Is Taiwan a part of your 2023 journey plans? In that case, you most likely have plenty 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 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 obtained stranded within the island for just a few days! So it’s form 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.
The truth is, Philippine Airways, the nation’s flag service, has added another flight to Taiwan. It is a good signal that tourism (and journey generally) 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 may increasingly change sooner or later, so make certain 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 and not using 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 most likely be required to safe a visa or an e-visa. I say “most likely” as a result of if historical past is any indication, the Taiwanese authorities is prone 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 rely on it.
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 could possibly 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 resort reserving affirmation or deal with and get in touch 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
- Ample 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. The truth is, apart from passports, we’ve by no means been requested to point out 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 by way of.
However simply because we or different individuals weren’t checked doesn’t imply that you just gained’t be checked, both. Our circumstances and journey instances are completely different, and also you’ll more than likely be assessed by a special Immigration Officer. Therefore, there’s nonetheless a superb probability that you could possibly be requested to offer these necessities. To be on the secure facet, 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 capable of since you don’t have them.
I’m not positive. I don’t suppose they explicitly state how a lot is “ample”. Out of the numerous 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, in order 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 complete size of your keep. When you plan on utilizing the complete 14 days allowed in Taiwan, don’t deliver 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, when you have proof of vaccination, deliver 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.
Moreover, 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 deliver it for good measure.
There’s NO testing required earlier than or upon arrival on the airport in Taiwan. You don’t have to submit a unfavorable take a look at end result 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. It is best to 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 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 concept is, you must do a swab take a look at 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 just’ll be quarantined. You may nonetheless go outdoors and discover like regular. In principle, you want a unfavorable take a look at to exit and every take a look at is legitimate for the following two days. For this reason you might be given 4 kits. It ought to cowl your first seven days.
HONESTY SYSTEM: Nobody goes to examine if you happen to actually did it and also you gained’t need to submit or report the take a look at end result 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 foundations.
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 nowadays, so if you happen to’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 should keep not less than 7 days in Taiwan. It solely means the testing ought to 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 take a look at kits.
When you’re staying in Taiwan for less than 4 days, then you definitely’ll solely need to do 2 exams.
When you’re staying 2 days, you solely have to 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. It is best to solely take away it whenever you’re placing meals or drinks in your mouth.
Outdoor, masks usually are 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 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 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 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 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 you should 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 desire utilizing Financial institution of China, the central financial institution of Taiwan.
You’ll additionally discover cubicles promoting knowledge SIM playing cards. When you bought one by way of Klook, you may choose up your SIM card from the Counter 6, positioned on the far finish of the corridor. It ought to be to your proper if you happen to’ve simply emerged from the Customs examine.
Listed below are a number of the motels that we had been in a position to take a look at:
Whereas it’s potential to discover Taipei DIY-style, becoming a member of a tour has a protracted record of perks, particularly if you happen to’re a part of an enormous group, you’re touring with children or seniors, otherwise you merely don’t wish 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 trusted and most respected tour operators in Taipei.
When you’re solo or a small group, you could possibly be a part of a set tour. When you’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 be led by a fluent English-speaking information, which is a really huge deal as a result of sights in Taipei and surrounding areas usually are not at all times visually charming. Most are historic or cultural websites that you just’ll recognize lots higher if the background or when 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.
When you desire 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 Categorical 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 spoken model of this text. You may hearken 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! When you don’t wish to miss any of these, chances are you’ll observe us on our Fb web page or Instagram account.
2023 • 1 • 31: First posted
