Some consider Taiwan as an underappreciated destination, but it is a real marvel for most types of travelers. Even though it is a small patch of land in the sea, the diversity of things to do and see it is great. The warm hospitality of local people is unprecedented, and so is the breathtaking beauty of mountains, sea, and the hot springs, too. Both - nature, as well as the buzz of the ever-wake city are some of the reasons as many as 10 million visitors go to Taiwan each year. So, you are about to become one of the lucky ones to travel to this island and are looking into the requirements for Taiwan visa? I am happy to see you here because that is exactly what we will cover today. I will explain the differences among several Taiwan visa types, reveal the key factors to keep in mind before starting a Taiwan visa application, and through it all, you will also get some bits of information on the country itself. Some might consider Taiwan a rather controversial topic - is it an island that belongs to China or a separate country? Is it a separate Taiwan visa policy if you would want to go there? Well, in this article, I will not delve into too much detail about the judicial statuses and history among these two - the story is worth at least another blog post, if not several ones. However, there is one thing I can confirm. These countries are considered separate entities, and so are their immigration policies. To be honest, no wonder it is easy to get confused when researching the information on either one. You see, Taiwan is officially called the Republic of China (ROC), but the country on the mainland is called the People's Republic of China (PRC). However, now that you know the distinction let’s get back to the easier names. Let’s talk more about the Taiwan visa policy!
What are Taiwan visa types?
Types of visasfor entry in Taiwan differ on several points. First, the duration of your stay. Then the purpose of your trip. And finally, the way you would like to obtain the visa. Let’s start with the aspect of time. Your visa will allow the stay for up to 14, 30, 60, or 90 days. A transit visa will allow a maximum of 14 days. It is quite important to note the allowed length of your travel in Taiwan, especially if you are exempt from visa obtaining because different rules apply to different nationals. In case you miss your deadline to leave the country, you will be subject to financial penalties starting from 60 USD per day missed. After that, consider what is the reason why you would like to visit Taiwan. Choose an ordinary visa if you travel for one of the purposes that doesn’t need a permit - engaging in tourism, visiting friends or relatives, attending social events, conducting business, attending exhibitions, and engaging in fact-finding missions or international exchanges within the timeframe allowed per each stay. Take into account that even though it is technically a similar type of visa, Taiwan business visa requirements and Taiwan student visa requirements will be slightly different than the ones of Taiwan tourist visa. More on that in a moment. If you intend to perform any type of employment, then definitely obtain a work visa. Also, keep in mind that if you are exempt from the visa and decide to change the reason for your stay at any point, you should arrange all the necessary permissions well ahead to make sure you are not performing any illegal activities in a foreign country.
How to get Taiwan visa?
...and this is the third point that you should consider. Considering how to get Taiwan visa might be easy or not so easy, depending on the country you come from. For the sake of ease, let’s start with some good news. It is quite likely you don’t even need to read further and worry about the requirements to obtain a visa. There is a list of 66 Taiwan visa free countries! Each of them falls into a category that permits their nationals to roam the grounds visa-free for 90, 30, 21, or 14 days. Check the list on this Pickvisa country profile page to see if this applies to your case. If you don’t belong to this list of Taiwan visa free countries, you can make a Taiwan visa application happen in several ways. For nationals of Macao, it is possible to get a visa on arrival. The second possibility is an eVisa that is available to the holders of passports of Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Kiribati, Kuwait, Mauritius, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Turkey, or United Arab Emirates. Everyone else should go the standard route and make a Taiwan visa application in the closest embassy. Alternatively, you can make your life easier and choose a certified professional intermediary like Pickvisa to arrange the formalities for you.
What documents are required for a successful Taiwan visa application?
To be honest, the Taiwan visa policy can be slightly confusing as it gives lots of different options depending on your nationality as well as your trip itself. To give an impression, I will describe some of the most popular options, but to find out more precise details, please consult either this page or the embassy you intend to apply to. There are some common requirements everyone will need to fulfill. To apply, you will need to fill out an application form, own and present a passport that is valid for a minimum of six months beyond the date of your departure from Taiwan, hand in a representable photo, travel itinerary (in case of eVisa to be presented upon arrival), and proof of sufficient financial means (not applicable to eVisa). Then you need to provide documents that support the reason for your trip. For example, Taiwan student visa requirements state that you should be enrolled in a full-time PhD, Master’s, Bachelor’s program, or senior high school. To prove this, you will need to show transcripts or other documents from your educational institution, as well as a health certificate issued by one of the local hospitals. If you are curious about Taiwan business visa requirements, then besides the standard ones, you will need to present either the original invitation letter by the company/organization or evidence of business activities. Similarly, the conditions slightly differ to correspond to each travel purpose. Check the latest requirements with the institution you are applying to! Last but not least - the basic Taiwan work visa requirements will be quite similar, too. To obtain it, you will need an additional work permit issued by competent authorities of the central government of the R.O.C.(Taiwan), but nationals of Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Vietnam should apply for Foreign Labor Visa Application through this link. If you plan on seeking employment, the list of Taiwan work visa requirements will be slightly longer as you will need to prove your educational background OR previous employment with a decent average income, proof of sufficient financial means above 3 500 USD, and other supporting documents. It will require a little of work to collect those formalities, but surely it is nothing undoable, right?
How high is the Taiwan visa fee?
Taiwan visa feediffers depending on the type of visa you would want to obtain, as well as the country you are applying in. Nevertheless, the standard fee for a single-entry visitor visa is about 50 USD, but for a multiple-entry visitor visa about 100 USD. The prices might go up if you want to get the documents processed speedily.
How long is the Taiwan visa application process?
After submitting a Taiwan visa application, you can expect to receive a valid visa in 2-10 working days (3-7 days for an e-Visa), depending on the country where you reside, as well as the type of visa you applied to. Just keep in mind - unless you are exempt from a visa to enter this country or are eligible to receive it on arrival, please don’t leave it to the last moment. The process might take some longer for any reason, and you might have to change your plans if it happens. As you have noticed, tourism in Taiwan is surely not a foreign concept. May it be for purely leisure or other reasons - people from all over the world are curious and willing to experience their warm hearts, as well as the vibrant culture. Let’s not even start talking about the stunning beauty and variety of nature over there. Either way - if you plan on arranging a Taiwan tourist visa or traveling for any of the other reasons, you are in for a genuine treat. Have an amazing journey! * Please take into consideration that during the Covid-19 outbreak, Taiwan denies entry or transit in the country for most travelers. The above-mentioned information refers to the standard procedures and may currently be different due to health concerns. Please check with your embassy or the official information online to see if you are eligible to enter the country before researching particular requirements for Taiwan visa.
