Taiwan tourist visa (visitor visa for tourism)

Nationals of the more than 50 visa-exempt countries listed by BOCA (for example EU states, the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and Korea) do not need a visa for tourism. Nationals of eVisa-eligible countries can use the online eVisa for a single stay of 30 days. Everyone else, and anyone who needs a longer stay or several entries, applies for a visitor visa for tourism at a Taiwan overseas mission.

BOCA keeps a separate list of designated countries (including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria) whose nationals may apply for visitor visas only for specific purposes such as official invitations, business or visiting relatives with legal residence in Taiwan, and in some cases only at a designated mission.

BOCA asks for the online application form printed and signed, two colour photos of 45 x 35 mm with a white background taken in the last six months, the original passport valid for at least six months with blank pages plus a photocopy, proof of stable financial resources such as bank statements, a travel itinerary, and a return ticket, e-ticket or travel agency confirmation. Missions may ask for further documents and may call you for an interview.

Visa fees follow BOCA's standard fee table, in force since 3 October 2007: US$50 for a single-entry and US$100 for a multiple-entry visitor visa applied for abroad, or NT$1,600 and NT$3,200 inside Taiwan. Missions may charge the equivalent in local currency. Nationals of countries with reciprocal agreements receive visas free of charge. Fees are not refunded if the application is refused.

Complete the NIA online arrival card within seven days before arrival. The permitted stay starts on the day after arrival. A visa does not guarantee entry: immigration officers at the port of entry make the final decision.

Holders of visitor visas with a 60- or 90-day stay that do not carry the remark "no extension will be granted" may apply to an NIA service centre for an extension. Each extension may not exceed the stay granted by the original visa and the total stay may not exceed six months. Apply from 15 days before your stay expires; the fee is NT$300. Visa-exempt entrants and holders of 14- or 30-day visas cannot extend in this way.