Officials from Taiwan and the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office Taipei announce the inclusion of New Zealand in Taiwan’s e-Gate program Nov. 29 in Kaohsiung City. (Courtesy of NIA)
 

New Zealand nationals can enter Taiwan using the country’s e-Gate system starting Nov. 29, according to the National Immigration Agency.

The news was announced by Minister of the Interior Liu Shyh-fang during a ceremony held the same day in Kaohsiung City. Director Christopher Langley of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office Taipei was also in attendance, as were representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Tourism Administration.

According to the NIA, the move is in response to the New Zealand government’s decision to grant Taiwanese nationals access to its automated customs clearance services starting Oct. 13, and follows similar actions by the U.S., South Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore and Malaysia.

The NIA said eligible New Zealand nationals have the option to enter Taiwan through 121 e-Gates units at the country’s ports and international airports. The reciprocal immigration services will further facilitate closer bilateral exchanges, the agency added.

The MOFA welcomed the development and said the new measure reflects the close bilateral ties and will improve the travel experience for Taiwanese and New Zealanders.

In a post on its official Facebook page, the NZCIOT said it expects the new arrangement to bring more tourism, business and people-to-people connections between the two sides.

Official statistics show that the two countries average around 60,000 visits per year, the MOI said, adding that it will continue to promote reciprocal use of e-Gates with other countries to enable Taiwan nationals to travel overseas with greater convenience and dignity while attracting more foreign visitors to Taiwan. (SFC-E)

Related Link(s)

• Taiwan-New Zealand Reciprocal Moves--New Zealand Travelers Eligible for Taiwan’s e-Gate Starting November 29

Starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders may use e-gates upon arrival in New Zealand.
 

Thanks to the joint efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Immigration New Zealand, and the New Zealand Customs Service in promoting reciprocal access to automated immigration and customs inspection and clearance services, the New Zealand government announced today that starting from October 13, Taiwan e-passport holders were eligible to use e-gates when entering and departing New Zealand.

According to MOI data, this makes New Zealand the eighth country to grant Taiwan nationals access to automated customs clearance services following the United States (where nationals are required to pay an application fee for the service), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, and Malaysia.

As New Zealand has already granted Taiwan nationals access to its online New Zealand Traveller Declaration (www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz), travelers only need to complete a declaration up to 24 hours before boarding their flight to be able to use e-gate services upon arrival in New Zealand. This provides them with a more efficient and seamless clearance process.

In accordance with the principles of parity and reciprocity, Taiwan is now working toward granting New Zealand e-passport holders access to Taiwan’s e-gate services. This arrangement is expected to be implemented by late November or December 2025.

Taiwan and New Zealand are like-minded partners that share the values of democracy, freedom, human rights, and the rule of law. With around 60,000 journeys being made between the two countries annually, reciprocal e-gate access will make travel even more convenient and facilitate closer cooperation and exchanges across various fields.

Moving forward, the MOI will continue to promote the reciprocal use of e-gates with other countries. This will allow Taiwan nationals to travel overseas in greater convenience and dignity while also attracting even more international tourists to Taiwan. (E)

Related Link(s)

• Taiwan Welcomes New Zealand’s Decision to Open eGate to Taiwanese Travelers

The government of Brunei Darussalam indicated on June 23 that, beginning that day, holders of a Taiwan passport valid for six months or longer would be granted visa-free entry into Brunei Darussalam for stays of up to 14 days. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

Brunei Darussalam’s visa-free treatment for Taiwanese nationals will further deepen bilateral cooperation and exchanges in such fields as tourism, trade, culture, and education. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung expresses appreciation for the Brunei Darussalam government’s pragmatic measures to enhance Taiwan-Brunei Darussalam relations.

Since August 2016, Taiwan has been endeavoring to offer visa-free entry to travelers from Thailand, the Philippines, and Brunei Darussalam and actively seeking to secure similar treatment from these three New Southbound Policy partner countries based on the principle of reciprocity. Following a sustained campaign by MOFA and its missions abroad, Thailand (from July 15 last year), the Philippines (from July 1 this year), and Brunei Darussalam (from June 23 this year) have now accorded visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals. These achievements can be attributed to the combined efforts of relevant government departments and the people, as well as Taiwan’s active implementation of integrated diplomacy. 

Improving the convenience of overseas travel for Taiwanese businesspeople and tourists is a key goal of MOFA and its overseas missions. Looking ahead, MOFA will continue to strive to obtain visa-free treatment from even more countries. In the meantime, MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals traveling in Brunei Darussalam to respect local customs and culture, abide by local laws and regulations, and be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brunei Darussalam at +673-895-6338 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

The Philippine government indicated on June 19 that Taiwanese passport holders would be granted visa-free entry to the Philippines for stays of up to 14 days beginning July 1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) sincerely welcomes this announcement.

Improving the convenience of Taiwanese nationals traveling overseas for business or tourism and promoting interactions and exchanges between Taiwan and friendly countries are among the key priorities for MOFA and Taiwan’s overseas missions. At a reception to mark Philippine Independence Day on June 13, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung announced on behalf of the Taiwan government that visa-free treatment for Philippine nationals would again be extended for an additional year. The Philippines will now grant visa-free entry to Taiwanese nationals on the principle of reciprocity, facilitating the deepening of exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the Philippines in such domains as the economy, trade, investment, and tourism.

This fruitful outcome follows years of active coordination and negotiation between both governments and was made possible through the joint efforts of relevant government departments, the people of Taiwan, and MOFA’s concrete implementation of integrated diplomacy. Minister Lin recognizes the Philippine government’s pragmatic promotion of Taiwan-Philippines relations.

MOFA reminds Taiwanese nationals to abide by local laws and regulations while in the Philippines and to be mindful of personal safety. In case of an emergency, Taiwanese nationals can call the emergency hotline of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines at +63-917-819-4597 or ask friends or relatives in Taiwan to call MOFA’s emergency hotline at 0800-085-095. (E)

In line with efforts to promote the New Southbound Policy (NSP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) convened a meeting on April 16 with relevant government agencies on further improving visa measures for nationals of NSP partner countries traveling to Taiwan. The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures, focusing on the trial visa-free entry program for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines; the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries; and conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries.

After evaluating the effectiveness of the above measures over the past years, participating agencies decided to extend the trial visa-free entry program for one year for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026. In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2026, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme will remain in place.

MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthening bilateral relations and attracting more visitors while ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient.

The government of Thailand announced on May 28 that visitors from 93 countries, including the Republic of China (Taiwan), would be officially granted visa-free entry for a stay of up to 60 days on each entry. A follow-up statement on July 12 confirmed that the visa-waiver treatment will come into effect on July 15. This measure will replace the provisional visa-exemption scheme for Taiwan nationals announced by Thailand on May 7, doubling the duration of stay allowed from the previous 30 days, and remain effective unless a revocation is announced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomes the announcement.

Improving convenience of business and leisure travel for Taiwan nationals has always been a priority for MOFA and its overseas missions. Thailand is a major New Southbound Policy partner country and a popular destination for Taiwanese travelers. Taiwan and Thailand share frequent exchanges across a number of domains, including economics, trade, investment, tourism, education, and agriculture. Thailand’s extension of visa-free treatment for Taiwan nationals in response to related long-term efforts by Taiwan will further promote exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

MOFA reminds Taiwanese visitors to Thailand to abide by local laws and regulations and be aware of their personal safety. Nationals in need of emergency assistance should call the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand emergency hotline at +66-81-666-4006 (081-666-4006 if calling within Thailand) or ask family or friends in Taiwan to call the MOFA emergency hotline at 0800-085-095 to get appropriate help. (E)

In line with efforts to promote the New Southbound Policy (NSP), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) convened a meeting on April 12 with relevant government agencies on further improving visa measures for nationals of NSP partner countries traveling to Taiwan. The meeting conducted a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures, focusing on the trial visa-free entry program for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines; the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries; and conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries.

After evaluating the effectiveness of the above measures over the past years, participating agencies decided to extend the trial visa-free entry program for one year for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2025, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme will remain in place.

MOFA will continue to review and fine-tune visa policies, with a view to strengthening bilateral exchanges and attracting more visitors while ensuring border and public security. MOFA will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwan nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient. (E)

The government of Malaysia announced that, starting June 1, visitors holding a Republic of China (Taiwan) passport will be able to use its e-gate system when entering and leaving the country. This will increase immigration clearance efficiency for Taiwan visitors and further strengthen bilateral exchanges across various domains, such as the economy, trade, commerce, tourism, art, and culture.

The government of Taiwan is committed to encouraging other countries to include Taiwan in their automated immigration clearance programs. Malaysia is the 10th nation to offer Taiwan nationals access to such a service. The other nine countries are the United States (application with a fee), the Republic of Korea, Australia, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Japan (application with a fee), the United Kingdom (application with a fee), and the Czech Republic (only for direct flight arrivals).

Taiwan nationals entering Malaysia for the first time on or after June 1 must present their passports for regular immigration clearance at a staffed counter, at which time they may register for automated clearance. They will then be able to use e-gates when leaving Malaysia and on their next and subsequent visits.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reminds nationals that when using e-gates, related stipulations and regulations should be observed and the announcements of related nations’ governments take precedence. (E)