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Visa requirements, security, medical & other essential information
The following information will give you the basic facts you need to know before starting out on your trip. Visa requirements, security concerns, local medical facilities and laws vary tremendously across the Asia Pacific region, so it is important that you know the facts for your destination and don't arrive without a visa or inadvertently break a local law! The information on this page is intended to give you an overview - please be sure to confirm entry requirements with your travel agent when purchasing your ticket.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Most visitors will be allowed to enter Taiwan without a visa for up to thirty days (no extensions allowed) if their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan and the traveler has a confirmed return or onward air ticket.
Travelers must have already met any additional visa requirements for the next destination, if applicable. If the passport is valid for less than six months from the date of entry into Taiwan, travelers may apply for a landing visa that has a duration of stay of no more than thirty days.
The processing fee is US $124.00 and no extensions are allowed. Travelers also have the additional option of applying for and receiving a Taiwan visa prior to arrival in Taiwan. The processing fee is US$100.00.
PLEASE NOTE:
No extension of stay or change of status is allowed if the traveler enters on the visa waiver program (30 day stay, no extensions). Travelers arriving in Taiwan with a valid passport and valid Taiwan visas may be admitted for up to 90 days even if their passports are valid for less than 6 months.
Travelers who apply for a landing visa upon arrival will be admitted for 30 days or up to the day the passport expires, which ever comes first.
SAFETY AND SECURITY:
You are advised to take responsibility for your own personal security while traveling overseas.
CRIME:
Although Taiwan is considered a medium risk location for crime, the overall violent crime rate in Taiwan remains relatively low. Travelers should avoid business establishments such as massage parlors, illegal "barbershops", and illegal "nightclubs" because many of these establishments are run by criminals and are located in high crime areas.
In contrast to their counterparts, legal barbershops prominently display the usual grooming services. Illegal nightclubs have no advertisement and are publicized by word of mouth only.
Public transportation, including the buses and the subway, is generally safe in Taiwan, but women should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis late at night. In the past few years there have been several incidents of violence committed by taxi drivers against solitary female passengers. In several parts of Taiwan, incidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have been reported.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:
The loss or theft abroad of a passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and to your Embassy. Local police departments have foreign affairs sections that are normally staffed by English-speaking officers.
If you are the victim of a crime while in Taiwan, in addition to reporting to local police, contact your Embassy for assistance. Your Embassy staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.
Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:
Health facilities in Taiwan are fully adequate for routine and emergency medical treatment. Physicians are well trained and many speak English. State of the art medical equipment is available at many clinics and hospitals. Hospitals’ nursing services provide medication dispensing and wound care.
Ambulances are available in Taiwan but there are no trained Emergency Medical System Technicians accompanying an ambulance, unless within 2 kilometers of National Taiwan University Hospital or Veterans General Hospital.
MEDICAL INSURANCE:
Doctors and hospitals in Taiwan expect immediate cash payment for health services. You are advised to consult with your medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether the policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:
You may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those at home. The information below concerning Taiwan is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Roads in Taiwan's major cities are generally congested, and the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic make driving conditions worse.
Pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers may not respect their right of way. Special caution should be taken when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be made impassable by mudslides after heavy rains.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT:
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Civil Aviation Authority of Taiwan as being in compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:
Taiwan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import or export of items such as: firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, ivory, etc.
DISASTER PREPAREDNESS:
Taiwan is subject to strong earthquakes that can occur anywhere on the island. Taiwan is also hit by typhoons, usually from July to October. The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan also maintains a web site that provides information about typhoons and earthquakes. Its Internet address is http://www.cwb.gov.tw.
DUAL NATIONALITY AND COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE:
Taiwan law provides for compulsory military service. Men between the ages of 18 and 40 who were born in Taiwan or who have ever held a Taiwan passport should be aware that they may be subject to compulsory military service in Taiwan, even if they are also foreign citizens, and even if they have entered Taiwan on foreign passports.
Potentially affected individuals are urged to consult with the nearest office of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office before visiting Taiwan to determine whether they are subject to the military service requirement.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROGRAMMING:
The International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) provides all of Taiwan with English-language programming 24 hours a day. In the event of an emergency or an approaching typhoon, travelers should tune their radios to FM 100.7.
English speakers experiencing a personal crisis in Taiwan can contact the Community Services Center in Taipei at (02) 2836-8134 or 2838-4947 to arrange counseling or to contact a support group.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES:
Whilst overseas you are subject to local laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those at home and may not afford the protections available to the individual at home. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than at home for similar offenses. Persons violating Taiwan’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned.
Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Taiwan are severe and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. |
HOTEL RESERVATIONS 
