Philippines Extends 14-Day Visa-Free Entry for Taiwan Tourists for 1 Year Based on Reciprocity

MANILA, July 1 (CNA) -- The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) announced that the Philippine government, based on the principle of reciprocity, has extended the 14-day visa-free entry privilege for Taiwan passport holders. The measure is effective from July 1 and will last until June 30, 2027.

In its announcement, MECO stated that the Philippine government, considering that Philippine passport holders currently enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan, has decided to continue granting the same treatment to Taiwan passport holders, extending the 14-day visa-free entry measure that began on July 1 last year.

According to current regulations, Taiwan passport holders do not need to apply for a visa in advance to enter the Philippines and can stay for a maximum of 14 days. However, they cannot apply for an extension of stay or convert to other Philippine visa categories. If Taiwan tourists plan to stay for more than 14 days, they must apply for a visa before entering the country.

Furthermore, for Taiwan tourists to use the visa-free privilege, their passports must have at least 6 months of validity beyond their intended stay, and they must present proof of accommodation in the Philippines, financial capacity, and a return or onward ticket to a third country.

Taiwan has been continuously piloting a 14-day visa-free entry program for Philippine nationals since November 2017, with the current measure's latest deadline being July 31 of this year. The Philippines, in turn, has been offering reciprocal 14-day visa-free entry for Taiwan tourists since July 2025, with the original validity expiring on June 30, 2026.

The delay in the formal announcement of an extension by the Philippine side had previously caused concern among Taiwanese citizens planning trips to the Philippines regarding their travel arrangements.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed the relevant directive on the evening of June 30. Subsequent administrative processes were still pending. Considering that the original visa-free period was about to expire, Taiwan's Representative to the Philippines, Zhou Ming-gan, along with the political section and immigration secretary, actively engaged with relevant departments, ultimately securing the Philippine announcement before the deadline to facilitate smooth entry and exit for Taiwanese nationals.

According to official Philippine statistics, from January to May of this year, over 90,000 tourists from Taiwan visited the Philippines, an increase of 12% compared to the same period last year. Taiwan ranks seventh among the main sources of international tourists in the Philippines, and tourism industry professionals believe the visa-free measure may be a driving factor. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150701

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