Visa information
Types of visas issued in foreign passports:
- Diplomatic visa
- Courtesy visa
- Visitor visa
- Resident visa
The duration of the visa and length of stay, the number of entries, the purposes, the application requirements, the required documents, and other related items regarding the aforementioned types of visas are stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. II.Foreign travelers may obtain tourist visas if they hold foreign passports or travel documents valid for more than six months in the Republic of China for purposes of sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatments, or other legitimate activities. Visa requirements included one completed application form, incoming and outgoing travel tickets, one photo, documents verifying the purpose of the visits, and other relevant documents. The Visitor Visa Application Form can be downloaded from the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The completed form should be submitted to an overseas mission of the Republic of China for visa issuances.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Overseas mission of the Republic of China
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Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
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Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
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Countries eligible for Landing Visas
30-day visa-free privileges are afforded to citizens of 31 countries and30-day landing visas are afforded to citizens of 3 countries. For any further information, please visit the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Visitor Visa
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Eligible Persons
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Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other legal travel documents and who intend to stay in Taiwan for no more than six months for the purposes of transit; tour; visit relatives; undertake visits; undertake inspection tours; attend international conferences; conduct business; pursue short-term study; undertake short-term employment; undertake short-term missionary work; and engage in other activities in the ROC as approved by MOFA..
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Requirements
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- A passport valid for at least six months
- A duly completed application form with two photos taken within the past six months;
- An outbound airline ticket or verifiable proof of purchase of steamship ticket ;
- Documents verifying the purpose of visit; and
- Other relevant documents.
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Visa Validity
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For foreign nationals from the countries with which the ROC has entered into reciprocal visa agreements, the validity of their Visitor Visas shall be decided in accordance with these agreements.
For other foreign nationals, a Visitor Visa is generally valid from three months up to one year.
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Duration of stay
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- Fourteen days
- Thirty days
- Sixty days
- Ninety days
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Fee
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- For foreign nationals from the countries with which the ROC has entered into reciprocal visa agreements, the visa is issued gratis.
- 2. For other foreign nationals, the visa fees are: single entry: NT$ 1,600 (US$ 50); multiple entries: NT$ 3,200 (US$ 100).
- NT$4,340(US$140 )，currently only for American passport holders.
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Remarks
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Visitor Visa holders who are permitted to stay in Taiwan for sixty or ninety days and whose visas bear no such remark as "no extension will be granted" may apply at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency for a maximum of 120 or 90 days of extensions.
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Visa-Exempt Entry
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Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry
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- The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 90 days：Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A. and Vatican City State.
- The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 30 days：Australia, Malaysia, Singapore.
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The nationals of India, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, who also possess a valid visa or permanent resident certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand, are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 30 days. Those who meet the above qualification and have never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar workers have to apply to the “Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan” of the R.O.C. National Immigration Agency (website: https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase) for an "Authorization Certificate" before coming to Taiwan. After completion, the printed-out Certificate can be used by the foreign visitor for boarding the airplane and the immigration inspection. During the immigration inspection, foreign visitors who can not show a valid visa or permanent resident certificate issued by one of the aforementioned countries will not be admitted into the R.O.C. (In case a single-entry visa issued by any of the said countries has already been used, it is invalid.)
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Requirements
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- a passport with validity of at least six months upon entry .
visa-exempt entry only applies to foreign visitors holding formal passports (i.e. ordinary, official/service and diplomatic passports), not including those holding emergency, temporary, other informal passports or travel documents.
Japanese passport holders with their passports valid for more than 3 months are eligible for visa-exempt entry.
- a confirmed return air/sea ticket or an air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure.
- non-criminal record and not prohibited by the local authorities to enter the R.O.C.
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Duration of stay
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- The duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Foreign visitors must depart by the end of the said duration.
- Visa-exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visas, unless the following exceptions:.
- Foreign visitors entering the R.O.C. through visa-exemption may only apply for converting to visitor visas within their legal stay at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or branch offices of MOFA in case of: severe acute diseases, natural disasters or other force majeure reasons, which hold them back from leaving the R.O.C. In addition, white-collar professionals who have obtained the work permits within their legal stay may apply for work visas, together with their spouse and minors (under age 20) entering the R.O.C. at the same time.
- For U.K. and Canadian passport holders, please refer to "Notice for British ＆ Canadian Passport Holders Who Enter Taiwan Visa-Free and Apply for an Extension of Stay".
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Ports of entry
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Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Keelung Harbor, Taichung Airport, Taichung Harbor, Kaohsiung International Airport, Kaohsiung Harbor, Magong Airport, Taitung Airport, Hualien Airport, Hualien Harbor, Kinmen Airport, Shuitou Harbor and Fuao Harbor.
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Remarks
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According to the Regulations for Exit of Draftees Article 14: For a draftee having maintained his household registration in Taiwan and has at the same time the status of double nationalities shall enter into and depart from. Taiwan by presenting his ROC passport; any draftee entering into Taiwan by presenting a foreign passport and is duly subject to conscription shall be restricted from departing from Taiwan.
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Landing Visa
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Country eligible for Landing Visas
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- Holders of Bruneian Passport with validity of more than six months. (Effective from January 1, 2013)
- Holders of emergency or temporary passports with validity more than six months for nationals of those countries eligible for visa-exempt entry. Country eligible for Landing Visas
- Holders of USA passport with validity less than six months.
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Requirements
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- a confirmed return air/sea ticket or an air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure.
- fill out an application form with two photos.
- visa fee of NT$ 1,600 (citizens of countries with reciprocal agreements shall be issued visas gratis) plus a handling fee of NT$ 800; For U.S. citizens: see remarks 2.
- no criminal record or not prohibited by the local authorities.
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Duration of stay
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- Bruneian passport holders: The 14-day duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable.
- Other eligible passengers: The 30-day duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable.
- The above-said landing visa cannot be converted to visitor or resident visa under normal circumstances.
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Port of entry
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Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei SongShan Airport, Taichung Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport.
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Method of Lodgment
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- Passengers entering the Republic of China through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport may apply for a landing visa at the Visa Office of Consular Affairs Bureau at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
- Passengers who enter the Republic of China through the Taipei SongShan Airport, the Taichung Airportand the Kaohsiung International Airport shall apply for "temporary entry permit" at Border Affairs Corps of National Immigration Agency . To avoid getting a bad record in Taiwan, the holder of this permit should apply for a visa as soon as possible at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or at either of the branch offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taichung or Kaohsiung. The holder will need to submit his/her passport, temporary entry permit when applying for the visa.
- In the event of a long national holiday, the holder may apply for a visa at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TIA) Visa Office, Bureau of Consular Affairs.
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Remarks
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- Holders of USA passport with validity less than six months
- Passengers shall apply for a visa at ROC Overseas Missions and be charged US$160 (NT$4,800).
- Passengers who apply for visas upon arrival at the ports of entry in the ROC shall be charged US$160 (NT$4,800) plus an additional fee of US$24（NT$800）. A single entry visa of which duration of stay is no more than 30 days may be granted.
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Visitor Visa for Attending Conference / Exhibition
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Requirements
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Description
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1.Completed & signed application form
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Please access the website:https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/ to fill out application form online and print it out.
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2. Two passport-size photos in color within 6 months
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Photos with a white color background
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3.Passport (original & photocopy)
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Valid for 6 months with blank pages
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4.Evidence of documents
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Invitation Letter or proof of exhibition & applicant's ID
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5. Other additional documents may be required during processing
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Ticket、electronic ticket or proof of a travel agency
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Procedures：
1. Applicants can lodge their applications with the necessary documents and statutory fee at our overseas missions.
2. Interview may be required when necessary.
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Information for Inbound Traveler
Red Lane Clearance
Passengers carrying controlled or restricted articles or the articles mentioned below must file a written declaration and pass through the “Goods To Declare” counter (Red Lane).
- Alcoholic beverage and cigarettes over the quantity of duty exemption (alcoholic beverage 1,000 c.c., 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco).
- Foreign currency more than US$10,000.
- New Taiwan Dollar more than NT$60,000.
- Gold exceeding a total value of US$20,000.
- Chinese currency more than RMB$20,000. (amount exceeding RMB $20,000 shall be placed in bond for subsequent return abroad)
- Any aquatic products or animal, plant or any endangered species of wildlife or products thereof.
- Unaccompanied baggage.
- Other dutiable articles or things to be declared.
Remark:
- Where an inward passenger is in doubt whether luggage or goods carried qualify for the green line counter clearance convenience, passenger should clear luggage at the red line counter.
- Those who carry the negotiable securities (namely bearer traveler’s checks, other types of checks, promissory notes, drafts, or other forms of negotiable securities through which the bearer may exercise his/her right in the country or any other country, with face value in excess of US$10,000) should make declarations to the Customs.
Green Lane Clearance
Passengers not carrying the articles mentioned above may pass through the “Nothing To Declare” counter (Green Lane) without declaration.
DUTY EXEMPTION
- Personal belongings and household articles carried by inbound passengers may be granted duty exemption as follows :
- Each person, 20 or over in age, may bring in alcoholic beverage 1,000 c.c., plus 200 cigarettes, or 25 cigars or 1 pound of tobacco.
- Articles (excluding controlled or restricted articles) owned and used by the passenger, and their customs value not exceeding NT$10,000 for each piece (set).
- Other articles for personal use (not including the articles mentioned above) if their total customs value not exceeding NT$20,000 for each passenger.
- Samples carried by inbound passengers may be granted duty exemption if the total customs value not exceeding NT$12,000.
DUTIABLE ARTICLES
Duty, commodity tax and value added tax shall be imposed on dutiable articles imported in excess of the duty exemption limit.
Value & Quantity Limits
- Dutiable articles in accompanied or unaccompanied baggage may be passed on payment of duty, provided the total customs value does not exceed US$20,000 for each passenger.
- The total value of dutiable samples, machine parts and accessories, industrial and other raw materials, instruments, apparatus, hand tools, etc. (excluding controlled articles), shall not exceed US$20,000 per passenger.
- Import permit is not required for an inbound passenger carrying only one dutiable article of accompanied personal effects which exceeding the prescribed value limit but not belonging to restricted or controlled article.
- For alcoholic beverage and cigarettes over the quantity limit (alcoholic beverage 5,000 c.c., plus 1,000 cigarettes or 5 pounds of tobacco or 125 cigars), an import permit is required.
- Passengers who have previous offense record and travel frequently in and out of the country (2 trips or more within a period of 30 days, or 6 trips or more within a period of 6 months), or passengers who are paid for carrying goods may be subject to more stringent customs inspection and, if necessary, allowed only half of the stipulated quantity and value limits.
- Personal effects and daily necessities for personal use during the trip may be brought in duty-free by transit passengers, but their other personal belongings are liable to the same treatment as specified in the preceding paragraphs.
- For dutiable articles in excess of the quantity or value limits, even when properly declared, an import permit is required within 2 months following the date of arrival. The passenger may choose to place the exceeding portion in bond for subsequent return abroad within 2 months following the date of arrival, or simply declare in writing to abandon the exceeding portion. When necessary, an extension not exceeding 1 month may be allowed. If none of the above actions has been taken upon expiry of the period, the goods shall be deal with according to Article 96 of the Customs Act.
Unaccompanied Baggage
- The quantity and main items of unaccompanied baggage must be declared in writing when the passenger arrives. The baggage must arrive within six months following the date of the passenger’s entry.
- Unaccompanied baggage failing to arrive within the time limit or not having been declared in the Customs declaration form shall be dealt with according to the general import procedure. Exception can be made in case the explanation given (such as delayed arrival of the vessel) is acceptable to the Customs.
- Declaration for articles in baggage must be filed within 15 days following the arrival date of the means of transport, failing which the articles shall be dealt with according to Article 73 of the Customs Act.
- When the unaccompanied baggage arrives, the passenger or someone authorized by the passenger shall produce passport (or entry permit) and make import declaration.
NEW TAIWAN DOLLAR NOTES, FOREIGN CURRENCIES, CHINESE CURRENCY AND NEGOTIABLE SECURITIES
New Taiwan Dollar Notes
Not more than NT$60,000 in notes can be brought in by each passenger unless a permit from the Central Bank of China (Taiwan) is obtained in advance.
Foreign Currencies
Passengers must declare the amount of foreign currencies in excess of US$10,000 (or its equivalent in other foreign currencies). If not declared, the exceeding amount of foreign currencies shall, upon arrival, be subject to confiscation.
Chinese Currency
Not more than RMB$20,000 in notes can be brought in by each passenger. The amount in excess of RMB$20,000 shall be declared to the Customs and placed in bond for subsequent return abroad.
Negotiable Securities( namely bearer traveler’s checks, other types of checks, promissory notes, drafts, or other forms of negotiable securities through which the bearer may exercise his/her right in the country or any other country)
Passengers or service crew must declare negotiable securities with face value in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent. In case of non-declaration or false declaration, a fine in the amount equivalent to the amount not declared or not truthfully declared shall be imposed.
DUTY EXEMPTION
- Medicines, if not exceeding 6 items, are allowed to be brought in for personal use. For the items and quantities allowed, please refer to http://eweb.customs.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=15232&ctNode=6485
- A total of 12 items of Chinese medicine herbs (0.6 kg each), and Chinese medicines with total quantity not more than 36 bottles/boxes (12 bottles/boxes each), may be brought in.
- Medicines carried must be declared. Any quantity in excess of the limits allowed may be returned abroad. If undeclared, such excess portion shall be confiscated and passengers carrying forbidden medicines shall be dealt with according to law.
QUANTITY LIMIT ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE AND MAINLAND CHINA PRODUCTS
- Agricultural produce: 6 kgs (Live animals, plants and their products, as well as fruits, are prohibited. Dogs, cats, rabbits and animal products imported in accordance with the Act for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, or dried/prepared aquatic animals, or live plants and their products imported in accordance with the Plant Protection and Quarantine Act are excluded from such restriction.).
- For the items and quantities allowed, please refer to http://eweb.customs.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=15231&ctNode=6485
FORBIDDEN ARTICLES
Articles listed below shall not be imported:
- Heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamine, etc. prescribed in the “Act for the Control of Narcotics” and their derivatives and products.
- Arms (including shotguns, fishing guns, air guns, etc.), ammunition (including bomb, cartridges and explosives), assault knives and other weapons of war prescribed in the “Act Governing the Control of Guns, Ammunition and Knives”.
- Any wild animals and endangered species of wildlife or products thereof are not allowed to be imported, unless a permit issued by the Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan is obtained in advance; if the species is included in the list of CITES, the CITES import permit shall be required for Customs verification.
- Articles infringing upon the rights of patents, trademarks and copyrights.
- Fake or spurious currencies or securities, or moulds for printing counterfeit currency.
- All restricted substances and drugs of non-prescription and non-medicinal nature (including marijuana).
- Fruits, live animals, plants and their products. Dogs, cats, rabbits and animal products imported in accordance with the Act for Prevention and Control of Infectious Animal Diseases, or dried/prepared aquatic animals, or live plants and their products imported in accordance with the Plant Protection and Quarantine Act are excluded from such restriction.
- Other articles prohibited by law from importation.
ADDITIONAL REGULATION:
Articles listed below shall not be imported:
- Please declare honestly according to the instruction on Customs declaration form.
- Once the declaration form has been handed over to the Customs officer, no additional declaration will be accepted.
- Those carrying dutiable articles, controlled or restricted articles without correct declaration shall not be allowed to pass through the Green Lane.
For further information on Republic of China Visitor Visas, please click here.
For further information, please click here.