Good
news fellow Filipino travelers!
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| Rainbow Village, Taichung |
If you are thinking of visiting Taiwan but
worried about its visa-free program expiring this July, then I have good news
for you! The country’s visa leniency period is still ongoing and even extended
for another year.
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| Red House in Ximending (Ximen Market) |
Yes, you still have a chance to plan your
trip!
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| Create your own wood art work at the Carpenter |
On July 2, 2019, the Taiwan Economic and
Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines finally announced the extension of
the visa-free program for Filipinos until July 31, 2020, for a maximum stay of
14 days. This privilege exhibits the amicable relationship between the
Philippines and the Republic of China (Taiwan). In addition, Taiwan continues
to boost travel for Filipinos particularly in the field of tourism, trade,
investment, education, agriculture, fishery, and healthcare.
Aside from the fact that the Philippines is the closest neighbor country of Taiwan, it is also one of the priority partners of Taiwan's "New Southbound Policy." The "New Southbound Policy" aims to build strong bilateral relations with its neighboring countries in the region. Statistics shows that since November of 2017, when Taiwan’s visa-free program for Filipinos took effect, there has been a rapid increase of Filipino visitors in Taiwan. The data indicate that 44% or 419,000 Filipinos travelled in Taiwan in 2018. In conjunction with this prerogative, regional airlines from both countries have launched more direct flights and opened new routes to the countries’ major cities. Filipinos travellers can depart from any of the following cities: Manila, Puerto Princesa, Clark, Cebu, and Kalibo.
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| Car exposition at Lihpao Racing, Lihpao Resort |
Aside from the fact that the Philippines is the closest neighbor country of Taiwan, it is also one of the priority partners of Taiwan's "New Southbound Policy." The "New Southbound Policy" aims to build strong bilateral relations with its neighboring countries in the region. Statistics shows that since November of 2017, when Taiwan’s visa-free program for Filipinos took effect, there has been a rapid increase of Filipino visitors in Taiwan. The data indicate that 44% or 419,000 Filipinos travelled in Taiwan in 2018. In conjunction with this prerogative, regional airlines from both countries have launched more direct flights and opened new routes to the countries’ major cities. Filipinos travellers can depart from any of the following cities: Manila, Puerto Princesa, Clark, Cebu, and Kalibo.
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| National Taichung Theater |
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| New Taipei City at night |
If you are now planning for your journey to
Taiwan, here are the visa-free guidelines you need to know: (source)
- 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.
Note that the duration of the 14-day visa-free policy is not
extendable and begins on the following day of arrival in Taiwan.
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| Attend a workshop at Chun Chui Tang Tea House and try the DIY tea. |
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| Liberty Square in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo by Coleen Bognot |
Read information about why you must visit Taiwan.
Read information about bubble milk tea history.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Travel 101
2 Comments
Your smile is stunning, Cha! -xoxo_mikan
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mikan :) and thanks for reading my article. xoxo
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