Visa policy of Taiwan

Visitors to Taiwan must obtain a visa or authorization in advance, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months (except the citizens of Japan who can hold a passport valid for 3 months, and citizens of United States who are only required to hold a passport valid for the entire duration of stay).^[1]

Taiwan has special entry requirements to current or former nationals of China who reside or previously resided in Mainland China.

Right of abode

Although the Republic of China (Taiwan) has only one type of nationality, not all ROC nationals have the right of abode in Taiwan. Under the Immigration Act, only those with household registration in Taiwan (nationals with household registration, or NWHRs) have the right of abode in Taiwan and can enter Taiwan without prior authorization. Holding one of the documents listed below is sufficient to demonstrate such status:^[2]

• A Taiwan passport with the individual's National Identification Card number on biodata page;
• Valid National Identification Card, household registration certificate, or household registration certificate transcript accompanied by a valid Taiwan passport.

ROC nationals without household registration in Taiwan (NWOHRs) are ineligible to receive a National Identification Card. To enter Taiwan, one must, in addition to a Taiwan passport, hold one of the following documents:^[2]

• A valid or expired entry permit affixed on the passport; or,
• A Taiwanese Resident Certificate.

NWOHRs holding documentations listed below can obtain an entry permit on arrival:^[2]

• An added signing on the passport stating one's overseas Chinese status, or a letter stating such status; or
• A long-term residence (type F-2) or permanent residence (type F-5) Certificate of Alien Registration issued by South Korea.

Alternatively, they may enter Taiwan with their non-ROC passports without prior authorization if also having nationalities of a visa exempt country.

NWOHRs are subject to immigration control while in Taiwan, and can only remain in Taiwan for a limited time authorized by the entry permit or the immigration officer. Those without any of the above-listed documents will be denied entry to Taiwan.

Visa policy map

Visa policy of Taiwan

Visa exemption

Holders of passports of the following 59 jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for less than 90 days unless otherwise noted (duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival).^[3][4][5] Extensions are not possible except for citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom, who may apply to extend the stay from 90 days to 180 days in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.^[6]

The visa exemption does not apply for holders of emergency or temporary passports, except for citizens of United States. Other visa exempt nationals holding such passports, however, would still be able to apply for a visa on arrival.

All European Union citizens5  Andorra  Australia2  Belize1  Brunei1 3 4  Canada  Chile  Dominican Republic1  El Salvador  Guatemala1  Haiti  Holy See  Honduras  Iceland  Israel  Japan  Liechtenstein  Malaysia1  Monaco  New Zealand  Nicaragua  Norway  Paraguay  Saint Kitts and Nevis1  Saint Lucia1  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines1  San Marino  Singapore1  South Korea  Thailand1 3 4   Switzerland  United States

_{1 — 30 days
2 — temporary policy until 31 December 2017.
3 — temporary policy until 31 July 2018.
4 — holders of diplomatic and official passports are not eligible.
5 — for British passport holders, only British citizens enjoy visa-free entry.}

Stateless permanent residents of Brunei holding the Bruneian International Certificate of Identity (ICI) with a validity of at least 6 months are also exempt from visa requirement until 31 July 2018.^[7][3]

Nationals of  Philippines will be eligible for visa-free access no earlier than September 2017.^[8]

In addition, holders of diplomatic or official/service passports of Belize, Burkina Faso, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nauru, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Swaziland do not require a visa for up to 90 days.

Visa on arrival

Nationals of the following countries can obtain a visa on arrival for a fee:^[9]

Macedonia (30 days, NT$2,400)  Turkey (30 days, Free of Charge)

In addition, holders of emergency or temporary passports with validity of more than 6 months issued by visa-exempt countries are eligible for visa on arrival for a fee. The duration of stay is 30 days regardless of nationality and cannot be extended. This measure does not apply to holders of emergency or temporary passports issued by the United States as they are visa exempt.^[9]

Visa on arrival is only available at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. For passengers arriving at Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport or Taichung Airport, they would be issued a temporary entry permit and will have to apply for a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs office or one of the offices of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan at their earliest convenience. Failure to comply may result in a derogatory record.^[9] Passengers arriving at ports of entry other than those listed above will be denied entry.

Permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau

Permanent residents of Hong Kong and/or Macau, who are either Chinese nationals or British Nationals (Overseas), may be eligible for an Exit & Entry Permit upon arrival for NT$300 or may apply for an Entry Permit online at no cost to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days.^[1]

The requirements are:

• They were born in Hong Kong or Macau, or have entered Taiwan at least once as a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macau and holding proofs of previous visits;
• They hold one of the following travel documents:
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport
  • British National (Overseas) passport^{[Note 1]}
  • Macao Special Administrative Region passport;
• They do not hold passports issued by other nations or have additional nationalities (including other classes of British nationality). If they do, they are required to comply with visa requirements of their additional nationalities, except for Hong Kong residents who are allowed to have dual Chinese nationality and British National (Overseas) status (but not full British citizenship).^[10]

First time applicants not born in Hong Kong or Macau are also able to apply for Exit and Entry Permit online from 8 February 2017. Unlike those qualified for the no-fee Entry Permit or Entry and Exit Permit on arrival, the applicants are required to pay a processing fee of NT$600. The processing time is 5 business days.^[11] These visitors are required to hold their Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards or Macau Permanent Resident Identity Cards, as well as their proof of previous visits to Taiwan, when applying for Exit and Entry Permits on arrival or the no-fee Entry Permits for subsequent visits.

Since 1 January 2017, Hong Kong and Macau residents are able to apply for double-entry Entry Permits online, providing that they are entering Taiwan by cruise for at least one portion of their trip.^[12]

eVisa

Since 12 January 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC started to implement the eVisa Program. Citizens of the following countries can apply for a single-entry eVisa to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days. The fee for each application is NT$1,632.^[13][14] On 7 October 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC further expanded the list of countries eligible to apply for eVisa.^[15]

Bahrain  Burkina Faso  Colombia  Dominica  Ecuador  Kiribati

Kuwait  Macedonia*  Marshall Islands  Montenegro  Nauru  Oman

Palau  Panama  Peru  Philippines**  Qatar  Saudi Arabia

Solomon Islands  Swaziland  Turkey*  Tuvalu  United Arab Emirates

_{* - also eligible for visa on arrival.
** - until 6 October 2018.}

Nationals of the following countries may apply for a single-entry eVisa for a maximum stay of 30 days if they are travelling with an approved tour group:^[16]

Cambodia  India  Indonesia  Laos

Myanmar  Philippines  Vietnam

Also, all foreign nationals except Chinese nationals who are invited by the Taiwanese government to attend international conferences, sports events, trade fairs or other activities organized, co-organized or sponsored by Taiwanese government agencies or certain NGOs are also eligible for an eVisa. Such applicants must obtain an e-code from their host organizations in Taiwan prior to applying for an eVisa.^[17]

Nationals of the following countries are eligible for business eVisas if they have obtained recommendations from the local Taiwan External Trade Development Council since 1 June 2017.^[18]

Bangladesh  Bhutan  India

Nepal  Pakistan  Sri Lanka

APEC Business Travel Card

Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the code "TWN" on the back of the card can enter Taiwan visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days.^[1] ABTCs are issued to nationals of:^[19]

Australia  Brunei  Chile  Indonesia  Japan  South Korea  Malaysia  Mexico

New Zealand  Papua New Guinea  Peru  Philippines  Russia  Singapore  Thailand  Vietnam

ABTCs are also issued to nationals of China and permanent residents of Hong Kong, however Chinese nationals residing in Mainland China are subject to entry restrictions and cannot use the card to enter Taiwan. Chinese nationals permanently residing in Hong Kong are also ineligible and are required to obtain an Exit and Entry Permit.

Online Travel Authorization Certificate

Nationals of the following countries can apply for a no-fee Travel Authorization Certificate online for multiple visits to Taiwan, for a duration of no more than 30 days each visit during the certificate's 90-day validity period, if they have never been employed as a guest worker to Taiwan and have met the additional requirements listed below:^[20]

Cambodia  India  Indonesia  Laos

Myanmar  Philippines  Vietnam

They are required to hold a residential or visitor visa (including Visa Waiver Registration Certificates issued by Japan to Indonesian nationals, and e-Visas), or a residential certificate (including permanent residency) issued by the following countries. The visa can be either valid or expired, but it must not have expired for more than 10 years prior to the date of arrival in Taiwan. Holders of work permits as well as visas marked "void", "cancelled" or "cancelled without prejudice" are not eligible. In addition, travelers utilizing the scheme must also hold a return or onward plane or ship ticket and will be required to present it to the immigration officer.^[21]

Australia  Canada  Ireland  Japan  New Zealand

Countries of Schengen Area  South Korea  Taiwan1  United Kingdom  United States

_{1 - excluding type FL and X visas.}

Frequent visitors to Taiwan from these countries can also receive multiple entry visas with validity of two to five years.^[22]

From 1 June 2017, nationals of these countries who have received a Taiwanese visa (other than a work visa) in the last 10 years are eligible for online registration.^[18]

Nationals of the People's Republic of China who are Mainland residents

Nationals of the People's Republic of China with residency (hukou) in Mainland China (including those who are non-permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau and have relinquished their hukou in Mainland China) require prior approvals from Taiwanese government and are required to hold an Exit and Entry Permit prior to travelling to Taiwan.^[23] As of August 2016, Mainland residents can only visit Taiwan as a part of a pre-approved tour group unless they qualify for one of the exemptions:

• They have hukou in one of the 47 cities that are designated by the Taiwanese and Chinese authorities as eligible for individual tours;^[24]
• They reside outside Mainland China and hold temporary or permanent residence status in Hong Kong, Macau or a third country (prior approval from the Chinese authorities is not required when departing from a place other than Mainland China);^[25] or,
• They only visit Quemoy, Matsu and Penghu Islands (in which case a 15-day Exit and Entry Permit Permit can be obtained on arrival provided holding certain travel documents) and will not proceed to other parts of Taiwan.^[26]

As of May 2016, Mainland resident visitors applying from Mainland China are subject to a daily quota imposed by Taiwan of 14,600 persons per day, with half of the quota available to individual tour applicants. Those who applied from Hong Kong, Macau or a third country are not subject to a quota.^[27] It was reported that the Chinese authorities also has an unofficial "soft cap" on the numbers of individual and group tourists, ranging from 40% to 50% of the Taiwanese quota.^[28]

All PRC nationals who are residents of Mainland China cannot travel to Taiwan on their passports when departing from Mainland China and must hold a Travel Permit to and from Taiwan (往來台灣通行證), colloquially known as Mainland Resident Travel Permit (大通證), issued by the Chinese authorities. The permit is a pink, passport-like travel document, and it must be used along with the appropriate exit endorsements (similar to exit visas).^[23] Although travelling with the Mainland Resident Travel Permit is not mandatory when departing from Hong Kong, Macau or a third country, the Exit and Entry Permit itself is not a travel document but a de facto entry visa, and is usually tied to the document number of Mainland Resident Travel Permit or the Chinese passport, hence the travelers are still required to carry the travel document they used to apply for the Exit and Entry Permit when travelling to Taiwan.^[29]

Since January 2016, Mainland residents are no longer required to hold a Mainland Resident Travel Permit if they depart from airports in Chongqing, Kunming or Nanchang and are only in transit through Taiwan to a third country. Otherwise, the Mainland Resident Travel Permit with exit endorsement is also required for transit through Taiwan if departing from Mainland China, but the Exit and Entry Permit is not required if the passengers do not pass immigration control in Taiwan and only remain airside.^[30]

From 28 March 2017, Mainland Chinese residents are able to apply for the Exit and Entry Permit online if they are residing in a third country.^[31]

Restrictions for former nationals of People's Republic of China who were Mainland residents

Although the aforementioned restrictions do not apply to former nationals of People's Republic of China with Mainland residency, they also face entry restrictions and are required to apply for an Exit and Entry Permit unless they meet the following requirements:^[1]

• They have resided outside of PRC for more than 4 years;
• They have obtained the nationality of the country in which they reside in; and
• They have lost their PRC nationality in pursuant to Article 9 of the Chinese nationality law.

If the requirements are met, they may enter Taiwan according to the visa requirements of the nationality they have acquired. However, documentations supporting the change in nationality, such as a naturalization certificate, is required.

Working Holiday Visa

Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for the Taiwanese working holiday visa (named as "Youth Mobility Scheme" for British and Canadian citizens) through Taiwanese diplomatic missions of their countries of nationality, if they are ordinary residents in their country of nationality and are within the age limits:^[32][33][34]

Australia  Austria  Belgium  Canada  Czech Republic  France  Germany  Hungary

Ireland  Japan  New Zealand  Poland  Slovakia  South Korea  United Kingdom1

_{1 - for British citizens residing in United Kingdom only.^[35]}

Statistics

Most visitors arriving to Taiwan on short term basis were from the following countries of residence:

Country / Territory	2016	2015	2014	2013
China	3,511,734	4,184,102	3,987,152	2,874,702
Japan	1,895,702	1,627,229	1,634,790	1,421,550
Hong Kong[36]	1,474,521	1,389,529	1,276,039	1,105,223
South Korea	884,397	658,757	527,684	351,301
United States	523,888	479,452	458,691	414,060
Malaysia	474,420	431,481	439,240	394,326
Singapore	407,267	393,037	376,235	364,733
Vietnam	196,636	146,380	137,177	118,467
Thailand	195,640	124,409	104,812	104,138
Indonesia	188,720	177,743	182,704	171,299
Total	10,690,279	10,439,785	9,910,204	8,016,280
Source: Tourism Bureau, Taiwan[37]

See also

• Visa requirements for Taiwanese citizens
• Taiwan passport
• Exit & Entry Permit (Republic of China)
• Foreign relations of Taiwan

References

External links

• Bureau of Consular Affairs
• IATA visa information
• List of Taiwanese Diplomatic Missions
• National Immigration Agency English Website