Welcome Taiwanese travelers: Philippine Airlines waives visa fees for Philippines independent travel

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Relations between Taiwan and the Philippines have cooled significantly following the Kuang Ta Hsin fishing boat incident, with group tours also taking a major hit. To attract independent travelers, Philippine Airlines has launched a visa exemption offer in celebration of the country’s 115th Independence Day. In collaboration with the Taiwan branch of the Philippine Department of Tourism, the airline is offering visa-free travel for 115 people who purchase the “Global Lotto Independent Travel” product. The aim is to help mitigate the impact on Philippine tourism.

▲ Night view of Manila, the capital of the Philippines. (Photo / Courtesy of the Philippine Tourism Bureau website)

As group travel from Taiwan to the Philippines has been completely suspended under a red alert, the airline has specially introduced a visa exemption benefit for independent travelers this time. It will issue independent travel documentation to travelers, which can then be used to apply for visa-free entry from June 10 to September 30. This allows independent travelers to visit the Philippines more affordably.

Travelers or travel agencies must still follow the normal procedures to apply for a Philippine visa through the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO), and pay the visa fee in advance. After MECO issues the visa, travelers need to visit the Taiwan branch of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT Taiwan) with their Philippine Airlines independent travel documentation and the original receipt for the Philippine visa to process the refund.