Brunei and Thailand are the latest additions to the Republic of China (Taiwan) visa-waiver program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aug. 1. Under a 12-month trial starting the same day, citizens from the two Association of Southeast Asian Nation member states, who meet certain requirements and plan to stay no longer than 30 days, can enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan. These conditions are as follows: a passport valid for no less than six months; a confirmed return or onward ticket and valid visa for that destination; and no criminal record in Taiwan. The initiative is in keeping with President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy, the MOFA said, adding that both Thailand and Brunei already offer landing-visa conveniences to ROC citizens. Announced by Tsai during her inauguration address in May, the policy seeks to elevate the scope and diversity of Taiwan’s export economy and minimize overreliance on any single market. In addition to Southeast Asia, it extends to six South Asian countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, and encompasses inbound investment and tourism, as well as educational and cultural exchanges. Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are the only four nations from the Southeast Asian region currently included among Taiwan’s 48 visa-waiver list, the MOFA said. The visa-free initiative is part of government efforts to increase tourist numbers from Southeast Asia. It is expected to help bring an extra 280,000 visitors from the region this year, up 20 percent from 2015, and generate NT$13 billion (US$401.2 million) in tourism revenues, according to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. (WF-JG) Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw