Taiwan’s Schengen visa waivers would not be affected by the EU’s new travel requirements that are to take effect next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said yesterday.
Under the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS), visa-exempt nationals traveling to 30 European countries are required to have travel authorization.
The 30 countries include the 27 in the passport-free Schengen Area, and Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania, Department of European Affairs Director-General Vincent Yao (姚金祥) told a news conference.
Photo: Wang Yi-sung, Taipei Times
Taiwanese passport holders are able to travel to the Schengen Area visa-free as long as they hold a passport valid for a minimum of six months, he said.
The visa-free travel would not be affected by the ETIAS, Yao said.
After the system is implemented, travelers have to fill out the form on the ETIAS’ Web site and pay a fee of 7 euros (US$7.81), he said.
The authorization is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, he said.
With a valid ETIAS travel authorization, people can enter the 30 countries unlimited times for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
The EU is planning to adopt the system following the practice of the US, Canada and Australia to obtain information on visa-free travelers before they arrive at the border, Yao said.
Travelers can also use this system to confirm whether they are allowed to enter the country in advance, he added.
The authorization does not guarantee entry, which would be granted by border officers after verifying the traveler’s passport and other required documents, the ETIAS Web site says.
In other developments, MOFA’s Kaohsiung office is planning to expand service space and implement a number system for people waiting, in response to a surge of passport applications, the ministry said in a press release on Wednesday.
To meet demand for passport renewals during the summer vacation, the Kaohsiung office is to open extra space in the building’s first floor for applicants to fill out documents, it said.
The office is planning to hand out numbers every morning before business starts, it said.
Those who have taken a number can wait in the area on the first floor, which can help disperse crowds on the third and fourth floors, it said.
Business hours for passport renewal applications are from 8:30am to 5pm on weekdays, with no lunch break, it said, adding that the hours are extended to 8pm on Wednesdays.
People who get a number during the business hours would be able to submit their application on the day, it said.
The ministry suggested applicants make reservations online in advance or ask travel agencies to apply on their behalf to save time, adding that the waiting time on Mondays and Fridays is often longer.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) on Friday laid out the Cabinet’s updated policy agenda and recapped the government’s achievements ahead of the one-year anniversary of President William Lai’s (賴清德) inauguration. Cho said the government had made progress across a range of areas, including rebuilding Hualien, cracking down on fraud, improving pedestrian safety and promoting economic growth. “I hope the public will not have the impression that the Cabinet only asked the legislature to reconsider a bunch of legal amendments,” Cho said, calling the moves “necessary” to protect constitutional governance and the public’s interest. The Cabinet would work toward achieving its “1+7” plan, he said. The
RSS