Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate: Requirements and Application Process

The Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) is an easy way for travelers from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam to visit Taiwan.

You are eligible for the TAC if you have or have had a visa or residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, any of the EU or Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, the United States, or a previous visa for Taiwan.

The requirements for obtaining the Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate are very specific. I have detailed all the requirements in this article.

If you haven’t already, read the Taiwan Visa Guide for general information on various visas for tourists, their eligibility and requirements. 

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Understanding Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate

TAC validity

The Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate is valid for 90 days from the issue date. Once your TAC has expired, you can apply for a new one. There are no limitations on how many times you can apply. 

Duration of stay

You can stay up to 14 days inside Taiwan on each entry. The day you land in Taiwan is not counted. The 14 days start from the next day after you enter.

Allowed number of entries

The TAC is multiple-entry. You can enter Taiwan as many times as you want within the 90-day validity of TAC. 

IMPORTANT
Keep in mind that you can only enter Taiwan 6 times within a calendar year using TAC. The limit resets on 1 January.

Allowed ports of entry

Using TAC, you can enter Taiwan from any international airport or seaport. There are no restrictions.

When to apply

TAC applications are processed instantly! You will get the TAC confirmation immediately after submitting your application. 

The actual document checks happen at immigration when entering Taiwan. You may be asked to show the supporting visa (US, Canada, etc.) and return ticket at immigration or airport check-in.

Here is the summary of when to apply for TAC.

• Latest: 1 hour before traveling
• Earliest: 90 days before traveling

TAC extension

Extensions of the allowed stay are not possible.

Extending the TAC validity is also not allowed but you can easily get a new one after the first expires.

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Travel Authorization Certificate Requirements

TAC eligibility

MUST be a citizen of these 6 countries:

1. Cambodia
2. India
3. Indonesia
4. Laos
5. Myanmar
6. Vietnam

MUST fulfill all of these basic requirements:

1. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Taiwan
2. You must have an onward or return ticket (air or ferry) out of Taiwan
3. You must have never been employed as a blue-collar (migrant) worker in Taiwan

MUST meet at least 1 of these special requirements:

1. You must have at least 1 of the following visas or residence permits issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, any of the EU and Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, or the United States:
   1. Valid visa (can also be electronic visa)
   2. Valid resident or permanent resident card
   3. Visa or resident card that expired less than 10 years before the date of arrival in Taiwan

(OR)

2. You must have an entry visa or resident card issued by Taiwan in the past 10 years and have no record of overstaying, breaking the conditions of your visa, or breaking any law in Taiwan.

However, having held any of the following Taiwan visa types makes you ineligible for the TAC:

• FL or L (migrant worker)
• X (others)
• P with “Special permission from MOFA” (visa or eVisa for “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries, also called “Project Kuan-Hong”)
• ROC resident cards where the stated purpose of residence is to be a migrant worker (移工)

Important conditions:

The above requirements come with a fair number of conditions and niche cases.

1. If you want to use a visa issued by Japan or South Korea, you must also present proof of entering the said country. That means UNUSED Japan or South Korea visas are NOT accepted.
2. Visas with stamps “Void”, “Canceled”, or “Canceled without Prejudice” are NOT accepted 
3. Your visa must be a STICKER in the passport unless it’s an eVisa from Australia or New Zealand. If the sticker visa is in your old passport, you must carry it with you when traveling to Taiwan.
4. If using an Australia or New Zealand eVisa, you must print it to present at immigration
5. If there is no expiry date or validity period on the residence card or visa, the 10-year period is calculated from the issue date instead. In all cases, it’s calculated on the date of arrival in Taiwan, not the TAC application date.
6. Nationals of Indonesia holding valid Japan Visa Waiver Registration are eligible for Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate if they have proof that they have entered Japan.
7. You can enter Taiwan using TAC only six times within the calendar year (from January 1 to December 31).
8. If you are Vietnamese you can use a Japan or South Korea visa for the TAC. The rule changed on September 14, 2023, to allow it. You may still see warning messages about this that haven’t been updated yet.

Documents required

The following documents are required for TAC.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of arrival in Taiwan
• Visa or residence permit that you will use as a special requirement

You don’t need to upload any of these documents. You only need these documents to fill out the information in the TAC application. 

Your documents will be inspected at check-in at the airport and immigration at the port of entry. You must carry the following documents when you travel to Taiwan.  

• A printed copy of your approved Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate
• The visa or residence permit that you’re using as the special requirement
• Old or expired passport (if your visa or residence permit is in your old or expired passport)

TAC application fee

The TAC is completely free of charge.

Processing time

TAC applications are processed instantly. You will receive your approval right after submitting the application. You can then click on “Print” and download the PDF file.

IMPORTANT
There have been instances where TAC applications were refused instantly. Even though TAC applications are processed instantly, a quick information check happens in the background. In most instances, the applications were auto-refused based on the passport number. If your passport number is flagged for whatever reason in their database, your TAC will be refused instantly. 

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Travel Authorization Certification Application Process

How to apply for the Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate

The online application for Taiwan TAC takes about 10 minutes to fill out and receive approval. Follow the below steps to apply for TAC. 

Step 1: Navigate to the online TAC application portal. Select your language and click “Next”.

Step 2: Skim through the flowchart and read through the requirements, then click “Next”.

Step 3: Fill out the form.

Step 4: Confirm the information and submit.

Step 5: You will immediately receive the approval of your TAC. Click on the “Print” button and download the PDF file. Print this file and bring it with you when you travel to Taiwan.

How to download approved TAC

The last page in the online application process is the TAC confirmation. You will see a “Print” button. Click on the “Print” button to download your approved TAC.

IMPORTANT
DO NOT CLOSE the confirmation page. If you close this page without printing the TAC, you must go through the application again and fill out a new form.

What to do if your TAC application is refused

There have been instances where TAC applications were refused. Even though TAC applications are processed instantly, I believe a quick information check happens in the background.

In most instances, the applications were auto-refused based on the passport number. If your passport number is flagged for whatever reason in their database, your TAC will be refused instantly. You will be asked to contact the nearest Taiwanese embassy or mission to apply.

If your TAC application is refused, there is no point in trying over and over again. If you use the same passport number, your application will be refused again anyway.

If your TAC is refused, your options are to apply for a regular Taiwan tourist visa from the embassy or Taiwan eVisa if traveling part of a tour group

How to contact TAC customer service

Unfortunately, there is no customer service specifically for the TAC. There is not much information online either if you encounter any issues. The only option is to contact your nearest Taiwanese embassy.

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Entry Procedure at the Border

Taiwan has phased away from filling out physical arrival cards. Before proceeding to an immigration counter, fill out your Taiwan Arrival Card online. 

At immigration, present the following documents.

• Your passport
• Printed Travel Authorization Certificate
• The visa or residence permit you’re using for the special requirement
• Old or expired passport (if your visa/residence permit is in your old or expired passport)

If your documents are in order, you will receive a 14-day entry stamp. 

Personal experience

I was called aside to examine my passport in detail. They used a specific lens to examine my passport bio page. I’m sure this is random but account for additional time as this can happen to anyone.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many times can I apply for a TAC?

There is no limit on how many times you can apply and obtain Taiwan travel authorization certificate.

The TAC is valid for 90 days. You don’t need a new TAC if your previous one is still valid.

Remember that you can enter Taiwan only 6 times within a calendar year using TAC.

I made a mistake in my TAC application. What should I do?

If your TAC is already approved, you cannot change any details. You will have to fill out a new application and print the new TAC. Use this new TAC for your travel to Taiwan. 

I forgot to print my TAC after I applied. How can I access it?

Unfortunately, once you close your TAC confirmation page, there is no way to get back to it. You will have to complete and submit a new application and make sure to download your approved TAC this time.