If you’re thinking of visiting Taiwan, you may need to get a Taiwan visa beforehand.
Taiwan, which is officially known as the Republic Of China, is a country in East Asia. It is an island with an area of 35,808 square kilometers (13,826 square miles) and a population upwards of 23.7 million.
Its capital, Taipei, is considered a global city as well as the political, educational, economic, and cultural center of the country. This is why many wrongly refer the visa for Taiwan as a “Taipei visa” – however, the two are one and the same.
This article will answer some of the most common questions regarding Taiwan visas, including who needs one, the application procedure, and requirements.
Who Needs a Visa for Taiwan?
Nationals of most countries need to apply for a visa for Taiwan.
Taiwan has signed visa-waiver agreements with several countries, allowing nationals of those countries visa-free entrance to Taiwan for short-trips (up to 90 days). This means that nationals of all EU and EFTA member states, the US, Australia, Japan, and many other countries do not have to apply for a Visitor Visa before traveling to Taiwan.
Even so, visa-exemptions may not apply if you were born in mainland China (PRC), Hong Kong or Macau.
Taiwan Visa Types
The two main types of visa for Taiwan are:
Taiwan Visitor Visa (for short stays)
Taiwan Resident Visa (for long stays)
Taiwan Visitor Visa
The Visitor Visa for Taiwan is for short-term stays of up to 90 days. The Taiwanese Visitor Visa is issued for tourism, social visit, business, attending conferences and events, and other approved purposes that do not require taking up paid employment or obtaining an additional permit.
It can also be issued for single- and multiple-entries and for a duration of three to five years.
Taiwan Resident Visa
The Taiwan Resident Visa is for foreigners who wish to live in Taiwan for longer than 90 days for a specific purpose, such as working or studying. As such Taiwan Resident Visas are divided into the following:
Taiwan Work Visa issued to foreigners who want to take up paid employment in a Taiwanese company. In addition to the work visa, they will also need a work permit.
Taiwan Student Visa, for foreigners who wish to pursue their studies in a Taiwanese educational institution. Before applying, they must already be accepted in a school/university in Taiwan.
Taiwan Family Reunification Visa, for foreign nationals who want to join a family member (spouse, parent, or child) who is a Taiwanese resident.
Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa issued to foreign nationals who want to set up a business in Taiwan. It is the Taiwanese government’s effort to attract foreign entrepreneurs to engage in Taiwan’s economy.
Taiwan Working Holidays Visa, which is issued to young people (students or recent graduates) aged 18-30 from countries which have a Working Holiday Scheme established with Taiwan. It allows youngsters to work in Taiwan for up to 1 year.
After you arrive in Taiwan with a Resident visa, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and a Re-entry Permit at a local office of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) within 15 days.
Is There an Online Taiwan Visa?
Yes, an eVisa for Taiwan is available, but only to nationals of the following countries:
Bahrain
Burkina Faso
Colombia
Dominica
Ecuador
Kiribati
Kuwait
Mauritius
Montenegro
Oman
Panama
Peru
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Solomon Islands
Turkey
United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, nationals of the following countries are also eligible for the Taiwan eVisa if they will be traveling with a tourist group under “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries”:
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Laos
Myanmar
Vietnam
If you are from one of the following countries and will conduct business in Taiwan with a recommendation by the local offices of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), you may also apply for a Taiwan eVisa:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Iran
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
The Taiwan eVisa is only for short-term stays (tourism, business, visits, etc) and only for up to 90 days. You cannot apply to extend it or convert it into a long-stay visa.
You may apply here. The application processing time is shorter and you do not have to present yourself at any Taiwanese diplomatic mission.
If your application is approved, you have to print the eVisa and present it at the immigration checkpoint once you arrive in Taiwan.
What Are the Taiwan Visa Requirements?
When you apply for a Taiwan visa, you must submit several supporting documents, such as:
Your passport or other travel documents, which is valid for at least another six months from the date of entry.
The printed Taiwan Visa Application Form
Two passport-sized pictures
A return/onward flight or ferry ticket, which proves you intend to leave after your stay in Taiwan is over.
Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay
Proof of payment of the Taiwan visa fee
Any additional documents based on the purpose of your visit, such as:
A letter from your current employer, if traveling for business
Invitation letter from your relatives in Taiwan along with proof of relationship, if travelling for a social visit
How Can I Obtain a Taiwan Visa?
You must apply for a Taiwan visa in person as a Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your region. If there is no Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your country, you should submit your documents to the nearest one. However, before you submit the application in person, you must fill in a Taiwan visa application form online. The application process for a Taiwan visa is as follows:
Complete the Online Taiwan Visa Application Form
Print it
Collect the required documents
Submit them at the Taiwanese diplomatic mission in person
They may also request an interview if they consider it necessary
Pay the Taiwan visa fee
Wait for the visa to be processed
Once processed, pick up your passport as instructed. You may request for the passport to be sent to you via post, in which case you must include a self-addressed envelope.
Taiwan Visa Fees
The Taiwan visa fees change depending on the type of visa you apply for as well as where you are applying from. As such, the Taiwan visa fees are:
If applying at a Taiwan Diplomatic Mission Overseas:
Single-Entry Visitor Visa: US$50
Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa: US$100
Single-Entry Resident Visa: US$66
Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: US$132
If applying in Taiwan:
Single-Entry Visitor Visa: NT$1,600
Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa: NT$3,200
Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,200
Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,400
How Long Does it Take to Process a Taiwan Visa?
The processing time for a Taiwan visa depends on the country from which you’re applying, but it usually does not take long, varying from 2-10 working days from the time they receive your completed application. You should inquire with the Taiwan diplomatic mission through which you are applying to make sure.
Resident visas, on the other hand, may take longer.
What is the Duration of a Taiwan Visa?
A Taiwan Tourist only allows the holder to stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 90 days from the day of arrival. Some countries, however, have a shorter allowed time of stay in Taiwan (14, 30, or 60). The visa for Taiwan is valid for:
Up to three months, if you have a single-entry Taiwan visa
Up to five years, if you have a multiple-entry Taiwan visa
A Taiwan Resident Visa is also only valid for a single-entry and for only up to 3 months. However, once you enter Taiwan on a Resident Visa, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and the Re-entry Permit to be allowed to stay long-term.
Can You Extend a Taiwan Visa?
Whether you can apply for a Taiwan visa extension depends on the type of visa you are issued.
If you receive a visa which states “No Extension Will Be Granted”, you may not apply for a visa extension, unless the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs approves the request and changes your non-extendable visa to an extendable one.
If your visa does not state “No Extension Will Be Granted”, then you can submit a Taiwan visa extension application at a local office of the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.
Taiwan Entry Requirements for People’s Republic of China, Macau, and Hong Kong
Nationals of the PRC, Macau and Hong Kong need an Exit & Entry Permit before they can be allowed to travel in and out of Taiwan.
There’s the:
Single-entry Exit & Entry Permit, which is issued on an A4 paper.
Multiple-entry Exit & Entry Permit, which is in the form of a passport-size booklet.
Hong Kong and Macau citizens only need an Entry and Exit Permit if they have an HKSAR, MSAR or BN(O) passport. If they have another nationality or are living in another country, they are no longer subject to the Entry and Exit Permit since they’re not considered as “residents”. Instead, they’re subject to the visa requirements of their second country of nationality.
In addition to the Entry and Exit Permit Citizens of the People’s Republic of China are subject to a daily quota of visitors to Taiwan as well (14,600 persons per day, where half of the quota should go to individual tour applicants).
Taiwan Visa for US Citizens
If you are a US citizen and you intend to stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 90 days for the purpose of tourism, transit, social visit, or business, then you do not need to apply for a Taiwan visa. Instead, you can travel with simply your passport, which must be valid for the duration of your stay. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for the entry and exit stamps.
On the other hand, if you intend to travel to Taiwan for working, studying, or another purpose that’s longer than 90 days, then you must apply for a Taiwan Resident Visa at a Taiwanese Diplomatic Mission in the US.
Taiwan Visa for Philippines Citizens
If you are a Philippine citizen, you can travel to Taiwan visa-free if you only intend to stay for up to 14 days – at least until July 31, 2020. Taiwan was originally supposed to end Philippines ‘ visa-free travel on July 31, 2019, but extended it for another year. Until July 31, 2020, can travel to Taiwan with just their passport and a ticket proving they intend to depart the country once 14 days are up.
If you intend to stay longer than 14 days, you must apply for the relevant Taiwan Resident Visa (work, studying, family reunion, etc.) at a Taiwan Diplomatic Mission in the Philippines.
Who Needs a Taiwan Visa?
With stunning modern architecture on one hand and historical artifacts on the other, as well as breathtaking natural scenery, there’s plenty you can do when visiting Taiwan. But, before booking a ticket and hotel, you may have found yourself wondering “Do I need a visa for Taiwan?”, which is a valid question.
Whether you need a visa for Taiwan or not depends on three main factors: your nationality, the duration of your stay, and the purpose of your travel.
As such, nationals of most countries need to have a visa when travelling to Taiwan. However, there’s a category of countries whose nationals can to Taiwan visa free for short-term stays.
Do I Need a Visa for Taiwan?
You need a visa for Taiwan unless you are from a Taiwan visa-exempt country (see below). Even so, Taiwan offers visa-free travel only for short-term stays for tourism, business, visits etc (ie. Taiwan Visitor Visas).
Even if you can go to Taiwan visa free for short stays, you still need to apply for a visa if you want to stay long-term. A long-stay visa for Taiwan is called a Resident Visa, and includes the Taiwan Work Visa, Taiwan Student Visa, and Taiwan Family Reunion Visa, among others.
So, in a nutshell: Some countries are exempt from Taiwan visas for short-term stays (Visitor Visa), but everyone needs a long-term Taiwan visa (National Visa).
Who Can Go to Taiwan Visa-Free?
Nationals of the countries listed below are allowed to travel to Taiwan for specific amounts of time without applying for a Taiwan visa.
Taiwan visa-free travel for up to 90 days
Nationals of the following countries can stay in Taiwan without applying for a visa for up to 90 days:
Citizens of the member states of the European Union (EU)Citizens of the member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)AndorraAustralia (only until December 31, 2019)CanadaChileEswatiniGuatemalaHaitiHondurasIsraelJapanMarshall IslandsMonacoNew ZealandNicaraguaNorth Macedonia (only until March 31, 2020)PalauParaguaySan MarinoSouth KoreaTuvaluUnited StatesVatican City
Taiwan visa-free travel for up to 30 days
Nationals of the following countries can travel to Taiwan without applying for a visa for stays of up to 30 days:
Belize
Dominican Republic
Malaysia
Nauru
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Singapore
Taiwan Visa-free Travel for up to 21 Days
Nationals of Russia are allowed to stay in Taiwan visa-free if their stay does not exceed 21 days. However, the visa-exemptions only applies to holders of normal passports, not diplomatic or official passports. The latter still has to obtain a Taiwan visa before travelling.
Taiwan Visa-free Travel for up to 14 Days
Nationals of the following countries can travel to Taiwan without a visa if their stay does not last longer than 14 days:
Brunei
Philippines
Thailand
Visa exemption only applies to holders of normal passports, not diplomatic or official passports.
Taiwan visa-free travel for Philippines, Brunei, and Thailand is only valid until July 31, 2020.
What Documents Do I Need if I am Visa Exempt?
If you are from a visa-exempt country, when you enter Taiwan you must have the following documents with you:
Your passport, which is valid for at least six months from the date of entry and has at least two blank pages for the entry and exit stamps.
A confirmed travel ticket (air or ferry) showing you intend to leave Taiwan by the time your visa-free travel ends.
If you are from Brunei, Philippines, Russia and Thailand, you also need:
Proof of accommodation on Taiwan
Contact information from your contact or host in Taiwan
Proof of sufficient travel funds
Taiwan Visa-Free Restrictions for Specific Countries
Some countries have some restrictions regarding their visa-free travel to Taiwan.
If you were born in Afghanistan, Mainland China, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen, even if you have become a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you may still have to apply for a visa. This applies to:
Belize
Nauru
Saint Lucia
Tuvalu
If you acquired Marshall Islands citizenship by any other means other than birth, you are not eligible to travel to Taiwan visa-free.
Taiwan Visa Requirements for Specific Countries
The countries mentioned in the table below cannot get a Taiwan Visitor Visa unless they fall under one of the following categories:
They have been invited by a Taiwan government agency on official business
They will be partaking in an international activity or meeting for religious, athletic, or cultural exchange purposes which is organized by a Taiwanese organization
They will visit a family member who is a legal resident in Taiwan, such as a spouse, a family member of lineal relationship, or a sibling.
They will conduct economic or commercial businesses, for which they will need a Letter of Guarantee from their contact in Taiwan
They are a crew member and will come to Taiwan to report for duty
They will come to Taiwan for medical treatment
Exceptions: Nationals of Bhutan and Sri Lanka can also apply for a Taiwan tourist visa. Additionally, the Taiwanese government does not request a Letter of Guarantee when nationals of those two countries apply for a business visa.
Can I get a Taiwan Visa On Arrival (Taiwan Landing Visa)?
You are eligible to obtain a Taiwan Visa On Arrival, also known as a Taiwan Landing Visa, if you fulfill one of the following conditions:
You are a Turkish citizen (VOA is free)
You have an emergency or temporary passports issued by a visa-exempt country (you have to pay a fee for the VOA)
You can only receive a Taiwan Visa On Arrival at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Other eligible ports of entry are Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport or Taichung Airport. If you arrive at one of these ports, you will receive an entry permit and you have to apply for a visa at one of the following locations:
Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)
A local office of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The BOCA office at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
You cannot enter the country through any other point of entry, unless you have a valid Taiwan visa obtained beforehand.
Who is Eligible for a Taiwan eVisa?
Only nationals of the following countries can apply for a Taiwan eVisa:
Bahrain
Burkina Faso
Colombia
Dominica
Ecuador
Kiribati
Kuwait
Mauritius
Montenegro
Oman
Panama
Peru
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Solomon Islands
Turkey
United Arab Emirates.
Additionally, if you are from one of the countries below, you can apply for a Taiwan eVisa if you will travel to Taiwan with a tourist group under “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries”:
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Laos
Myanmar
Vietnam
If you are from one of the following countries and you will conduct business in Taiwan with a recommendation by the local offices of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), you may also apply for a Taiwan eVisa:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Iran
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
The Taiwan eVisa is only for short-term stays (tourism, business, visits, etc) and only for up to 90 days. You cannot apply to extend it or convert it into a long-stay visa. You may apply here, and don’t have to appear in person at any Taiwan consulate or embassy.
What Can I Do If I Need to Apply for a Visa to Taiwan?
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, you may apply for a Taiwan visa at a Taiwan diplomatic mission abroad. The application process is as follows:
Complete the Online Taiwan Visa Application Form and print it
Collect the required documents for a Taiwan visa
Submit the application and documents at the Taiwanese diplomatic mission in person. They may also request an interview, if they consider it necessary
Pay the Taiwan visa fee
Wait for the visa to be processed
Once processed, pick up your passport as instructed. You may request for the passport to be sent to you via post, in which case you must include a self-addressed envelope.
Entry Requirements for Citizens of Mainland China (PRC), Hong Kong and Macau
Instead of a visa, nationals of the PRC, Macau and Hong Kong need an Exit and Entry Permit to be allowed to travel in and out of Taiwan. An Entry and Exit Permit can be issued in one of two ways:
Single-entry Exit and Entry Permit, issued on an A4 paper.
Multiple-entry Exit and Entry Permit, which is on the form of a passport-size booklet.
Hong Kong and Macau citizens only need an Entry and Exit Permit if they have one of the following:
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport (HKSAR)
British National (Overseas) passport (BN(O))
Macao Special Administrative Region passport (MSAR)
If they have another nationality or are living in another country, they no longer have to get an Entry and Exit Permit since they’re not considered as “residents”. Instead, they’re subject to the visa requirements of their second country of nationality, and have to get a visa accordingly.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have to get an Entry and Exit Permit but they are also subject to a daily quota of visitors to Taiwan (14,600 persons per day, where half of the quota should go to individual tour applicants). If Chinese citizens have obtained another nationality, they must follow the Taiwan visa requirements of their current nationality. Even so, even former citizens of the PRC still face some restrictions when they travel to Taiwan, such as:
Even if they are currently residents of a visa-exempt country, they may still have to get a visa because they were born in China
They need an Exit and Entry Permit to enter Taiwan if they have lived outside China for less than 4 years
Documents Required for Taiwan Visa
When applying for a visa to Taiwan, you must have several supporting documents with you. The Taiwan visa requirements differ from country to country as well as depending on the purpose of your travel. But there is a standard list of documents everyone must have.
However, not everyone needs a visa to visit Taiwan – some can travel there with simply their passport and flight tickets for stays of up to 14, 21, 30, or 90 days. The time you can spend in Taiwan without a visa depends on your nationality.
If you do need a visa, you must apply for one from your country of residence before you intend to travel. This article will detail the Taiwan visa requirements for standard visas, eVisas, as well as visa-free travel.
What are the Taiwan Visa Requirements?
The Taiwan visa requirements include:
Completed Taiwan Visa Application Form
Original passport
Passport-size pictures
Travel itinerary/travel ticket
Proof of accommodation in Taiwan
Proof of sufficient financial means
Employment status documents
Taiwan visa fee
Specific documents for minors
Additional documents depending on the purpose of travel
Taiwan Visa Application Form
The Taiwan visa requirement is completing the application form. You must complete the form online, print it, sign it and submit it to the Taiwan diplomatic representation (see document submission requirements below) along with the other documents.
You can complete the Taiwan visa application form here. You’ll have to answer questions such as:
Your personal details: name, nationality, gender, birth date and place, marital status, details of your spouse (if any), employment status, address, contact details, etc.
The details of your passport: issue/expiry date, type of passport, and passport number.
The type of visa you want
Which Taiwanese diplomatic mission you will submit the visa application to.
Details regarding the purpose of your travel
Contact information of your host/contact in Taiwan
Whether you are submitting an application on someone else’s behalf.
Passport
You have to submit your original passport, which should be valid for at least another six months starting from the time you enter Taiwan. The passport must also have at least three blank pages which the Taiwanese authorities will use to affix your visa and the entry and exit stamps.
You may also be required to submit photocopies of the relevant pages on your passport, such as your personal information, issue, and expiry date, and previous visas.
Some diplomatic missions may also ask for previous visas if you had any.
Pictures
Along with your application, you should submit two recent pictures of yourself, taken within the last six months, which follow these specifications:
Dimensions: 35mm by 45mm without a border
Your face must take up 70% – 80% of the picture. Must include the tops of your shoulders.
Colored picture, printed on high-quality photo paper
White background without any patterns
Your expression:
You must have a neutral facial expression, with the mouth closed
You must stare ahead, with a straight head position (not tilted)
Your eyes must be fully open and visible
Your attire:
No white tops
No flashy jewelry
No headgear, unless it is for religious purposes. Even so, it cannot obstruct your face at all.
Eyeglasses are not recommended. However, if you must wear them make sure they do not cover your face or eyes at any capacity. No tinted glasses!
The picture must be high quality, without any blurriness, over- or under-exposure, or glare.
Travel itinerary/travel ticket
As part of the Taiwan visa requirements, you should include a confirmed flight ticket showing the dates of entry and departure from Taiwan.
Proof of accommodation in Taiwan
You must give proof of where you intend to stay while you are in Taiwan. This could be a confirmed hotel reservation, a letter from your host (if you are visiting someone), or another type of tourist accommodation.
Proof of sufficient financial means
Part of the Taiwan visa requirements is also being able to prove you can financially support yourself while you stay there.
You must submit original bank statements from the last six months, bearing the bank’s stamp and showing adequate balance.
Employment status documents
Depending on your status of employment, you have to submit:
A letter from your employer confirming your employment, signed and sealed. You may also be required to submit recent payslips.
A letter from your school, if you are a student, confirming your enrollment and a school ID card.
Documents proving you are self-employed.
Taiwan visa fee
All visa applicants have to pay a Taiwan visa fee. However, the method of payment changes depending on the specific Taiwanese diplomatic mission. Some may require payment by bank while others only accept visa fee payment in exact cash.
Specific requirements for minors
Minors (under 18 years of age), should also submit their original birth certificate. The parent/s or legal guardian/s have to sign the Taiwan visa application form on their behalf.
If the minor is traveling alone, they also need a letter of authorization from both parents or legal guardians allowing the minor to travel, along with copies of their IDs.
If the minor is traveling with only one parent, a letter of consent from the other parent is required.
If an interview is required, both parents have to be present there.
If one of the parents is not around (eg. divorce or death) include proof of the reason, such as custody papers or a death certificate.
Additional documents depending on the purpose of travel
Based on the reason you are traveling to Taiwan, you may have to submit additional documents, such as:
If you are traveling for business: An Invitation Letter from the company in Taiwan, and, if relevant, a letter from your company stating they will cover the costs of your trip
If you will visit friends/family members: An Invitation Letter from your host along with copies of their passports
For more, please see Taiwan visa requirements for:
Where do I Submit the Taiwan Visa Required Documents?
Once you complete the online part of the application, you must collect the documents and submit them all in person at a Taiwan diplomatic mission within 30 days. You choose the diplomatic in which you will submit the documents from a dropdown menu as you complete the online application form.
You should submit the documents to a Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your country. If there is none, you should go to the nearest one.
Taiwan eVisa Requirements
If you are eligible for a Taiwan eVisa, you must attach an electronic copy of your passport, a digital picture, and make the Taiwan visa fee payment via credit card.
However, you should also have to collect the following documents, even if you don’t have to attach them, because the immigration officers at the entry point in Taiwan may ask to see them before they allow you entry:
Travel ticket
Proof of accommodation
Proof of financial means
Invitation letter (if applicable)
The Taiwan government allows foreigners from certain nationalities to apply for a Taiwan visa online. The online application is easier because it does not require you to appear before any diplomatic mission – you receive your visa via email, which you can print and use it to enter Taiwan.
Taiwan Landing Visa Requirements
If you are eligible for a Taiwan Landing Visa, you must fulfill the following requirements:
Have a confirmed travel ticket for departing Taiwan.
Have a valid visa for the next country of destination (if required).
Pay the visa fee (NT$ 1,600) and the handling fee (NT$ 800). Turkish nationals are exempt from the visa fees.
Not have any criminal record and not be prohibited by the local authorities.
You are eligible for a Taiwan Landing visa if you are from Turkey or you have an emergency or temporary passports issued by a visa-exempt country.
Taiwan Visa-free Travel Requirements
If you are allowed visa-free travel to Taiwan, you must have the following documents with you upon arrival:
Your passport, with a validity of at least six months from the date of entry and at least two blank pages for the entry and exit stamps.
A confirmed travel ticket (air or ferry) showing you intend to leave Taiwan by the time your visa-free travel ends.
If you are from Brunei, the Philippines, Russia, and Thailand, you also need:
Proof of accommodation in Taiwan
Contact information from your contact or host in Taiwan
Proof of sufficient travel funds
Taiwan Visa Application
If you want to visit Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), you may have to apply for a Taiwan visa.
Even though most foreigners do need to get a Taiwan visa, there are certain countries whose nationals are allowed to travel to Taiwan visa-free, provided they will only stay short-term (up to 14, 21, 30, or 90 days depending on the country) and for tourism, business, or visiting purposes.
If you are not from a visa-exempt country, then you have to apply for a Taiwan visa if you want to be allowed entry into the country. This article will detail the Taiwan visa application process, including the Taiwan eVisa and Visa On Arrival.
Taiwan Visa Application Process
You have to apply for a Taiwan visa in person at a Taiwan diplomatic mission abroad, preferably in your country. However, before appearing at the Taiwanese diplomatic mission, you have to complete and print an online Taiwan Visa Application Form. The Taiwan visa application process is as follows:
Complete, print and sign the electronic Taiwan Visa Application Form
Collect the required documents for a Taiwan visa
Submit the application and the required documents at a Taiwan diplomatic mission
Complete the Taiwan Visa Application From
The first part of a Taiwan visa application is completing the visa application form, which the Taiwan government has made accessible online. You can access the Taiwan Visa Application Form through this website. The fields you must complete include:
Your personal details, such as your name, nationality, gender, birth date and place, marital status, details of your spouse (if any), employment status, address, contact details, etc.
The details of your passport, such as issue/expiry date, type of passport, and passport number.
The type of visa you want
Selecting the Taiwanese diplomatic mission where you will submit the visa application to from a dropdown menu.
Details regarding the purpose of your travel
Contact information of your host/contact in Taiwan
Stating whether you are submitting an application on someone else’s behalf.
After starting an application, you can select “Save Draft” and exit the application to complete it at another time. If you remain on one section of the application form for longer than 30 minutes without saving, you will lose that section and have to restart.
Once you complete the Taiwan visa application form, you have to print it and sign it. You can have someone else complete the application on your behalf, but the application form must have your signature.
Collect the required documents
When you submit a Taiwan visa application, you must have several supporting documents, such as:
The printed Taiwan Visa Application Form
Your passport or another travel document, valid for at least six more months from the date of entry to Taiwan.
Two passport-sized pictures
A return/onward travel ticket, which proves you intend to leave after your stay in Taiwan is over.
Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay
Proof of payment of the Taiwan visa fee
Any additional documents based on the purpose of your visit, such as:
A letter from your current employer, if traveling for business
Invitation letter from your relatives in Taiwan along with proof of relationship, if travelling for a social visit
Submit the Taiwan visa application at a diplomatic mission
After you complete the online Taiwan visa application, you must collect the documents and submit them in person at a Taiwan diplomatic mission within 30 days. You can select the diplomatic mission where you will submit your documents from a dropdown menu on the online application. However, even though you may apply for a Taiwan visa at any Taiwanese diplomatic mission, you should do so at the nearest one to where you live.
The diplomatic mission staff may request an interview with you if they think it is necessary.
You have to pay the Taiwan visa fee at the time of application.
If all is in order with your application, they will issue your visa and notify you when you can pick up your passport with an affixed visa.
If the Taiwan diplomatic mission considers that your application needs further review, they will forward it to the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA). Once the BOCA approves your application, they will notify the diplomatic mission, who then issues you your visa.
Some diplomatic missions require you to appear yourself for document submission, while others may allow you to authorize someone else to apply on your behalf.
If you want to receive your passport via mail, you have to include a self-addressed and prepaid envelope along with your documents.
Taiwan visa application Requirements for Specific Countries
If you are from one of the countries mentioned in the table below, you must apply for a Taiwan visa at one of the following locations:
Nepal: the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi.
India: the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in New Delhi.
Nigeria: the Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Ghana: the Taipei Trade Office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
If you are a national of one of the following countries, you cannot get a Taiwan Visitor Visa unless you fall under one of the following categories:
AfghanistanAlgeriaBangladeshBhutanCameroonGambiaGhanaIndia (only applies to holders of Identity Certificates)IraqNepalNigerNigeriaPakistanSenegalSomaliaSri LankaSyria
You have been invited by a Taiwan government agency on official business
You will be partaking in an international activity or meeting for religious, athletic, or cultural exchange purposes which is organized by a Taiwanese organization
You will visit a family member who is a legal resident in Taiwan, such as a spouse, a family member of lineal relationship, or a sibling.
You will conduct economic or commercial businesses (you will need a Letter of Guarantee from your contact in Taiwan)
You are a crew member and will come to Taiwan to report for duty
You will come to Taiwan for medical treatment
Nationals of Bhutan and Sri Lanka can also apply for a Taiwan tourist visa.
How to Apply for a Taiwan visa Extension?
You may apply for a Taiwan visa extension at a local office of the Taiwan National Immigration Agency before your current visa expires. But you may only extend a Taiwan visa if your visa does not specify otherwise.
If the Taiwan visa you received has a stamp that states “No Extension Will Be Granted”, you are not allowed to apply for an extension. You can, however, apply to turn your visa to an extendable one at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan.
How to Apply for Taiwan eVisa?
Nationals of certain countries, as detailed below, are eligible for a Taiwan eVisa. The eVisa is issued entirely online without having to appear before a Taiwanese diplomatic mission at all. It is only for short-term stays of up to 30 days, for tourism, business, visits, etc. The Taiwan eVisa application process is as follows:
Complete and submit the eVisa application here
Pay the Taiwan eVisa fee (by credit card)
Wait for the eVisa to process
Once processed, you will receive the confirmation on your email
Print the eVisa and use it to travel to Taiwan, where you must show it to the immigration officers at the point of entry.
Only nationals of the following countries can apply for a Taiwan eVisa:
Bahrain
Burkina Faso
Colombia
Dominica
Ecuador
Kiribati
Kuwait
Mauritius
Montenegro
Oman
Panama
Peru
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Solomon Islands
Turkey
United Arab Emirates.
You can also apply for a Taiwan eVisa if you will travel with a tourist group under “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries” and you are from one of the following countries:
Cambodia
India
Indonesia
Laos
Myanmar
Vietnam
If you are from one of the following countries and you will conduct business in Taiwan with a recommendation by the local offices of the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), you may also apply for a Taiwan eVisa:
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Iran
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
How to Apply for Taiwan Landing Visa (Visa On Arrival)?
If you are from Turkey or you have an emergency or temporary passports issued by a visa-exempt country, you can get a Taiwan Landing Visa (Visa On Arrival) at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Other permitted ports of entry are:
Taipei Songshan Airport
Kaohsiung International Airport
Taichung Airport
If you arrive in Taiwan through one of the last three ports, you will receive an entry permit and you have to apply for a visa at one of the following locations:
Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)
A local office of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The BOCA office at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
If you arrive in Taiwan though any other entry point, you won’t be allowed to enter unless you have a valid Taiwan visa obtained beforehand.
How to Get Entry and Exit Permit for Taiwan?
Residents of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, and Macau cannot apply for a Taiwan visa. Instead, they have to get an Entry and Exit Permit.
Hong Kong and Macau citizens need an Entry and Exit Permit if they have one of the following:
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport (HKSAR)
British National (Overseas) passport (BN(O))
Macao Special Administrative Region passport (MSAR)
If it is the first time you’re getting the Taiwan Entry and Exit Permit, you can apply for it online. Once you have already entered Taiwan with the Permit once, you can then obtain it through a simplified method online or upon arrival to Taiwan.
If you are from Hong Kong or Macau but have obtained the nationality of another country, you no longer need the Entry and Exit Permit. You are subject to the rules of the country you’re living in.
Citizens of the People’s Republic of China need a travel authorization known as a Mainland Resident Travel Permit which they can receive from the Chinese authorities. They also need an Entry and Exit Permit, and can only receive it if they are part of a pre-approved group tour.