Taiwan

1. Passport Requirements

• Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Taiwan.
• It should have at least one blank page for entry stamps.
• Machine-readable passports are required for visa-exempt entry.
• Passport must not be damaged or expired – immigration officers can refuse entry.

2. Visa or Visa Exemption – What You Need Depends on Your Nationality

Taiwan offers visa exemption for short-term stays to citizens of 170 countries and regions (one of the most generous visa policies in Asia).

• Visa-exempt nationalities (170 countries/regions as of 2026 – full list): Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kiribati, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau SAR, Malaysia, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mexico, Monaco, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Vietnam.
  
  → No visa required for tourism, business meetings, social visits, transit.
  → Allowed stay: usually 90 days (some countries 30 or 14 days – check official list).
  → Extensions: rarely granted for tourism; possible in exceptional cases (apply at National Immigration Agency before expiry).
  → No pre-arrival authorization required except for the mandatory Online Arrival Card.


• Countries requiring a visa in advance (countries not eligible for visa exemption – full list as of 2026): Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China (People’s Republic – ordinary passports), Colombia, Comoros, Congo (Democratic Republic), Congo (Republic), Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea (North), Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
  
  → Apply for a visitor visa at a Taiwan embassy/representative office or via e-Visa (if available for your nationality).
  → Processing time: usually 5–15 working days.
  → Required documents: passport, photos, proof of funds, onward ticket, accommodation details, invitation letter (if applicable).


• Special cases / separate arrangements
  → Hong Kong SAR & Macau SAR residents: visa-free 30 days (with valid HKSAR/Macau SAR passport).
  → Mainland China residents: require special entry permit (not covered here – apply via relevant channels in PRC).
  → Overseas Chinese (with ROC passport or Taiwan compatriot certificate): special rules apply.

Quick check: Official visa exemption list → Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)

3. Length of Stay

• Most visa-exempt visitors: up to 90 days (granted on arrival as “Visitor Status”).
• Some nationalities: 14–30 days (check your country on official site).
• Extensions: rarely granted for pure tourism; possible for medical/family reasons (apply at National Immigration Agency).
• You cannot work or study long-term without separate visas/permits (e.g. Employment Gold Card, Resident Visa).
• Frequent visa runs (leave and re-enter) may lead to refusal after several times.

4. Other Important Requirements

• Proof of onward/return ticket — very frequently checked at check-in or immigration.
• Proof of sufficient funds and accommodation — may be requested (often strict for certain nationalities).
• No COVID-19 vaccination, testing, or quarantine required (rules fully removed since 2022–2023).
• Customs: Declare cash over NTD 100,000 (~USD 3,200) or equivalent foreign currency over USD 10,000, restricted items (drones, certain medicines, food, plants, weapons, etc.). Fill out customs declaration on arrival.
• Fingerprinting & photo: taken on arrival for most non-Taiwanese nationals.

5. Practical Tips for a Smooth Trip

• Submit the Taiwan Online Arrival Card at least 3 days before travel via twac.immigration.gov.tw – mandatory for most visitors.
• Check your exact allowed stay based on nationality – rules vary slightly.
• Verify latest rules directly on official sites (rules can change):
  → Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA): www.boca.gov.tw
  → National Immigration Agency: www.immigration.gov.tw
  → Taiwan Tourism: eng.taiwan.net.tw
• Admission is at the discretion of immigration officers – answer questions honestly and have documents ready.
• Avoid overstaying – fines start at NTD 2,000/day + possible detention/deportation/ban.

Safe travels to Taiwan — whether you're heading to Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taroko Gorge, Sun Moon Lake, Jiufen or Kenting!