MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Taiwan announced on Tuesday evening, July 2, that it is extending its 14-day visa-free privilege for Filipinos until July 2020 as “a display of Taiwan’s amity with the Philippines.”

“The government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) announced on July 2, 2019, that the visa-free privilege for the nationals of the Philippines will continue for another year from August 1, 2019, through July 31, 2020,” Taiwan said in a statement Tuesday.

“This privilege is a display of Taiwan’s amity with the Philippines as the country continues to boost the travel convenience for Filipinos to visit Taiwan for leisure, business, or other short-term purposes,” Taiwan said.

“The visa-free privilege also aims to deepen Taiwan’s multifaceted relations with the Philippines, particularly in the fields of tourism, trade, investment, education, agriculture, fisheries, and healthcare, etc,” it added.

Taiwan last extended this visa-free privilege in July 2018, subject to review.

Taiwan specified the following in its announcement this year:

Philippine travelers may enter Taiwan and stay for up to 14 days without having to apply for a visa should they comply with the conditions listed below:

• Possess an ordinary/regular passport with remaining validity of at least six months from the date of entry;
• Hold a confirmed return plane or boat ticket, or a confirmed plane or boat ticket, along with a valid visa, for an onward destination;
• Provide the confirmation of hotel reservations or an address and contact details for their stay in Taiwan, as well as a financial statement;
• Have [no] criminal record, as verified by immigration upon arrival at an airport or seaport in Taiwan.

The duration of the 14-day visa-free is not extendable and begins on the following day of arrival in Taiwan.

Taiwan at the same time urged the Philippines “to grant visa-free treatment” to the Taiwanese “on the basis of reciprocity.” – Rappler.com