Filipino vacationers can proceed to take pleasure in hassle-free journey to Taiwan for an additional 12 months, as Taiwan’s Ministry of Overseas Affairs (MOFA) formally introduced the extension of its visa-free entry program for Philippine nationals till July 31, 2026.
“To proceed to deepen bilateral ties between Taiwan and the Philippines, I announce that ‘Taiwan will lengthen the visa-free entry program for Filipino nationals for one 12 months,'” Minister Lin said in his speech.
The extension, efficient from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, additionally covers nationals from Thailand and Brunei, aligning with Taiwan’s “New Southbound Coverage” aimed toward strengthening engagement with Southeast Asian nations. MOFA clarified that it’ll proceed to evaluate and fine-tune its visa insurance policies to each entice extra guests and guarantee nationwide safety.
Minister Lin additionally expressed a reciprocal hope, urging the Philippines to contemplate granting visa-free privileges to Taiwanese nationals within the close to future. “We additionally hope that within the close to future, Taiwanese individuals will be capable to journey visa-free to the Philippines beneath the precept of reciprocity, in order that they will begin a go-and-go vacation so long as they merely pack their luggage and produce,” a translated portion of his speech indicated.
Past particular person tourism, MOFA confirmed that the “Challenge for Simplifying Visa Laws for Excessive-end Group Vacationers from Southeast Asian International locations” will even be prolonged by means of December 31, 2026. The conditional visa-free entry through the Journey Authorization Certificates (TAC) scheme will equally stay in place.
The extension underscores the flourishing people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines. Minister Lin highlighted that some 415,000 Filipino vacationers visited Taiwan in 2024, making the Philippines Taiwan’s largest supply of vacationers from Southeast Asia and fifth globally. He additionally acknowledged the very important contribution of roughly 160,000 Filipino migrant employees in Taiwan, recognizing their arduous work in numerous sectors.
Lin emphasised the Philippines’ position as an “necessary neighbor” attributable to shared values of freedom and democracy, and their strategic place throughout the Indo-Pacific First Island Chain. He reiterated the shared accountability of Taiwan and the Philippines in sustaining regional peace and stability.
Minister Lin famous that this leisure lays an important basis for the joint promotion of a Taiwan-Philippines Financial Hall, fostering cooperation in fields comparable to agriculture, expertise, power, sensible options, and financial resilience.
Regardless of the absence of formal diplomatic relations as a result of One-China Coverage, either side are clearly demonstrating a dedication to deepen substantive ties and facilitate better exchanges.
