Five countries have canceled preferential visa treatment for Taiwan passport holders in recent months due to pressure from China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday.
The ministry’s statement came in response to a report by the National Audit Office. The report indicated that the number of countries offering preferential visa treatment to Taiwanese passport holders had decreased from 171 at the end of last year to 166 in April.
In its Central Government Budget Audit Report, the National Audit Office criticized the ministry for failing to provide timely updates on these visa changes, which could impact the overseas travel plans of Taiwan passport holders. Addressing media inquiries, the ministry explained that some countries had recently revoked preferential visa treatment for Taiwanese citizens after “bowing to pressure from the Chinese government.”
The ministry did not provide additional details.
For example, Botswana recently changed Taiwan’s designation in its e-visa application system from “Taiwan” to “China” due to pressure from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the ministry reported. This change means Taiwan passport holders can no longer apply for an e-visa to Botswana.
Similarly, Colombia canceled its visa-free treatment for Taiwanese passport holders last year. Now, only Taiwanese citizens who also hold US or Schengen Area visas or residency can travel to Colombia visa-free. The ministry said it had discussed the matter with Colombia before the change, but the South American country proceeded with the decision. The ministry suspects that the PRC might have influenced Colombia’s decision but did not provide further details.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs pledged to make any changes affecting Taiwan’s visa treatment public as soon as it becomes aware of them.