Taiwan Visa and Passport Requirements

	Passport required	Return ticket required	Visa required
Australian	Yes	Yes	No
British	Yes	Yes	No
Canadian	Yes	Yes	No
Other EU	Yes	Yes	No
USA	Yes	Yes	No

Passports: 

To enter Taiwan, a passport valid for at least six months is required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.

Visas: 

Visas for Taiwan are not required by nationals referred to in the chart above (provided they have no criminal record, have a confirmed return air ticket or documentation for onward travel) for stays of up to 90 days, except:

• Australian nationals, who may stay visa-free for up to 30 days.

Visa note: 

Although the vast majority of visitors to Taiwan do not require visas, anyone travelling on to China is advised to have arranged their Chinese visa before arriving in Taiwan, where the process is notoriously long-winded.

Types and cost: 

Single-entry visa: £32; multiple-entry visa: £64. Both visas cost £103 for US nationals.

Multiple-entry visas are issued for business purposes only and require a document from your employer regarding the purpose of visit.

Validity: 

Single-entry visa: usually valid for three months to one year for stays of 14, 30, 60 or 90 days; multiple-entry (business purposes only): six months from the date of issue.

Transit: 

A visa is not required by travellers continuing their journey by the same or connecting aircraft on the same day, provided holding confirmed onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation and provided not departing from the transit lounge.

Application to: 

Visitors who do require a visa in advance should apply to their nearest Taipei Representative Office.

Temporary residence: 

Foreign nationals who intend to stay for longer than six months can apply for resident visas, whether staying for family purposes, employment purposes, study, official work, missionary work, an international exchange programme or other approved reasons. Resident visas currently cost £44 (£103 for US nationals).

Working days: 

Visa processing usually takes one day.

Sufficient funds: 

Visas may be denied to those applicants who appear unable to cover their expenses for the duration of their stay.

Extension of stay: 

Visa holders with 'no extension' marked on their visa may not apply for an extension of stay. If this has not been marked on the visa, it's possible to apply for an extension at a local immigration office in Taiwan. 

Visa-exempt visitors cannot extend their stay beyond 30 or 90 days (whichever duration applies to their nationality). The exception is British and Canadian visitors, who may extend their stay by an additional 90 days to a maximum of 180 days; you must apply for your extension 30 days before your initial 90-day stay expires.

Entry with children: 

As long as children have valid passports, there are no special requirements.

Entry restrictions: 

Residential visas are only granted to those applicants with a health certificate confirming negative tests for the likes of HIV, tuberculosis and syphilis.

Entry with pets: 

Pets must have a 15-digit ISO 11784 compliant pet microchip. They should also have been vaccinated against rabies when at the age of at least 90 days. The period between the day of vaccination and the day of shipment should be no less than 30 days and no more than one year. You should apply for an import permit well in advance.

Embassies and tourist offices

Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the USA

Telephone: (202) 895 1800.Website: http://www.taiwanembassy.org/ukOpening times: Mon-Fri: 0900-1700.

Taipei Representative Office in the UK

Telephone: (020) 7881 2650 or 2654 (visa section).Website: http://www.taiwanembassy.org/ukOpening times: Mon-Fri 0930-1230 (visa section).

British Trade & Cultural Office

Telephone: 02 8758 2088.Website: http://www.ukintaiwan.fco.gov.ukOpening times: Mon-Fri: 0900-1230 and 1330-1700.