Touring Taipei!

I had the opportunity of visiting the city of Taipei in late April 2011. We have to admit, most people don't give Taipei a lot of credit as a tourist destination. Having visited other countries in Asia like HK and SG,  I still find Taipei as a good travel destination for budget travelers.

As all my travels started with promo airfare, next on my checklist is the visit visa application. It was only after I booked the flight that I learned Filipinos needed to apply for a tourist visa before visiting Taiwan. Since that was my first time ever to apply for a visit visa, I was excited and nervous at the same time (haha!). I've heard quite a lot of stories of those being denied during visa application (not actually of taiwan visit visa, but generally speaking. right?).

For this post, I'll share how I applied for my 1st visa application and of course, my budget breakdown for this trip.

How to Apply and Get a Taiwan Tourist Visa in Manila?

Step 1 - Submit complete requirements for tourist visa application
1. Fill out the Online visa application form completely and accurately. Indicate N/A for items not applicable. Print the form. 
2. Two (2) passport size photo (just inform the photo studio that this is for Taiwan visa application)
3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months and old passport showing previous travels (i don't have old passport so I just brought my current)
4. NSO Birth Certificate
5. NSO Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
6. Certificate of Employment
7. Bank Certificate (at that time I only had P28,000 in my account (P20k of which was actually borrowed from my mom)  and I was approved of visa. Cannot say what is their required amount, but somehow this gives you an idea that they do not require high amounts in your bank cert.) 
8. Latest Income Tax Return (ITR)
9. Roundtrip airfare ticket, hotel reservations, and itinerary (additional docs that may be required)

Note: All documents submitted shall be all original with 1 set photocopy

Step 2 - Submit application at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines

41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza
Ayala Avenue, Makati City

* Filing time: 8:45am to 11:45am, Monday to Friday
* First come, first serve basis. No appointment is needed
* Processing tome = 3 working days
* Releasing time: 1:45pm to 4:45pm, Monday to Friday
* No personal appearance of the applicant is required. 


Step 3  - Pay the visa fee at the window/counter

Visa fee: P2,400 (updated: single entry - P2,100, multiple entry - P4,200)

Step 4 - Claim your passport on the scheduled release

The date of release is indicated in the receipt of visa payment. 

Disclaimer: All information stated above are based on the personal experience of the writer. Should you have any clarification, I suggest you course it directly to the consular office.

Budget Breakdown

In Philippine Peso
2,719.92 = Round trip airfare via Cebu Pacific (Manila-Taipei & v.v.)
2,400.00 = Tourist visa application
1,620.00 = Travel tax at NAIA
   750.00 = Terminal fee at NAIA
--------------
7,489.92 = Total in Php

In Taiwan Dollar = TWD1 = Php1.4895

Day 0
   400 (P598.50) = Airport to hotel transfer (1,600TWD for 4 pax)
2,820 (P4,200.39) = Wonstar Hotel (5,640TWD/3 nights for 2 pax)
----------------------------
3,220 (P4,796.19) - Total Day 0

Day 1
180 (P268.11) = Taipei MRT 1 day pass (unlimited Taipei MRT ride for 1 day)
*Visited Sun Yat-sen & Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Halls
  50 (P74.48) = Lunch
100 (P148.95) = Roundtrip Maokong Gondola Ride (cable car)
55 (P81.92) = Dinner
-------------------
385 (P573.46) - Total Day 1

Day 2
625 (P930.94) = Van rental for 1 day
*Visited National Museum, Yangmingshan National Park, Yehliu Geopark, Danshui Old Street
50 (P74.48) = Entrance fee to Yehliu Geopark
500 (P744.75) = Pasalubong: local delicacies
300 (P446.85) = Pasalubong: keychains & ref magnets
250 (P372.38) = Pasalubong: bracelet
292.50 (P435.68) = Lunch
300 (P446.85) = Paid reservation for hotel-airport transfer (1,200TWD for 4 pax)
148 (P220.45) = Pasalubong: starbucks tumbler (297TWN for 2 pax)
20 (P29.79) = MRT to Taipei City Hall Stn.
400 (P595.80) = Entrance fee to Taipei 101 Observatory
50 (P74.48) = Pasalubong: Taipei 101 gift shop
20 (P29.79) = MRT to Houshanppi Stn. 
25 (P37.24) = Dinner
-------------------
2,980.50 (P4,439.45) - Total Day 2

Day 3
20 (P29.79) = MRT to Zhongxiao Fuxing Stn.
20 (P29.79) = MRT to Houshanppi Stn.
850 (P1,266.08) = Pasalubong: winter jacket for older brother
55 (P81.92) = Lunch
30 (P44.69) = MRT to Yuanshan Stn
200 (P297.90) = Entrance fee to Taipei Expo Flora 2010
731 (P1,088.82) = Pasalubong: Taipei Expo Flora gift shop
30 (P44.69) = MRT to Houshanppi Stn.
35 (P52.13) = Dinner
45 (P67.03) = Dessert
450 (P670.28) = Winter jacket for me
100 (P148.95) = Blazer for me
150 (P223.43) = Pasalubong
50 (P74.48) = Pasalubong
30 (P44.69) = Coke at Taipei airport
--------------------
2,796.00 (P4,164.64) - Total Day 3

Summary of Expenses
P7,489.92 = airfare, visa, travel tax, terminal fee
P4,796.19 (3,220TWD) = Total Day 0
P    573.46 (385TWD) = Total Day 1
P4,439.45 (2,980.50TWD) = Total Day 2
P4,164.64 (P2,796TWD) = Total Day 3 
-------------------------------------------------------
P21,463.66 TOTAL EXPENSES ALL-IN

NOTES:

What I loved most about my visit to Taipei is that I got to experience the cold weather abroad for the 1st time (wiiiiiih). We traveled last week of March so temperatures are really dropping to low numbers especially during night. At first I had hard time to acclimate. To make things even harder, it was very windy during our visit.  But at the end of it, I made a promise to myself that I'll visit more countries during their 'cold' seasons. Philippines is a tropical country, so experiencing 'cold' weather is a welcome thing to me.

Happy traveling everyone! :)

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This entry is part of travel to Taipei, Taiwan dated March 23 to 26, 2011