TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan is seeking an extension of visa-free entry for its nationals in the Philippines, citing strong growth in tourism and broader people-to-people exchanges since the policy was introduced.
Taiwan has granted Filipino nationals 14-day visa-free entry since November 2017, with the arrangement running through July 3. The Philippines began offering Taiwanese travelers 14-day visa-free entry on July 1 last year, with the measure scheduled to expire at the end of June, according to CNA.
Deputy Representative to the Philippines Yang Teng-shih (楊登仕) said Friday that reciprocal travel facilitation has delivered clear benefits for the nations’ tourism industries and significantly boosted visitor flows on both sides.
Nearly 630,000 Filipinos visited Taiwan last year, marking a 35% increase from 2024. Arrivals in the first quarter of this year exceeded 210,000, up 43% year-on-year.
On the Taiwanese side, Yang said outbound travel to the Philippines has also risen since the visa-free policy was introduced. Taiwanese arrivals increased 79% year-on-year in February, while first-quarter growth reached 13.6%.
Data from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration showed that Taiwanese arrivals reached 213,928 last year, a 6.32% increase year-on-year. Yang expressed confidence that, if the visa-free arrangement is extended, Taiwanese visitor numbers to the Philippines could surpass 300,000 this year, according to Ttn.
He called on Manila to continue the policy, saying it supports tourism operators while strengthening economic and social links between the two countries. He also said Taiwanese tourists and investors have long contributed positively to bilateral cooperation, adding that a longer-term or permanent arrangement would further deepen ties.
Philippine Department of Tourism Office of Market Development Director Zeny Pallugna also expressed support for continuing the measure, saying it has helped reinforce cooperation and connectivity between Taiwan and the Philippines.
