordinary / regular passport with validity of at least 6 months from date of entry

Return ticket to the Philippines or an onward ticket to a next destination (plus visa if required)

Proof of accommodation (hotel or hostel booking) / tour arrangements / financial statement

No criminal record in Taiwan

This is definitely good news to everyone! Filipinos only need their valid passports when entering Taiwan for the next 12 months. No need to apply for a visa or a travel certification. Let’s hope that this program becomes permanent soon.

Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall – one place you should not miss in Taipei! 😍

Are you planning to go to Taiwan soon? Well you should! I’ve been to Taipei in May 2015 & June 2017. Check out the details of my Taipei trips in those 2 separate blog posts. Book your tickets now! Taiwan is a beautiful & surprisingly affordable country. It’s also one of the best places to eat street food. 🇹🇼

PS. Photos taken using my HTC Re & HTC U11.

TAIWAN is now VISA-FREE for FILIPINOS!

Last April 2017, the Taiwan 🇹🇼 (ROC) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced that they will relax the visa rules for visitors from Philippines under the country’s ‘New Southbound Policy.’ MOFA said they will introduce a 1 year visa exemption trial program for Philippine passport holders. There was no exact date mentioned but rumors say it can start as early as 1 June 2017.

A month after, MOFA advised that they had to delay the visa-free trial program implementation to September 2017 due to internal matters. There was no exact date mentioned when the visa-free entry will start.

You no longer need a visa to see the iconic Taipei 101 in person! 🇹🇼

The long wait is over! Earlier today, the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines announced that Philippine passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free starting 1 November 2017. Filipino nationals can stay in Taiwan up to 14 days.

According to the TECO website, Filipinos can enter the country visa free provided they meet the following requirements:

⦁ An ordinary / regular passport with validity of at least 6 months from date of entry

⦁ Return ticket to the Philippines or an onward ticket to a next destination (plus visa if required)

⦁ No criminal record in Taiwan

⦁ Proof of accommodation (hotel or hostel booking) / sponsor’s contact information / tour arrangements

Those who intend to stay in Taiwan for more than 14 days need to undergo the usual visa application process. TECO has also advised that the “Travel Authorization Certificate” for qualified visa-free travellers & the payable e-visa system will temporarily be suspended from 1 November 2017. Taiwan’s visa-free entry trial program for Filipino passport holders ends on 31 July 2018.

Jiufen is now just a passport stamp away! 😍

So what are you waiting for? Book your next trip to Taiwan! I’m 100% sure you’ll love it there. In case you missed it, I’ve been to Taipei, Taiwan twice – first in May 2015 & June this year. Make sure to check out those two posts.

What a great news to start the week! I’m happy that the Taiwan government 🇹🇼 has finally announced the details of this visa-free trial program. Taiwan is a beautiful country! I’d love to go back to there soon; hopefully I can squeeze a weekend trip in the coming months. ✌️

PS. Most of the photos were taken using my HTC Re & HTC U11.