• Created：2011-01-12
• Data Source：Bureau Of Consular Affairs
• Counter：2040

The Canadian government announced on November 22, 2010, that it would grant Republic of China (Taiwan) passport holders visa-free entry into Canada for up to six months for non-employment purposes. Since President Ma Ying-jeou took office in 2008, the government has been promoting a flexible diplomacy policy, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has been striving to protect the rights and interests of the people of Taiwan. The obtainment of visa-free entry into countries frequently visited by Taiwanese has been one of MOFA’s main goals. This exciting news stems from the years of joint efforts by Taiwan and Canada. The ROC (Taiwan) government welcomes and appreciates the Canadian government’s decision, as the measure will make it more convenient for Taiwanese seeking to sight-see, visit relatives, conduct business, gain perspectives and study in Canada. The decision is expected to save Taiwanese approximately NT$450 million in visa application fees annually. The number of Taiwanese tourists to Canada is expected to grow significantly, intensifying the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
According to Canada’s statistics, Taiwan is Canada’s 13th largest trading partner in the world and the 4th in Asia, with the volume of bilateral trade reaching US$3.91 billion in 2009. In recent years, Taiwan has become Canada’s 7th largest source of foreign visitors, with Taiwanese making approximately 150,000 trips there every year. Currently about 15,000 Taiwanese students are studying in Canada. About 2,500 youths embark on their overseas education there every year, making Canada the 4th largest destination for Taiwanese students pursuing their education abroad, following only the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. In addition, Taiwan and Canada signed an MOU on youth exchanges (working holidays) in April to promote bilateral youth and cultural exchanges. As the program received a warm response after its implementation in July, the quota for the working holiday program was increased to 700, bearing testimony to the close relations between Taiwan and Canada.
Taiwan started granting Canadian passport holders visa-free entry in 1993. In light of the long-term close cooperation between the two countries, Canada has agreed to reciprocate. It will be much more convenient for the peoples of the two countries to visit each other, thereby solidifying their cordial relations in the years to come.
Presently, Taiwan nationals enjoy visa-free entry into 40 countries and areas, including the UK, Japan, Ireland, South Korea, Singapore, New Zealand, Canada, and the Falkland Islands. In addition, 21 other countries grant Taiwan nationals landing visas. In total, 61 countries and areas grant Taiwanese people either visa-free entry or landing visas.
Canada’s granting Taiwan passport holders visa-free entry demonstrates that their passports are respected by the international community, and that they can freely travel to almost anywhere in the world. MOFA will continue to make travel overseas more convenient for the people of Taiwan.（E）