Visa and Application
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Common Visa Questions
Common Types of Visas
- Residence Visa: A short-term visa for tourism, allowing a stay in Taiwan for up to 180 days.
- Resident Visa: A long-term visa that allows a stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days.
Do I need to apply for a residence visa?
It depends on your nationality. Passport holders from many countries, as well as those holding diplomatic and official passports, can enjoy visa-exempt status, with stay durations ranging from 14 to 90 days. You can check the applicable visa-exempt countries through the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan.
How to Apply for a Residence Visa?
1. Fill out the online application form, print the visa application form with the barcode, and sign it.
2. Prepare the visa application form, two 2-inch color photographs with a white background taken within the last six months, passport, flight ticket, proof of financial means, and other required documents. Submit your application to the Representative Office of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in your country.
3. For related fees, please refer to the Visa Fee Schedule.
Can I apply for an e-Visa?
1. Currently, only certain nationalities are eligible to apply for an e-Visa. You can check the applicable countries through the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan.
2. If you are not from an eligible nationality, you still need to fill out the regular visa application form and apply for a visa at the Representative Office of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in your country.
Can I apply for a visa on arrival?
1. Currently, only Turkish nationals or individuals from visa-exempt countries (excluding the United States) can apply for a visa on arrival.
2. Applicable entry airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport.
3. Application Process:
- Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Office at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
- First, apply for a "Temporary Entry Permit" from the National Immigration Agency's Border Affairs Corps. After arriving in Taiwan, you can then obtain your visa from the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its representative office.
4. Duration of stay: 30 days.
Entry and Residence
Can the duration of stay be extended?
If you enter Taiwan with a "visa-exempt" or "residence visa," you typically cannot extend your duration of stay while in Taiwan. However, if you have special circumstances, you must submit a request to the National Immigration Agency for approval.
Can I work or study in Taiwan?
You must apply for a long-term "Resident Visa," which typically requires a letter of employment authorization or proof of enrollment in school. Please refer to the steps above for "How to Apply for a Residence Visa": fill out the online application form and then apply at the Representative Office of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in your country.
How soon can I re-enter after exiting?
1. If you hold a "single-entry" visa, you are only allowed to enter once. For re-entry, you must apply for a new visa.
2. If you are using a visa-exempt entry or a residence visa, you can typically re-enter at any time after exiting, as long as you are within the visa validity period.
Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
What is an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)?
1. The Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) is proof of identity for foreigners residing in Taiwan long-term.
2. Those who enter with a resident visa or obtain a resident visa after entry must apply for the "Alien Resident Certificate" and "Re-entry Permit" at the local National Immigration Agency service station within 30 days of their arrival.
What should I do if my Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) expires?
The duration of residency is based on the validity period indicated on the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). You should apply for an extension with the Immigration Agency before it expires. If you fail to apply for an extension in time, you may face fines and even be subject to enforced departure.
Entry Precautions
Passport Validity: Except for U.S. and Japanese passports, Taiwan requires that the passport of entrants must be valid for more than 6 months. For holders of U.S. or Japanese passports, the passport must be valid for longer than the duration of stay.
Fill Out the Entry Card: Travelers must complete the online entry card on the Immigration Agency TWAC website at least 3 days prior to arriving in Taiwan. (Free application)
Dual Nationals: When entering and exiting, you should use the passport of the same nationality.
