MANILA - Visa-free entry for Filipino travelers to Taiwan has been extended for another year, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Thursday.

In a statement, the agency said it the visa-free privilege for Filipinos will continue for another year from August 1, 2020 to July 31, 2021.

The visa-free privilege will also continue for citizens of Thailand, Brunei and Russia.

The Taiwan foreign affairs ministry, however, reiterated that travel restrictions are still in place due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Starting June 29, foreign nationals who wish to visit Taiwan for purposes other than tourism and study may apply for a special entry permit.

All foreign nationals, upon entering Taiwan, must also present an English-language certificate of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days prior to arriving in Taiwan. They are also required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine period.

Aside from business and diplomatic or official trips, Taiwan has allowed entry of foreign nationals for purposes of internships and training, international conferences or trade fairs, international exchanges, volunteering, religious proselytization, working holidays, youth exchanges, and seeking employment.

Taiwan began the visa-free travel program for tourists from the Philippines, Thailand, and Brunei in 2016 in an effort to offset a slump in tourists from mainland China.

According to the MOFA, since the visa measures were first implemented, the number of visitors from related countries have increased steadily.

In 2019 alone, visitors from the Philippines increased by 100.37 percent, according to data from Taiwan's National Immigration Agency.