TW country scene

Visitor visa — general visit

TaiwanShort stays and visits

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

For the relevant traveller scope, is a visa, electronic authorisation, visa on arrival or no advance visa normally required?

Entry permission for a general visit depends on the traveller’s nationality, passport and purpose. BOCA lists designated foreign nationals who may enter visa-free for up to 90, 30 or 14 days, subject to passport and other stated conditions; visiting friends or relatives is among permitted visa-free purposes that do not otherwise require a permit. A traveller applying for this visitor-visa route lodges the visa application, documents and fee at a Taiwan overseas mission. BOCA also describes distinct landing-visa and eVisa possibilities for certain cases, so visitor-visa application is not a universal requirement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The cited sources do not classify every passport/nationality and special eVisa or landing-visa case for this general visitor route; the individual BOCA entry class and conditions must be checked.
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html — BOCA visa-exempt eligible-nationality classes, full list
    Foreign nationals eligible for visa-exempt entry Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 90 days: Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini*, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan*, Kosovo, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands*, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia*(effective until March 31, 2030), Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu*, United Kingdom*, and United States of America*. Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days: Belize*, Malaysia, Saint Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Singapore. Nationals of Honduras*, except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 90 days. Nationals of Dominican Republic, except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 30 days. Nationals of Oman are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 14 days. Nationals of the Kingdom of Thailand (effective until July 31, 2027), except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 14 days. Nationals of Brunei (effective until July 31, 2027), except those holding diplomatic or official/ service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 14 days. In addition, those holding a Brunei Certificate of Identity are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 14 days. Nationals of the Philippines (effective until July 31, 2027), except those holding diplomatic or official/service passports, are eligible for the visa-exemption program, with a duration of stay of up to 14 days. Requirements
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html — BOCA passport form and nationality exceptions
    A passport with remaining validity of at least six months as of the date of entry Visa-exempt entry only applies to foreign visitors holding formal passports (i.e., ordinary, official/service and diplomatic passports). Those holding emergency, temporary, or other informal passports or travel documents are ineligible, with the exception of those holding a Brunei Certificate of Identity. Holders of Belize, Eswatini, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Tuvalu passports with place of birth recorded on the passport data page as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, the People's Republic of China, Syria, and Yemen are ineligible for the visa exemption. Holders of Honduran passports with place of birth recorded on the passport data page as the People's Republic of China are also ineligible for the visa exemption. A national of the Republic of the Marshall Islands shall mean any person who holds the nationality of the Republic of the Marshall Islands and is confined to the following categories:(1) a person who acquired the citizenship of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands at birth before the effective date of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and has become and remains a citizen of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; or (2) a person who acquired the citizenship of the Republic of the Marshall Islands at birth, on or after the effective date of the Constitution of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. USA nationals who
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html — BOCA permitted visa-free visiting purposes and permit-conditioned activities
    Those who have entered Taiwan (ROC) visa-free for purposes that do not require a permit—such as engaging in tourism, visiting friends or relatives, attending social events, conducting business, attending exhibitions, and engaging in fact-finding missions or international exchanges—who then intend to engage in activities that, according to the laws and regulations of relevant agencies, do require a permit must still obtain such a permit. Those who intend to enter Taiwan (ROC) for purposes that require qualifications, such as religious work, must obtain a visa from a Taiwan (ROC) overseas mission before entering Taiwan (ROC).
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-253-46961-2.html — BOCA visitor visa overseas application
    Procedures: Applicants can lodge their applications with the necessary documents and statutory fee at our overseas missions.
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html — BOCA visa-exempt page landing-visa example
    Holders of emergency or temporary passport, except those from the United States of America, should apply for a visa at a Taiwan (ROC) overseas mission, or a landing visa after arriving in the Taiwan (ROC).
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html — BOCA visa-exempt page eVisa example
    If Omani passport holders plan to stay in Taiwan (ROC) for more than 14 days, they may apply for an eVisa. For further requirements and additional information, please visit our website at https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/MRV04FORM.do.

What short-visit purposes does this route cover?

Taiwan visitor visas cover stays of no more than six months for purposes including transit, tour, visiting relatives, undertaking visits and undertaking inspection tours.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The specific "Visiting Purpose" page does not itself define the purpose.
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/np-157-2.html
    Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other legal travel documents and who intend to stay in Taiwan (ROC) for no more than six months for the purposes of transit; tour; visit relatives; undertake visits; undertake inspection tours; attend international conferences; conduct business; pursue short-term study; undertake short-term employment; undertake short-term missionary work; and engage in other activities in Taiwan (ROC) as approved by MOFA.

What maximum stay, rolling-period rule, validity and entry rules apply?

Visitor visas are for stays of no more than six months; validity is generally three months up to one year (or per reciprocal agreements); the permitted duration of stay is fourteen, thirty, sixty or ninety days.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/np-157-2.html
    Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other legal travel documents and who intend to stay in Taiwan (ROC) for no more than six months for the purposes of transit; tour; visit relatives; undertake visits; undertake inspection tours; attend international conferences; conduct business; pursue short-term study; undertake short-term employment; undertake short-term missionary work; and engage in other activities in Taiwan (ROC) as approved by MOFA.
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/np-157-2.html
    Visa Validity For foreign nationals from the countries with which Taiwan (ROC) has entered into reciprocal visa agreements, the validity of their Visitor Visas shall be decided in accordance with these agreements. For other foreign nationals, a Visitor Visa is generally valid from three months up to one year. Duration of stay Fourteen days Thirty days Sixty days Ninety days

What important funds, accommodation, invitation, insurance, onward-travel or passport evidence may be required?

Passport valid for 6 months with blank pages; invitation letter from the inviting organisation; proof of stable financial resources (e.g. bank statement); travel itinerary; ticket, e-ticket or travel-agency proof; other documents may be requested.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-253-46961-2.html
    Passport (original & photocopy) Valid for 6 months with blank pages Invitation Letter Provided by inviting organization Proof of stable financial resources e.g. Bank statement Travel Itinerary Other additional documents may be required during processing Ticket, electronic ticket or proof of a travel agency

Where/how is permission obtained when required, and under what important circumstances can a stay be extended or changed?

Apply at a Taiwan (ROC) overseas mission with the documents and statutory fee (an interview may be required). Holders permitted to stay sixty or ninety days whose visa bears no "no extension" remark may apply at local National Immigration Agency service centres for a maximum of 120 or 90 days of extensions.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-253-46961-2.html
    Procedures: Applicants can lodge their applications with the necessary documents and statutory fee at our overseas missions. Interview may be required when necessary.
  • https://www.boca.gov.tw/np-157-2.html
    Visitor Visa holders who are permitted to stay in Taiwan (ROC) for sixty or ninety days and whose visas bear no such remark as "no extension" may apply at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency for a maximum of 120 or 90 days of extensions.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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