Taiwanese and Turks will soon be able to obtain free e-visas to each other’s countries, which is expected to spur an increase in the annual number of Taiwanese visitors to Turkey, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday.
The reciprocal measure is to take effect on Wednesday next week and the number of Taiwanese travelers to Turkey this year is expected to rise to 80,000, the ministry said.
It currently costs US$24 for Republic of China passport holders to obtain a tourism e-visa to Turkey, while Turkish passport holders pay NT$1,600 for an e-visa to Taiwan, the ministry said.
It said the removal of the e-visa fees will reduce travel costs and help promote trade, tourism, and cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries.
The decision on free e-visas followed the launch of direct flights between the two countries in March last year, with Turkish Airlines operating the service.
In July, the airline is to increase its weekly direct flights on the route from seven to 10, while EVA Airways is expected to launch direct flights between the two countries next month.
Turkey has become a popular transit point for Taiwanese en route to Europe or Africa, the ministry said.
It forecast an increase in the annual number of Taiwanese visitors to Turkey from about 50,000 last year to 80,000 this year.
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