Visas to Taiwan: types, countries with visa-free regime

For entry into Taiwan, foreign citizens require a valid international passport with a residual validity period of no less than 6 months from the day of entry.

Depending on the purpose and duration of the trip, travelers can enter:

• without a visa (within the visa program),

• by obtaining a visa permit in advance,

• by obtaining an electronic visa (eVisa) or Landing Visa (visa upon arrival in some cases).

The entry policy and requirements may change, so it is recommended to check the current rules on our website before traveling.

Many foreign nationals can enter Taiwan without a visa for a limited period for tourism, business trips, visiting friends or relatives.

Conditions for visa-exempt entry:

• The passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

• A visa is not required if the purpose of the trip is tourism, business, visiting relatives/friends, attending exhibitions and conferences.

• The duration of stay and conditions depend on the country of citizenship.

Visa-exempt entry applies to three main categories of countries with different maximum duration of stay:

1. Up to 90 days of stay — most countries in Europe, North America, Japan, the Republic of Korea, etc.

2. Up to 30 days — a number of countries in other regions (for example, some countries in Oceania and Asia).

3. Up to 14 days — individual Asian states under special agreements.

Visa-free up to 90 days

Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini*, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan*, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands*, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia*, Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA*, Vatican.

Visa-free up to 30 days

Belize*, Malaysia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis*, Saint Lucia*, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore.

Visa-free up to 14 days (under a special program)

Thailand, Brunei, Philippines — under a special visa program effective until July 31, 2026.

If a citizen's country is not on the visa-free list, a tourist visa must be obtained before entering.

Main characteristics of the tourist visa:

• Intended for short-term trips for tourism, visiting relatives/friends, participating in cultural and entertainment events.

• The duration of stay is usually up to 30–60 days (sometimes up to 90 days at the discretion of the consulate).

• Requires standard documents: application form, passport, photo, accommodation booking confirmation, return ticket, and proof of financial means

Issued to individuals who plan a trip for business purposes: meetings, negotiations, participation in exhibitions or conferences.

• Usually valid for up to 30–60 days.

• Often requires an invitation from the host company/organizer of the event.
  

For studying at educational institutions in Taiwan.

• Issued based on an invitation from the educational institution after enrollment.

• The validity period depends on the study program (usually for the entire period of study).

• May require proof of financial solvency and health insurance.
  

Issued to those who plan to work, engage in business activities, or reside in Taiwan for an extended period.

• This includes Work Visa, ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), and other long-term permits.

• Requires an invitation from an employer, coordination with the authorities, and documents on professional qualifications.

Visa upon arrival in Taiwan (often called Taiwan Visa On Arrival / Landing Visa) is available to a very limited circle of citizens — and in 2025–2026 it remains an exception rather than the rule.

 Who can get a Landing Visa:

1. Citizens of Turkey — receive a visa upon arrival at the airport without prior application.
   

2. Citizens of visa-exempt countries, but who travel with emergency or temporary passports (excluding the USA) — can also get a visa upon arrival at the airport.
   

Where to apply for a Landing Visa:

• Taipei Taoyuan International Airport

• Kaohsiung International Airport

• Taichung International Airport
  

Electronic visa (eVisa) is an official way to obtain a visa to enter Taiwan before the trip without visiting the consulate. It is convenient, but limited to certain countries and conditions.

Who is eligible to apply for an eVisa directly:

Citizens of the following countries can apply for an electronic visa to Taiwan:

• Bahrain
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Burkina Faso (temporarily excluded from January 2026)
• Colombia*
• Dominica
• Ecuador
• Kuwait
• Mauritius
• Montenegro
• Oman
• Panama
• Peru
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands
• Turkey (starting from January 15, 2026 inclusive)
• UAE (United Arab Emirates)
  

For some countries (e.g., Colombia) there may be additional conditions — such as having a valid visa or residence permit in the USA, EU, Australia, etc.

Additional categories that can also obtain an eVisa:

Foreigners invited to official events in Taiwan
Any citizen of the world can apply for an electronic visa to participate in:

• international conferences
• sporting competitions
• trade fairs
• official events sponsored by Taiwanese government organizations — with an E-code from the host side.

Group tourists from some Southeast Asian countries
Under the visa facilitation project, groups of tourists from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam can obtain an eVisa when traveling with an accredited travel agency.

Business visitors from part of South Asia
Citizens of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka can obtain an eVisa for business purposes through recommended organizations. 

Obtaining a visa for Taiwan requires careful preparation of documents. The Taiwanese Embassy and consulates have tightened checks in 2026, so mistakes in filling out forms or an incomplete set of documents remain one of the most common reasons for denial or return of the application. To avoid wasting time and money, we recommend contacting specialists to prepare the documents.

Main package of documents for a tourist visa:

• Foreign passport:
  • The validity period must be at least 6 months from the date of entry.
  • The passport must have at least one blank page for visas and stamps.
• Completed visa application form
  • The form can be filled out online or in paper form, depending on the type of visa.
  • It is important to check all the data, as even a small error (for example, in the name or date of birth) can lead to the return of documents.
• Photos
  • 2–3 passport-size photos (3.5 × 4.5 cm), taken on a white background, without glasses and headgear.
• Flight ticket reservation
  • Confirmation of incoming and return flights.
  • Sometimes it is required to show a route within Taiwan if movements around the island are planned.
• Accommodation confirmation
  • Booking hotels, apartments, or guesthouses for the entire period of stay.
• Financial documents
  • Bank account statements for the last 3–6 months.
  • Income verification or employment certificate (not mandatory for all categories, but increases the chances of approval).
• Cover letter or invitation (if applicable)
  • For business visas: a letter from a partner company in Taiwan.
  • For attending events: an official invitation from the organizers.
• Insurance policy (recommended)
  • Health insurance covering emergency assistance, hospitalization, and repatriation.