If you are a Taiwanese passport holder, you should know that Taiwanese can travel to Europe without a visa because Taiwan is on the visa-exempt list of Schengen countries but come November 2023 ETIAS visa for Taiwanese will be required for all citizens of Taiwan. This page contains information about the election travel authorization system of Schengen countries set to be activated soon.
ETIAS Visa For Taiwanese
Before the announcement of the ETIAS system, Taiwanese citizens could visit Schengen countries in Europe without a visa. All a national from Taiwan needed was to show their valid passport at the airport of any Schengen country, and they will be allowed into the country. Although this visa free rule still exists, the only change is the need for ETIAS approval before boarding the flight for Europe.
The European Commission is set to launch the Electronic Travel Authorization System (ETIAS) for Schengen countries. This system is an online security checker designed to screen visitors from Taiwan to ensure that none poses a security risk to the EU country they are attempting to enter. Aside from screening for security risks, the system is also designed to update the visitor's information to keep track of where they visit, when they visit, and how long they remain in the country or city.
This system was designed to checkmate the potential influx of individuals who may pose security threats to Schengen countries.
Do Taiwanese Passport Holders Need ETIAS & Is It A Visa?
ETIAS visa waiver will be mandatory for all Taiwanese visitors come November 2023; those without this document will not be allowed to enter any of the Schengen countries in Europe. However, it is important to note that ETIAS is not a visa but a travel authorization.
While an applicant needs to approach the embassy to obtain a visa, applicants for ETIAS don't have to; from the comfort of their homes, they can apply for ETIAS and get an approval immediately. Secondly, ETIAS is only for short visits to Schengen Europe for tourism, medical treatment, business, and family, among other short trips that will not last for more than 90 days. Visas, on the other hand, are mostly long-term.
The visa free privileges of Taiwan citizens coming to Europe still stand despite the introduction of ETIAS.
How Many Countries Can the Taiwanese Visit With A Single ETIAS?
Once the Taiwanese get ETIAS approval, they will be able to visit all 27 countries in the Schengen region, including the Vatican, San Marino, and Monaco micro States bringing the total number to 30 States in all. This permit is valid for three years from the date of issue, and the holder can stay in any of these areas for up to 90 days.
The same free entry and exit benefits visa-free citizens enjoy will still be in play. Holders of ETIAS Approval can visit as many EU countries on the Schengen list as possible as long as they don't overstay and visit the first country on their application form before traveling to others.
Failure to abide by the rules and overstaying beyond the 90-day rule will attract sanctions like fines or/and deportation, regardless of intent.
How Can Taiwanese Get ETIAS?
ETIAS will be available online, so applicants don't have to visit the embassy to get it. They can apply for it from the comfort of their homes using their smartphones or computers, and approval will be granted in minutes. VisaHQ will offer travelers an online application platform to fill out and submit the application form. Here are the steps you must take.
Visit VisaHQ
Select the first Schengen country you want to visit as your destination
Select Taiwan as your citizenship
Choose ETIAS
Fill out the application form correctly
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
Information Required
When filling out the application form, you will be asked to provide the following information
Email Address – Personal Details (Name, age, gender, Contact information, nationality, occupation, and education) – criminal record (if any) – If you have visited a war-torn country before – If you have been deported from a Schengen country before
ETIAS Visa For Taiwanese Fee
The application fee for this authorization is €7, which is equivalent to TWD 226.67 in Taiwanese currency. This fee is the standard fee for applicants between 18-70. Applicants outside this age bracket will not pay the fee.
Kindly note that you will not have to apply through any travel agency as you can do it yourself since the process is easy. Also, the application fee is payable using a credit or debit card, so make sure the card has sufficient balance to cover the fee and transaction cost.
Once ETIAS visa for Taiwanese is launched, visit VisaHQ to complete and submit the application form for approval.