2023 TAIWAN TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS: Nonetheless Visa-Free for Filipinos? Quarantine & Testing Wanted?
Is Taiwan a part of your 2023 journey plans? If that’s the case, you in all probability have plenty of questions brewing in your head. Is Taiwan nonetheless visa-free for Filipinos? Do I nonetheless have to bear necessary quarantine? What are the testing necessities? Ought to I convey proof of vaccination? Don’t fear. We’ll reply all these questions (and extra) on this article.
Taiwan was the final vacation spot we had visited simply earlier than the pandemic reared its ugly head and introduced the world to its knees in early 2020. We even acquired stranded within the island for a couple of days! So it’s type of apt — poetic even — that it is usually our first vacation spot in 2023, the 12 months that all of us anticipate issues to totally return to regular.
The truth is, Philippine Airways, the nation’s flag service, has added yet one more flight to Taiwan. This can be a good signal that tourism (and journey basically) is beginning to get again on its toes. PAL now flies to the Taipei Taoyuan Worldwide Airport (TPE) twice a day:
- PR 890
Departure: 06:25 AM
Arrival: 08:45 AM - PR 894
Departure: 5:50 PM
Arrival: 8:05 PM
This will change sooner or later, so be sure that to double-check and go to PAL’s official web site for the most recent schedule and fares.
So sure, issues are beginning to return to regular. However what are the journey necessities when visiting Taiwan?
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
YES. Philippine Passport holders can go to Taiwan with no visa for as much as 14 days.
Filipino vacationers are included in Taiwan’s visa-exempt program till 31 July 2023. After this date, you’ll in all probability be required to safe a visa or an e-visa. I say “in all probability” as a result of if historical past is any indication, the Taiwanese authorities is more likely to prolong it once more for one more 12 months as they at all times did pre-pandemic. However that’s not assured, so don’t rely on it.
Word that this is applicable to Filipinos touring to Taiwan for leisure. A visa would possibly nonetheless be required from these touring to review or work, with which I’m not acquainted.
Whereas Taiwan stays visa-free for Filipino vacationers, it doesn’t imply that you possibly can merely waltz in. Right here is the total record of necessities when visiting Taiwan for leisure:
- Passport, with over 6 months of validity
- Proof of lodging, which can be resort reserving affirmation or handle and call particulars of your sponsor in Taiwan
- Exit ticket, which can be a return ticket to the Philippines or an onward ticket to a different nation
- Adequate funds
These are the paperwork that the Immigration Officer would possibly ask you to current. I say “would possibly” as a result of they don’t at all times examine for these necessities. The truth is, aside from passports, now we have by no means been requested to point out these paperwork even on our final journey. They simply requested to see our passports, scanned our fingerprints, and took a photograph. Then they allow us to via.
However simply because we or different individuals you understand weren’t checked doesn’t imply that you simply received’t be checked, both. Our circumstances and journey instances are completely different, and also you’ll probably be assessed by a special Immigration Officer. Therefore, there’s nonetheless a superb likelihood that you possibly can be requested to offer these necessities. To be on the protected aspect, be sure to have all these paperwork when touring to Taiwan. The very last thing you need is to be ordered to offer these docs and also you’re not capable of since you don’t have them.
I’m not positive. I don’t assume they explicitly state how a lot is “enough”. Out of the various instances I’ve traveled to Taiwan, I’ve by no means been requested how a lot cash I’ve with me. That stated, I’ve learn on-line accounts from different individuals who have, so that they do ask about it typically.
The one recommendation I can share concerning that is to just remember to have sufficient to cowl your bills for all the size of your keep. For those who plan on utilizing the total 14 days allowed in Taiwan, don’t convey solely 1000 NTD as a result of it doesn’t make sense.
NO. The Taiwan authorities is not going to ask for any proof of vaccination. No vaccination card or vaccination certificates is required.
That stated, in case you have proof of vaccination, convey it anyway. It’s at all times greatest to have it simply in case guidelines change when you’re on the journey or if the airline asks for it regardless.
Apart from, so far as I do know, proof of vaccination is required when getting into the Philippines, though authorities don’t at all times examine. However once more, simply convey it for good measure.
There may be NO testing required earlier than or upon arrival on the airport in Taiwan. You don’t have to submit a unfavourable check end result previous to your journey. You don’t have to bear a check on the airport.
BUT after rising from the plane, simply earlier than you attain the Immigration cubicles, you’ll discover a desk with stacks of self-test kits. You need to get one field. Every field accommodates 4 items of check kits.
What are these check kits for? You’re anticipated to do a self-test on the resort in your first day and each 2 days since for 7 days. It’s a part of Taiwan’s 7-day self-initiated preventive program.
Once more, for readability: The thought is, you need to do a swab check by yourself over the following seven days: one upon arrival on the resort and one other each two days.
This does NOT imply that you simply’ll be quarantined. You possibly can nonetheless go outdoors and discover like regular. In principle, you want a unfavourable check to exit and every check is legitimate for the following two days. Because of this you’re given 4 kits. It ought to cowl your first seven days.
HONESTY SYSTEM: Nobody goes to examine in the event you actually did it and also you received’t should submit or report the check end result wherever. However regardless of this, I nonetheless extremely encourage you to do a self-test. Sure, it’s uncomfortable, nevertheless it’s at all times greatest to comply with the principles.
So to recap, when touring to Taiwan:
- NO visa
- NO proof of vaccination
- NO pre-trip testing
- NO necessary quarantine
Taiwan is likely one of the best locations to go to as of late, so in the event you’ve at all times wished to go, bump it as much as the highest of your bucket record.
YES. The 7-day preventive program does NOT imply you might want to keep not less than 7 days in Taiwan. It solely means the testing must be accomplished over the primary seven days. In case your keep is shorter, then you definitely don’t want to make use of all of the check kits.
For those who’re staying in Taiwan for under 4 days, then you definitely’ll solely should do 2 assessments.
For those who’re staying 2 days, you solely have to do one.
The official coverage is: you will need to put on masks indoors except you’re consuming.
At a restaurant, you need to nonetheless put on a masks when getting meals on the buffet desk or when utilizing the restroom. You need to solely take away it if you’re placing meals or drinks in your mouth.
Outdoor, masks aren’t required always. There could also be sure conditions when it’s wanted, however I’m unsure what the parameters are. I simply put on a masks regardless. And I’m not alone. Based mostly on my commentary, the overwhelming majority of vacationers and locals in Taiwan nonetheless select to put on masks outdoors.
We landed at Taipei Taoyuan Worldwide Airport. Right here’s the arrival course of as we skilled:
- After deplaning, get one field of COVID check kits. You’ll discover them simply earlier than you attain the Immigration space.
- Accomplish the Arrival Card. Get one from the desk in entrance of the Immigration counters.
- Clear Immigration examine. The Immigration officer will examine your passport and/or different necessities and take your picture and fingerprints.
- Declare your baggage on the assigned carousel.
- Clear customs examine. Be sure to don’t have MEAT merchandise otherwise you’ll be fined round 1,000,000 NTD.
That’s it! On the Arrival Corridor, you’ll discover cash changers and ATMs. Word that it’s extraordinarily troublesome to seek out cash exchangers that settle for Philippine pesos within the metropolis so if you might want to change currencies, chances are you’ll do it right here. Higher but, withdraw from any of the ATMs, which I believe have higher charges. We choose utilizing Financial institution of China, the central financial institution of Taiwan.
You’ll additionally discover cubicles promoting knowledge SIM playing cards. For those who bought one through Klook, you may decide up your SIM card from the Counter 6, situated on the far finish of the corridor. It must be to your proper in the event you’ve simply emerged from the Customs examine.
Listed below are among the lodges that we had been ready to take a look at:
Whereas it’s doable to discover Taipei DIY-style, becoming a member of a tour has a protracted record of perks, particularly in the event you’re a part of an enormous group, you’re touring with youngsters or seniors, otherwise you merely don’t need to take care of the nitty-gritty of itinerary constructing. We frequently get DMs from individuals asking for tour referrals.
Our most up-to-date Taipei journey was organized by Edison Excursions, which has been in operation for many years, making it probably the most trusted and most respected tour operators in Taipei.
For those who’re solo or a small group, you possibly can be a part of a set tour. For those who’re a much bigger group, it’s greatest to have them customise an itinerary for you, primarily based in your schedule and preferences. Every tour can be led by a fluent English-speaking information, which is a really huge deal as a result of sights in Taipei and surrounding areas aren’t at all times visually charming. Most are historic or cultural websites that you simply’ll recognize lots higher if you understand the background or in case you have native insights.
To see their packages or for more information, go to www.edisontours.com. If you might want to get in contact with them for inquiries or requests, simply faucet the CONTACT US button within the higher proper nook of the web page.
For those who choose to guide with a Philippine-based journey company, listed here are some that provide Taipei excursions with corresponding contact numbers and web sites.
- Constellation Travels Inc.
www.constellationtravels.com.ph
+63956 660 0693 - Journey Warehouse Inc.
www.twi.com.ph - VIA
https://ph.through.com
(+63 2) 8555.9444
gross [email protected] - Ark Journey Categorical Inc.
(+63 2) 8810-4520 / (+63 2) 8528-0933
www.arktravelexpress.com - North Star Worldwide Journey Inc.
(+63 2) 3485 7272
[email protected]
www.northstar-travel.com.ph - Ricson Crown Journey & Excursions
[email protected]
(+63 2) 8352-0797 - Iloilo Skyways Journey & Excursions
(+63 33) 508-0909
[email protected]
www.iloiloskywaystravel.com - Levy Journey and Excursions
[email protected]
(+63 2) 87757436 / 85188801 / 85797215
+639178797525
We now have a Tagalog spoken model of this text. You possibly can take heed to our dialogue about Taiwan journey necessities on Spotify! Comply with The Poor Traveler Podcast!
We’ll even be publishing extra Taiwan-related articles within the subsequent a number of weeks! For those who don’t need to miss any of these, chances are you’ll comply with us on our Facebook page or Instagram account.
2023 • 1 • 31: First posted
