Taiwan, South Korea to extend visa-free duration

•Publication Date：06/22/2012
•Source： Taiwan Today
•By Grace Kuo

Taiwan and South Korea have agreed to extend bilateral visa-free privileges from 30 days to 90 days beginning July 1, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Relations between the two sides have been close, with frequent visits among the people over the past few years,” MOFA’s deputy spokesman Steve Hsia said June 21.

“To bring more convenience to the people, we have been actively negotiating with the Korean government on the issue. Once the new policy takes effect, tourism and exchanges among students during summer and winter vacations between both sides will be more convenient.”

His views were echoed by a parent surnamed Chang, who told the local newspaper Apple Daily that the new policy will make it easier for her children to enroll in short-term language classes in South Korea.

Taiwan and South Korea granted each other’s citizens visa-waiver privileges in 2003, while direct flights between the two were resumed in 2005.

Statistics released by the Tourism Bureau under the ROC Ministry of Transportation and Communications show that bilateral visits have grown from 550,723 in 2005 to 666,168 in 2011.