Traveling To Taiwan: Getting A Taiwan Passport And Visa

Ever heard of the lovely Kenting National Park? Maybe you want to see Taipei 101, one of the tallest skyscrapers in the world. Have you always wanted to visit the 3,996 meter tall Yushan Mountain, and see the highest peak in all of East Asia? If you’re anticipating to do all of these, then you should go to the island of Taiwan!

Located just off the coast of the mainland, Taiwan is one of the island territories governed by the Republic of China. With only 35,801 square kilometers, this is one of the smallest territories in East Asia. Even so, it has one of the most thriving economies in Asia, with technological advances that exceed other territories. Taiwan is also beautiful, with lots of lovely and interesting places to go to.

You might find yourself anticipating to go to Taiwan, but before you do so, here’s one important detail you have to tend to: your passport. You can’t go to this territory without a Taiwan passport and visa, but as long as you have this document, you can easily enter this East Asian island.

The Basics Of Taiwan Passports

No individual can leave his or her country without a passport. Issued by the national government of the country where he or she came from, this is a document that serves to identify the holder as a citizen of the country that issued it. A passport certifies your identity and citizenship, which then allows you to gain entry into the country.

Whether you’re from Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, Japan or a country from the European Union, you’re required to have a Taiwan passport before you can enter this territory. The passport you carry must be valid for six months. If you have this requirement, you may enter the territory without a visa.

Visa For Taiwan Passport: Who Needs It And Who Doesn’t?

A visa is a slightly different document from a passport, although they do have the same purpose, in terms of verifying a person’s identity. Just like passports, this is issued by the country of the individual, and allows that person to request entry to the country during a given time period, and for a specific purpose. They are often stamped inside the passport, although some come separated.

There are 31 countries around the world today which can enter Taiwan without a visa (visa-exempt entry), provided they have Taiwan passports that don’t expire within six months. These include:

• Australia (For more information on Australia, read The Guide to Australia)
• Austria
• Belgium
• Darussalam
• Canada (For you guide on Canada, see The Guide to Canada)
• Costa Rica
• Denmark
• Finland
• Frane
• Germany
• Greece
• Ireland
• Iceland
• Italy
• Japan
• Republic of Korea
• Liechtenstein
• Luxembourg
• Malaysia
• Malta
• Monaco
• The Netherlands
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Portugal
• Singapore
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America

People from these countries can stay in Taiwan for as long as 30 days (citizens from Japan can stay for as long as 90), with no extensions.

They should also make sure they have no criminal record, a reserved seat for departure and a confirmed return air ticket or a documentation for onward traveling, to assure they will stick to the given time period.

Although most citizens don’t need a visa to get into Taiwan, there are some who still need to have one, such as:

• If the citizen’s passport is valid for less than six months, starting from their date of entry, they are required to get a landing visa. The landing visa also allows them 3-days of stay into the territory, but with no extensions. It costs $135 to get this type of visa.
• People from countries such as Slovenia, Cyprus, Estonia, Lithuania, Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, and Slovak Republic need a visa before they can enter the country.

Applying For A Landing Visa

If you’re from Hungary, Poland, Slovak Republic or Czech Republic, you can apply for a landing visa to support your Taiwan passport. With this document, you can stay in Taiwan for a given period of time.

Once you arrive at the Kaohsiung International Airport or CKS International Airport, you should immediately take care of this matter. This landing visa will be valid for a period of not more than 30 days. Of course, you need to prove first that you have no criminal record and you’re holding a ticket for an onward destination.

To get a landing visa, you must submit several requirements, including a passport-size photo and an application form. There’s also a handling fee, which cost varies according to the nationality of the individual.

Other Types Of Visas

Aside from landing visas, there are a couple other visas a person can apply for: the single-entry visa and the multiple-entry visa.

A single-entry visa can last for 3 months, and can be extended twice for 60 days. These visas are granted by local police stations, provided they have stayed in the territory for at least 60 days, and they have proof that they need to stay in the country for more than the allowed time period.

A multiple-entry visa is usually given to citizens who go to Taiwan for business purposes. It can last for up to six months from the date when it was issued. Because they are usually made for business purpose, these require the proper documents from the employer first, stating the reason for their visit in Taiwan

One last note before you use your Taiwan passport and visa. If you plan on staying in this place for more than three months, you have to get an AIDS test. If the result comes out positive, you have to leave the country as soon as possible. If it’s negative, then you’re permitted to stay.

Taiwan is a very interesting Asian country you can go to. Just make sure that before you enter it, you have your Taiwan passport and visa (if necessary). By having these documents, you can prevent traveling hassles and problems from getting in your way. Have a great time in Taiwan!