Philippines removed from Taiwan’s visa-free list

MANILA, Philippines — Taiwan has removed the Philippines from the list of countries eligible for visa-free entry starting next week.

Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced that visitors from Brunei, Chile, Dominican Republic, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Russia are under the “Temporarily Suspending” visa-free category.

On Sept. 5, Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said it would restore visa exemption treatment for citizens of Australia, US, Canada, New Zealand and countries in Europe as well as Taiwan’s diplomatic allies starting on Sept. 12.

“The CECC reminds the public that border and relevant epidemic prevention measures will be adjusted on a rolling basis based on developments in the pandemic situation,” CECC said in a statement posted on its website.

Travelers to Taiwan will still be required to undergo a three-day quarantine and polymerase chain reaction test upon arrival.