The Taiwan Economic Cooperation Office (Teco) has announced the extension of the visa-free privilege entry to Filipinos by another year.
“On behalf of the government of the Republic of China [ROC, Taiwan], the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines has the pleasure to announce hereby that the visa-exemption program for the nationals of the Philippines will be extended for another year,” a Teco news statement issued on Thursday said, adding that the trial period will continue until July 31, 2019, “and will be reviewed for further extension.”
Teco first allowed visa-free entry to Taiwan in November 2017.
“This visa-free privilege is a reflection of Taiwan’s goodwill and friendship toward all Filipinos under the ‘New Southbound Policy,’ which aims to build stronger bilateral relations and closer people-to-people connectivity between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Teco added.
Ambassador Michael Peiyung Hsu, Taiwan’s representative to the Philippines, highlighted that the Philippines is not only Taiwan’s closest neighbor but also an important partner for Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy.”
In recent years, both countries have launched a number of visa-liberalization measures, which have resulted in a rapid increase of visitors. The number of two-way visitors hit a record high in 2017 wherein Filipino travelers going to Taiwan reached 290,784, while Taiwanese visitors to the Philippines reached 236,777.
Teco said this mutual relaxation of visa restrictions is an important factor in improving bilateral overall relations and enhancing people-to-people exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
The Philippines has difficulty reciprocating Taiwan’s gesture of visa-free entry privilege to Taiwanese because the income derived by its counterpart in Taipei, the Manila Economic Cooperation Office, provides the salaries of its employees, including the maintenance of embassy in the ROC and other associated expenses, according to Meco Head Angelito Banayo.
Teco, on the other hand, is provided by a separate fund by the Taiwan government. The income from visa fees is remitted to their national coffers.
Teco admitted that it loses about P450 million a year from the income from visa applications, which could be approximately the same amount Meco would lose if the Philippines is to abolish the visa fee to Taiwanese entering the country.
Hsu believes that Taiwan’s visa-free trial program to the Filipino nationals will surely enhance the two countries’ long-standing friendship and further strengthen the multifaceted partnership and cooperation.
At the same time, Teco in behalf of Taiwan, urged the Philippine government and Meco to grant visa-free treatment to the people of Taiwan “on the basis of reciprocity, so as to attract more Taiwanese tourists and business people to visit the Philippines.”
This is seen to produce a positive impact on various fields, particularly in tourism, investment, trade, education, culture, agriculture and fisheries.
“It will be a significant milestone in the bilateral win-win partnership and also enhance the friendly ties and mutual benefits between Taiwan and the Philippines,” Hsu said.
Under Teco requirement, a visa-free Filipino visitor must meet the following requirements:
An ordinary/regular passport with remaining validity of at least six months from the date of entry (diplomatic and official passport holders are not eligible for visa-free treatment);
A return ticket or a ticket for the traveler’s next destination and a visa for that destination if it is required;
No criminal records or other records of misconduct in Taiwan; and
A proof of accommodation (hotel) booking or host/sponsor’s contact information or arrangements of tour, travel, visit, events, meetings and the like.
Teco said, however, those who intend to stay in Taiwan for more than 14 days for study, work, missionary, employment and other gainful activities are still required to obtain appropriate visas before entering Taiwan.
Teco urges visitors to Taipei wanting more information to visit their web site https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ph