Ireland is likely to announce visa-free entry for Taiwanese nationals soon, a senior Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) official said.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters Ireland could grant 90-day visa-free privileges to Taiwanese passport holders as soon as next week, adding that a formal announcement was expected in the next few days.
Asked for comment, MOFA spokesman Henry Chen (陳銘政) said the ministry was working hard on the issue.
“Things are moving in a positive direction,” Chen said.
Taiwan allows Republic of Ireland passport holders 30-day visa-free stays, which, is expected to be extended to 90 days if Ireland were to grant 90-day visa-free stays to Taiwanese visitors.
The UK, which included Taiwan in its visa-waiver program on March 3, became the first major Western country to lift visa requirements for Taiwanese citizens and has since spurred debate in other countries such as Germany on the possibility of making similar moves.
So far, British visa-free treatment is the most favorable, allowing Taiwanese passport holders traveling to Britain for the purpose of tourism, business, short-term study or family visits visa-free status for up to six months.
According to the Irish government, the number of visa applications by Taiwanese passport holders is around 1,200 per year.
The fees for Irish visas are NT$2,700 for a single-entry visa valid for three months, or NT$4,500 for a multiple-entry visa valid for a year.
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