The Essentials
Travel Info
Passport
A valid passport is required when entering and exiting Taiwan. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
For more details regarding entry and exit requirements, please check the link below.
VISA
Those from countries such as Japan, Korea, and the US are eligible for visa-exempt entry. Travelers from Hong Kong or Macau have to apply for the Taiwan Entry Permit. Travelers from China must prepare a Travel Permit to and from Taiwan with at least 6 months of validity, an Entry/Exit Permit, and a return flight/ferry ticket before visiting Taiwan.
Please refer to the links below for more details.
Prohibited Items
It is prohibited to carry meat, food with meat inside and fresh fruits or vegetables into Taiwan. Travelers carrying the following items shall make the declaration: Over NTD 100,000 and the equivalent of USD 10,000.
Time Zone
The time zone in Taiwan is GMT+8.
Travel Season
Tainan is warm year-round. Spring features the Yuejin Lantern Festival and Taiwan International Orchid Show, while summer brings the Tainan International Mango Festival. In the cooler autumn and winter, enjoy the Guanziling Hot Spring Festival. Every season is ideal for exploring Taiwan's ancient capital.
Currency
The New Taiwan Dollar is the official currency of Taiwan. Currency exchange service is available at the banks located in Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, or Tainan Airport. Common banknote denominations are NT$100, NT$500 and NT$1,000, while common coin denominations are NT$1, NT$5, NT$10 and NT$50.
Tips and Service Charges
Tipping in Taiwan is generally not expected. In some restaurants, 10% service charge will be added to the bill.
Power Socket
In Taiwan, the common voltage is either 110V or 220V. The sockets are of type A or type B. If your electric plugs are not compatible with the sockets, you should bring plug adapters.
Wi-Fi
Turn on your Wi-Fi for free internet access where iTaiwan internet services are available. After agreeing to the related terms and conditions, you are ready to enjoy iTaiwan free Wi-Fi services.
Useful Phone Numbers
Fire/Ambulance: 119
Police: 110
Emergency Rescue Tel: 112
Country Code: +886
Area Code: 06
Travel Information Hotline of Tourism Administration, MOTC
0800-011-765
No smoking in public places
Smoking is banned in all public places. Some public sites and shops may be equipped with smoking areas.
VISA
There are four types of VISA depending on the purpose and identity of the applicant:
Visitor Visa：Short-term visa for those staying in Taiwan for fewer than 180 days.
Resident Visa：Long-term visa for those staying in Taiwan for more than 180 days.
Diplomatic Visa
Courtesy Visa
- The duration of stay includes 14, 30, 60, 90 days and starts from the next day of arrival. For extension, foreign visitors must apply from the Bureau of Consular Affairs or branch offices of National Immigration Agency before the due date with relevant documents.
Visa-Exempt Entry
Those from countries such as Japan, Korea, and the US are eligible for visa-exempt entry. For details, please consult the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ regulations on visa exemptions and landing visas for foreign citizens.Official website
Important Notice: Visa-exempt entry applies to foreign visitors holding formal passports (i.e., ordinary, official, and diplomatic passports) with remaining validity of at least 6 months as of the date of entry. However, US nationals (including emergency passport holders) and Japanese nationals only require a passport valid for the intended period of stay.
Applying for passports, visas and document authentication
Agency Name : Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Address : 3~5 Fl., 2-2 Chi-Nan Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei City 10051Map
Webpage : Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Tax Refund
A 5% tax is included in the prices of commodities in Taiwan. If a foreign traveler spends more than NT$ 2,000 within a day at the same designated store, can fulfill the tax refund form then apply it at the airport counter.
Taiwan TAX and Refund
(1)
Eligible Applicants
Foreign travelers who enter the R.O.C. with any of the following documents and stay for no more than 183 days from the date of arrival:
(2)
Tax Rate and Calculation Formula
Tax rate: 5% Administration charge: 20% Net value of receivable VAT refund = receivable VAT refund-receivable VAT refund×0.2 (rounding down to the nearest whole digit)
(3)
Goods Excluded from Tax-refund
Prohibited items.
hotel stay, restaurant bill and duty-free goods are not tax-refundable.
Unaccompanied goods.
Specific goods which have been returned, unpacked, consumed or swapped before departure.
Regulations Regarding to Tax Refund
(1)
The Tax Refund Service at Airports/port terminals
Required documents for TAX Refund： The original passport. (travel document or entry/ exit permit) Uniform invoices or e-invoices. The “Application Form for VAT Refunds”
Notices: Before checking in your luggage, please bring the required documents to the tax refund service counter at the airport or port to apply for your tax refund.
(2)
On-site Small-amount Tax Refunds
Required documents for TAX Refund： ■ The original passport. (travel document or entry/ exit permit) ■ Uniform invoices or e-invoices. ■ Travelers, having purchased goods costing between NTD 2,000 and NTD 48,000 (tax included) at one single authorized TRS-labeled store on the same date, are qualified for on-site small-amount Tax refunds.
*Special Notices
The following conditions does NOT apply to “on-site small-amount Tax refund”, please claim your tax refund at the airport/ port before departure.
- The total purchase amount applying for the on-site small-amount Tax refunds has exceeded NTD 120,000 (including Tax) during one visit.
- The total purchase amount applying for the on-site small-amount Tax refunds has exceeded NTD 240,000 (including Tax) during different visits in the same year.
- The Foreign passenger who does not records in the tax refund system.
Read moreTAX and Refund