Taiwan temporarily suspends visa-free privilege to Philippines

Taiwan has temporarily  suspended the visa-free privilege for Filipinos, its Bureau of Consular Affairs has said.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the move was only temporary and subject to review.

A notice posted on the BOCA on September 5 said that it will resume visa waivers for the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and several mostly European countries starting September 12.

The bureau said it was "temporarily suspending" visa-free entry to Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Philippines, Russia.

Taiwan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jeanette Ou said the visa waivers for qualified Asian states were merely put on hold and would be reviewed in their next round of discussions.

"Most of the Asian countries haven’t been 'resumed' just yet, but I am sure it will be in our next round of considerations," Ou told GMA News Online.

On September 5, Taiwan announced that only 54 countries - 37 European states plus the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand - from the original 66 were granted visa waivers.

"For the rest of Asian countries, it will be in our next round of considerations," Ou said, adding Taiwan "highly values the good relationship with the Philippines."

Nationals with visa-exempt entry to Taiwan are allowed to travel to the island visa-free and stay for up to 30 days as it gradually started to ease restrictions on foreign visitors and tourists that were put in place to contain the spread of COVID-19.

However, travelers are still mandated to undergo three days of quarantine and take a PCR test upon arrival.

Apart from a valid visa, holders of Philippines, Brunei, Russia and Thailand passports must have proof of accommodation/hotel booking, host/sponsor's contact information and sufficient travel funds when entering Taiwan.

Vessel or aircraft crew members or service personnel from the Philippines, Brunei, Russia and Thailand intending to board to report for duty are ineligible for the visa-free entry, the ministry added. —NB, GMA News