Visa Policy of Taiwan

Taiwan’s visa policy is different for nationals of different countries. It has a different set of visa requirements and separate rules for citizens of other countries. Taiwan offers various types of entrance visas. Vietnamese travelers can enter Taiwan with a Travel Authorization Certificate and Taiwan eVisa and are eligible for visa-on-arrival. Travelers from Japan and the United States of America who possess a valid passport for the intended period of stay are visa-exempt in Taiwan.  

Who Needs a Visa for Taiwan

Travelers from visa-eligible nations need a visa for Taiwan. According to the visa policy of Taiwan, the nationality of the applicant, the length of the stay, the reason for the trip to Taiwan, and the visa application process determine the type of visa that will be issued to the applicant. In most cases, the maximum length of stay permitted by a Taiwan visa for visa-eligible nations is fourteen, thirty, sixty, or ninety days. A transit visa can be used for up to 14 days, and few nations can avail of visa-on-arrival.  

It is very important to be aware of how long visitors are permitted to stay in Taiwan, especially if visitors are not required to obtain a visa for Taiwan. It is because different laws apply to different nationalities. Others will be liable to financial penalties starting at sixty USD for each day they miss the departure deadline.  

Types of Taiwan Visas

Taiwan offers the following types of visas:  

Taiwan eVisa

A Taiwan eVisa is valid for three months beginning on the date of issuance. The eVisa for Taiwan is a single-entry visa with a 30-day maximum stay limit that cannot be increased or changed to a different kind of visa. Travelers can apply for eVisa for Taiwan for tourism and business purposes. An email notification providing a webpage link to download and print the eVisa is sent to the applicant once their eVisa application gets approved.  

Upon arrival in Taiwan, the Taiwan eVisa holder must show a copy of the eVisa at the immigration checkpoint for inspection by the National Immigration Agency. However, immigration officials in Taiwan have the authority to refuse entrance to anyone having a Taiwan eVisa without giving a reason. Travelers should note that eVisas for Taiwan are only issued for travel and business, for seeing family, attending conferences or sporting events abroad, and visiting relatives.

If an applicant wants to visit Taiwan for something else, like work, school, living with family, or taking Mandarin language classes, they must apply for the right kind of visa at a ROC-recognized Taiwanese Overseas Mission.  

Taiwan eVisa Requirements

The following documents are required to apply for a Taiwanese eVisa:  

1. A regular, official, or diplomatic passport that is valid for at least six months as of the scheduled entry date into Taiwan is needed by Taiwan visa applicants.  
2. Applicants must provide the necessary personal information and pay the requisite fee online using a credit card (MasterCard or Visa).  
3. Depending on the applicant’s nationality and reason for travel, R.O.C. overseas missions may email the application and ask them to send supplementary papers within a certain time.  

The application may be rejected if these documents are not submitted by the specified deadline. Travelers can apply online to receive their Taiwan eVisa. The travel document permits a single entry and a 30-day stay inside the nation. Electronic visas, or eVisas to Taiwan, are simple to obtain because additional documentation is not required to be sent to the consular agency.  

Taiwan Gold Card

The Taiwan Employment Gold Card offers individuals with high salaries an opportunity to obtain an open work permit and stay in Taiwan for one to three years. It provides attractive tax benefits, such as a 50% exemption on annual salary income exceeding 3 million NTD for the first five years. The Gold Card encompasses a comprehensive four-in-one visa package, including a resident visa, work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (a physical I.D. card serving as proof of legal residence in Taiwan), and a re-entry permit that allows multiple departures from and returns to Taiwan within three years.  

According to the official website, the cost of the Gold Card varies depending on one’s nationality, and the desired duration of the card ranges from 100 USD to 310 USD. The Ministry plans to extend the term of the Taiwanese entrepreneur visa from one to two years. The Gold Card aims to attract foreign talent by offering Taiwan residency and flexible work permits not tied to a specific employer.  

Tourist Visa for Temporary Visits

Apart from the Taiwan eVisa for tourism purposes, eligible applicants from visa-required nations can apply for regular visitor visas. Travelers applying for Visitor visas are foreign nationals holding ordinary passports or other travel documents who plan to stay in Taiwan (R.O.C ) for less than six months. This visa is suitable for various purposes, such as:  

1. sightseeing 
2. transit purposes 
3. paying a visit to friends 
4. to meet Relatives  
5. attending a training course  
6. to avail of medical services 
7. engaging in commercial purposes 

The duration of the stay can be either 14 days (about two weeks), 30 days (about four and a half weeks), or 60 days (about two months), depending on the specific circumstances and citizenship of the applicants.  

The requirements for the Taiwan visitor visa application are as follows:  

1. a passport with a minimum validity of six months  
2. a duly completed online visa application form  
3. two passport-sized photos taken within the last three months and showing the front face.  

Applicants need to provide a copy of their inward and outward airline tickets, a verified purchase of a ship ticket, or a Taiwan eVisa confirmation receipt. Documents verifying the purpose of the visit are also required. For business trips, applicants need to provide an invitation letter from Taiwan and an employment letter from their company on official letterhead.  

An employment letter or a status letter from the school, along with an I-20 and a copy of the student I.D., invitation letter or travel plan, and financial statement, are necessary for tourism purposes. If applicable, non-US citizens should also include their U.S. Permanent Resident Card. Additional documents may be requested after the initial submission.  

The validity of Taiwan’s visitor visa depends on whether the foreign national’s country has a reciprocal visa agreement with the country. For countries with such agreements, the visa’s validity is determined accordingly. For other foreign nationals, the visitor visa is typically valid for a period ranging from three months to one year.  

Taiwan Visitor Visa Fee

The application fee for U.S.A. passport holders is 185 USD, with an option of a 315 USD fee for a 5-year validity and 60-day multiple-entry duration of stay. Visa issuance is free for foreign nationals from countries with reciprocal visa agreements. For other foreign nationals, the fees are 50 U.S. Dollars for single entries and 100 US Dollars for multiple entries.  

In case the applicants send the visa application to the Taiwanese Overseas Mission, they should adhere to the following conditions:  

1. send a self-addressed envelope with return postage via mail
2. use Registered Mail or Express Mail services  

Only stamps are accepted, and personal checks are not accepted for payment.  

Business Visa for Commercial Activities

A Taiwan Business visa is issued to those individuals who need to visit the country for business purposes. Documents needed from the guarantor for visa seekers from certain countries hoping to conduct business in Taiwan are as follows:  

1. If the guarantor is not the owner or a representative of the guarantor’s company, a letter of authorization is required for the person submitting the "letter of guarantee."  
2. The original "Letter of Guarantee for Visa Application to the Republic of China" must have an official stamp from the company of the guarantor.  
3. A letter of explanation detailing the meeting between the guarantee and the guarantor, any evidence of correspondence, and the itinerary of the guarantee while in the R.O.C.  
4. A copy of the passport will be guaranteed.  
5. Evidence of a commercial transaction (bills, export/import paperwork, shipment orders, etc.).  

The Ministry of Economic Affairs’ business registration document may be amended, or a company may register for business in the Republic of China. The letter of guarantee must be submitted with the notice of audit.  

Taiwan Student Visa for Educational Pursuits

There is no Taiwanese student visa per se. However, prospective students can apply for a visitor visa and resident visa depending on the duration of their intended stay. On the official website, they can check the requirements under the category of resident visas for foreign students. The official website allows students to apply for a visa to study in Taiwan. The required documents for the study visa application include  

1. a duly signed online visa form 
2. a visa request letter from the applicant specifying the purpose, type of study, and duration, a study plan
3. two passport-size photos (3.4x4.5cm) with a white background showing 60% of the face  
4. the original passport (valid for more than six months) along with a photocopy,  
5. an acceptance or admission letter from a university in Taiwan
6. photocopies of the highest degree and transcript/mark sheet (attested by the concerned state government, Ministry of External Affairs (M.E.A.), and Taiwan Education Center (TECC))  

Applicants must note that the original documents should be presented for reference. A photocopy of an authenticated health certificate (attested by the state government, M.E.A., and TECC) is also required. Provisional certificate holders should note that the visa issued will be a student visa (visitor visa) for 60 days (about two months), extendable twice within Taiwan. An acknowledgment letter acknowledging the unavailability of a residence visa at the time of visa application submission is also necessary.  

Provisional certificate holders must submit the original certificate and transcript/mark sheet for acceptance, per the regulations of Taiwan’s Ministry of Education. Once provisional certificate holders have completed the attestation procedure for their original certificate and transcript/mark sheet from TECC, they can convert their visitor visa into a resident visa in Taiwan.  

Furthermore, a visa guarantee letter provided by the person extending the invitation to visit Taiwan will be required for students holding passports from Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.  

Work Visa for Employment Opportunities

A Taiwan work visa is a type of resident visa issued to prospective employees for long-stay purposes. The Ministry plans to relax residency regulations and enhance incentives to attract highly skilled individuals to Taiwan.  Among the proposed changes for Taiwan work visas, permanent residency will be granted to the spouses and non-adult children of foreign-investment visa holders and certain professionals deemed "high-level." Additionally, foreigners will have an extended period of 30 days, instead of 15 days, upon their arrival in Taiwan to apply for residency.  

Resident Visa for Long-Term Stay

Foreign nationals who intend to reside in Taiwan for a period of time greater than 90 days for a defined reason, such as employment or study, must apply for a Taiwan Resident Visa. As a result, there are many categories of Taiwan Resident Visas available for the following:

• Minors  
• Overseas Chinese students  
• White Collar workers  
• Applicants wanting to study religious doctrines.  
• Individuals wishing to study Mandarin  
• Foreign students  
• Investment reasons  
• Foreign Spouse ( with and without Household Registration)  
• Religious Work  
• Internship Reasons  
• Entrepreneur  

Taiwan Visa Application Process

The procedure for a Taiwan visa application is as follows:  

1. Applicants should Download, Print and sign the completed Taiwan visa application.  

2. Applicants will need cash for the Visa fees.  

The following documents are also required: 

1. A letter outlining the reason for the visit and the expected stay time.  
2. An itinerary for the day.  
3. Confirmed round-trip ticket and hotel reservation  
4. N.O.C. letter from the employer and, if the candidate is under 18, from the applicant’s parents.  
5. Two photographs the size of a passport, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, white backdrop, 60% face.  
6. Original passport (valid for at least six months) and photocopy.  
7. financial papers.  
8. I.T.R. or Form 16 for a year.  
9. A three-month statement of a personal pay account bearing a bank stamp.  
10. Additional tour-related paperwork includes an invitation for conference attendees and an exhibition registration form. 

Individuals applying for Taiwan eVisa should follow the steps mentioned on the official platform. 

Dilemma Faced by Long-Term Visa Applicants

There is no doubt that the nation’s international status continues to be complicated, despite the fact that its political situation has been very stable over the previous seventy years. The situation can change at the whim of the Chinese government, and this could have potential effects on its sovereignty and economy. The Taiwanese economy suffers from some of the effects of economic homogeneity because it is supported by only a few industries, such as manufacturing, information technology, and financial services.  

Long Term Visa applicants will have to overcome a language barrier if they decide to try living in Taiwan because most people there speak Taiwanese Min Nan Chinese or the indigenous language of Hakka and Mandarin Chinese. Nevertheless, most young people, particularly in Taipei, the nation’s capital, speak at least rudimentary English.  

Required Documents for Taiwan Visa: A Confusing Process

The Taiwan visa policy can be complex because it offers a wide range of options depending on both nationality and the purpose of the applicant’s trip. There are specific prerequisites that everyone must meet. Applicants (from visa-eligible countries) must submit a Taiwan visa application form, a passport that is valid for at least six months after the date of departure from Taiwan, photos, a travel itinerary (if they are applying for a Taiwan eVisa to be presented upon arrival), and proof of sufficient financial resources (if required) in order to be considered.  

Then, they must present proof of the trip’s purpose in the form of documentation. For instance, in order to be eligible for a student visa to Taiwan, they must be enrolled full-time in a Ph.D., Master’s, Bachelor’s, or senior high school program. They will need to present official transcripts from the college or university as well as a health certificate issued by one of the nearby hospitals to demonstrate this.  

Prospective employees must provide the original invitation letter from the company/organization or proof of business operations in addition to the standard requirements for a Taiwan business visa. Travelers are advised to check with the institution or organization and diplomatic mission of Taiwan to make sure everything is in order before planning a trip to the country.  

Visa- Exempt Entry

The following enjoy a visa-exempt status in Taiwan:

1. Visa-free entry to Taiwan applies only to foreign visitors with passports that are diplomatic, ordinary, official, and service passports.
2. Individuals with temporary, emergency, or other informal passports or travel documents are not eligible for visa-exempt entry, except those with a Brunei Certificate of Identity.  
3. For United States nationals, eligibility for visa-exempt entry is granted to those who possess a valid passport, including emergency passports, for the intended period of stay.  
4. For Japanese nationals, visa-exempt entry is granted to individuals who possess a passport valid for the intended period of stay.  
5. Individuals holding emergency or temporary passports (excluding those from the United States of America) must apply for a visa at a R.O.C. overseas mission or obtain a landing visa upon arrival in the R.O.C.

Travelers should contact Taiwanese overseas missions to learn more about visa-exempt nations.

Visa Denial and Visa Extension

Travelers should be aware that Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) retains the right to withhold explanations for rejecting visa applications for Taiwan. It also disclaims liability for any mail-order items provided at the applicant’s request but delivered late, lost, or stolen. As per the official website, the information on the Taiwan visa is subject to change without prior warning.  

The R.O.C.’s overseas missions that the applicants have chosen when filling out their application forms should receive the completed forms with bar codes and other needed documentation. Offline application forms may or may not be accepted.  

A stay may be extended once for three months starting the day after the original stay expires. The National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, and local service centers must receive a Taiwan visa extension application no sooner than thirty days before it expires.  

Conclusion

Taiwan visa policy may appear challenging to applicants as Taiwan visa rules differ on a case-by-case basis. Travelers from visa-eligible nations are advised to obtain a Taiwan eVisa or a regular visa from one of the nearest Overseas Missions in their country. Overall, Taiwan is a beautiful island to visit and Taiwan eVisa is a popular choice among tourists.