Visa policy of the Republic of China

The visa policy of the Republic of China

Republic of China

The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...

is complicated as a result of the political status of Taiwan

Political status of Taiwan

The controversy regarding the political status of Taiwan hinges on whether Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu should remain effectively independent as territory of the Republic of China , become unified with the territories now governed by the People's Republic of China , or formally declare...

. As one of the most politically isolated countries in the world, Taiwan has encountered difficulties in signing 'bilateral agreements' with other nations in regards to visa exemption. Presently, the Republic of China grants visa-free travel to 42 countries.

Visa exemption

Citizens of following countries do not require a visa

Visa (document)

A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...

to visit Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

for less than 90 days (which starts from the next day of arrival, extension not possible).

			* (British citizens)**
* excepts passport issued in Macau in or before 1999. ** for the principle of reciprocity, the citizen of United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... and Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... may apply to extend the stay from 90 days to 180 days.

Citizens of following countries do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days.

		*
* for passports with validity less than 6 months, a Visa on Arrival is applicable by paying TWD 5140.

Citizens of following countries do not require a visa to visit Taiwan for less than 30 days if holding valid visas from or permanent residency at USA, Canada

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

, Japan

Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...

, UK, Schengen Convention countries

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area comprises the territories of twenty-five European countries that have implemented the Schengen Agreement signed in the town of Schengen, Luxembourg, in 1985...

, Australia

Australia

Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...

or New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

. However, an On-line registration is required prior entry.

Passport holders of Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR

Permanent residents of and (with PRC
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

nationality) can obtain a preapproved Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area
Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area
An Exit & Entry Permit for the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China , more commonly known as Exit & Entry Permit is a document issued by the Immigration Office of the National Police Agency of the Republic of China, for Hong Kong and Macau residents holding PRC nationality for entry to...

or apply for an Entry Permit on arrival for visiting Taiwan for less than 30 days. If the visitor is not born in Hong Kong or Macau, he must have a record of a previously having visited Taiwan for an Entry Permit on arrival. This permit can be applied by using a HKSAR passport
HKSAR Passport
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport is issued to permanent residents of Hong Kong who are citizens of the People's Republic of China...

, MSAR passport
MSAR passport
The Macao Special Administrative Region passport is an international travel document that is issued to permanent residents of Macao who are citizens of the People's Republic of China...

, British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...

passport or Portuguese passport
Portuguese passport
Portuguese passports are issued to citizens of Portugal for the purpose of international travel. However the bilhete de identidade can serve as a travel document within the countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Croatia, Macedonia and Switzerland.-Electronic passport:As...

issued in Macau before 1999. British citizens can use the full visa-free visit program to enter Taiwan.
Only full British citizens can enter Taiwan without a visa and BN(O) passport holders (who also hold PRC nationality) can enter Taiwan using Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area
Entry Permit of HK and Macau Residents to the Taiwan Area
An Exit & Entry Permit for the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China , more commonly known as Exit & Entry Permit is a document issued by the Immigration Office of the National Police Agency of the Republic of China, for Hong Kong and Macau residents holding PRC nationality for entry to...

. A visa is required for all other British passport holders.

Visa exemption

Passport holders of Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR

Sources

See also