Taiwan
Taiwan is an island nation off the southeastern coast of China, roughly the size of Belgium, with a mountainous interior rising to 3,952 metres at Jade Mountain and Taipei as its capital. It combines Chinese cultural heritage with a strong Japanese colonial-era influence, a food culture built around night markets, and a public transport network — high-speed rail, MRT systems and buses — that makes the whole island easy to navigate without a car. Entry is straightforward for most visitors: passport holders from over 60 countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, EU nations, Australia and New Zealand, can enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days.
Taiwan Visa & Entry Requirements
Taiwan admits passport holders from more than sixty countries — the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, Australia and New Zealand among them — for 90 days without a visa, on a passport valid at least six months beyond the stay, with entry formalities completed at the airport. Visitors from other countries apply for a visitor visa at Taiwan's overseas missions, and a visa-free stay can be extended in some circumstances.
Before you travel
Separate from the mainland
Taiwan's immigration is separate from mainland China's: every visitor, mainland Chinese citizens included, needs a Taiwan entry permit regardless of any Chinese visa.
Language requirement
No Taiwan visa tests Mandarin. Degrees taught in Mandarin ask for TOCFL, commonly Band B, the Ministry of Education's Huayu Enrichment Scholarship funds months of language study at university centres, and short-term study is among the purposes of visa-free entry.
Certificates, tools and tutorsVisa types
Visa-Free Entry (90 days)
Tourism, business meetings, visiting friends and family, short-term study, conferences, and cultural exchanges for eligible passport holders
Visitor Visa (Single/Multiple Entry)
Tourism and business travel for nationals from countries not covered by visa exemption programs
Landing Visa
Emergency entry for eligible nationals from select countries who arrive without prior visa authorization
Guides
Taiwan delivers extraordinary diversity in a compact, accessible package—this island roughly the size of Belgium packs dramatic mountain scenery, pristine beaches, vibrant cities, ancient temples, and some of Asia's best food into destinations connected by high-speed rail and efficient public transportation. The island's east coast showcases nature at its most dramatic with Taroko Gorge's marble-walled canyon, Hualien's rugged coastline, and Kenting's tropical southern tip, while the west features modern cities like Taipei (neon-lit night markets, Taipei 101 skyscraper, historic temples), Taichung (art museums, bubble tea birthplace), and Tainan (Taiwan's oldest city with centuries of history). Taiwan's mountainous interior reaches 3,952 meters at Jade Mountain (Yushan), with highland areas like Alishan offering misty forest railways, sunrise views, and tea plantations, while offshore islands including Penghu (volcanic landscapes and beaches) and Kinmen (historic military sites) provide unique experiences. The island's food culture defines the travel experience—night markets serving endless varieties of dumplings, noodles, and snacks; regional specialties from aboriginal cuisine to Hakka dishes; temples where offerings feed both spirits and hungry visitors; and the obsessive pursuit of the perfect xiao long bao (soup dumpling) or pearl milk tea. Taiwan welcomes visitors with exceptional safety, cleanliness, affordable prices, increasingly English-friendly signage, one of Asia's best healthcare systems, comprehensive convenience store coverage (7-Eleven and FamilyMart every few blocks), and genuinely warm hospitality that makes solo travel and family visits equally comfortable.
Taiwan travel guide →
The full guide — the marble gorge, the forest railway, Highway 11 and the speed-habit route.
Money in Taiwan →
NT dollars, cards and the EasyCard layer — the practical money guide.
Eating in Taiwan →
Bubble tea's disputed invention, Hakka preservation cooking and the indigenous food traditions.
Getting around Taiwan →
THSR as the west-coast spine, TRA reaching everywhere else and how far the EasyCard actually goes.
Health & safety in Taiwan →
Typhoon and earthquake basics in proportion, mountain altitude rules, healthcare access and the numbers to call.
Cities & planning
Plan your trip
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Regions
Embassies & missions
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa to visit Taiwan?
No. US passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days, along with citizens of over 60 other countries including Canada, the UK, EU nations, Australia and New Zealand. A passport valid at least six months beyond the intended stay is required, and no advance visa application is needed.
How do I get from Taoyuan Airport into Taipei?
The Taoyuan Airport MRT runs directly from the airport into central Taipei, with both an express and a local service, and is generally faster and cheaper than a taxi during peak traffic. Buses also connect the airport to major hotels and the city centre.
Is tap water safe to drink in Taiwan?
Tap water is not generally recommended for drinking — bottled water or hotel-provided boiled water is the safer choice. Ice at established restaurants is generally fine.
What's the best way to get around Taiwan?
Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in around 90 minutes and is the fastest way between major west-coast cities, with regular TRA trains and buses covering smaller towns and the east coast. Within cities, the MRT systems and a rechargeable EasyCard cover most getting-around needs.
Do I need an International Driving Permit to rent a scooter in Taiwan?
Yes. Scooter rental requires an International Driving Permit alongside your home licence, plus confidence handling dense city traffic. Helmets are mandatory, and rental shops typically ask for a passport and IDP at pickup.
Is Taiwan safe for solo travellers?
Yes. Taiwan is considered extremely safe, with rare violent crime against tourists, well-lit streets and uncommon scams; solo travellers, including women, generally report feeling secure. Normal urban precautions still apply.
When is typhoon season in Taiwan?
Typhoon season runs roughly June to October, peaking in August and September. Storms can disrupt flights, ferries and mountain roads, so it's worth checking forecasts and building some flexibility into travel plans during these months.
Can I use my phone easily in Taiwan?
Yes. Prepaid tourist SIM cards are widely available at the airport and convenience stores, and Wi-Fi is common in hotels, cafes and on public transport. Coverage is strong across the island, including in most mountain and coastal areas.
Planning a trip to Taiwan? Check what you need to enter and apply online in minutes.
Treat this Visaja page as your starting point: verify the current rules directly with the official source before you submit an application.