Planning a trip to Taiwan? This guide covers exactly who needs a visa, what it costs, how long it takes and where to apply — using figures from Taiwan's official immigration authorities, including which nationalities can enter visa-free.
Quick answer
Most visitors to Taiwan need visitor visa / evisa, with an official government fee of Free.
Taiwan visa at a glance
| Visa required? | Yes, for many nationalities |
|---|---|
| Main visa type | Visitor Visa / eVisa |
| Government fee | Free |
| Processing time | Usually instant to a few minutes |
| Validity | 90 days from approval, multiple entries (max 6 entries per calendar year) |
| Permitted stay | 14 days |
| Where to apply | https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast |
| HolidaySG assistance fee | S$50 per applicant (usually S$100) |
Who needs a visa for Taiwan?
Visa-free: 90 days: Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, NZ, Israel etc. 30 days: Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, India* (extended scheme), Russia. Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar & India: free Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) if holding a valid/expired-<10-yrs visa or residence of US/Canada/UK/Japan/Australia/NZ/Korea/Schengen — 14 days.
Visitor Visa / eVisa: Indian (and select ASEAN) nationals who hold a valid or within-10-years-expired visa/residence/PR from the US, Canada, UK, Japan, Korea, Australia, NZ or a Schengen country, and have never done blue-collar labour in Taiwan
Group Tourist e-Visa (India & ASEAN): Indian and eligible ASEAN nationals travelling in tour groups organised by an approved travel agency
Visitor Visa (sticker) - Indian nationals: Indian nationals not eligible for the online Travel Authorization Certificate
Taiwan visa options, fees and processing times
| Option | Official fee | Max stay | Processing | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa-exempt entry | Free | 30 days | On arrival | https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html |
| Visitor Visa / eVisa | Free | 14 days | Usually instant to a few minutes | https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast |
| Group Tourist e-Visa (India & ASEAN) | USD 31 (single entry) / USD 62 (multiple entry) via BOCA eVisa portal | 30 days | After review of the group application | https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/ |
| Visitor Visa (sticker) - Indian nationals | — | 90 days | — | https://www.boca.gov.tw/mp-2.html |
Documents required
For the Visitor Visa / eVisa:
- Passport valid at least 6 months
- Evidence of the qualifying visa/residence/PR from an eligible country
- Onward/return ticket
How to apply
- Check your requirement by nationality (table below) or use our checker.
- Visitor Visa / eVisa: https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast — allow Usually instant to a few minutes.
- Group Tourist e-Visa (India & ASEAN): https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/ — allow After review of the group application.
- Visitor Visa (sticker) - Indian nationals: https://www.boca.gov.tw/mp-2.html
- Arrival formalities: Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) — mandatory & free, within 7 days before arrival — twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Keep your approval/receipt with your passport; carry proof of accommodation, onward travel and funds.
Taiwan visa for children and families
Children usually need their own visa or entry authorisation, even infants. For family applications, prepare each traveller's passport and photo, and add birth certificates for minors and, where a child travels with one parent or a guardian, a consent letter. Applying for the whole family together keeps travel dates and reference numbers consistent.
Common mistakes, delays and rejection reasons
From handling Taiwan visa applications, these are the issues that most often cause delays or refusals. Avoiding them is the single biggest thing you can control:
- Passport validity: many countries require at least six months' validity beyond your travel dates — renew early if yours is close.
- Insufficient proof of funds: bank statements that are too thin, too new, or not in your name are a common reason for delays. Show a stable balance over the last 3–6 months.
- Photo specification errors: wrong size, background colour, glasses or a smile can bounce an application. Follow the exact spec for Taiwan.
- Applying too late: submit well before departure — allow the full processing window plus a buffer, not the minimum.
- Mismatched documents: names, dates and passport numbers must match exactly across your form, flight and hotel bookings.
- Weak ties to your home country: employment letters, leave approval and return bookings help show you intend to return.
- Prior overstays or refusals: declare them honestly; hiding history causes more problems than the history itself.
- Forgetting the arrival card: Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) — mandatory & free, within 7 days before arrival — twac.immigration.gov.tw — complete it in the correct window or you can be delayed at the border.
Practical timeline: application → approval → travel
- 6–8 weeks before travel: check your passport validity, confirm your requirement, and start gathering documents.
- 3–4 weeks before: book refundable flights and accommodation (immigration may ask for these), then submit your Taiwan application.
- Processing: allow Usually instant to a few minutes. Do not make non-refundable bookings until approved.
- On approval: print/save the approval, keep it with your passport, and complete any arrival card before you fly.
Before you travel to Taiwan
- Arrival card / declaration: Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) — mandatory & free, within 7 days before arrival — twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Onward or return ticket: carry proof — airlines and immigration can ask for it.
- Funds: have evidence of enough money for your stay (card and some local currency).
- Travel insurance: strongly recommended, and mandatory for some destinations.
- Copies: keep a digital and paper copy of your visa/approval and passport photo page.
Good to know
- Beware fake TWAC sites; the official one is free.
- Mainland Chinese use a separate Exit & Entry Permit system.
Taiwan visa requirements by nationality
| Passport | Requirement | Max stay |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Taiwan visa?
Visitor Visa / eVisa: Free. HolidaySG's assistance fee is a separate flat S$50.
How long does it take?
Visitor Visa / eVisa: Usually instant to a few minutes.
Apply for your Taiwan visa with HolidaySG
Flat S$50 assistance fee per applicant (usually S$100) — official government fee: Free (exempt) · Group Tourist e-Visa: USD 31. We check your eligibility, send a personalised document checklist, complete the forms and track your application until the outcome.
Things to do once your Taiwan visa is sorted
Popular experiences in Taiwan you can book on HolidaySG:
- Daily Life Stroll Of Yanshan Walking Tour(圓山生活走讀) — from TWD 1,600
- Pingtung Marine Life Museum: Journey with the Fish, Overnight Mini Narrator, Night Patrol Tide Sea Party & My Penguin — from TWD 690
- Xpark Aquarium Tickets — from CNY 126
- Escape to Taichung: A Day Trip from Taipei — from USD 245
- Private Tour to Yilan Kavalan Whisky Distillery — from CNY 108
- Experience ancient city culture — from TWD 224
Official sources
- BOCA (Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA Taiwan) — verified 19 August 2026
- BOCA Taiwan — verified 19 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
- Official government source — verified 19 August 2026
Last updated 20 August 2026. Written and reviewed by the HolidaySG visa team and checked against the official sources above (facts verified 19 August 2026). Visa rules change and depend on your passport, residence and purpose of travel — always confirm with the official source before booking, or use our visa checker. HolidaySG re-confirms current requirements at the time of your application.