Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan remains a popular tourist hotspot for travelers from all over the world. Taiwan visa policy is uncomplicated unless you’re from Mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong.
In this article, you will learn about Taiwan visa, its visa exemption, e-visa, and visa on arrival for tourists. I will also shed some light on the requirements for Chinese visitors.
Table of Contents
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Visa Policy and Visa Types
Nationals from 65 countries are visa-exempt when visiting Taiwan for either 14, 30, or 90 days.
Visa on arrival is available for Turkey free of charge.
Taiwan launched its eVisa program in 2016 and today 25 countries are eligible. Some may only get an eVisa if they’re part of a tour group.
An Online Travel Authorization Certificate instead of a visa is available for nationals of 6 countries under certain conditions and only if they have a valid or expired visa from some of the most advanced economies.
Certain special conditions are in place for passport holders on neither of these lists. Visitor visa applications can be submitted at a select few Taiwanese overseas missions.
Visitors from Mainland China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Macau must acquire prior approval from Taiwan and have an Exit and Entry Permit.
People born in Mainland China or certain high-risk countries may not be eligible for certain visas depending on their nationality.
Below is the summary of various visa types:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa-Exempt | 65 countries are visa exempt |
| Visa on Arrival (VOA) | VOA is available for nationals from Turkey |
| eVisa | 25 countries are eligible for eVisa |
| Travel Authorization Certificate | Available to 6 nationalities under certain conditions |
| Tourist Visa | Rest can apply for a visitor visa from Taiwanese overseas missions |
| Entry-Exit Permit | China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Macau nationals require an approved entry-exit permit |
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Visa Requirements
The following requirements apply to all visitors:
- A passport valid for at least 6 months
- A confirmed return or onward ticket via air or sea
If you’re visa-exempt, it’s highly unlikely immigration officers will ask to see your next ticket. They didn’t when I last traveled but for peace of mind, you can book an onward ticket.
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Visa Exemption (VISA-FREE)
Visa exemption is issued at all airports and harbors. Depending on nationality, it is valid for either 14, 30, or 90 days.
90 days
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Chile
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Marshall Islands
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- North Macedonia (effective until March 31, 2025)
- Norway
- Palau
- Paraguay
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tuvalu
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Vatican City
30 days
- Belize
- Dominican Republic
- Malaysia
- Nauru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Singapore
14 days
- Brunei*
- Philippines*
- Thailand*
* Effective until July 31, 2024
The validity duration starts on the day after the date of arrival.
Visa exemptions are not extendable, except for nationals of Canada and the UK who can extend once.
Ineligibility based on place of birth
Passport holders from Belize, Eswatini, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Tuvalu are NOT visa-exempt if their place of birth in their passport is one of these countries:
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- Iraq
- Libya
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- China (PRC)
- Syria
- Yemen
Passport holders from Honduras are also ineligible for the visa exemption if their place of birth is China (PRC).
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Taiwan Visa on Arrival (Landing Visa)
Only Turkey passport holders are currently eligible for a Taiwan Visa on Arrival (VOA). VOA is officially referred to as a “Landing Visa”. The visa is free of charge and valid for 30 days.
Temporary and emergency passport holders from visa-exempt countries are also eligible to obtain VOA in Taiwan. These passport holders have to pay a visa fee of 1,600 TWD and 800 TWD handling fees.
VOA is only available at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport but it is possible to enter from another International airport and obtain the visa inside the country.
Read Taiwan Visa on Arrival for more information on requirements, documents and VOA procedures at various international airports in Taiwan.
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Taiwan eVisa
Taiwan issues eVisas for tourist purposes to individual travelers from these countries:
- Bahrain
- Bosnia and Herzegovina (Free)
- Burkina Faso
- Colombia (Free)
- Dominica
- Ecuador
- Kiribati (Free)
- Kosovo (Free)
- Kuwait
- Mauritius (Free)
- Montenegro (Free)
- Oman
- Panama (Free)
- Peru (Free)
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Solomon Islands (Free)
- Turkey (Free; also eligible for a visa on arrival)
- United Arab Emirates.
eVisa is also available to the following countries if traveling as part of an approved tour group;
- India
- Indonesia
- Vietnam
- Myanmar
- Cambodia
- Laos
The eVisa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and allows 1 entry for up to 30 days. It costs 1600 TN + 46 NT processing fee (~53$), except for countries with (free) next to their names on the list above.
The eVisa is valid at all immigration checkpoints.
Read the Taiwan eVisa article for more information on eVisa requirements, documents and the application process.
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Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC)
Passport holders of the following countries may be eligible for an Online Travel Authorization Certificate (OTAC) free of charge:
- Cambodia
- India
- Indonesia
- Laos
- Myanmar
- Vietnam
The conditions are that the applicant:
- Has never been employed as a migrant worker in Taiwan;
- Has a valid (or expired within the last 10 years) visa from one of these countries:
- United States
- Canada
- United Kingdom
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Japan (except for Vietnam)
- Korea (except for Vietnam)
- Any EU or Schengen country
- Taiwan (except for visas marked FL, X, or P)
The OTAC is valid for 90 days for multiple entries. Each visit can be up to 14 days.
Read the Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) article for more information on the documents required, processing times, application process and border procedures.
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Taiwan Tourist Visa
For countries not eligible for any of the options above, a tourist visa from one of Taiwan’s overseas missions remains the only option.
Officially Taiwan only has embassies in countries that recognize Taiwan (ROC) instead of China (PRC). Currently, it’s only 13 countries that recognize Taiwan. However, Taiwan’s cultural centers, trade centers, and overseas missions in most other countries effectively function as embassies.
The application procedure can be complex and lengthy. It starts with applying to one of Taiwan’s offices abroad, often followed by an interview and a request for a letter of guarantee from a Taiwanese sponsor.
For nationals of the following countries, obtaining a tourist visa for Taiwan is not possible. They are only allowed to obtain Taiwan visitor visas for purposes other than tourism such as business, family, etc. They must also have a sponsor in Taiwan.
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Bangladesh
- Cameroon
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Iraq
- Nepal
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Senegal
- Somalia
- Syria
Read the Taiwan tourist visa article for more information on the documents required, fees, processing time and application procedure.
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Taiwan Transit Visa
If you don’t leave the international transit area of any airport in Taiwan, you don’t need a visa.
Taiwan does not issue transit visas that allow entry to the country past immigration.
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Nationals of Hong Kong and Macau
Permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau do not need a visa to enter Taiwan but must have an Exit and Entry Permit and certain requirements:
- Were born in Hong Kong or Macau;
- Have entered Taiwan at least once as a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macau; (and have proof if the visit was before 1983);
- Hold one of these passports valid for at least 3 months from the arrival date:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
- British Overseas National;
- Macao Special Administrative Region.
The Exit and entry permit is
- 300 NT (~10$) if obtained on arrival;
- Free if obtained online;
- 600 NT (~20$) if NOT born in Hong Kong or Macau and applying online for the first time.
The requirements can quickly become confusing. It’s best to check online on the Official ROC Embassies and Missions Website.
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Nationals of the People’s Republic of China
To travel to Taiwan, passport holders from China PRC must:
- Have prior approval from the Taiwanese government
- Have an Exit and Entry Permit
- Travel as part of an organized tour group subject to a quota of 14,600 visitors per day.
This is unless they have a temporary or permanent residence in Hong Kong, Macau, or a third country and reside outside of China PRC.
Additional requirements may come from the Chinese PRC government.
It’s best to check the Taiwanese Immigration website for detailed information and conditions.
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Taiwan Arrival Card
Everyone who arrives in Taiwan must complete an arrival card. You can fill out the arrival card online before arrival or at the airport.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do I need an eVisa if I am on a cruise ship?
If you’re not eligible for a visa exemption and arrive in Taiwan on a cruise ship, you should obtain a special temporary entry permit. It’s best to ask your cruise company, they will surely facilitate it.
Do I need a visa if I do not leave the transit area at the airport?
You don’t need a visa if you don’t pass immigration and only stay inside the airport’s transit zone.
How long in advance should I apply for an eVisa?
Apply at least 7 days before traveling.
Are there multiple entry visas for Taiwan?
Taiwan doesn’t issue multiple-entry visas for tourists.
What are the COVID testing and vaccination requirements for Taiwan?
You don’t need a test, or proof of vaccination to travel to Taiwan.
