Taichung Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
-
Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), online
- Who
- Foreign visitors entering Taiwan
- When
- Within three days before arrival
- Cost
- Free
Since 1 October 2025 the online Taiwan Arrival Card has replaced all paper arrival cards. Taiwan's National Immigration Agency warns that any website charging a fee is not an official government website.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Taiwan maintains separate bilateral visa arrangements with individual countries. The rules for your passport may differ significantly from a fellow traveler's. The broad categories below give a sense of the landscape. The specific terms, permitted duration of stay, and any conditions attached to your nationality are published by Taiwan's National Immigration Agency. Always verify your own situation there before making plans for Taichung.
Taiwan grants visa-free entry to passport holders from a number of countries. This allows short tourist and business stays without applying for a visa in advance. The permitted length of stay and any conditions vary by nationality.
Even under visa-free entry, you will still need to complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card before arrival. Immigration officers may ask for evidence of onward travel and sufficient funds for your stay. Visa-free entry typically cannot be extended for tourism purposes. Exceptions may exist for certain nationalities. Confirm your eligibility and permitted stay through Taiwan's official immigration resources before traveling to Taichung.
Some nationalities may be eligible for electronic pre-authorization to enter Taiwan. This is separate from the universally required Taiwan Arrival Card. The TWAC itself is an electronic arrival form that all foreign visitors must complete through Taiwan's National Immigration Agency portal within three days before arrival, at no cost. The agency cautions that any website charging a fee for this service is not an official government site. Beyond the TWAC, if your nationality requires an additional electronic travel authorization or e-visa, the application process and terms are set by the National Immigration Agency.
Cost: The Taiwan Arrival Card is free. For any other electronic authorization, consult the official immigration website for current terms.
The online Taiwan Arrival Card replaced all paper arrival cards in October 2025. There is no legitimate paid version of this form. If your nationality requires a separate electronic travel authorization beyond the TWAC, you will find the application process on the National Immigration Agency's official website. Do not use third-party sites that charge fees or claim to expedite government processes.
Travelers whose nationality does not qualify for visa-free entry or electronic pre-authorization will need to apply for a traditional visa through a Taiwan embassy, consulate, or representative office before traveling to Taichung.
Some nationalities may have access to visa-on-arrival arrangements under specific circumstances. This is not universally available. The National Immigration Agency's website lists current visa categories, requirements, and which diplomatic offices handle applications for your region. Requirements and processing times are subject to change. Verify the latest information before applying.
Arrival Process
If you are arriving directly in Taichung, immigration and customs are handled at Taichung International Airport. For travelers flying into Taoyuan and connecting domestically or taking the high-speed rail, immigration clearance happens at Taoyuan upon your first entry into Taiwan. The process is the same either way. For most travelers it moves without much delay.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Taiwan's customs regulations apply uniformly at all ports. Clear in Taichung or at Taoyuan before heading south. Same allowances. Same restrictions. The red and green channel system is simple. Penalties for undeclared restricted items are steep. Know the basics before landing.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and controlled substances, including many synthetic drugs. Taiwan enforces severe penalties for drug offenses, including for quantities that might draw lighter consequences elsewhere. Don't risk it.
- Counterfeit currency, securities, or goods infringing intellectual property rights
- Firearms, ammunition, and weapons without prior authorization from Taiwan's authorities
- Certain fresh fruits, vegetables, and unprocessed plant materials that pose agricultural biosecurity risks
- Soil and live plants without phytosanitary certification
- Products derived from endangered species, including ivory, certain traditional medicines, and exotic animal products covered under CITES
- Obscene or seditious materials as defined under Taiwan's laws
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications in quantities exceeding a reasonable personal supply. Carry a doctor's letter and the original prescription, and check with Taiwan's Food and Drug Administration for specifics on controlled substances.
- Meat products, dairy, and certain animal-origin foods, which may be restricted depending on the country of origin and current disease-control measures
- Live animals and pets, which require import permits, health certificates, and may be subject to quarantine
- Radio-frequency equipment, telecommunications devices, and certain electronics that may require approval from Taiwan's communications authority
- Traditional medicines and herbal products containing ingredients from protected species or controlled substances
Health Requirements
Taiwan does not impose extensive health screening requirements on most arriving travelers. But there are a few things worth knowing before heading to Taichung.
Required Vaccinations
- Taiwan may require proof of yellow fever vaccination if you are arriving from, or have recently transited through, a country where yellow fever is endemic. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination if this applies to your travel history.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine vaccinations including measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and seasonal influenza are advisable as with any international travel
- Hepatitis An and hepatitis B vaccinations are commonly recommended for travelers to the region, though the risk in urban Taichung is relatively low
- Japanese encephalitis vaccination may be worth discussing with a travel health professional if you plan to spend extended time in rural areas around Taichung or elsewhere in central Taiwan
Health Insurance
Taiwan does not strictly require proof of health insurance for short-term tourist entry. But traveling without it is a significant financial risk. Taiwan's hospitals and clinics, including those in Taichung, provide high-quality care. But costs for uninsured foreign visitors can be substantial. Complete travel health insurance that covers medical treatment, hospitalization, and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Some visa categories or extended-stay arrangements may have their own insurance requirements.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Children traveling to Taichung need their own passport and, if applicable, their own visa. Each child also requires a separate Taiwan Arrival Card submission. If a child is traveling with only one parent or with someone other than their parents, carrying a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent or legal guardian is strongly advisable. While Taiwan does not always check for this documentation, airlines and immigration officers in your departure country may require it, and having it prevents potential complications at either end. Birth certificates or other documents establishing the relationship between the child and accompanying adult can also be helpful.
Bringing a pet into Taiwan requires advance planning. You will generally need an import permit from Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, a veterinary health certificate issued within a specified window before departure, and proof of current rabies vaccination. Depending on the animal's country of origin and rabies status, a quarantine period at an approved facility may apply. The process and required documentation differ by species and origin country, so contact the bureau well ahead of your travel date. Airlines also have their own pet transport policies and capacity limits. Start early.
If you plan to stay in Taichung or elsewhere in Taiwan beyond what your initial entry permission allows, your options depend on your nationality and visa type. Some visa-free and visa-based entries can be extended through the National Immigration Agency, though tourist entries are often limited in how far they can be stretched. For longer stays, you may need to apply for a resident visa or an Alien Resident Certificate, which typically requires a qualifying purpose such as employment, study, or family reunification. Overstaying your permitted entry period carries consequences including fines, detention, and bans on future entry. If your plans change while in Taichung, visit the nearest NIA service center before your authorized stay expires to discuss your options. Don't wait.
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