TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwanese can now travel visa-free to The Gambia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced at a press conference on Tuesday (Aug. 27).

The Gambia has been added to Taiwan’s list of visa-free countries. Travelers to Rwanda and Gabon can receive visas on arrival, while those visiting Cameroon and Togo can apply for electronic visas, Bureau of Consular Affairs Deputy Director General Chen Shang-yu (陳尚友) said. 

The new regulation brings the total number of countries and regions offering visa privileges to Taiwanese passport holders to 167, according to Chen. 

Chen said the visa benefits were implemented on Aug. 15. The Gambia, Cameroon, and Togo were previously removed from Taiwan’s visa privilege list between the end of last year and April 12 this year.

A National Audit Office report published this month revealed that the number of countries granting visa-free travel to Taiwanese citizens decreased from 171 to 166 between December 2023 and the end of April. However, it pointed out that MOFA’s efforts in the past five years have resulted in e-visa and visa-free agreements with seven countries, including Argentina and Thailand.

Each visa arrangement is different and cannot be generalized. However, MOFA does not rule out the possibility of Chinese pressure being involved, per Liberty Times. 

For every instance of visa-free or visa-on-arrival cancellation, overseas missions are instructed to negotiate and secure conveniences for Taiwanese citizens for business and travel abroad, the ministry added.