How to Get a Taiwan Visa

           A few weeks ago, I attended Freshmen orientation at university. During that event, many fellow students had questions about visas, and shared their first experiences here in Taiwan. I recalled my own memories from two years ago, when I was planning to attend university in Taiwan. At that time, I had very little knowledge about what I had to do, and there was literally no one who could give me a hand with all of the complicated procedures (especially in Vietnamese). I had to do everything on my own. The idea came to my mind that I could be the one to give others a hand, just as I hoped someone would do for me back then. Therefore, it is my pleasure to provide some information I believe everybody will will find useful before getting ready to embark on your Taiwan trip: how to get a Taiwan visa! Without further ado, let’s dive into more details.

1. Who Needs a Visa for Taiwan?

Taiwan has signed visa-waiver agreements with several countries, allowing nationals of those countries visa-free entrance to Taiwan for short trips (i.e. up to 90 days). This means that nationals of all EU and EFTA member states, the US, Australia, Japan, and many other countries do not have to apply for a Visitor Visa before traveling to Taiwan.

Even so, visa-exemptions may not apply if you were born in mainland China (PRC), Hong Kong or Macau.

• Taiwan Visa for US citizens:

If you are a US citizen and you intend to stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 90 days for the purpose of tourism, transit, social visits or business, you do not need to apply for a Taiwan visa. Instead, you can travel with your passport, which must be valid for the duration of your stay. Your passport must also have at least one blank page for the entry and exit stamps.

On the other hand, if you intend to travel to Taiwan for working, studying or another purpose that is longer than 90 days, you must apply for a Taiwan Resident Visa at a Taiwanese Diplomatic Mission in the US.

2. Taiwan Visa Types

There are two main types of visa for Taiwan:

• Taiwan Visitor Visa (for short stays)

• Taiwan Resident Visa (for long stays)

1. Taiwan Visitor Visa: is for short-term stays of up to 90 days. It is issued for tourism, social visit, business, attending conferences and events, and other approved purposes that do not require taking up paid employment or obtaining an additional permit. It can also be issued for single/multiple-entries and for a duration of 3 to 5 years.
   
   

2. Taiwan Resident Visa: is for foreigners who wish to live in Taiwan for longer than 90 days for a specific purpose, such as working or studying. Taiwan Resident Visas are divided into:

• Taiwan Work Visa: issued to foreigners who want to take up paid employment in a Taiwanese company. In addition to the work visa, they will also need a work permit.

• Taiwan Student Visa: for foreigners who wish to pursue their studies in a Taiwanese educational institution. Before applying, they must already be accepted in a school/university in Taiwan.

• Taiwan Family Reunification Visa: for foreign nationals who want to join a family member (spouse, parent, or child) who is a Taiwanese resident.

• Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa: issued to foreign nationals who want to set up a business in Taiwan. It is the Taiwanese government’s effort to attract foreign entrepreneurs to engage in Taiwan’s economy.

• Taiwan Working Holidays Visa: which is issued to young people (students or recent graduates) aged 18 to 30 from countries which have a Working Holiday Scheme established with Taiwan. It allows youngsters to work in Taiwan for up to 1 year.
  
  

After you arrive in Taiwan with a Resident visa, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and a Re-entry Permit at a local office of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) within 15 days.

Moreover, an eVisa for Taiwan is available, but only to nationals of the following countries: Bahrain, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Dominica, Ecuador, Kiribati, Kuwait, Mauritius, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.

Additionally, nationals of the following countries are also eligible for the Taiwan eVisa if they will be traveling with a tourist group under “Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries”: Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam.

However, please keep in mind that Taiwan eVisa is only for short-term stays (tourism, business, visits, etc) and only for up to 90 days. You cannot apply to extend it or convert it into a long-stay visa. If your application is approved, you have to print the eVisa and present it at the immigration checkpoint once you arrive in Taiwan.

3. Taiwan Visa Requirements

When you apply for a Taiwan visa, you must submit several supporting documents, such as:

• Your passport or other travel documents, which is valid for at least another six months from the date of entry.

• The printed Taiwan Visa Application Form

• Two passport-sized pictures

• A return/onward flight or ferry ticket, which proves you intend to leave after your stay in Taiwan is over.

• Proof of sufficient funds to cover the duration of your stay

• Proof of payment of the Taiwan visa fee
  
  

• Any additional documents based on the purpose of your visit, such as:

• A letter from your current employer, if traveling for business

• Invitation letter from your relatives in Taiwan along with proof of relationship, if travelling for a social visit.

4. How to Obtain a Taiwan Visa

You must apply for a Taiwan visa in person as a Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your region. If there is no Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your country, you should submit your documents to the nearest one. However, before you submit the application in person, you must fill in a Taiwan visa application form online. The application process for a Taiwan visa is as follows:

• Complete the Online Taiwan Visa Application Form

• Print it

• Collect the required documents

• Submit them at the Taiwanese diplomatic mission in person

• They may also request an interview if they consider it necessary

• Pay the Taiwan visa fee

• Wait for the visa to be processed

• Once processed, pick up your passport as instructed. You may request for the passport to be sent to you via post, in which case you must include a self-addressed envelope.

5. Taiwan Visa Fees

The Taiwan visa fees change depending on the type of visa you apply for as well as where you are applying from. As such, the Taiwan visa fees are:

• If applying at a Taiwan Diplomatic Mission Overseas:

• Single-Entry Visitor Visa: US$50

• Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa: US$100

• Single-Entry Resident Visa: US$66

• Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: US$132

• If applying in Taiwan:

• Single-Entry Visitor Visa: NT$1,600

• Multiple-Entry Visitor Visa: NT$3,200

• Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,200

• Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,400

• Special handling fees shall apply as follows:

• An additional charge of NT$800 or US$24 shall apply to visa applications made on arrival at ports of entry in Taiwan.

• An additional 50% surcharge on rates as stipulated according to the different visa types in Article 3 shall apply to rush handling. However, if the request for rush handling is made in response to an emergency or to fulfill official duties, the applicant may be exempted from the additional charge.

• An additional charge of NT$800 or US$24 shall apply to applications made in Taiwan by holders of a visitor visa who wish to reapply for a different type of visitor visa or a resident visa.

• Visa applications made by passport-holders from countries that charge a special handling fee to holders of a Taiwan passport shall be charged the equivalent additional amount for each visa application.

6. How Long Does It Take to Process a Taiwan Visa?

The processing time for a Taiwan visa depends on the country from which you’re applying, but it usually does not take long, varying from 2-10 working days from the time they receive your completed application. You should inquire with the Taiwan diplomatic mission through which you are applying to make sure. Resident visas, on the other hand, may take longer.

7. What is the Duration of a Taiwan Visa?

A Taiwan Tourist only allows the holder to stay in Taiwan for a maximum of 90 days from the day of arrival. Some countries, however, have a shorter allowed time of stay in Taiwan (14, 30, or 60). The visa for Taiwan is valid for:

• Up to 3 months, if you have a single-entry Taiwan visa

• Up to 5 years, if you have a multiple-entry Taiwan visa

A Taiwan Resident Visa is also only valid for a single-entry and for only up to 3 months. However, once you enter Taiwan on a Resident Visa, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and the Re-entry Permit to be allowed to stay long-term.