APEC BUSINESS TRAVEL HANDBOOK

TAIWAN-Short-Term Business Visit

Updated: July 5 , 2004

Business Visa Requirements	All business persons from APEC member economies* require a visa to enter Taiwan, except for those from Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United States, who may enter Taiwan under the visa-exemption program. Business persons entering Taiwan under the visa-exemption program are eligible to stay up to 30 days, which is not extendable. Foreigners who intend to engage in business for a period of less than six months may apply for a visitor visa. The visa regulations and other relevant information listed here do not apply to business persons holding passports issued by Hong Kong, Macao and the People’s Republic of China For further information, please go to: www.boca.gov.tw For further information about WTO mode 4 , please browse http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/serv_e/symp_mov_natur_perso_april02_e.htm
APEC Business Travel Card ABTC	Taiwan commenced ABTC scheme on May 1, 2002. Cardholders of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Thailand and Peru may enter Taiwan within the validity of the ABTC and stay for three months. Special signposted APEC lanes are available in both the arrival and departure terminals at the Chiang Kai Shek International Airport and Kaohsiung International Airport.
Documentation Required	All applicants must produce: Passport valid for at least 6 months Completed visa application form 2 photographs Round trip airline or steamship ticket Supporting documents which may be requested for necessary screening: Sponsorship letters from associated companies or other references in Taiwan Certificates verifying the applicant’s occupation or job title Other documents verifying the purpose of visit If the applicant meets the requirements listed above, health or finance statements are normally not necessary. Taiwan, however, reserves the right to request documentation or procedures that may not be listed above.
Method of Lodgement	Applicants are not required to submit the visa application in person, except when an interview is considered necessary for screening purposes.
Processing Time	Normally 1 to 3 working days, except when the application needs further verification.
Multiple Entry Visas	Taiwan may issue multiple entry visitor visas to business persons under the following circumstances: Applicants from the United States, with which Taiwan has a reciprocal visa agreement, will automatically be issued multiple entry visitor visas for business and social visit with validity of 5 years if there is no special consideration. For applicants from other APEC economies, Taiwan will consider issuing multiple entry visitor visas with validity of up to 1 year upon request and pursuant to the principle of reciprocity.
Validity/Extension	The length of validity of single entry visitor visas is usually 3 months but may vary on a case-by-case basis. Validity of multiple entry visitor visas shall be determined pursuant to the relevant reciprocal arrangements with APEC economies. The validity of a visitor visa cannot be extended. Once a visitor visa is used or expired, the holder shall file a new application with one of the visa-issuing missions abroad when he/she leaves Taiwan. The duration of stay of a visitor visa, whether for single or multiple entry, shall be up to 90 days and may, on good grounds, be extended up to 180 days if the visa bears no restrictive stamp, such as "no extension will be granted." Visitors should apply for this extension at the city/county police headquarters with relevant documents verifying the purpose of staying.
Cost of Visa Application	Single journey visitor visa-NT$1,200(US$36) Multiple journey visitor visa-NT$2,400(US$72) Visa processing fee-NT$3,600(US$100) for US citizens. Landing visa fee-NT$2,000(NT$4,400 for US citizens) The visa fee can be paid by cash, cheque or money order.
Regulations Relating to Accompanying Dependants	A business person and his/her accompanying family members may be issued visitor visas to Taiwan simultaneously with the same terms and conditions. Documents verifying family relationship may be required for necessary screening.