More visa privileges extended to ROC nationals

2015/08/12

ROC citizens will be able to travel to India with greater convenience following the recent decision by the South Asian nation to include Taiwan in its e-tourist visa program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aug. 10.

Effective Aug. 15, ROC passport holders can apply online for single entry visas and stay in India for 30 days after arrival. Applications must be made at least four days prior to departure, with the number capped at two a year per person.

“We welcome this encouraging news and believe it will help further bilateral exchanges,” a MOFA official said. “It indicates once again that the nation’s passports are widely respected by the international community.”

Government statistics show that Taiwan-India trade amounted to US$5.91 billion in 2014, with India ranked as Taiwan’s 19th largest trading partner and 16th biggest export market.

Armenia and Iran also extended landing visa privileges to ROC nationals, while Ivory Coast and Qatar have added Taiwan in their e-visa programs. The government of Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia, is also granting visa-waivers to arrivals from Taiwan.

A total of 148 countries and territories offer ROC citizens visa-free entry or other privileges.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=233662&ctNode=413)