The visa-free travel program for travelers to Taiwan from neighboring Asian countries like Philippines, Thailand, and Brunei will be extended until July 2019.
Taiwan started a trial one-year visa-free travel regime for visitors from Thailand and Brunei in August 2016. Filipino tourists were added to the program last November for an initial trial period of nine months.
However, with the new extensions, the number of days travelers from Thailand and Brunei for visiting Taiwan visa-free is reduced from 30 days to 14 days, just the same as that of travelers from the Philippines currently enjoy.
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The visa-free program is part of the government's effort to increase the number of tourists from countries included in its "New Southbound Policy" covering the 10 Southeast Asian countries, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
Its purpose is to is aimed to offset a significant slump in tourists from mainland China since 2016 when President Tsai Ying-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took office.
Since Taiwan started giving free entry visa for the 18 "Southbound" countries in August 2016, the number of visitors from those countries has significantly risen.
Statistics show that visitors from the Philipines reached to about 290,000 visitors last year, higher than 172,000 the previous year. The number of visitors from Thailand last year was more than 292,000, from 195,000 in 2017.
Malaysians and Singaporeans already enjoy full 30-day visa-free entry to Taiwan, while New Zealanders enjoy full 90-day visa-free entry and Australians enjoy the same on a trial basis until Dec. 31.
Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said there are some 150,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan, mostly in the manufacturing and fisheries sector.
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Its purpose is to is aimed to offset a significant slump in tourists from mainland China since 2016 when President Tsai Ying-wen of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party took office.
Since Taiwan started giving free entry visa for the 18 "Southbound" countries in August 2016, the number of visitors from those countries has significantly risen.
Statistics show that visitors from the Philipines reached to about 290,000 visitors last year, higher than 172,000 the previous year. The number of visitors from Thailand last year was more than 292,000, from 195,000 in 2017.
Malaysians and Singaporeans already enjoy full 30-day visa-free entry to Taiwan, while New Zealanders enjoy full 90-day visa-free entry and Australians enjoy the same on a trial basis until Dec. 31.
Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) said there are some 150,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan, mostly in the manufacturing and fisheries sector.
