Filipino tourists can continue to enjoy hassle-free travel to Taiwan for another year, as Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) officially announced the extension of its visa-free entry program for Philippine nationals until July 31, 2026.
«To continue to deepen bilateral ties between Taiwan and the Philippines, I announce that ‘Taiwan will extend the visa-free entry program for Filipino nationals for one year,'» Minister Lin stated in his speech.
The extension, effective from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026, also covers nationals from Thailand and Brunei, aligning with Taiwan’s «New Southbound Policy» aimed at strengthening engagement with Southeast Asian countries. MOFA clarified that it will continue to review and fine-tune its visa policies to both attract more visitors and ensure national security.
Minister Lin also expressed a reciprocal hope, urging the Philippines to consider granting visa-free privileges to Taiwanese nationals in the near future. «We also hope that in the near future, Taiwanese people will be able to travel visa-free to the Philippines under the principle of reciprocity, so that they can start a go-and-go holiday as long as they simply pack their bags and bring,» a translated portion of his speech indicated.
Beyond individual tourism, MOFA confirmed that the «Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries» will also be extended through December 31, 2026. The conditional visa-free entry via the Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme will similarly remain in place.
The extension underscores the flourishing people-to-people exchanges between Taiwan and the Philippines. Minister Lin highlighted that some 415,000 Filipino tourists visited Taiwan in 2024, making the Philippines Taiwan’s largest source of tourists from Southeast Asia and fifth globally. He also acknowledged the vital contribution of approximately 160,000 Filipino migrant workers in Taiwan, recognizing their hard work in various sectors.
Lin emphasized the Philippines’ role as an «important neighbor» due to shared values of freedom and democracy, and their strategic position within the Indo-Pacific First Island Chain. He reiterated the shared responsibility of Taiwan and the Philippines in maintaining regional peace and stability.
Minister Lin noted that this relaxation lays a crucial foundation for the joint promotion of a Taiwan-Philippines Economic Corridor, fostering cooperation in fields such as agriculture, technology, energy, smart solutions, and economic resilience.
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations due to the One-China Policy, both sides are clearly demonstrating a commitment to deepen substantive ties and facilitate greater exchanges.
