Taiwan Extends Visa-Free Privileges for Filipino Tourists Until 2026
Taiwan has officially extended the visa-free privileges for Filipino tourists for another year, extending the program until 2026. Taiwan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lin Chia-lung, made this announcement during the Philippine Independence Day celebration organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei.
“To continue to deepen bilateral ties between Taiwan and the Philippines, I announce that ‘Taiwan will extend the visa-free entry program for Filipino nationals for one year,’” Lin said in his speech. This extension of visa-free privileges for Filipino tourists highlights the growing friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Hope for Reciprocal Visa-Free Travel
Minister Lin also expressed his hope that the Philippines would soon offer similar visa-free privileges to Taiwanese nationals. “We also hope that in the near future, Taiwanese people will be able to travel visa-free to the Philippines under the principle of reciprocity, so that they can start a go-and-go holiday as long as they simply pack their bags and bring,” he said, according to a translated Facebook post.
Growing People-to-People Exchanges
Taiwan and the Philippines have seen increased people-to-people exchanges in recent years. Lin noted the arrival of approximately 415,000 Filipino tourists to Taiwan in 2024 alone. He also thanked the roughly 160,000 Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan, recognizing their hard work and contribution across various sectors, saying they “inject new energy into Taiwanese society.”
The minister described the Philippines as an “important neighbor” sharing core democratic values with Taiwan. Both countries belong to the Indo-Pacific First Island Chain and support each other in facing regional challenges.
“Me and the Philippine representative in Taiwan Cheloy E. Velicaria-Garafil are deeply aware that maintaining regional peace and stability is the shared responsibility and vision of Taiwan and the Philippines,” Lin added.
Strengthening Official Ties and Economic Cooperation
Taiwan-Philippine relations have grown closer, especially after the Philippine government eased decades-old travel restrictions on its officials visiting Taiwan for official purposes. Lin pointed out that this development paves the way for joint promotion of the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor.
This collaboration aims to boost cooperation in agriculture, technology, energy, smart solutions, and economic resilience. In April, Malacañang issued Memorandum Circular No. 82, allowing Philippine government officials to travel to Taiwan for economic, trade, and investment activities under strict protocols. This circular ended Executive Order No. 313 from 1987, which prohibited such official exchanges to respect the One-China Policy.
Although the Philippines and Taiwan do not maintain formal diplomatic relations due to the One-China Policy, these recent developments mark a significant step toward closer cooperation and mutual understanding.
For more news and updates on Taiwan Philippines visa free privileges, visit Filipinokami.com.