Taiwan extends visa-free privileges to Filipinos until 2026

Filipinos who want to travel for a short vacation may enter Taiwan without need of a visa until 2026, Taiwan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung announced on Friday.

The Taiwanese official made the announcement of the extension of the visa exemption for Filipinos during the Philippine Independence Day event in Taipei, according to GMA Integrated News reporter JP Soriano.

On Saturday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said the government decided to extend the visa-free privilege for one year for citizens of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. 

The current visa-free privilege policy enjoyed by Filipinos is supposed to end on July 31, 2025.

Filipinos with a trip duration of up to 14 days are eligible for the visa exemption. Filipinos holding diplomatic or official/service passports however are not included in the visa exemption.

''MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations and attracting more visitors while ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient,'' Taiwan's MOFA said in a statement. 

The visa-free program for Filipinos resumed on September 29, 2022. It was first set to expire on July 31, 2023, but was extended until July 31, 2024.

MOFA also extended until December 31, 2026 the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries.

The conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries will also "remain in place," the MOFA said. —KG/VBL, GMA Integrated News