Singapore and Malaysia removed from Taiwan’s initial list of countries eligible for visa-free entry

Photo: File photo
Photo: File photo

Many here were excited on Monday when Taiwan announced it was resuming visa-free entry privileges to citizens of various countries, including Singapore, on Sept. 12.  However, that excitement seems to have been snuffed out as Singapore has since been removed from the list of eligible countries.

On Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website, Singapore is among a list of countries that has now been labeled as “temporarily suspending”. Other countries include Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand. No reason was given for this temporary suspension.

Taiwan’s visa exemption program allows visitors from certain countries to stay for up to 30 days and up to 90 days for others.

Singapore’s suspension from the exemption list means Singaporean travelers to Taiwan will still be required to undergo three days of quarantine and take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival. 

Taiwan has already ended the requirement for pre-departure negative PCR tests. Its cap of 50,000 arrivals a week remains in effect. 

In a statement to the media, The Taipei Representative Office in Singapore said there was a misunderstanding on the part of the media and public regarding some information. 

Countries like Australia, Britain, France, Germany, New Zealand and the United States remain eligible for visa-free entry into Taiwan. 

Before the pandemic, Singaporeans were entitled to visa-free entry to Taiwan for up to 30 days. 

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