Taiwan welcomes free online Hong Kong visa services

Taiwan welcomes the proposal by the Hong Kong government to launch free online visa services for Taiwanese intending to travel to the special administrative region, the ROC Mainland Affairs Council said Aug 10.

“We appreciate the Hong Kong government’s measures to facilitate travel by Taiwanese to the region, and expect future efforts by both sides to work toward a visa-free pact,” MAC Deputy Minister Liu Te-shun said.

The MAC response followed the announcement of the new measures by Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang at the second annual Taiwan-Hong Kong meeting on economic and cultural cooperation in the former British colony Aug. 10. Details, however, have yet to be announced.

At present, online visa applications must go through designated airlines or travel agencies at a cost of up to NT$700 (US$24.25), the MAC said.

“We look forward to getting the details as soon as possible,” the MAC said, adding that the visa measure is a sign of continued improvement in Taiwan-Hong Kong relations.

Tsang also revealed that beginning Sept.1 Taiwanese holding a valid Entry Permit of Taiwan Residents to the Mainland will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for up to 30 days, a significant extension compared with the current seven days.

According to the MAC, the new online visa service reciprocates the one extended to Hong Kong citizens by Taiwan since September 2010.