Filipinos' visa-free entry to Taiwan postponed


ABS-CBN News
Posted at May 16 2017 06:39 PM | Updated as of May 16 2017 07:55 PM
MANILA - The implementation of the visa-free entry to Taiwan for Filipinos has been rescheduled to September 2017, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) announced Tuesday.
In a statement, the Taiwanese post in Manila said the exact date of the implementation of the visa-free entry "will be further announced in September or at other appropriate date this year."
In April, TECO in Manila said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) granted visa exemption for Philippine travelers, effective June.
But in the advisory Tuesday, TECO said the implementation of visa-free entry to the Taiwan for Filipinos was postponed "in order to complete relevant administrative procedures and inter-agency coordination."
Taiwan, an emerging destination for Filipino travelers since the flight takes less than two hours, relaxed visa requirements for Filipinos in October last year. It offered visa-free entry to Filipinos who have been issued visas to enter Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, any of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
Despite the postponement of the visa-free policy, Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taiwan to the Philippines, said the granting of visa-free privilege to Filipinos is one of his priorities during his tenure in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, TECO said the inclusion of the Philippines in Taiwan’s e-visa program list stands, and Filipinos who wish to visit Taiwan for tourism or a short visit may still apply for either free Travel Authorization Certification (TAC), or payable e-visa or the payable appropriate proper visa stamped in the passport.
MOFA also decided to further enlarge the eligibility criteria of the Taiwan TAC for qualified Philippine travelers starting June.
Filipinos who have been issued with a visa, excluding labor visas with remarks "FL" or "X," over the last 10 years may also apply for the said TAC, without having to pay any fee. The TAC would allow multiple-entries to Taiwan, valid for 90 days with every stay up to 30 days.

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