Taiwan visa for visiting relatives

The visa is for visits to relatives who hold Taiwanese household registration, an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC). It is a visitor visa, so it is meant for stays of up to six months; living with a Taiwanese spouse long term requires a spouse resident visa.

In addition to the form, photos and passport, BOCA asks for proof of the relative's residence in Taiwan: a household registration transcript issued within three months (with the personal registry details shown in the notes column), or a copy of the ARC or APRC. Prove the relationship with documents such as a birth certificate or household registration records. Missions may also ask for a ticket, proof of your current occupation or other documents.

Civil-status documents issued abroad that show the relationship, such as a birth or family register extract, are normally submitted with an English or Chinese translation; the Taiwan mission can authenticate them.

If your visa grants 60 or 90 days and has no "no extension" remark, apply at the NIA service centre where you stay from 15 days before the stay ends, with the application form, passport, visa and the relative's ID, household registration, ARC, APRC or Gold Card plus proof of kinship. The fee is NT$300. Each extension may not exceed the original stay and the total may not exceed six months.

Lineal ascendants (parents and grandparents of the applicant and spouse) of foreign special or senior professionals, including Employment Gold Card holders, who have NIA residence or permanent residence can obtain a multiple-entry visitor visa with an initial stay of up to six months. The NIA can extend it so that each stay lasts up to one year.