Another chance for those seeking to explore or return to the island.
On Friday, July 17, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines announced the extension of the visa-free entry for Philippine passport holders for another year — days before previous approved period was supposed to expire on July 31, 2026.
Under the latest directive, those carrying a Philippine passport may enter Taiwan without the need for any visa for up to 14 days from August 1, 2026 until July 31, 2027.
The duration of stay starts from the day after arrival and is not extendable, with foreign visitors must depart by the end of the said duration.
Allowed purposes of visit for the visa exemption include tourism, visiting friends or relatives, attending social events, conducting business, attending exhibitions, and engaging in fact-finding missions or international exchanges.
Under the current terms by the Taiwanese government, the Philippine nationals, except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program.
It requires a passport with remaining validity of at least six months as of the date of entry; a confirmed return air/sea ticket or air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure flight; and the passenger is not determined by immigration officers at ports of entry in Taiwan (ROC) to be otherwise ineligible.
In addition, Philippine passportholders must have confirmed booking of their accommodation, contact information about the host or sponsor, and sufficient travel funds.
For Philippine aircraft crew members or service personnel who intend to board to report for duty, they are ineligible for the visa-exempt entry.
The list of ports of entry have also been likewise iterated, with it led by the main gateway at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, Chiayi Airport, Tainan Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport, Taitung Airport, Hualien Airport, Kinmen Airport, and Magong Airport.
Also listed are the Keelung Harbor, Taipei Harbor, Taichung Harbor, Kaohsiung Harbor, Hualien Harbor, Shuitou Harbor, and Fu’ao Harbor.
Meanwhile, those who intend to enter Taiwan (ROC) for purposes that require qualifications, such as religious work, must obtain a visa from a Taiwan (ROC) overseas mission before entering Taiwan (ROC).
Another reminder for travellers is that they are required to accomplish the TWAC Taiwan Arrival Card seven days prior to arriving in Taiwan (ROC), which can be completed on the website of the National Immigration Agency.
RECIPROCATION OF EARLIER MOVE BY PH
The TECO noted that the visa-free privileges for Filipinos is in reciprocity of the visa-free privileges the Philippines has extended to Taiwan nationals.
Earlier this July, the Manila Economic and Cultural Office in Taiwan announced that Taiwan passport holders may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days.
This memorandum extended the same privilege granted to Taiwan passport holders in July 2025 — with the visa-free privilege non-extendible and non-convertible to other Philippine visa categories — and will remain in effect until June 30, 2027.
However, Taiwan passport holders who intend to visit the Philippines for a stay exceeding set period are required to secure a visa before entry.
According to the Taiwan Tourism Administration, it logged more than 210,000 Filipino tourists traveled to Taiwan during the first quarter of 2026 alone, which it noted to be a 43% increase from the same period in 2025.
Meanwhile, the Department of Tourism reported 213,928 Taiwanese visitors visited the Philippines in 2025.
Meanwhile, according to the MECO, over 160,000 Filipinos are working in Taiwan, primarily in its robust manufacturing sector.
