Manila: The Philippines has extended its 14-day visa-free entry program for Taiwan passport holders until June 30, 2027, according to the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO). This move, announced in a statement released late Tuesday, continues the privilege granted to Taiwan passport holders last year.

According to Focus Taiwan, MECO, which serves as the Philippines' de facto embassy in Taiwan due to the lack of official diplomatic ties, emphasized that the extension aligns with the Philippine government's policy of reciprocity concerning visa-free privileges for Philippine nationals traveling to Taiwan. MECO Chairperson and Resident Representative Corazon Avecilla-Padiernos, in a February interview with CNA, expressed a desire to attract more Taiwanese tourists by increasing flights and promoting lesser-known destinations beyond popular spots like Palawan.

The office clarified that Taiwan passport holders planning to stay in the Philippines for more than 14 days must obtain a visa before entry. The current visa-free entry program for Taiwanese travelers began on July 1, 2025, and was initially set to end on June 30, 2026.

Since November 2017, Taiwan has permitted Philippine nationals 14-day visa-free entry, with the current arrangement valid until July 31, 2026. As of the latest update, Taiwan has not announced any decision regarding extending this period.

Data from the Philippine Department of Tourism highlighted that 93,727 Taiwanese nationals visited the Philippines from January to May this year. This figure represents 3.42 percent of the country's foreign visitor arrivals, making Taiwan the seventh-largest source of international tourists. This marked a 12 percent increase compared to the 83,685 Taiwanese visitors recorded in the same period last year, before the introduction of the 14-day visa-free entry program.