The iconic Taipei 101 as seen from Elephant mountain. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan will formally reinstate the visa-free entry privilege for Filipinos nearly two weeks after the scheme was temporarily suspended.
According to a Sept. 22 notice posted by Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Bureau of Consular Affairs, Filipinos, except those holding diplomatic or any other official passports, may visit Taiwan without any visa for up to 14 days starting Sept. 29.
The visa-free status will take effect until July 31 next year.
The Philippines is among 11 countries that were added on Thursday to the list of those with visa-free entry status, along with Southeast Asian neighbors Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei.
Other countries are Chile, Israel, Japan, Korea, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic.
The move is seen to draw more tourists to Taiwan as the country gradually relaxes its border restrictions since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020.
Taiwan’s suspension of Filipinos’ visa-free privilege early this month caused confusion among travelers.
Silvestre Bello III, chief of the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, said it was just a case of misunderstanding, but Taiwan later clarified that the moratorium was just temporary. —Kathleen de Villa