Taiwanportal |
Visitors to the Republic of China (Taiwan) must obtain a visa or authorization in advance, unless they come from one of the visa exempt countries or countries whose nationals are eligible for visa on arrival. All visitors must hold a passport valid for 6 months (except citizens of Japan and the United States who are only required to hold a passport valid for the entire duration of stay). [1]
Taiwan has special entry requirements to current or former nationals of the People's Republic of China (PRC, commonly known as China) who reside or previously resided in Mainland China. Furthermore, nationals of certain countries must follow different requirements for applications of visitor visas.
Taiwan's immigration system separates work rights and rights of abode from visas. Work rights are regulated though Work Permits issued by the Workforce Development Agency, while Resident Certificates issued by the National Immigration Agency control residence rights. Talent Taiwan was created in 2023 to provide a single agency that could provide advice across all such aspects. [2] [3] [4]
Although the ROC has only one type of nationality, not all ROC nationals have the right of abode in Taiwan. Under the Immigration Act, only those with household registration in Taiwan (nationals with household registration, or NWHRs) have the right of abode in Taiwan and can enter Taiwan without prior authorisation. Holding one of the documents listed below is sufficient to demonstrate such status: [5]
ROC nationals without household registration in Taiwan (NWOHRs) are ineligible to receive a National Identification Card and their passport would not contain their National ID number. To enter Taiwan, one must, in addition to a Taiwan passport, hold one of the following documents: [5]
NWOHRs holding documentation listed below can obtain an entry permit on arrival: [5]
Alternatively, they may enter Taiwan with their non-ROC passports without prior authorization if they also have nationalities of a visa-exempt country.
NWOHRs are subject to immigration control while in Taiwan, and can only remain in Taiwan for a limited time authorized by the entry permit or the immigration officer. Those without any of the above-listed documents will be denied entry to Taiwan.
Holders of passports of the following 65 jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for trips shorter than the duration of stay indicated (duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival). [6] Extensions are not possible except for citizens of Canada and the United Kingdom, who may apply to extend the stay from 90 days to 180 days in accordance with the principle of reciprocity. [7]
Taiwan grants visa-free access to holders of passports of all states with which it has full diplomatic relations. [8]
Holders of passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa to visit Taiwan for trips less than 90 days:
|
1 — for British nationals, only British citizens are eligible.
2 — persons born in mainland China are not eligible.
3 — for persons who acquired Marshallese citizenship at birth only.
4 — persons born in Afghanistan, mainland China, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen are not eligible.
Holders of passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa to visit Taiwan for trips less than 30 days:
1 — persons born in Afghanistan, mainland China, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen are not eligible.
Holders of normal passports issued by the following countries do not need a visa to visit Taiwan for trips less than 14 days. They must hold proof of funds and hotel reservation or contact information in Taiwan. Holders of diplomatic and official passports are not eligible and must obtain a visa.
Stateless permanent residents of Brunei holding Bruneian International Certificate of Identity (ICI) with a validity of at least 6 months are also exempt for 14 days. They must also hold proof of funds and hotel reservation or contact information in Taiwan. [6]
Date of visa changes | ||
---|---|---|
|
Nationals of Turkey can obtain a visa on arrival to Taiwan without charge for a stay of up to 30 days. [50]
In addition, holders of emergency or temporary passports with a validity of more than 6 months issued by visa-exempt countries are eligible for visa on arrival for a fee. The duration of stay is 30 days regardless of nationality and cannot be extended. This measure does not apply to holders of emergency or temporary passports issued by Japan or the United States as they are visa exempt. [50]
Visa on arrival is only available at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. For passengers arriving at Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport or Taichung Airport, they would be issued a temporary entry permit and will have to apply for a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) headquarters in Taipei, any of the offices of Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan, or the BOCA office at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Passengers without a visa will not be allowed to depart from Taiwan. [50]
Any passenger arriving at a port of entry other than the one listed above will be denied entry.
Permanent residents of Hong Kong and/or Macau may be eligible for an Exit & Entry Permit upon arrival for NT$300 or may apply for an Entry Permit online at no cost to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days. [51]
The requirements are
First time applicants not born in Hong Kong or Macau are also able to apply for Exit and Entry Permit online from 8 February 2017. Unlike those qualified for the no-fee Entry Permit or Entry and Exit Permit on arrival, the applicants are required to pay a processing fee of NT$600. The processing time is 5 business days. [51] These visitors are required to hold their Hong Kong Permanent Identity Cards or Macau Permanent Resident Identity Cards, as well as their proof of previous visits to Taiwan, when applying for Exit and Entry Permits on arrival or the no-fee Entry Permits for subsequent visits.
Since 1 January 2017, Hong Kong and Macau residents are able to apply for double-entry Entry Permits online, providing that they are entering Taiwan by cruise for at least one portion of their trip. [53]
Chinese nationals with residency (hukou) in mainland China (including those who are non-permanent residents of Hong Kong or Macau and have relinquished their hukou in mainland China) require prior approvals from the Taiwanese government and are required to hold an Exit & Entry Permit Taiwan Republic of China (de facto e-visa) prior to traveling to Taiwan. [54] As of October 2024, citizens of mainland China cannot visit the Taiwan Area for tourism unless they qualify for one of the exemptions:
When departing from mainland China (other than the airports of Chongqing, Nanchang or Kunming), all citizens of mainland China cannot travel to Taiwan on their passports and must hold a Taiwan Travel Permit (往來台灣通行證), colloquially known as Mainland Resident Travel Permit (大通證), issued by the mainland Chinese authorities. The current card-type version of the permit is similar to the design of the Two-way permit while older version is a pink, passport-like travel document. Permits must have the appropriate valid exit endorsements (similar to exit visas) on them for the holder to depart from mainland China. [54] As of October 2024, an endorsement for tourism cannot be obtained other than Chinese residents of Fujian travelling to Kinmen and Matsu. [57] [56] Travelling with the Taiwan Travel Permit is not required nor useful when departing from Hong Kong, Macau or a third country.
Since January 2016, Mainland residents are no longer required to hold a Mainland Resident Travel Permit if they depart from airports in Chongqing, Kunming or Nanchang and are only in transit through Taiwan to a third country. Otherwise, the Mainland Resident Travel Permit with exit endorsement is also required for transit through Taiwan if departing from mainland China, but the Exit and Entry Permit is not required if the passengers do not pass immigration control in Taiwan and only remain airside. [58]
From 28 March 2017, citizens of mainland China are able to apply for the Exit and Entry Permit online if they are residing in a third country. [59]
Since 12 January 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC started to implement the e-Visa Program. Citizens of the following countries can apply for a single-entry e-Visa to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days. The fee for each application is NT$1,632. [60] [61] On 7 October 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC further expanded the list of countries eligible to apply for an e-Visa. [62] [63]
* – also eligible for visa on arrival.
Nationals of the following countries may apply for a single-entry e-Visa for a maximum stay of 30 days if they are travelling with an approved tour group: [65]
Also, all foreign nationals except Chinese nationals who are invited by the Taiwanese government to attend international conferences, sports events, trade fairs or other activities organized, co-organized or sponsored by Taiwanese government agencies or certain NGOs are also eligible for an e-Visa. Such applicants must obtain an e-code from their host organizations in Taiwan prior to applying for an e-Visa. [66]
Nationals of the following countries are eligible for a business e-Visa if they have obtained recommendations from the local Taiwan External Trade Development Council since 1 June 2017. [67]
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the code "TWN" on the back of the card can enter Taiwan visa-free for business trips for up to 90 days. [1] ABTCs are issued to nationals of: [68]
ABTCs are also issued to nationals of China and permanent residents of Hong Kong; however, Chinese nationals residing in mainland China are subject to entry restrictions and cannot use the card to enter Taiwan. Chinese nationals permanently residing in Hong Kong are also ineligible and are required to obtain an Exit and Entry Permit.
Nationals of the following countries can apply for a no-fee Travel Authorization Certificate online for multiple visits to Taiwan, for a duration of no more than 14 days each visit during the certificate's 90-day validity period, if they have never been employed as a guest worker to Taiwan and have met the additional requirements listed below: [69]
They are required to hold a residential or visitor visa (including Visa Waiver Registration Certificates issued by Japan to Indonesian nationals, and e-Visas), or a residential certificate (including permanent residency) issued by the following countries. The visa can be either valid or expired, but it must not have expired for more than 10 years prior to the date of arrival in Taiwan. Holders of work permits as well as visas marked "void", "cancelled" or "cancelled without prejudice" are not eligible. In addition, travelers utilizing the scheme must also hold a return or onward plane or ship ticket and will be required to present it to the immigration officer. [69]
|
1 – excluding holders of entry visas bearing the remark FL (migrant worker), X (others), or P with “Special permission from MOFA” (visa and eVisa for “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries (Project Kuan-Hong)” ever issued), as well as holders of resident cards with “migrant worker” (移工) as the purpose of residence.
2 – requires electronic visa that is still valid by the date of arrival.
3 – requires visa or visa waiver (for Indonesian e-passport holders) together with proof of record of entering Japan or confirmed onward ticket to Japan.
4 – requires visa together with proof of record of entering South Korea.
Frequent visitors to Taiwan from these countries can also receive multiple entry visas with validity of two to five years. [70]
From 1 June 2017, nationals of these countries who have received a Taiwanese visa (other than a work visa) in the last 10 years are eligible for online registration. [67]
As all Filipino nationals were exempt from visa requirements on 1 November 2017, they were no longer able to register for the certificate from that day onwards. All certificates were also no longer valid for entry since 31 October 2017. Passengers entering Taiwan prior to 1 November 2017 were still allowed to stay for up to 30 days, while those entering Taiwan on or after that day can only stay for up to 14 days. [71]
The period of stay for nationals of all countries was shortened from 30 days to 14 days from 1 August 2018. [69]
In 2018, the passing of the "Act for Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals" [72] created the Taiwan Employment Gold Card. In addition to being a visa, the Gold Card contains an open work permit and residence permit allowing a holder to reside and work in Taiwan for up to 3 years. [73] [74] [75] All foreign nationals, including permanent residents from Hong Kong and Macao, are eligible to apply. [76] The card aims to attract experienced professionals in the fields of Science and Technology, Education, Culture and Arts, Sport, Law, Architecture, and others beneficial to Taiwan's economy. Applicants must pass a skill qualification procedure involving the submission of documents to validate their claims. [77] [78]
Also created with the passing of the "Act for Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals" in 2018, was the Employment Seeking Visa. The Employment Seeking Visa allows applicants with work experience having a salary more than double the minimum wage in Taiwan (a salary of more than NT$47,971 in 2020), [79] and those who just graduated from a "Top 500" university to acquire a six-month multi-entry visitor visa. [80] [81]
Taiwan has special entry requirements for nationals of certain countries. Nationals of countries mentioned below may only visit Taiwan when one of the following requirements is met: [82]
In addition, those who are visiting Taiwan on business must be interviewed by a Taiwanese consular officer, and their sponsors in Taiwan must submit a guarantee to the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan. [82]
Countries marked with * may also apply for tourist visas, and they are not required to submit a guarantee from their Taiwanese sponsors when applying for business visas.
The list of the countries is as follows: [82]
In addition, the requirements also apply to holders of Indian Identity Certificates.
As of 2024, nationals of the following 18 countries are eligible to apply for the Taiwanese working holiday visa (named as "Youth Mobility Scheme" for British and Canadian citizens) through Taiwanese diplomatic missions of their countries of nationality, if they are ordinary residents in their country of nationality and are within the age limits. [83]
1 – for British citizens residing in United Kingdom only. [84]
Most visitors arriving to Taiwan on short-term basis were from the following countries of residence:
Country / territory | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
China, Mainland | 2,732,549 | 3,511,734 | 4,184,102 | 3,987,152 | 2,874,702 |
Japan | 1,898,854 | 1,895,702 | 1,627,229 | 1,634,790 | 1,421,550 |
Hong Kong [85] | 1,540,765 | 1,474,521 | 1,389,529 | 1,276,039 | 1,105,223 |
South Korea | 1,054,708 | 884,397 | 658,757 | 527,684 | 351,301 |
United States | 561,365 | 523,888 | 479,452 | 458,691 | 414,060 |
Malaysia | 528,019 | 474,420 | 431,481 | 439,240 | 394,326 |
Singapore | 425,577 | 407,267 | 393,037 | 376,235 | 364,733 |
Vietnam | 383,329 | 196,636 | 146,380 | 137,177 | 118,467 |
Thailand | 292,534 | 195,640 | 124,409 | 104,812 | 104,138 |
Philippines | 290,784 | 172,475 | 139,217 | 136,978 | 99,698 |
Indonesia | 189,631 | 188,720 | 177,743 | 182,704 | 171,299 |
Total | 10,739,601 | 10,690,279 | 10,439,785 | 9,910,204 | 8,016,280 |
Source: Tourism Bureau, Taiwan [86] |
The Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Resident is a travel document issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the People's Republic of China. This card-size biometric document is issued to Chinese citizens with permanent residency in Hong Kong and Macau for traveling to mainland China. The bearers can stay in mainland China indefinitely for any purpose, including working and studying, with no restriction imposed. The validity period for the card is 10 years or 5 years.
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport is a passport issued only to permanent residents of Hong Kong who also hold Chinese citizenship. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, since the handover in 1997, the passport has been issued by the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong under the authorisation of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. As the official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English, the passport is printed bilingually in both Chinese and English. In addition, unlike Chinese passport which can be directly issued by Chinese diplomatic missions abroad, the Immigration Department of Hong Kong is the only issuing authority for HKSAR passports.
The Republic of China (Taiwan) passport is the passport issued to nationals of the Republic of China. The ROC passport is also generally referred to as a Taiwanese passport. In September 2020, approximately 60.87 percent of Taiwanese citizens possessed a valid passport. All passports published in Taiwan since 2008 have been biometric.
The Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of Chinapassport is a passport issued to Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Macau.
The Taiwan Entry Permit (入臺證), formally the Exit & Entry Permit Taiwan Republic of China, is an entry permit issued by the National Immigration Agency in Taiwan for Chinese citizens from mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau to enter and exit the Taiwan Area.
The People's Republic of China passport is a passport issued to citizens of the People's Republic of China for the purpose of international travel, and entitles its bearer to the protection of China's consular officials overseas.
Taiwanese nationality law details the conditions in which a person is a national of the Republic of China, commonly known as Taiwan. The Nationality Act is based on the principle of jus sanguinis, children born to at least one Taiwanese parent are automatically nationals at birth. Foreign nationals with residency in Taiwan may naturalize after continuously living in the country for at least five (5) years. Certain foreign immediate family members of Taiwanese nationals may naturalize after continuously living in the country for at least three (3) years.
The Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident is a travel document issued by the Exit and Entry Administration of the People's Republic of China. This card-size biometric document is issued to Taiwan residents for traveling to mainland China. Since 2017, Taiwan residents with this document can stay in mainland China indefinitely for any purpose, including working and studying, with no restriction imposed.
The visa policy of mainland China deals with the requirements which a foreign citizen must meet to travel to, enter, and remain in the mainland of the People's Republic of China. Several categories of visas are available, depending on the purpose and length of stay. Chinese visas are issued outside China by the Chinese diplomatic missions and in China by the exit and entry administrations (EEAs) of the county-level public security bureaus (PSBs). Visa exemptions exist for citizens of certain countries based on bilateral agreements and unilateral decisions.
The visa policy of Hong Kong deals with the requirements in which a foreign national wishing to enter Hong Kong through one of the 15 immigration control points must meet to obtain an entry permit or Visa, which depending on the traveller's nationality, may be required to travel to, enter, and remain in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Visitors from over 145 countries are permitted without Visa entry for periods ranging from 7 to 180 days, to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for tourism or certain business-related activities. All visitors must hold a passport valid for more than 1 month.
Visa requirements for Chinese citizens are administrative entry restrictions imposed on citizens of China who hold Mainland passport by the authorities of other states.
Visa requirements for French citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of France.
Visa requirements for citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on nationals of the Republic of China (Taiwan) who have also established household registration in Taiwan. The law of Taiwan has various distinctions on its nationals' right of abode to its territory for those with or without household registration in Taiwan (NWHR and NWOHR).
Visa requirements for Australian passport holders are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Australia entering with an Australian passport.
Visa requirements for Singapore citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states which are imposed on citizens of Singapore.
As of 2025, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders have visa-free or visa on arrival access to 171 countries and territories, ranking the passport 18th in the world according to the Henley Passport Index. It is ranked 15th by the Global Passport Power Rank.
The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for people with British National (Overseas) status. BN(O) status was created in 1987 after the enactment of Hong Kong Act 1985, whose holders are permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Overseas Territories citizens until 30 June 1997 and had registered as BN(O)s.
A national without household registration (NWOHR) is a person with Republic of China nationality who does not have household registration in Taiwan. Nationals with this status may be subject to immigration controls when entering the Taiwan Area, do not have automatic residence rights there, cannot vote in Taiwanese elections, and are exempt from conscription. Most individuals with this status are children born overseas to Taiwanese citizens. About 60,000 NWOHRs currently hold Taiwanese passports with this status.
Taiwan–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Taiwan and Turkey. Since 1971, Turkey maintains non-governmental, working-level relations with Taiwan.
An electronic visa (E-Visa) and an electronic travel authorization are digital travel permits commonly required in conjunction with a valid passport for entry into specific jurisdictions. These electronic travel documents have gained prominence in the modern era of digital connectivity and streamlined travel processes.