🇹🇼 Taiwan visa requirements

Taiwan offers visa-free entry for most Western travellers, but don't assume you can just land and work. Here's the real deal for remote workers.

Who Gets In Visa-Free (and for How Long)?

Let's cut to the chase. If you hold a passport from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, or most EU countries, you're golden for 90 days, visa-free. Just show up with a valid passport (six months validity minimum) and a return ticket. Easy.

For citizens of countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, it's a bit different. You'll likely need to apply for a visa before you arrive. There are also a handful of countries that require a visa for any length of stay. Check the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) website for your specific nationality. Don't guess.

Staying Longer Than You Planned? Watch Out.

That 90-day visa-free stamp? It's usually single-entry. Trying to pop over to Hong Kong for a day and come back? You'll need a new entry permit. Some nationalities get 30 days visa-free, and this is almost always single-entry.

The real kicker is overstaying. It's a bad idea. Overstaying by even a day draws a fine from the National Immigration Agency, assessed on a scale that climbs with the number of days and settled before you are allowed out of the country. The fine is the small part. It can also mean a ban on re-entering Taiwan for a period, sometimes years, plus being escorted to the airport for immediate deportation. That record messes up future travel plans well beyond Taiwan. The NIA publishes the current scale. If you need more time, you must apply for an extension before your current visa or entry permit expires.

What's New with Taiwan Visas?

Taiwan has been rolling out its e-Visa system, making the application process smoother for many. This is mainly for nationalities that require a visa to begin with. The application is online, and you usually get a response within a few working days. The fee for a single-entry e-Visa is typically US$50, and it grants you 30 days of stay. Double-entry e-Visas are also available for US$100.

There was a period where applications for e-Visas were suspended due to COVID-19, but they've largely been reinstated. Always check the official Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the most up-to-date information on e-Visa availability and requirements for your specific country. Fees and processing times can shift, so verify before you book flights.