Pacific allies Nauru and Tuvalu are the latest additions to Taiwan’s visa-waiver program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 28.
Starting next month, citizens from the two nations planning to stay no longer than 30 and 90 days, respectively, can enter Taiwan without obtaining a visa before departure. They must have a passport with at least a six-month validity, verifiable local contact information, a confirmed return ticket and no criminal record in Taiwan.
The move underscores the importance the government places on strengthening bilateral relations with Nauru and Tuvalu. It is also in line with the spirit of reciprocity as both countries already offer visa-free entry to Taiwanese.
Efforts are underway to extend the same privilege to the other Pacific allies: Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau and Solomon Islands. Expected to take effect in the very near future, the measure is an expansion of a July 2017-initiated program involving allies in the Caribbean and Latin America.
During President Tsai Ing-wen’s state visit to Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu in July 2017, she pledged to advance mutually beneficial sustainable development. One of the central planks in this commitment was offering visa-free entry to Pacific allies.
According to the MOFA, it is hoped more people from the region will take advantage of the privilege and contribute to expanding exchanges and deepening the friendship between Taiwan and its Pacific allies. (SFC-E)
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