Taiwan has decided to extend visa-free policy for Filipino tourists, prolonging the policy for another year until 2026, according to Taiwan Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung. He made the declaration at the Philippine Independence Day celebration on Friday, organized by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taipei.
The extension enables Filipino travelers to enter Taiwan without a visa for short stays of up to 14 days. However, the benefit is exclusively for ordinary passport holders and does not extend to those with diplomatic, official, or service passports. The renewal aligns with Taiwan’s New Southbound policy to enhance visa arrangements for travelers from partner countries visiting Taipei.
Initially reinstated in September 2022 following a pandemic-related pause, Taiwan’s visa waiver program was originally scheduled to conclude on July 31, 2025. However, with the June announcement, its validity has been extended, allowing continuous travel access until 2026. The extension provides Filipino tourists, business professionals, and visitors with greater convenience and flexibility.
Lin voiced optimism that the Philippines would extend the same to Taiwan by granting visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals shortly.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officially stated on Saturday, that the visa-free entry for Filipinos has been extended for one year, now valid from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. The MOFA affirmed that it will keep assessing and refining visa policies to boost bilateral ties, attract more visitors, and uphold border and public security.
Lin further noted that this initiative will serve as a groundwork for the collaborative promotion of the Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor, and it will drive cooperation between nations in areas such as agriculture, technology, energy, smart solutions, and economic resilience.
As part of a broader diplomatic and economic initiative to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia, Taiwan has recognized the Philippines as a major partner. Tourism plays a crucial role in this growing relationship, with the Philippines leading as the top source of Southeast Asian visitors to Taiwan in 2023, recording around 415,000 Filipino arrivals throughout the year.
In April, Malacañang relaxed travel restrictions for Philippine government officials, permitting trips for economic, trade, and investment purposes. However, officials must adhere to strict guidelines, including using ordinary passports and refraining from employing official titles.
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