Is Taiwan a part of your 2023 journey plans? If so, you in all probability have a number 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? Should 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 just a few days! So it’s type of apt — poetic even — that additionally it is our first vacation spot in 2023, the yr that all of us count on issues to totally return to regular.
In truth, Philippine Airlines, the nation’s flag provider, has added another flight to Taiwan. This is an efficient signal that tourism (and journey usually) is beginning to get again on its ft. PAL now flies to the Taipei Taoyuan International 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 could change sooner or later, so make sure that to double-check and go to PAL’s official web site for the newest schedule and fares.
So sure, issues are beginning to return to regular. But what are the journey necessities when visiting Taiwan?
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?
YES. Philippine Passport holders can go to Taiwan with out a 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 “probably” as a result of if historical past is any indication, the Taiwanese authorities is more likely to prolong it once more for an additional yr as they at all times did pre-pandemic. But that’s not assured, so don’t depend on it.
Note that this is applicable to Filipinos touring to Taiwan for leisure. A visa may nonetheless be required from these touring to check or work, with which I’m not acquainted.
While Taiwan stays visa-free for Filipino vacationers, it doesn’t imply that you could possibly merely waltz in. Here is the complete checklist of necessities when visiting Taiwan for leisure:
- Passport, with over 6 months of validity
- Proof of lodging, which can be lodge reserving affirmation or tackle and speak to 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
- Sufficient funds
These are the paperwork that the Immigration Officer may ask you to current. I say “might” as a result of they don’t at all times examine for these necessities. In truth, aside from passports, we’ve got by no means been requested to indicate 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 by means of.
But simply because we or different individuals you realize weren’t checked doesn’t imply that you simply received’t be checked, both. Our circumstances and journey occasions are completely different, and also you’ll probably be assessed by a special Immigration Officer. Hence, there’s nonetheless a superb likelihood that you could possibly be requested to offer these necessities. To be on the protected aspect, be sure you 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 in a position to since you don’t have them.
I’m not certain. I don’t assume they explicitly state how a lot is “sufficient”. Out of the numerous occasions I’ve traveled to Taiwan, I’ve by no means been requested how a lot cash I’ve with me. That mentioned, I’ve learn on-line accounts from different individuals who have, so that they do ask about it generally.
The solely recommendation I can share concerning that is to just be sure you have sufficient to cowl your bills for your complete size of your keep. If you propose on utilizing the complete 14 days allowed in Taiwan, don’t convey solely 1000 NTD as a result of it doesn’t make sense.
NO. The Taiwan authorities won’t ask for any proof of vaccination. No vaccination card or vaccination certificates is required.
That mentioned, if in case you have proof of vaccination, convey it anyway. It’s at all times finest to have it simply in case guidelines change when you’re on the journey or if the airline asks for it regardless.
Besides, so far as I do know, proof of vaccination is required when coming into the Philippines, though authorities don’t at all times examine. But once more, simply convey it for good measure.
There is NO testing required earlier than or upon arrival on the airport in Taiwan. You don’t have to submit a detrimental check outcome 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 ought to get one field. Each field accommodates 4 items of check kits.
What are these check kits for? You’re anticipated to do a self-test on the lodge 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.
Again, for readability: The concept is, it is best to do a swab check by yourself over the following seven days: one upon arrival on the lodge and one other each two days.
This does NOT imply that you simply’ll be quarantined. You can nonetheless go outdoors and discover like regular. In idea, you want a detrimental check to exit and every check is legitimate for the following two days. This is why you’re given 4 kits. It ought to cowl your first seven days.
HONESTY SYSTEM: No one goes to examine for those who actually did it and also you received’t must submit or report the check outcome anyplace. But regardless of this, I nonetheless extremely encourage you to do a self-test. Yes, it’s uncomfortable, but it surely’s at all times finest to observe the foundations.
So to recap, when touring to Taiwan:
- NO visa
- NO proof of vaccination
- NO pre-trip testing
- NO necessary quarantine
Taiwan is among the best locations to go to nowadays, so for those who’ve at all times needed to go, bump it as much as the highest of your bucket checklist.
YES. The 7-day preventive program does NOT imply you could keep a minimum of 7 days in Taiwan. It solely means the testing ought to be performed over the primary seven days. If your keep is shorter, then you definately don’t want to make use of all of the check kits.
If you’re staying in Taiwan for under 4 days, then you definately’ll solely must do 2 exams.
If you’re staying 2 days, you solely have to do one.
The official coverage is: it’s essential to put on masks indoors except you’re consuming.
At a restaurant, it is best to nonetheless put on a masks when getting meals on the buffet desk or when utilizing the restroom. You ought to solely take away it if you’re placing meals or drinks in your mouth.
Outdoors, masks aren’t required always. There could also be sure conditions when it’s wanted, however I’m undecided what the parameters are. I simply put on a masks regardless. And I’m not alone. Based on my statement, the overwhelming majority of vacationers and locals in Taiwan nonetheless select to put on masks outdoors.
We landed at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport. 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.
- Claim your baggage on the assigned carousel.
- Clear customs examine. Make certain you don’t have MEAT merchandise otherwise you’ll be fined round one million NTD.
That’s it! At the Arrival Hall, you’ll discover cash changers and ATMs. Note that it’s extraordinarily troublesome to search out cash exchangers that settle for Philippine pesos within the metropolis so if you could alternate currencies, you might do it right here. Better but, withdraw from any of the ATMs, which I believe have higher charges. We favor utilizing Bank of China, the central financial institution of Taiwan.
You’ll additionally discover cubicles promoting information SIM playing cards. If you bought one by way of Klook, you’ll be able to choose up your SIM card from the Counter 6, positioned on the far finish of the corridor. It ought to be to your proper for those who’ve simply emerged from the Customs examine.
Here are among the resorts that we have been in a position to take a look at:
While it’s potential to discover Taipei DIY-style, becoming a member of a tour has an extended checklist of perks, particularly for those who’re a part of an enormous group, you’re touring with children or seniors, otherwise you merely don’t need to take care of the nitty-gritty of itinerary constructing. We typically get DMs from individuals asking for tour referrals.
Our most up-to-date Taipei journey was organized by Edison Tours, which has been in operation for many years, making it one of the vital trusted and most respected tour operators in Taipei.
If you’re solo or a small group, you could possibly be part of a set tour. If you’re a much bigger group, it’s finest to have them customise an itinerary for you, primarily based in your schedule and preferences. Each tour can be led by a fluent English-speaking information, which is a really huge deal as a result of points of interest in Taipei and surrounding areas aren’t at all times visually fascinating. Most are historic or cultural websites that you simply’ll admire loads higher if you realize the background or if in case you have native insights.
To see their packages or for more information, go to www.edisontours.com. If you could get in contact with them for inquiries or requests, simply faucet the CONTACT US button within the higher proper nook of the web page.
If you favor to e-book with a Philippine-based journey company, listed here are some that supply Taipei excursions with corresponding contact numbers and web sites.
- Constellation Travels Inc.
www.constellationtravels.com.ph
+63956 660 0693 - Travel Warehouse Inc.
www.twi.com.ph - VIA
https://ph.via.com
(+63 2) 8555.9444
gross sales.ph@by way of.com - Ark Travel Express Inc.
(+63 2) 8810-4520 / (+63 2) 8528-0933
www.arktravelexpress.com - North Star International Travel Inc.
(+63 2) 3485 7272
inquiry@northstar-travel.com.ph
www.northstar-travel.com.ph - Ricson Crown Travel & Tours
ricsontrvl@yahoo.com
(+63 2) 8352-0797 - Iloilo Skyways Travel & Tours
(+63 33) 508-0909
skyways1995@gmail.com
www.iloiloskywaystravel.com - Levy Travel and Tours
levytravelandtours@gmail.com
(+63 2) 87757436 / 85188801 / 85797215
+639178797525
We have a Tagalog spoken model of this text. You can take heed to our dialogue about Taiwan journey necessities on Spotify! Follow The Poor Traveler Podcast!
We’ll even be publishing extra Taiwan-related articles within the subsequent a number of weeks! If you don’t need to miss any of these, you might observe us on our Facebook web page or Instagram account.
2023 • 1 • 31: First posted
