Hsinchu

Passport validity requirements

To enter Taiwan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Arrival cards

You must complete a Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) within three days before your arrival in Taiwan. This must be submitted online via the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency website.

You may be exempt if you hold a resident visa, Alien Resident Card (ARC), Alien Permanent Resident Card (APRC), or other permits issued by the Taiwanese authorities.

For further advice and instructions on how to complete and submit the TWAC, check the National Immigration Agency.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You can visit Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days. You can extend this by a further 90 days once you have arrived in Taiwan. You can get more information on entering Taiwan without a visa (‘visa-exempt entry’) from the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
• to visit family or friends
• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events

If you plan to stay in Taiwan for longer than 180 days, you must have a visa before you arrive. If you stay beyond the time given on your visa, you will get a fine and risk being deported from Taiwan.

There are specific rules for naturalised British citizens born in the People’s Republic of China and holders of British National (Overseas) passports wishing to enter under the visa waiver scheme.

Contact the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs or Taiwan National Immigration Agency for further information.

Applying for a visa

If you are in the UK and need a visa, apply at your nearest Taipei Representative Office. If you are in Taiwan, apply through the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.

Alien Resident Certificate and Alien Permanent Resident Certificate holders

If you already hold a resident certificate, you do not need a visa to enter Taiwan.

If you hold a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for Taiwan, you can apply to switch to a working visa or a visa to study a degree course at undergraduate level or higher.

Submit your application to the Bureau of Consular Affairs for consideration. If it is approved, you can then apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at your local National Immigration Agency (NIA) Service Center. Contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs or National Immigration Agency for further information.

Vaccine requirements

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s Taiwan guide.   

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Taiwan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Animal products

Do not bring animal products into Taiwan without authorisation. If you are caught with any animal products, you may face a heavy fine. Customs officials have increased inspections due to concerns about African Swine Fever Virus in pork products, particularly from the People’s Republic of China.

Bringing money into Taiwan

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is higher than 100,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) or 10,000 US dollars. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

International bank transfers can be slow. Most of the ATMs in 7-11 stores accept international cards. Other ATMs may accept them, but not all do.

American Express, Citibank and Thomas Cook branches accept their own-brand travellers cheques. You may need your receipt as well as your passport when you cash them.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Taiwan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Animal products

Do not bring animal products into Taiwan without authorisation. If you are caught with any animal products, you may face a heavy fine. Customs officials have increased inspections due to concerns about African Swine Fever Virus in pork products, particularly from the People’s Republic of China.

Bringing money into Taiwan

Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is higher than 100,000 New Taiwan dollars (NTD) or 10,000 US dollars. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

International bank transfers can be slow. Most of the ATMs in 7-11 stores accept international cards. Other ATMs may accept them, but not all do.

American Express, Citibank and Thomas Cook branches accept their own-brand travellers cheques. You may need your receipt as well as your passport when you cash them.

Emergency services in Taiwan

Ambulance and fire: 119

Police: 110

Coastguard: 118

Domestic abuse and sexual assault hotline: 113

Any further assistance: 0800 024 111 (‘Information for Foreigners in Taiwan’ helpline)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers, funeral directors and translators and interpreters in Taiwan.
• dealing with a death in Taiwan
• being arrested or imprisoned in Taiwan
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

Risk information for British companies

The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating in Taiwan on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.

Typhoon season warning

Typhoons can affect Taiwan in June, but the most active period is between July and September. Typhoon frequency gradually decreases in October. If you are planning to visit Taiwan during typhoon season, it is important to stay informed and plan ahead:

• monitor official weather forecast: check the website of the Taiwan Central Weather Administration for updated typhoon news

• be flexible with your itinerary: flights, trains, buses and other transportation services may be delayed or cancelled during severe weather

• check your travel arrangements with your travel provider

• follow the guidance of the Taiwanese authorities

• conditions may be dangerous for swimming, water sports and other activities in coastal waters around Taiwan during this period

Information and advice on how you can prepare for a range of disasters and emergency situations in Taiwan can be found in their Public Safety Guide or “Little Orange Book”.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID 

Always carry ID such as a passport. The police will usually accept a printed copy of the photo page.

Illegal drugs and penalties

Avoid any involvement with illegal drugs, including cannabis, while in Taiwan. Drug laws are stricter than in the UK. Legal definitions of supply or trafficking may be different from in the UK, including the quantities of drugs involved.

If you’re found guilty of smuggling, trafficking, possession or use of illegal narcotics, including when transiting through the airport, you should expect to get a severe prison sentence or, in some cases, the death penalty.

Airports in Taiwan have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.

LGBT+ travellers

Taiwan has some of Asia’s most progressive policies on LGBT+ rights, and discrimination on the grounds of gender and gender identity is illegal. Taiwan’s Pride parade, held annually in October, is the largest regular LGBT+ event in Asia, attracting high numbers of participants from the region and internationally.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.