Entry Visa Information

Foreign nationals may obtain tourist visas if they hold foreign passports or travel documents valid for more than six months in the Republic of China (Taiwan) for the following purposes: sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatment, or other legitimate activities. Visa requirements include: 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 issuance.

When processing visa applications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ROC overseas missions shall take into consideration the national interest, the individual status of applicants, and the relations between the resident countries of the applicants and the ROC.

  1. I. Introduction of Visa
    1. 1 Types of visas issued in foreign passports:
      • Diplomatic visa
      • Courtesy visa
      • Visitor visa
      • Resident visa
      1. 1.1 Diplomatic visas may be issued to the following foreign passport holders in possession of diplomatic passports or laissez-passer:
        1. A. Heads of state and deputy heads of state, prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, and ministers of foreign affairs and their dependents.
        2. B. Personnel dispatched to the ROC by foreign governments and their dependants and entourage.
        3. C. Officials dispatched to the ROC by foreign governments on short-term missions and their dependants.
        4. D. Senior foreign officials such as administrative heads or deputy heads of international intergovernmental organizations dispatched to the ROC and their dependants.
        5. E. Diplomatic messengers sent by foreign governments.
      2. 1.2 Courtesy visas may be issued to the following foreign passport holders:
        1. A. Former heads of state and deputy heads of state, prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and their dependents.
        2. B. Personnel dispatched by foreign governments to the ROC on official duties and their dependants and entourage.
        3. C. Foreign employees other than the senior employees referred to in Paragraph 4 of Article 8 who come to the ROC for public duties and their dependants.
        4. D. Foreign employees of international intergovernmental international organizations invited by the ROC government and their dependants.
        5. E. Foreign passport holders who visit the ROC at the invitation of the ROC government or who have made great contributions to the ROC and their dependants.
      3. 1.3 Visitor visa: stay in Taiwan for less than 180 days a year. (Visitor Visa For Attending Conference / Exhibition)
      4. 1.4 Resident visa：stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days a year. (Information on Republic of China Resident Visas)
    2. 2. Visa is valid (VALID UNTIL visas or ENTER BEFORE column)：

      The Statute shall enter into effect on the date of its promulgation. For example, VALID UNTIL APRIL 8, 1999 means the visa expires and shall not continue to use it after April 8, 1999.

    3. 3. DURATION OF STAY：

      Visa holder means the user of the visa can stay in Taiwan from the entry of the following day (next day) 0:00 start. Normally, the duration of the visa is 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days, based on specific needs and will be stated. However, a foreign-passport holder who enters the ROC by visa-exemption, or who obtains a visa upon arrival, shall leave the ROC upon or before the expiration of permitted legal period of stay. But, in the following circumstances, the person may submit supporting documents and apply to the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its subordinate agencies for a visitor visa before the expiration of permitted legal period of stay:

      1. A. The person is afflicted with an acute, severe disease, excluding infectious, mental or other diseases that may pose a threat to public health or social order;
      2. B. Natural disasters or forces
      3. C. Other justifiable causes.
    4. 4.VISA NUMBER：

      Visitors should complete visa number on E / D card when entering Taiwan.

    5. 5. Note：

      The Visa holder should be permitted to engage in activities consistent with purpose.

  2. II. Visa-Exempt Entry：

    A foreign passport holder shall enter the ROC with a valid visa. Notwithstanding this visa requirement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant visa-exempt entries or landing visas to citizens of specific countries, or in special circumstances.

    The eligibilities, requirements, and other related items regarding application for the aforementioned visa-exempt entries and landing visas shall be established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after consultation with other related agencies.

  3. III.The Place to apply Visa：Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign affairs, Republic of China (Taiwan)
    1. Address: 3~5 Fl., 2-2 Chi-Nan Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei , Taiwan, ROC
    2. Phone: (02) 2343-2888
    3. Fax: (02) 2343-2968
    4. Help Line: (03) 393-2628、(03) 398-2629、(03) 398-5805
    5. Service Hour: Monday ~ Friday 08:30~17:00
    6. E-mail: post@boca.gov.tw

Visitor Visa For Attending Conference / Exhibition

Requirements
  1. 1.Completed&signed application form:
    Downloaded from BOCA website or provided at the counter
  2. 2.Two passport-size photos in color within 6 months:
    Photo with a plain color (white color recommended) background
  3. 3.Passport (original & photocopy):
    Valid for 6 months with blank pages
  4. 4.Evidence of documents:
    Invitation Letter or proof of exhibition & applicant's ID
  5. 5.Other additional documents may be required during processing:
    Ticket、electronic ticket or proof of a travel agency
Procedures
  • Applicants can lodge their applications with the necessary documents and statutory fee at our overseas missions.
  • Interview may be required when necessary.
Notices
  • Visas are issued as stipulated by Article 12 of the Statute Governing Issuance of ROC Visas for Foreign Passports. As a sovereign nation, the ROC has the right to refuse applications for visas without providing any explanation for such decisions; visa application fee is not refundable.
  • Fee for single entry: USD50(NTD1,600)；Fee for multiple entry: USD100(NTD3,200)；Reciprocal processing fee: USD131 (NTD4,454)，currently only for American passport holders.

Information on Republic of China Resident Visas

Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other legal travel documents, who intend to stay in the Republic of China for more than six months for the purpose of joining family, pursuing studies, accepting employment, making investments, doing missionary work, or engaging in other permissible activities.
Requirements
  • A passport valid for at least six months; Aduly completed application form with two 2x2 inch color photos taken within from the last six months.
  • Supporting documents or official letters of approval from a competent authority of the ROC; and Other relevant documents.
  • Health Certificate if applicable
Visa Validity A Resident Visa is valid for three months.
Duration of stay Resident Visa holders are required to apply for the Alien Resident Certificate and Re-entry Permit at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days starting from the next day of their arrival. They may stay in the ROC as long as the Alien Resident Certificate remains valid.
Fee Remarks
  • NT$ 2,200(US$ 66)for single entry; NT$4,400(US$132 )for multiple entry.
  • The Visa application fee is NT$4,454(US$131) for US citizens.
  • An additional handling charge of NT＄800 shall apply to applications made in the ROC by visitor visa holders applying for change or replacement of visitor visa or resident visa.
  • For foreign nationals from the countries with which the ROC has entered into reciprocal agreements, the Resident Visa is issued gratis.
REMARK
  1. If foreign nationals who have entered the ROC with Visitor Visas are subsequently legally employed in the ROC, they may make the necessary change from their Visitor Visa into a Resident Visa in this country directly.
  2. The above regulations do not apply to blue collar workers or those who enter the ROC via the visa exemption program or landing visa.

Visa-Exempt Entry

Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry:
  • Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, *Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands , New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. and U.S.A.
  • Passport holders of India, Thailand, Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, who also possess a valid visa or permanent residence certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K. Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand.
  • Travelers meeting the above qualifications and having never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar workers, have to first register information concerning their documents and personal data into the “Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan”.
  • Upon completion, the printed confirmation is used to validate the traveler during the boarding and the immigration check. During the immigration check, travelers who can not show a valid visa or permanent resident visa issued by one of the aforementioned developed countries will not be admitted into the country.
Requirements:
  1. 1.a passport with validity of at least six months upon entry .
    • visa-exempt entry only applicable to formal passports, not including emergency, temporary, other informal passports or travel documents.
    • Japanese Citizen is entitled to validity of passport at least three months, under same other requirements) (unless otherwise stipulated by treaty or agreement)
  2. 2.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.
  3. 3.no criminal record or not listed by the local authorities.
Duration of stay:
  • 30 days ,The 30 days' duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Travelers must depart by the end of the said 30 days. Visa-exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visas.
  • Japanese, U.K. passport holders can stay 90 days.
  • U.K. passport holders please go to "Notice for British Passport Holders Who Entered Taiwan Visa-Free and Are Applying for an Extension of Stay".

Landing Visas

Countries eligible for Landing Visas
  • Holders of emergency or temporary passports with validity more than six months for nationals of those countries eligible for visa-exempt entry.
  • Holders of USA passport with validity less than six months.
Requirements:
  1. 1. 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.
  2. 2. fill out an application form with one photo.
  3. 3. 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.
  4. 4. no criminal record or not listed by the local authorities.
Duration of stay: 30 days which starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Landing visa cannot be converted to other types of visas.
Method of Lodgement:
  • 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 Kaohsiung International Airport shall apply for a "temporary entry permit" at Kaohsiung Airport 2nd Brigade, Border Affairs Corps of National Immigration Agency for temporary permits. These passengers must change the permit to a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or Southern 3 Taiwan Office of MOFA within three days, or will be subjected to administrative penalty for overstaying.
Remarks:
  • Holders of USA passport with validity less than six months
  • Passengers shall apply for a visa at ROC Overseas Missions and be charged a special handling fee of equal amount US$131(NT$4,454).
  • Passengers who apply for visas upon arrival at the ports of entry in the ROC shall be charged a special handling fee of equal amount US$131(NT$4,454)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.