Is Taiwan a part of your 2023 journey plans? If that’s the case, you in all probability have a variety of questions brewing in your head. Is Taiwan nonetheless visa-free for Filipinos? Do I nonetheless have to endure 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 bought stranded within the island for a couple of days! So it’s sort of apt — poetic even — that it is usually our first vacation spot in 2023, the yr that all of us anticipate issues to completely return to regular.
Actually, Philippine Airways, the nation’s flag provider, has added another flight to Taiwan. It is 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 likely change sooner or later, so be sure 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. However 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 2024.
Word 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.
Whereas Taiwan stays visa-free for Filipino vacationers, it doesn’t imply that you may merely waltz in. Right here is the complete record of necessities when visiting Taiwan for leisure:
- Passport, with over 6 months of validity
- Proof of lodging, which can be lodge reserving affirmation or deal with and make contact with 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
- Enough funds
These are the paperwork that the Immigration Officer may ask you to current. I say “may” as a result of they don’t at all times examine for these necessities. Actually, aside from passports, we have now 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 via.
However simply because we or different individuals you recognize weren’t checked doesn’t imply that you just received’t be checked, both. Our circumstances and journey occasions are completely different, and also you’ll most probably be assessed by a unique Immigration Officer. Therefore, there’s nonetheless a superb probability that you may be requested to offer these necessities. To be on the protected facet, 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 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 “adequate”. Out of the various 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 typically.
The one recommendation I can share relating to that is to just remember to have sufficient to cowl your bills for the complete size of your keep. For those who plan 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 is not going to ask for any proof of vaccination. No vaccination card or vaccination certificates is required.
That mentioned, in case you have proof of vaccination, convey it anyway. It’s at all times greatest to have it simply in case guidelines change whilst you’re on the journey or if the airline asks for it regardless.
Moreover, so far as I do know, proof of vaccination is required when coming 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 destructive take a look at consequence previous to your journey. You don’t have to endure a take a look at 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 must get one field. Every field incorporates 4 items of take a look at kits.
What are these take a look at 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.
Once more, for readability: The thought is, it’s best to do a swab take a look at 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 just’ll be quarantined. You possibly can nonetheless go exterior and discover like regular. In idea, you want a destructive take a look at to exit and every take a look at is legitimate for the following two days. That is why you might be given 4 kits. It ought to cowl your first seven days.
HONESTY SYSTEM: Nobody goes to examine should you actually did it and also you received’t should submit or report the take a look at consequence wherever. However regardless of this, I nonetheless extremely encourage you to do a self-test. Sure, it’s uncomfortable, but it surely’s at all times greatest to observe the principles.
So to recap, when touring to Taiwan:
- NO visa
- NO proof of vaccination
- NO pre-trip testing
- NO necessary quarantine
Taiwan is without doubt one of the best locations to go to today, so should you’ve at all times needed to go, bump it as much as the highest of your bucket record.
YES. The 7-day preventive program does NOT imply it’s essential keep no less than 7 days in Taiwan. It solely means the testing must be executed over the primary seven days. In case your keep is shorter, you then don’t want to make use of all of the take a look at kits.
For those who’re staying in Taiwan for less than 4 days, you then’ll solely should do 2 exams.
For those who’re staying 2 days, you solely have to do one.
The official coverage is: you should put on masks indoors until you’re consuming.
At a restaurant, it’s best to nonetheless put on a masks when getting meals on the buffet desk or when utilizing the restroom. You must solely take away it while you’re placing meals or drinks in your mouth.
Open air, masks are usually not 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. Primarily based on my statement, the overwhelming majority of vacationers and locals in Taiwan nonetheless select to put on masks exterior.
We landed at Taipei Taoyuan Worldwide Airport. Right here’s the arrival course of as we skilled:
- After deplaning, get one field of COVID take a look at 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 photograph and fingerprints.
- Declare your luggage on the assigned carousel.
- Clear customs examine. Be sure you don’t have MEAT merchandise otherwise you’ll be fined round one million NTD.
That’s it! On the Arrival Corridor, you’ll discover cash changers and ATMs. Word that it’s extraordinarily troublesome to search out cash exchangers that settle for Philippine pesos within the metropolis so if it’s essential change currencies, it’s possible you’ll do it right here. Higher but, withdraw from any of the ATMs, which I feel have higher charges. We want 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 by way of Klook, you possibly can choose up your SIM card from the Counter 6, situated on the far finish of the corridor. It must be to your proper should you’ve simply emerged from the Customs examine.
Listed here are among the motels that we have been in a position to take a look at:
Whereas it’s doable to discover Taipei DIY-style, becoming a member of a tour has an extended record of perks, particularly should you’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 regularly 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 one of the trusted and most respected tour operators in Taipei.
For those who’re solo or a small group, you may be part of a set tour. For those who’re a much bigger group, it’s greatest to have them customise an itinerary for you, based mostly in your schedule and preferences. Every tour can also be led by a fluent English-speaking information, which is a really huge deal as a result of sights in Taipei and surrounding areas are usually not at all times visually charming. Most are historic or cultural websites that you just’ll recognize lots higher if you recognize the background or in case you have native insights.
To see their packages or for more information, go to www.edisontours.com. If it’s essential 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 want to e book with a Philippine-based journey company, listed below 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.by way of.com
(+63 2) 8555.9444
gross sales.ph@by way of.com - Ark Journey Specific Inc.
(+63 2) 8810-4520 / (+63 2) 8528-0933
www.arktravelexpress.com - North Star Worldwide Journey Inc.
(+63 2) 3485 7272
inquiry@northstar-travel.com.ph
www.northstar-travel.com.ph - Ricson Crown Journey & Excursions
ricsontrvl@yahoo.com
(+63 2) 8352-0797 - Iloilo Skyways Journey & Excursions
(+63 33) 508-0909
skyways1995@gmail.com
www.iloiloskywaystravel.com - Levy Journey and Excursions
levytravelandtours@gmail.com
(+63 2) 87757436 / 85188801 / 85797215
+639178797525
Now we have a Tagalog video model of this text.
You possibly can hearken 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, it’s possible you’ll observe us on our Facebook page or Instagram account.
2023 • 7 • 11: Visa-exempt program for Filipinos prolonged to July 31, 2024
2023 • 1 • 31: First posted
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