FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON THE R.O.C. (TAIWAN) VISA APPLICATIONS
- General Inquiry
Q: What are the different types of visas?
A: There are two main types of visas issued by Taiwan, depending on the purpose of your intended travel. Visitor visa is for short-term stay and is issued to those traveling for business, tourism, conferences, events, training, and job opportunities. Resident visa is issued to foreigners who wish to stay longer (more than 6 months) for reasons such as family, employment, study, or other activities approved by the relevant agencies at the central-government level.
Q: What is the difference between single and multiple visa entry?
A: A single entry visa allows the visa holder one-time entry to Taiwan. Multiple entry visas allow individuals to enter Taiwan more than once until the indicated validity date.
Q: Does TECO have an accredited travel agency?
A: No. Any travel agency or an individual who holds a valid government-issued ID may file for a Taiwan visa on behalf of an applicant. Please note that there are no online applications and no mail applications.
Q: When is the best time to apply for a visa?
A: A Taiwan visa is only valid for 3 months starting from the date of issuance. Applicants should file no earlier than 3 months before their intended date of departure. It is highly encouraged to apply for the required visa as early as possible within this period to provide enough time for the consular office to evaluate an application.
Q: The validity of my passport is less than 6 months, can I apply for a visa?
A: No, you will need to renew your passport first before applying for a visa.
Q: My valid visa is in my expired passport. Should I apply for a new visa with my new passport?
A: You will just need to bring your expired passport containing the appropriate visa together with your new passport when traveling to Taiwan. If it is a multiple-entry visa, then no new visa application is necessary.
Q: Can a Filipino apply for an eVisa?
A: Filipinos are no longer eligible for the eVisa application, but may take advantage of the 14-day visa-free entry to Taiwan for the purposes of tourism, business or visiting relatives. However, for those who plan to stay for more than 14 days, they will need to apply for an appropriate visa at TECO.
Q: I remember before l used to apply for a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) online, why is this service no longer available?
A: Since the 14-day visa-free program for all Filipino citizens has been implemented by the ROC (Taiwan) government, the TAC is no longer applicable for Philippine passport holders.
Q: As a seafarer, am I part of the visa-free treatment?
A: Seafarers who will travel to Taiwan as part of a vessel are excluded from the visa-free program.
- Application Process
Q: I already filled up the form online, how long can I get my visa?
A: Applying online is only the first step of the visa application. You must print out the visa form and submit your application to TECO personally or through a representative.
Q: Am I allowed to send a representative to submit my visa application on my behalf?
A: If you are unable to file your application personally, you may send a representative to submit this on your behalf. You may also choose to course your application through a travel agency. However, the personal appearance of applying OFWs is required for the collection of their biometric data.
Q: I am not in the Philippines, can I just send my passport and ask my relative to apply for a visa for me?
A: No, applicants must be in the Philippines during the application for their visa.
Q: What should I do upon receiving my newly issued visa?
A: As soon as you receive your visa, please make sure to check if all the printed information is correct. If any information on your visa does not match or is incorrect, please inform the visa section at the embassy as soon as possible.
Q: Will I be guaranteed a visa when I apply?
A: The approval or denial of visa applications are subject to the evaluation of TECO’s consular officers. The office reserves the right to deny visa application under certain circumstances.
Q: What should I do if my visa application is disapproved?
A: Reasons for the denial of visa applications are strictly confidential and TECO reserves the right not to disclose these reasons to applicants. Should you wish to re-apply, we strongly advise that you do so after 2-3 months and if the applicant is able to show substantive changes from their previous application. It is highly advised to submit strong documentary evidence to support your re-application for the visa.
Q: Are denied visa applications refundable?
A: Application fees are non-refundable, regardless of whether you are issued a visa or not.
Q: How can I check the status of my visa application?
A: An applicant will need to personally check or send his/her representative to TECO for the status of their visa application.
Q: If I cannot claim my passport, can I authorize someone else to claim it on my behalf?
A: Yes, a representative may claim someone else's passport provided that he/she has the original official receipt. Applicants may also opt to claim their passports beyond the scheduled date of release. You have to claim your passport no later than one month from the application date; otherwise TECO does not assume custodial responsibility for your passport and documents.
- Application Requirements
Q: How much do I need to have in my bank account to be granted a visa?
A: There is no amount that can guarantee the approval of your visa application as this will depend on several other factors. The purpose for the submission of financial documents is to show that the applicant possesses sufficient funds to support his/her stay in Taiwan.
Q: Do I need to have confirmed flights and hotel bookings upon application?
A: Confirmed flights and hotel bookings are not required during the visa application. However, additional documents such as these may be requested during immigration screenings.
Q: Is an interview required for application approval?
A: Interviews for visa applications are not mandatory. However, applicants may be asked to come for an interview if necessary.
Q: I am a senior citizen. What documents should I present?
A: The following basic requirements will be needed for senior citizen applicants: application form, 6 months valid passport, two passport size photos 1.5” x 2”, birth certificate and marriage certificate (if female applicant is married). A maximum stay of 30 days is allowed for a tourist visa. If there is a need to stay for more than 30 days, additional documents will be required.
Q: My spouse has a white collar job in Taiwan. Do I need to authenticate all my documents when I apply for a resident visa?
A: This will depend on the kind of visa you are applying for. For a resident visa, you will only need to authenticate your marriage certificate. When traveling together with your children, you will need to authenticate their birth certificates. However, if you are only going for a short visit, no authentication of documents is needed.
Q: I have a family member married to a Taiwanese, can I apply for a visiting relative visa?
A: Only those with first degree relations (e.g. parents, grand-parents, siblings) can apply for a visiting relative visa. If the applicant is a distant relative (e.g. aunt/uncle/cousin/close friend), please refer to the requirements for the tourist visa application.
Q: My family member who is married to a Taiwanese will be giving birth soon, will I be allowed go to Taiwan to take care of her?
A: The parents are allowed to apply for a 60 or 90 days visa to attend to their daughter (in law) in Taiwan. It may be extended to 180 days, if needed. They will be required to submit the basic visa requirements together with an expected delivery date certificate from the Taiwan hospital.
Q: I work at a multinational company, and my company appointed me to temporarily work in our Taiwanese mother company/branch for more than 30 days. Will I be able to apply for a business visa?
A: If you will be staying for more than 30 days, the Taiwan-based company will first need to obtain for you a working permit from Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor. Only after securing the permit will you eligible to apply for your employment visa at TECO.
- Errors and problems
Q: Upon printing my application form, I noticed errors in the information that I provided. What should I do?
A: In case of errors, applicants will need to fill out and print a new application form. When accomplishing the form, it is imperative that applicants correctly input all the requested information and ensure that these are consistent with their official documents to avoid delays, visa denials, and the issuance of visas with incorrect details.
Q: My friend picked the passport for me. However when I receive it, I noticed there is a spelling mistake on my visa. What shall I do?
A: Before leaving TECO, make sure that you check the details of your visa carefully. If the details on your visa are incorrect, such as your name, sex or date of birth, you should return it, TECO will correct the mistakes and grant you a new visa.
Q: How do I claim my passport if I lost my receipt?
A: In the event that an applicant has lost his/her official receipt, he/she is required to personally pick up his/her passport. The person will be asked to present a notarized affidavit of loss and copy of their valid ID.
Q: I lost the passport that contains my valid Taiwan visa. What should I do?
A: Lost and stolen visas will not be replaced by TECO. Applicants are advised to apply for a new visa once a new passport is obtained.
Q: What should I do if my Taiwan visa was damaged?
A: Damaged visas will not be replaced by TECO. Applicants are advised to apply for a new visa.
- Extending/Changing your visa in Taiwan
Q: I got a visitor visa for studying Chinese language for a duration stay of 60 days, can I applying for a resident visa for studying Chinese language in Taiwan?
A: If you have already completed four months of study in Taiwan and have enrolled at the same school to carry on the study for another three months, you may submit your application with the necessary documents at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), or MOFA branch offices to convert your visitor visa into a resident visa. For details, please visit the BOCA’s website at https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-181-480-c85cb-2.html.
Q: I hold a visitor visa with remark as “NO EXTENSION”, can I extend or renew my visa in Taiwan?
A: You can only apply for a visitor visa within the permitted duration of stay at BOCA or MOFA branch offices in the event of situations that prevent you from leaving Taiwan, such as severe acute illness, natural disaster, or other force majeure reason. You need to submit a written statement explaining the purpose of the extension and should also submit relevant documents concerning the emergency.
Q: What should I do if I will need to extend my stay in Taiwan beyond the expiration date indicated on my visa?
A: Holders of visas which are valid for 60 days or 90 days and which do not bear “No extension” can directly apply for an extension of their visa at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) with the relevant documents. Check the NIA’s website for further information.
- Travel / Immigration
Q: Do I need a visa if I am simply transiting through Taiwan on my way to another country?
A: A visa is not required for lay-overs or those transiting through Taiwan. However, a visa will be required if the passenger will be going through Taiwan’s immigration check.
Q: Does the possession of a visa guarantee my entry to Taiwan?
A: visa does not guarantee entry to Taiwan. Taiwan Bureau of Immigration reserves the right to authorize or deny admission to Taiwan.
Q: What will happen if I overstay beyond the validity of my visa?
A: Foreigners who overstay in Taiwan will be fined and penalized accordingly. According to the Immigration Act, you can be fined between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000 depending on the amount of time you've overstayed. You may be banned from re-entry for one to three years. If you work illegally in Taiwan without a permit, you can be banned from entry for three years.
