Is Taiwan a part of your 2023 journey plans? If that’s the case, you in all probability have numerous questions brewing in your head. Is Taiwan nonetheless visa-free for Filipinos? Do I nonetheless must endure obligatory quarantine? What are the testing necessities? Ought to I deliver 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 number of days! So it’s sort 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 Airways, the nation’s flag service, has added yet another 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 certain 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 an additional yr as they at all times did pre-pandemic. However that’s not assured, so don’t depend on it.
Word that this is applicable to Filipinos touring to Taiwan for leisure. A visa may 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 may merely waltz in. Right here is the total listing of necessities when visiting Taiwan for leisure:
- Passport, with over 6 months of validity
- Proof of lodging, which can be lodge 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
- 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 verify for these necessities. In truth, apart from passports, we’ve by no means been requested to indicate these paperwork even on our final journey. They only 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 realize weren’t checked doesn’t imply that you simply gained’t be checked, both. Our circumstances and journey occasions are totally different, and also you’ll most definitely be assessed by a special Immigration Officer. Therefore, there’s nonetheless an excellent likelihood that you may be requested to supply 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 supply these docs and also you’re not in a position to since you don’t have them.
I’m not certain. I don’t suppose they explicitly state how a lot is “ample”. 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 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 relating to that is to just remember to have sufficient to cowl your bills for your entire size of your keep. If you happen to plan on utilizing the total 14 days allowed in Taiwan, don’t deliver 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 stated, if in case you have proof of vaccination, deliver 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.
Moreover, so far as I do know, proof of vaccination is required when coming into the Philippines, though authorities don’t at all times verify. However once more, simply deliver it for good measure.
There may be NO testing required earlier than or upon arrival on the airport in Taiwan. You don’t must submit a adverse check end result previous to your journey. You don’t must endure 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 must get one field. Every field incorporates 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.
Once more, for readability: The thought is, you must do a swab check by yourself over the subsequent 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 may nonetheless go exterior and discover like regular. In idea, you want a adverse check to exit and every check is legitimate for the subsequent two days. This is the reason you might be given 4 kits. It ought to cowl your first seven days.
HONESTY SYSTEM: Nobody goes to verify in the event you actually did it and also you gained’t should submit or report the check end result anyplace. 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 finest to observe the foundations.
So to recap, when touring to Taiwan:
- NO visa
- NO proof of vaccination
- NO pre-trip testing
- NO obligatory 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 listing.
YES. The 7-day preventive program does NOT imply you should 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, then you definitely don’t want to make use of all of the check kits.
If you happen to’re staying in Taiwan for less than 4 days, then you definitely’ll solely should do 2 exams.
If you happen to’re staying 2 days, you solely must do one.
The official coverage is: you have to put on masks indoors until you’re consuming.
At a restaurant, you must nonetheless put on a masks when getting meals on the buffet desk or when utilizing the restroom. You must solely take away it once you’re placing meals or drinks in your mouth.
Open air, masks will not be 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 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 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 verify. The Immigration officer will verify your passport and/or different necessities and take your picture and fingerprints.
- Declare your luggage on the assigned carousel.
- Clear customs verify. Be sure you 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 should trade currencies, you could do it right here. Higher but, withdraw from any of the ATMs, which I feel have higher charges. We favor utilizing Financial institution of China, the central financial institution of Taiwan.
You’ll additionally discover cubicles promoting information SIM playing cards. If you happen to 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 must be to your proper in the event you’ve simply emerged from the Customs verify.
Listed here are among the accommodations 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 listing 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 cope with 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 crucial trusted and most respected tour operators in Taipei.
If you happen to’re solo or a small group, you may be a part of a set tour. If you happen to’re a much bigger group, it’s finest to have them customise an itinerary for you, primarily based 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 will not be at all times visually charming. Most are historic or cultural websites that you simply’ll respect rather a lot 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 should 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 happen to favor to e book with a Philippine-based journey company, listed below are some that supply 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
We now have a Tagalog spoken model of this text. You may take heed to our dialogue about Taiwan journey necessities on Spotify! Observe The Poor Traveler Podcast!
We’ll even be publishing extra Taiwan-related articles within the subsequent a number of weeks! If you happen to don’t need to miss any of these, you could observe us on our Fb web page or Instagram account.
2023 • 1 • 31: First posted
