Taichung Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Taiwan offers various entry options depending on nationality, ranging from visa-free entry to electronic authorization and traditional visa applications. Most Western countries enjoy visa-free or visa-exempt privileges for tourism and short business visits.
Citizens of these countries can enter Taiwan without a visa for tourism or business purposes
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months from date of entry. Visitors must have confirmed return or onward tickets and sufficient funds. Visa-free entry cannot be extended; visitors must leave Taiwan before the permitted stay expires. Employment is not permitted under visa-free entry.
Citizens of select countries can apply for online authorization before travel
Cost: Approximately USD 10-30 depending on nationality
eVisa holders must arrive within 3 months of approval. Extension is not permitted. Some nationalities may be eligible for visa-free entry if arriving from certain countries or holding valid visas from specific nations (US, Canada, UK, Japan, Schengen).
Citizens of countries not eligible for visa-free or eVisa entry must apply for a traditional visa
Countries without diplomatic relations with Taiwan may need to apply through designated representative offices. Visa fees vary by nationality and visa type. Some nationalities may face additional requirements or longer processing times. Always check with the nearest Taiwan representative office for specific requirements.
Arrival Process
The entry process into Taiwan through Taichung or other airports is streamlined and efficient. Immigration officers are professional, and English assistance is readily available. The entire process from disembarkation to customs clearance typically takes 30-90 minutes depending on flight arrival times.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Taiwan customs regulations are clearly defined and strictly enforced. Most travelers pass through customs without issues by staying within duty-free allowances and not carrying prohibited items. Taiwan takes agricultural and food safety seriously due to its island status, so expect thorough screening of food products.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs - Taiwan has extremely strict drug laws with severe penalties including death penalty for trafficking
- Weapons and ammunition - including firearms, explosives, and certain types of knives without proper authorization
- Counterfeit goods - including fake designer items, pirated media, and counterfeit currency
- Fresh fruits and vegetables - to prevent agricultural pests and diseases
- Meat products - including fresh, frozen, and processed meats from most countries due to disease concerns
- E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (IQOS, etc.) - completely banned in Taiwan
- Endangered species products - items made from protected animals or plants under CITES
- Obscene or seditious materials - publications or media deemed harmful or politically sensitive
- Lottery tickets and gambling devices - except those authorized by Taiwan government
- Certain traditional Chinese medicines - particularly those containing protected animal parts
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications - bring only personal quantities with original packaging and prescriptions. Quantities exceeding 6 months supply require import permit
- Plants and plant products - require phytosanitary certificates and import permits from Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine
- Pets - require health certificates, rabies vaccination records, and advance import permits. Quarantine may be required
- Radio transmitting devices - certain frequencies require approval from National Communications Commission
- Professional camera and video equipment - may require temporary import declaration for commercial use
- Drones - regulations apply; registration may be required for certain weights and uses
- Certain food products - packaged commercial foods are generally allowed but may require inspection. Declare all food items
Health Requirements
Taiwan maintains high health and safety standards. Currently, there are no routine vaccination requirements for most travelers entering Taiwan, though this can change based on global health situations and traveler origin.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - Required only if arriving from or transiting through countries with risk of yellow fever transmission. Certificate must be presented at immigration.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations - Ensure you're up to date with standard vaccines including MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus), and polio
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for most travelers due to possible exposure through food or water
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for travelers who may have intimate contact with locals or require medical procedures
- Japanese Encephalitis - Consider if visiting rural areas, especially during summer months or for extended stays
- Typhoid - Consider for travelers visiting smaller cities or rural areas
- Influenza - Recommended during flu season (November through March)
Health Insurance
While not mandatory for entry, comprehensive travel health insurance is strongly recommended. Taiwan has excellent healthcare facilities, but medical costs for foreigners can be expensive without insurance. Ensure your policy covers emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, and medical evacuation. Some credit cards offer travel insurance, but verify coverage limits and exclusions.
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children must have their own passport regardless of age. Minors (under 18) traveling without both parents should carry a notarized letter of consent from the non-accompanying parent(s) authorizing the trip, though this is not always checked. For children traveling alone or with adults who aren't parents/legal guardians, additional documentation proving guardianship or parental consent is strongly recommended. Birth certificates may be requested to prove relationships. Unaccompanied minors must follow airline-specific policies and may require special handling at immigration.
Pets (dogs and cats) can enter Taiwan but require advance preparation. You must obtain an import permit from the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine (BAPHIQ) at least 20 days before arrival. Required documents include: valid rabies vaccination certificate (at least 30 days old but not more than 1 year for first vaccination, or 3 years for boosters), health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of departure, and microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785 compliant). Pets from rabies-free countries may be exempt from quarantine but must still meet documentation requirements. Pets from other countries face minimum 7-21 day quarantine. Service animals have different requirements - contact BAPHIQ in advance.
Tourist visa-free stays and visitor visas generally cannot be extended except in cases of force majeure (natural disasters, serious illness, etc.). For stays longer than permitted under tourist entry, you must apply for an appropriate visa or permit before arrival. Options include: Student visas (for enrolled students), Work permits and employment gold cards (for qualified professionals), Resident visas (for those with family ties or investment), or Visitor visa extensions for specific purposes. Applications for extensions or status changes must be made at the National Immigration Agency before your current authorization expires. Overstaying can result in fines (TWD 2,000-10,000 per day), deportation, and entry bans. If you need to stay longer, consider exiting Taiwan and re-entering if eligible, though frequent short-term entries may raise immigration concerns.
Most business visitors can enter under visa-free or visa-exempt programs for short business activities (meetings, conferences, contract negotiations). However, you cannot engage in paid employment or productive work. For longer business stays or work activities, you need appropriate authorization. Gold Card holders (Foreign Special Professional) can work and reside freely. Business travelers should carry invitation letters from Taiwan companies, conference registration, or other proof of business purpose. If attending trade shows, keep exhibition materials and booth information. Customs may inspect business samples or equipment - declare these and consider temporary import procedures for valuable items that will be re-exported.
Passengers transiting through Taiwan en route to a third destination may be eligible for visa-free transit if their layover is under 24 hours and they hold confirmed onward tickets. Some nationalities can stay up to 7 days for transit tourism with confirmed onward flights. Requirements vary by nationality - check with your airline and Taiwan immigration. You must remain in international transit areas unless you have authorization to enter Taiwan. Transit passengers can usually access airport hotels and facilities. For layovers exceeding 24 hours or if you wish to leave the airport, check if you need a visa or qualify for visa-free entry.
Individuals holding both Taiwan (ROC) and foreign passports must enter and exit Taiwan using their Taiwan passport. Using a foreign passport to enter when you hold Taiwan nationality may cause complications. Taiwan recognizes dual nationality in most cases, but military service obligations may apply to male dual nationals of certain ages. If you're a former Taiwan national who has renounced citizenship, you can enter on your foreign passport if eligible for visa-free or visa entry. Contact the nearest Taiwan representative office if you have questions about dual nationality status.