Foreign Nationals Participating in International Conferences or Exhibitions in Taiwan Now Eligible for eVisas

To facilitate entry into Taiwan for foreign nationals who plan to attend international conferences and exhibitions, the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) has issued the following instructions to help foreigners apply for flexible entry into Taiwan. To qualify, the event must meet the following conditions:

I. An international conference must satisfy all of the following conditions:

 A. Participants should come from three or more countries/regions.

 B. The number of attendees should be 100 or more. In addition, the number of foreign attendees (including Mainland China residents)should comprise 30 foreigners or more.

II. An international exhibition refers to an exhibition at which direct foreign exhibitors will account for 10% or more of the total exhibitors, or are from six or more countries or regions. The count of direct foreign exhibitors does not include agents.

III. An international corporate meeting refers to a corporate meeting that will take place in Taiwan and meets at least one of the following requirements:

 A. The total global assets of the corporation in the year prior to the application was US$1 billion or more. Balance sheet must be provided.

 B. A company that has obtained a Letter of Certification for Business Scope of Headquarters issued by the Industrial Development Bureau, MOEA.

 C. A company that employs 100 employees or more in Taiwan, with relevant proof attached.

 D. The annual operating income in Taiwan is NT$500 million or more; income statement or business tax return for the previous year must be provided.

 E. The annual regional net sales is NT$1 billion or more, with the previous year's operating income statement provided.

IV. A corporate meeting at a Taiwanese company refers to a corporate meeting or training session in Taiwan attended by foreign employees of an overseas Taiwanese company recognized by the MOEA or an overseas office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA), whose application must be accompanied by a letter of recommendation issued by an overseas office of the Republic of China.

In compliance with the MOFA’s eVisa program that began by on January 12, 2016, the Optional Landing Visa is no longer applicable for foreign nationals who attend MICE events in Taiwan; the eVisa is now fully applicable. The eVisa program provides eligible applicants with an Ecode that entitles them to a one-stop service enabling them to fill in an eVisa application form, submit the application, and pay the visa fee with a credit card online. This new process saves time as applicants no longer need to wait in line to apply for a landing visa after arrival. In addition, prior to the launch of the eVisa program, only passengers entering the Republic of China through the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport could apply for a landing visa; now, the ports of entry cover all international airports in Taiwan.

Foreign nationals seeking to apply for an eVisa to participate in international conferences or trade fairs held in Taiwan may contact with the event's organizer in Taiwan. The event's organizer may apply for an Ecode which is required for eVisa online applications by sending an official document with relevant information to the International Trade Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) one month prior to the arrival date. When an application is approved, the event's organizer will get an Ecode and it should be passed to the applicant. The applicant uses the Ecode in eVisa online application. When an eVisa application has been approved, the applicant will receive an email confirmation. The applicant must print out the eVisa and take it and an English recommendation letter from the event’s organizer to enter Taiwan.

For further information, please contact the Taiwan MICE Project Office of the MOEA.

Tel: +886-2-2725-5200 Ext.1123

Fax: +886-2-2720-0075

E-mail: mpo@meettaiwan.com

Address: Rm. 3C-36, No.5, Sec. 5, Xinyi Rd., Xinyi Dist., Taipei City 110, Taiwan