Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos
MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos can enjoy another year of visa-free entry to Taiwan as the island state has extended the period until July 31, 2019.
According to a Kyodo News report, Taiwan extended the visa-free travel program for visitors from the Philippines, Thailand and Brunei.
Visa-free entry for Filipinos started in November 2017 and was supposed to run until July this year.
For Thailand and Brunei, the trial period for visa-free travel began in August 2016 and was extended.
Travelers from Thailand and Brunei will only be allowed to stay in Taiwan without a visa for 14 days from the 30 days initially allowed.
Filipinos travelling to Taiwan are already limited to 14-day stays.
Chang Ching-sen, minister without portfolio, told Taiwanese state-run Central News Agency that the visa-free stays are limited to 14 days to better manage the program.
Taiwan intoduced the visa-free program to increase visitors coming from countries in Southeast Asia, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Meanwhile, visitors from Malaysia and Singapore will continue to enjoy 30-day visa-free entry to Taiwan while those who come from New Zealand and Australia may stay up to 90 days on a trial basis until December 31, Kyodo News reported.
Filipinos going to Taiwan grew to 290,784 in 2017 from 172,475 in 2016 after the implementation of the visa-free policy. Visitors from Thailand also grew to 292,534 from 195,640, according to a report from The China Post. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
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