Israel is the first Middle Eastern country to include Taiwan into its visa-waiver program. Israel has granted this privilege to no more than 55 nations
The Taiwan-Israel bilateral visa waiver agreement took effect as of Aug. 11. The bilateral agreement was signed between the ROC and Israel last June.
Taiwanese and Israeli passport holders will not need a visa for their travel of up to 90 days within 180 days starting from the first entry date.
Israel is the 114th country or region in the world to grant Taiwanese visa-free entry or landing visa treatment and, based on the principle of mutuality. The number of countries or regions extending visa-free entry or landing visas to Taiwan citizens has reached 117.
The launch of the visa waiver program is expected to boost the number of tourists and businessmen visiting the area. Ali Yang, deputy director-general of Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Department of West Asian Affairs the department, said, “The visa waiver makes it more convenient for our people to tour and make business trips and pilgrimages to Israel, at the same time helping attract Israeli tourists to Taiwan, enhancing bilateral exchange. Yang noted that Israel is the first Middle Eastern country to include Taiwan into its visa-waiver program, while Bahrain, Jordan and Oman have granted ROC nationals visa upon arrival.
Although Taiwan and Israel do not have diplomatic relations, they have maintained strong economic ties, with bilateral trade surpassing US$1.2 billion in 2010, according to statistics from Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade.
Simona Halperin, head of the Israel's Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei, said that Israel has granted this privilege to no more than 55 nations.
