Foreigners entering Taiwan guidelines, visa applications and regulations.

Last Updated on 12-30-2023

The Covid-19 disease has impacted the whole world in recent years, making it extremely difficult to “leave” or “enter” the country. Fortunately, Taiwan is gradually opening its borders by relaxing the entry restrictions for foreign nationals entering the country. This article will introduce the restrictions for foreigners entering Taiwan, as well as the various add: they can apply for visa kinds, visiting status, and application requirements.

Taiwan will open its borders visitors soon

According to CECC on Sept. 5, Taiwan will restore visa-free treatment for visitors from the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and diplomatic allies effective Sept. 12. But quarantine regulations and on-arrival testing will stay in place.

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Necessary for foreigners to enter the country: Visa (Taiwan’s two types of visa?)

No matter what the status or purpose of your visit to Taiwan, the most important thing is to apply for a ” visa “. For the average foreigner, there are two main types of visas available:

• Visitor visa: A short-term visa is considered a visiting visa if the stay in Taiwan is fewer than 180 days. There are normally stay durations of 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, and different lengths of time.
• Resident visa: Long-term visa valid for at least 180 days in Taiwan.

Visitor/Resident Visa for business purposes

Business trips and negotiation purposes

• Application Status: Open from March 7, 2022
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility: outbound company missions, research visits, and other commercial activities
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all the necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

Employment Purpose

• Application Status: Open from March 7, 2022
• Visa Type: visitor/resident visa
• Eligibility: Work authorized under the Employment Service Law
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

Investment Purposes

• Application Status: Open from March 7, 2022
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: According to “Regulations on the Operation of Foreign Investors or Representatives of Foreign Corporations Applying for Resident Visas,” a minimum investment amount of 200,000.00 USD is required.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

Entrepreneurial Purpose

• Application Status: Open from Sept 12, 2022 to visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, and allies.
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: Applicants should fill the requirements according to “ Examination Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals ”.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

Employment-Seeking Purpose

• Application Status: Effective Sept. 12, reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, certain European countries, and diplomatic allies
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility:
  • Employment experience, with an average monthly salary or remuneration over the past six months that is not lower than the amount ,NT$47,971
  • Graduated within the past year from any of the world’s top universities as listed by the ROC Ministry of Education, and not yet employed
  • Deemed otherwise eligible by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs following consultations with the central competent authority
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Other document

Read more: Business travelers to Taiwan: visa application, quarantine regulations, eligibility, work permit guidelines.

Taiwan Employment Gold Card

Launched in 2018, the Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a 4-in-1 card that includes a resident visa, work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and re-entry permit, which allows you to leave and re-enter Taiwan multiple times over the course of 1-3 years. Applicants can apply online without sponsorship.

4-in-1

• Work Permit: Allows cardholders to seek employment freely, obtain employment at any time, work any part-time job legally, and freely change jobs.
• Resident Visa: Long-term visa which allows cardholders to stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days.
• Alien Resident Certificate: A physical ID card proving that you can live in Taiwan legally.
• Re-entry Permit: Allows unlimited entry and exit from Taiwan (even during COVID-19).

Read more: Complete Guide: Taiwan Employment Gold Card – Eligibility, Cost & Benefits

Visitor/Resident Visa for study purposes

Studying Chinese Purpose

• Application Status: Open (Only for those who have obtained the special entry list from the Ministry of Education of Taiwan)
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility: Enrollment and registration certificates issued by the Chinese Language Education Center of a Ministry of Education-accredited university.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Plan for studying Chinese (original and photocopy)
• Proof of financial support (original and photocopy)
• Other additional documents may be required during processing

Read more: Apply to learn Chinese(Mandarin) in Taiwan with visa application & quarantine guideline

Foreign Exchange Students

• Application Status: Effective Sept. 12, reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, certain European countries, and diplomatic allies
• Visa Type: visitor/resident visa
• Eligibility: Exchange students must have a letter of admission or acceptance issued by the school.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Original and one photocopy of letter of approval issued by university /college or competent authorities of education
• Original and one photocopy of admission permit or record of enrollment and registration
• Original and one photocopy of the overseas school’s record of enrollment
• Other supporting documents

Foreign Students(Full-time PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s program, or senior high school Students)

• Application Status: Effective Sept. 12, reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, certain European countries, and diplomatic allies
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: Students from other countries who are enrolled in doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, or upper secondary school programs.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Original and one photocopy of admission permit /record of enrollment, registration and transcripts
• Original and one photocopy of highest education diploma and transcripts for each year
• Original and one photocopy of proof of financial support
• Other supporting documents

Visitor visa for visiting relatives

• Application Status: Open(From April 12, foreign relatives of nationals and non-nationals (excluding migrant workers) holding valid residence permits in Taiwan can apply for special entry permits.)
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility: Foreign relatives who have proof of kinship.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

Dependent visa

Minors Under Age 20 Joining Parents or Grandparents

• Application Status: Open(From April 12, foreign relatives of nationals and non-nationals (excluding migrant workers) holding valid residence permits in Taiwan can apply for special entry permits.)
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: Minor and parents with/without R.O.C. household registration.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Original and one photocopy of birth certificate
• Other supporting documents

Foreign Spouses of R.O.C.(Taiwan) Citizens Without Household Registration

• Application Status: Open
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: Foreign Spouse
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Original and one photocopy of Certificate of Residence in the R.O.C., Alien Permanent Residence Certificate, Alien Residence Certificate, or various kinds of residence permits issued by the National Immigration Agency
• Original and one photocopy of proof of marriage
• Other supporting documents

Foreign Spouses of R.O.C.(Taiwan) Citizens Having Household Registration

• Application Status: Open
• Visa Type: resident visa
• Eligibility: Foreign Spouse
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Original and one photocopy of proof of no criminal record issued by competent authorities of the applicant’s country
• Original and one photocopy of marriage registration issued by competent authorities of the applicant’s country.
• Original R.O.C. (Taiwan) Household Registration certificate issued within 3 months
• Other supporting documents

Visitor visa for visiting purpose

Tourism Purpose

• Application Status: Effective Sept. 12, reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, certain European countries, and diplomatic allies
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility: Anyone who wants to visit Taiwan can apply.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Travel Itinerary
• Other additional documents may be required during processing

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Social Visit Purpose

• Application Status: Effective Sept. 12, reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, certain European countries, and diplomatic allies
• Visa Type: visitor visa
• Eligibility: Those who are invited to visit Taiwan for social visitor purposes.
• How to apply: Apply to your local TECO embassy with all necessary documents and expenses.

Documents and requirements

• Schedule
• Other additional documents may be required during processing

eVisa

What is an evisa?

An eVisa is an official document issued electronically by ROC overseas missions that allows foreign nationals to enter and travel in Taiwan. Applicants will receive an eVisa after filling in the necessary personal information, paying by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) and checking their identity. When an eVisa application has been approved, the visa issuance system of the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) of the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs will automatically send a notice to the applicant’s designated email account containing a webpage link to download and print the eVisa.

Apply for an eVisa

Who is eligible for an eVisa?

Nationals of the following countries are eligible for an eVisa when they meet relevant criteria: Belize, Brunei, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Kiribati, Macedonia, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, Swaziland, Turkey, and Tuvalu.

Invited visitors to Taiwan to participate in international conferences, sports events, trade shows or other activities organized, co-organized or sponsored by central government agencies or non-governmental organizations can also apply for an eVisa (regardless of country).

Documents required for eVisa application

eVisa applicants must possess an aforementioned passport with validity of at least six months as of the date of intended entry into Taiwan. In accordance with instructions from BOCA, ROC overseas missions may, depending on the applicant’s nationality or purpose of visit, request through email that the applicant submit additional documents within a specific timeframe. If these documents are not submitted by the given deadline, the application may be denied.

Validity of eVisa

The validity period of the electronic visa is three months from the date of issuance, and the maximum stay in Taiwan is 30 days for a single entry without extension.

Advantages of eVisa

evisa can help you save time by applying, paying and collecting your documents through the Internet. There is no need to travel to an ROC overseas mission.

If you have more questions about eVisas, you can find the answers to your questions in the eVisa FAQ.

Because of Taiwan’s COVID-19 policy, the various visa application procedures and restrictions are subject to change, and we will keep you informed with the most recent information.