Do I need a visa for TAIWAN?
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).
Taiwan has special entry requirements to current or former nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) who reside or previously resided in Mainland China. Taiwan’s immigration system separates work rights and rights of abode from visas. Work rights are regulated through Work Permits issued by the Workforce Development Agency, while Resident Certificates issued by the National Immigration Agency control residence rights.
TWAC (Taiwan Arrival Card)
Before entering Taiwan, all travellers are required to submit a TWAC online, which provides personal information, trip details and health declaration to Taiwan immigration. The TWAC must be submitted within three days before the date of arrival. It is free of charge and is not a visa.
Right of Abode
Under the Immigration Act, only those with household registration in Taiwan (nationals with household registration, or NWHRs) have the right of abode and can enter Taiwan without prior authorisation. Acceptable documents include a Taiwan passport with National Identification Card number on the biodata page, or a valid National Identification Card, household registration certificate, or household registration certificate transcript accompanied by a valid Taiwan passport.
2. Visa Exemption
Holders of passports of the following 63 jurisdictions do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for trips shorter than the duration of stay indicated. 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.
90 Days Visa-Free
| Countries with 90-Day Visa-Free Access | ||
| All EU Member States | Albania | Andorra |
| Australia | Canada | Chile |
| Eswatini | Guatemala | Honduras |
| Iceland | Israel | Japan |
| Kosovo | Liechtenstein | Marshall Islands |
| Monaco | New Zealand | North Macedonia |
| Norway | Palau | Paraguay |
| San Marino | South Korea | Switzerland |
| Tuvalu | United Kingdom | United States |
| Vatican City | ||
30 Days Visa-Free
| Countries with 30-Day Visa-Free Access | ||
| Belize | Dominican Republic | Malaysia |
| Nauru | Saint Kitts and Nevis | Saint Lucia |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Singapore | |
14 Days Visa-Free
Holders of normal passports from the following countries do not need a visa 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.
| Countries with 14-Day Visa-Free Access | ||
| Brunei | Philippines | Thailand |
3. Visa on Arrival
Nationals of Turkey can obtain a visa on arrival to Taiwan without charge for a stay of up to 30 days. Holders of emergency or temporary passports with a validity of more than 6 months issued by visa-exempt countries are also eligible for visa on arrival for a fee. The duration of stay is 30 days regardless of nationality and cannot be extended.
Visa on arrival is only available at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Passengers arriving at Taipei Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, or Taichung Airport will be issued a temporary entry permit and will have to apply for a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) headquarters in Taipei.
4. e-Visa Program
Since 12 January 2016, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of ROC started 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.
| Countries Eligible for e-Visa | ||
| Bahrain | Bosnia and Herzegovina | Colombia |
| Dominica | Ecuador | Kuwait |
| Mauritius | Montenegro | Oman |
| Panama | Peru | Qatar |
| Saudi Arabia | Turkey | United Arab Emirates |
e-Visa for Tour Groups
Nationals of the following countries may apply for a single-entry e-Visa for a maximum stay of 30 days if travelling with an approved tour group:
| Tour Group e-Visa Countries | ||
| Cambodia | India | Indonesia |
| Laos | Myanmar | Vietnam |
Business e-Visa
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:
| Business e-Visa Countries | ||
| Bangladesh | Bhutan | India |
| Iran | Nepal | Pakistan |
| Sri Lanka | ||
5. APEC Business Travel Card
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:
| ABTC Eligible Countries | ||
| Australia | Brunei | Chile |
| Indonesia | Japan | South Korea |
| Malaysia | Mexico | New Zealand |
| Papua New Guinea | Peru | Philippines |
| Russia | Singapore | Thailand |
| Vietnam | ||
6. Online Travel Authorization Certificate
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:
| Travel Authorization Countries | ||
| Cambodia | India | Indonesia |
| Laos | Myanmar | Vietnam |
Applicants 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 EU Schengen Area, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, or the United States. The visa can be valid or expired but must not have expired for more than 10 years.
7. Hong Kong and Macau Residents
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.
Requirements include: being born in Hong Kong or Macau, or having entered Taiwan at least once as a permanent resident. They must hold a valid Hong Kong SAR passport, British National (Overseas) passport, or Macao SAR passport with remaining validity of no less than 3 months at the time of arrival. They must not hold passports issued by other nations or have additional nationalities (with some exceptions).
8. Mainland Chinese Travellers
Chinese nationals with residency (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. As of October 2024, citizens of mainland China cannot visit Taiwan for tourism unless they qualify for certain exemptions.
Citizens of mainland China departing from mainland China cannot travel to Taiwan on their passports and must hold a Taiwan Travel Permit, issued by the mainland Chinese authorities. 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.
9. Taiwan Employment Gold Card
The Taiwan Employment Gold Card, created in 2018, contains an open work permit and residence permit allowing a holder to reside and work in Taiwan for up to 3 years. All foreign nationals, including permanent residents from Hong Kong and Macao, are eligible to apply. The card targets experienced professionals in Science and Technology, Education, Culture and Arts, Sport, Law, Architecture, and other fields beneficial to Taiwan’s economy.
10. Employment Seeking Visa
Also created in 2018, the Employment Seeking Visa allows applicants with work experience having a salary more than double the minimum wage in Taiwan, and those who just graduated from a “Top 500” university, to acquire a six-month multi-entry visitor visa.
11. Working Holiday Visa
As of 2024, nationals of the following 18 countries are eligible to apply for the Taiwanese working holiday visa through Taiwanese diplomatic missions:
| Working Holiday Visa Countries | ||
| Australia | Austria | Belgium |
| Canada | Czech Republic | France |
| Germany | Hungary | Ireland |
| Israel | Japan | Luxembourg |
| Netherlands | New Zealand | Poland |
| Slovakia | South Korea | United Kingdom |
12. Special Visa Requirements for Certain Countries
Taiwan has special entry requirements for nationals of certain countries. Nationals of countries listed below may only visit Taiwan when specific requirements are met, such as being invited by Taiwanese government agencies, participating in international meetings, having dependents with legal residence status in Taiwan, conducting economic or commercial businesses, serving as crew members, or receiving medical treatment.
| Countries with Special Requirements | ||
| Afghanistan | Algeria | Bangladesh |
| Bhutan | Cameroon | Gambia |
| Ghana | Iraq | Nepal |
| Niger | Nigeria | Pakistan |
| Senegal | Somalia | Sri Lanka |
| Syria | ||
Disclaimer: This document is for informational purposes only. Visa policies are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) or the nearest Taiwanese diplomatic mission before travelling.
