The Ultimate Guide to Applying for a Taiwan Visa

Taiwan has always been an attractive destination for travelers, offering a range of affordable activities and scenic attractions. But how do you obtain a visa to visit this captivating country? What are the procedures and associated costs? Read on to find out everything you need to know about applying for a Taiwan visa.

1What is a Taiwan Visa?

Taiwan Visa

Similar to visas for other countries, a Taiwan Visa is a legal document that confirms an individual’s authorization to enter or exit Taiwan.

2Types of Taiwan Visas

Taiwan Visas can be categorized into three main groups:

Short-Term Visas

• Taiwan Visit Visa for Tourism.
• Taiwan Business Visa.
• Taiwan Visit Visa for Family.
• Taiwan Language Learning Visa.
• Taiwan Business and Tourism Visa.
• Taiwan Medical Treatment Visa.
• Taiwan Short-Term Training Visa (less than 6 months).

Taiwan Visit Visa for Family

Residence Visas

• Taiwan Interpreter Visa.
• Taiwan Permanent Residence Visa.
• Taiwan Regular Study Visa.
• Taiwan Long-Term Training Visa (more than 6 months).
• Taiwan Start-up Business Visa.

Work Visas

Work visas are issued to individuals with legitimate employment purposes in Taiwan. The validity of a Taiwan work visa is 3 months or more.

3Taiwan Visa Application Process

Tourist Visa

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, the following documents are required to apply for a Taiwan tourist visa:

• Original passport and one copy, valid for at least 6 months, with the applicant’s signature (The passport copy should include the passport cover and all pages containing visas, entry and exit stamps).
• Fully completed visa application form from the website (along with 2 photos taken within the last 3 months, 4×6 size, white background), with the applicant’s signature. Website address: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw
• Proof of occupation: This includes an employment contract, health insurance, and social insurance (submit copies, with originals for verification), as well as a leave approval letter signed by the employer and stamped by the company. If you are a company director, only the business registration certificate is required (original for verification).
• Proof of financial capability: A savings account with a balance between VND 100 million and VND 500 million.
• Round-trip flight reservation (temporary).
• Hotel reservation (temporary).
• Taiwan travel itinerary.

Proof of financial capability is an important factor when applying for a Taiwan Visa, as well as other types of visas.

Family Visit Visa

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, the following documents are required to apply for a Taiwan family visit visa:

• Original passport and one copy, valid for at least 6 months, with the applicant’s signature (The passport copy should include the passport cover and all pages containing visas, entry and exit stamps).
• Fully completed visa application form from the website (along with 2 photos taken within the last 3 months, 4×6 size, white background), with the applicant’s signature. Website address: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw
• Invitation letter or sponsorship letter from the Taiwanese host (written by the Taiwanese host, stating the purpose of the visit to Taiwan, and signed with their personal seal).
• Copy of the Taiwanese host’s ID card and the Vietnamese spouse’s ID card or residence card.
• Original household registration transcript from Taiwan, valid for 3 months (with detailed annotations).
• Copy of the Vietnamese spouse’s birth certificate (original for verification).
• Copy of the Vietnamese household registration (original for verification).

Taiwanese Host’s ID Card

Business Visa

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, the following documents are required to apply for a Taiwan business visa:

• Original passport and one copy, valid for at least 6 months, with the applicant’s signature (The passport copy should include the passport cover and all pages containing visas, entry and exit stamps).
• Fully completed visa application form from the website (along with 2 photos taken within the last 3 months, 4×6 size, white background), with the applicant’s signature. Website address: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw
• Original invitation letter from the Taiwanese company (The invitation letter must include the company’s information, such as address, phone number, fax number, etc., and must be signed and stamped by the company).
• Copy of the Taiwanese company’s business license and the host’s ID card or residence card.
• Original and copy of the Vietnamese company’s business license (original for verification).
• Decision letter for sending employees to Taiwan on a business trip, issued by the Vietnamese company.
• Copy of the employee’s employment contract (original for verification).
• Copy of the employee’s health insurance and social insurance (original for verification).

Taiwan Business Visa for Short-Term Business Trips

Language Learning Visa

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, the following documents are required to apply for a Taiwan language learning visa:

• Original passport and one copy, valid for at least 6 months, with the applicant’s signature (The passport copy should include the passport cover and all pages containing visas, entry and exit stamps).
• Fully completed visa application form from the website (along with 2 photos taken within the last 3 months, 4×6 size, white background), with the applicant’s signature. Website address: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw
• Original and copy of the school admission notice.
• Original and copy of the highest academic degree (bachelor’s degree or higher) and transcript or report card. Additionally, these documents must be translated into Chinese or English and certified by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Proof of financial capability: Original and copy of a savings account (if the account belongs to the applicant’s parents, a document proving the relationship is required).
• Study plan in English or Chinese, signed by the applicant, original and copy.
• Certificate of language proficiency: One of the following certificates is required: (1) Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) Level 1 (Basic) or higher. (2) English proficiency certificates: (effective from 2/01/2013) TOEFL: iBT must be 18 or higher, pBT 340 or higher; TOEIC: 300 or higher; IELTS: 2.5 or higher. (3) For those studying in English or Chinese departments at universities/colleges, a minimum of one year of study is required, with an average academic performance of 6.0 or higher.

Work Visa

According to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam, the work visa application must be submitted through labor export companies. The requirements for the application are as follows:

Vietnamese Workers in Taiwan

For workers in the following occupations: domestic helpers, caregivers in institutions, and home caregivers, the minimum age requirement is 20 years old. For other occupations, such as manufacturing, business, and offshore fishing, the minimum age is 18 years old.

When applying for a work visa, the applicant must go to the counter to get their fingerprints taken and submit the following documents:

• Visa application form (fill out the form online at http://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw, after filling in all the information, print out the form and sign it).
• Two color photos, white background, 4×6 size (taken within the last 3 months).
• Original documents for verification.
• Original recruitment letter (quota) issued by the Ministry of Labor of Taiwan (must be verified by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam).
• Original Vietnamese language proficiency assessment form issued by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam.
• Original employment contract (signed by the employer and the employee, stamped, and verified by the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vietnam).
• Original training certificate.
• Original criminal record certificate (Police Clearance Certificate No. 2).
• Original commitment letter regarding salary and other expenses of the worker, signed and approved by the competent authority.
• Health examination results valid for 3 months and proof of vaccination at least 14 days in advance (refer to the list of Vietnamese hospitals authorized by the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare).
• List of prospective laborers to be exported, verified by the Vietnam Labor Management Department.
• Official letter “Home Quarantine Plan for Workers after Entering Taiwan” issued by the Taiwan Ministry of Labor. 13. Other documents as required by the Office.

For work visas, the processing time is as follows:

• Regular processing: 5 working days, with a fee of USD 66.
• Expedited processing: 3 working days, with a fee of USD 99.

Other Important Information:

The fees for tourist, family visit, business, language learning, and work visas are as follows:

• Regular processing: USD 50 (after 5 working days).
• Expedited processing: USD 75 (after 2 working days).

Additionally, according to Article 5 of the Regulations Governing the Implementation of Visa for Foreign Passports, the Taipei Office reserves the right to interview the applicant or request additional relevant documents during the application process.

3Frequently Asked Questions about Taiwan Visa Application

What is an e-Visa for Taiwan?

An e-Visa for Taiwan is an online application process for a detachable visa, allowing applicants to enter Taiwan for tourism, family visits, or short-term business trips.

Filling out the Taiwan e-Visa

How long is a Taiwan Visa valid for?

For the regular visa group (tourist, family visit, short-term business visas), the validity is 90 days from the date of visa issuance, and the maximum duration of stay for each entry is 14 days.

For the residence visa group (permanent residence, student, long-term work visas, etc.), the validity is over 6 months. After entering Taiwan, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior in Taiwan. The duration of residence is based on the date printed on the card.

For the work visa group (work, short-term labor visas, etc.), the maximum validity is 180 days (the maximum duration of stay depends on the applicant’s documents).

Taiwan now offers a 10-year visa or residence card, allowing multiple entries to Taiwan with a maximum stay of 30 days for each entry.

Taiwan also offers a 10-year visa or residence card, allowing multiple entries to Taiwan with a maximum stay of 30 days for each entry.

Where to submit the Taiwan Visa application?

If you have a household registration from Hue or further north, you should submit your application and receive the results at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi. If your household registration is from Da Nang or further south, you should go to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City. Specifically:

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi: 20th Floor, PVI Tower, No. 1, Pham Van Bach Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi.
• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ho Chi Minh City: 336 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Ward 4, District 10, Ho Chi Minh City.