Taiwan Gains Visa Waiver Status with USA, Something the PRC Does not Have!

Wednesday October 03, by Jerome F. Keating Ph.D.

US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton made all Taiwanese happy yesterday when she announced that Taiwan would be the 37th country (note I said country) to gain membership in the USA's Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This is certainly good news for Taiwan and those therein that wish to travel to the USA.

Of special note should be the fact that Taiwan is the 7th nation in the Asia-Pacific region to get this. The other six being Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, and South Korea. For those who can read between the lines, and as a cause for greater celebration, others should note that the People's Republic of China (PRC) is not one of the nations on that list.

This all goes into effect in one month's time; so if anyone in Taiwan plans to go to the USA either for Christmas or New Year's eve etc. Things will be a lot easier and a lot cheaper.

Visas will be good for a two year period with multiple entries allowed--and a stay of 90 days for each time. Well done Taiwan!.