According to a statement from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TEC), the one-year trial visa-free entry for nationals of the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei Darussalam has been extended from 1 August 2023 to 31 July 2024.
This follows a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures by the foreign ministries of foreign affairs (MOFA) of the aforementioned countries on April 25, with a focus on piloting a visa-free entry scheme for their nationals: the “Simplification of Visa Regulations for Senior Personnel Project”. Group tourists from Southeast Asian countries” and conditional visa-free entry through the online application for the “Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC)” program for Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries.
The two ministries and commissions evaluated the effectiveness of the above-mentioned facilitation measures over the years, and considering the need to revive bilateral exchanges and tourism in the post-epidemic era, they agreed to promote Taiwan’s “New Southbound Policy” and further improve national visa measures for partner countries to travel to Taiwan.
At the same time, the “Simplified Visa Project for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries” will last for another year until December 31, 2024. Announcements regarding the TAC will be made through https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov. tw/nia_southeast.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to review and adjust visa policies in order to strengthen bilateral exchanges and attract more tourists while ensuring border and public safety. TECO said that it will also continue to communicate with the governments of relevant countries to improve the visa treatment of Taiwanese people, and at the same time make it more convenient for Taiwanese people to travel abroad.
