Taiwan is considered one of the most developed countries in Asia. Each year, millions of tourists visit Taiwan for fun and glamour. The country has everything, from delicious cuisines to fascinating landmarks. From July 2022, Taiwan has resumed routine visa services for all visa categories!
If you want to visit Taiwan, or any other country for that matter, the most important thing you need is a travel document, aka a visa. When it comes to Taiwan, applicants have two options: they can either apply for a traditional visa or an electronic visa.
Taiwan e-Visa - An Overview
Compared to a traditional visa, an e-visa is a more convenient option. You can get this travel document from the comfort of your home. No need to visit the Taiwan embassy or consulate office. No need to follow complicated steps. You don’t even have to schedule a visa interview. This entire process is streamlined!
Taiwan e-visa is an official electronic document issued by the Republic of China (ROC) overseas missions. It allows foreign nationals to enter Taiwan with a traditional paper or stamp visa. Citizens of foreign countries can apply for a Taiwan e-visa for both tourism and business purposes, including:
Visiting relatives or friends
Meeting with business associates
Enrolling in short-term training programs
Exploring the country
Validity Period
Taiwan e-visas are issued for short-term stays. It is a single-entry travel document that international travelers can apply for to stay in the country for 30 consecutive days. It comes with a validity period of 90 days. Afterward, you'll need to apply for a new e-visa if you want to enter Taiwan one more time!
Eligibility Criteria
Not all foreign nationals are eligible for Taiwan e-visa. Currently, Bahrain, South Arabia, Oman, Peru, Colombia, and some other countries are eligible for Taiwan nonimmigrant visas. In addition, if foreign national wants to enter Taiwan for purposes other than tourism and business, they must obtain a traditional visa from the nearest embassy!
Taiwan e-Visa Requirements
Before you apply for a Taiwan visa online, you must fulfill some visa requirements. You need the following documents to apply for an e-visa:
Valid Passport - You must have an original passport from one of the eligible countries. Make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages for stamps as well as 3 months of validity remaining.
E-mail Address - An applicant's email address will be electronically linked to their passport. Upon approval, they will receive their travel documents via email as well. So, make sure you have a valid and working email address.
Means of Payment - You'll need to pay the embassy fee as well as the visa service fee to get an e-visa. As this entire process is online, you'll, of course, need online payment options, such as a credit or debit card or a PayPal account.
Photograph - Applicants are required to provide their recent passport-style photograph with a white background. Your photograph must be taken within the last 6 months.
These are the most basic required documents to apply for a Taiwan e-visa. Besides these, ROC overseas missions might request to submit additional documents depending on your nationality and the purpose of the visit!
Taiwan e-Visa Application Process
If you have all the above-mentioned documents, you can apply for a Taiwan e-visa online. The good news is that you don’t need to visit the Taiwan embassy to apply for an online visa. This entire process can be done from the comfort of your home!
All you need to do is visit VisaHQ, select your citizenship, and follow the following steps:
Fill out the visa application form
Pay the visa fee using secure online payment options
Submit your online form with supporting documents
That's it! This entire process can be done within 10 minutes. Afterward, you'll get your approved e-visa via email.
To fill out the visa application form, you need to be extra careful. You are required to provide personal, contact, travel, and passport details. Make sure all the data provided in an application form is correct. Otherwise, your e-visa will be delayed or denied.
Processing Time
The processing time for a Taiwan e-visa also varies from applicant to applicant. The estimated processing time for an electronic visa is 3-4 days. However, if there are issues with your application, you might need to wait a little longer. Therefore, it's recommended to apply for a Taiwan e-visa at least 2 weeks prior to the intended departure date.
Once you get your e-visa, you can pack your bag and enter Taiwan by air. Keep in mind that an e-visa does not guarantee your entry to the country; the immigration official has the final say. So, make sure you are fulfilling all the entry requirements while traveling to Taiwan!