Taiwan

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Capital: Taipei (pop. 2.754 million)
Population: 23,112,793 (2025 est.)
Other Urban Areas: New Taipei City (pop. 4.504 million); Taoyuan (pop. 2.319 million); Kaohsiung (pop. 1.553 million); Taichung (pop. 1.369 million); Tainan (pop. 863,000)
Religions: Buddhist 35.3%, Taoist 33.2%, Christian 3.9%, folk (includes Confucian) approximately 10%
Languages: Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese (Min Nan), Hakka dialects, approximately 16 indigenous languages
Time Zone: UTC+8
Driving side: Right
Calling code: +886
Electrical plug(s): Type A and Type B

Pengar

The local currency in Taiwan is New Taiwan dollars (TWD). As of 6 October 2026 100 TWD is equal to 3.13 USD.

Currency exchange can be done at airports, banks and hotels.

Travellers should be prepared to use either cash or credit or debit card to make payments. Credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs are available in most places.

A service charge of 10-15% is typically added in restaurants. Taxis do not require a tip.

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The power supply in Taiwan is reliable. Electricity operates on 110V at 60Hz using plug type(s) A and B.

Pass

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Taiwan. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival.

Visum

Visa-free entry is available for certain travellers who qualify based on nationality and purpose of travel. Travellers may qualify for a visa waiver, however this requires the completion of a security check or travel authorisation prior to departure. All other travellers will need to obtain a visa from the nearest embassy or consulate or apply online (e-visa) prior to travel.

Entry visa requirements vary based on nationality, purpose of travel and other factors. Individual travellers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all visa requirements, which should be confirmed with authorities at their destination prior to travel.

Visa Free Travel

Visa Free (30 days): Foreign nationals from select countries can enter Taiwan without a visa for up to 30 days.

Visa Free (90 days): Foreign nationals from select countries can enter Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days.

e-Visas

E-visa: Nationals from all countries may apply for the e-visa, provided they are invited to attend international conferences, sporting events, trade fairs or other select activities in Taiwan.

Nationals from select countries may apply for the e-visa without an invitation, provided they are eligible under the conditions listed here.

The validity of an eVisa is three months starting from the issue date. The e-visa is a single-entry visa; the maximum duration of stay in Taiwan is 30 days, which cannot be extended and converted to other types of visas.

Taiwanese officials suspended visa applications for most Moroccan nationals, except those with special approval, until further notice. The decision came after the Moroccan Embassy in Japan reportedly stopped accepting applications for visa confirmation letters for Taiwanese, which is an entry requirement to enter Morocco for Taiwanese. Taiwanese officials temporarily suspended visa applications also for most Sri Lankan nationals.

Visas

Entry Visa: Foreign nationals who intend to stay in Taiwan for less than six months for various purposes, including business and tourism, may apply for the ROC (Republic of China) Visitor Visa. Duration of stay may vary from 14 to 90 days. Further instructions can be found here.

Chinese nationals may apply for the short-term business visa.

Effective 30 July, Taiwanese officials suspended visa applications for most Moroccan nationals, except those with special approval, until further notice. The decision came after the Moroccan Embassy in Japan reportedly stopped accepting applications for visa confirmation letters for Taiwanese, which is an entry requirement to enter Morocco for Taiwanese. Taiwanese officials temporarily suspended visa applications also for most Sri Lankan nationals.

Lokal resor

Overview

The main international airport is Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP) in Taipei. Public transport in Taiwan is widely reliable and safe. Road conditions in central and southern parts of Taiwan can be unpredictable during the rainy season.

Travel Safety

Air Travel

The main point of entry into Taiwan is Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE/RCTP), located around 40km (25 miles) southwest of Taipei. Taoyuan International Airport is the main hub for China Airlines, Taiwan’s state-owned flag carrier. A wide array of international airlines also serve the airport. The airport complies with the highest safety and security standards and has advanced automated immigration controls. Skytrain provides free transport between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

Several transport options are available to reach central Taipei. Airport buses depart from outside the arrivals hall to various parts of Taipei. The Taoyuan Airport MRT is the fastest way to downtown Taipei. Two classes of trains are available. Commuter train and express train. Tickets can be purchased at kiosks in the airport station. Taxis are widely available outside the arrivals terminal.

Most major cities in Taiwan are well connected by domestic flights. Other major international airports in the country are Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH/RCKH), Taichung International Airport (RMQ/RCMQ) and Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA/RCSS).

Borders and Entry

Entry requirements: Most travellers need to fill out an online Arrival Card to enter Taiwan. Some exemptions apply.

Entry bans: Authorities banned nationals and residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including those with a valid visa, from entering Taiwan, effective from 2 June until at least 28 November, to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus.

Health-related surveillance measures: Authorities implemented Ebola surveillance measures at the country’s entry points, effective until further notice, to prevent the entry of the disease.

Identification

Most travellers will need a passport to enter Taiwan. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival.
Travellers with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral" may be denied entry. Contact the nearest embassy, high commission or consulate to confirm if entry is allowed with passports where gender is indicated as "neutral". The country's overall social acceptance of LGBTQ people is good.

Required Documents

Entry requirement: Entry requirement: Officials require foreign nationals to complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) up to seven days before entering Taiwan. The paper-based version is no longer accepted. Foreign nationals who possess an Alien Resident Certificate, a Resident Visa or a Diplomatic ID card are exempted from this requirement. Document link: https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/

Road Travel

Traffic moves to the right in Taiwan. Speed limits are commonly around 40 kph (25 mph) on urban roads, 80 kph (50 mph) on rural roads and 100-110 kph (62-68 mph) on highways. The legal threshold for driving under the influence of alcohol is 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per millilitre of blood. The roads are mostly well maintained in all areas of the country. Some rural roads may suffer from poor road surfaces, flooding and landslides during the rainy season. Taiwan's cities are notorious for traffic congestion and drivers and pedestrians must always be careful when using metropolitan roads.

Rail Travel

The Taiwan rail network is modern and safe, with petty crimes the main threat to travellers. The Taiwan Railway (TR) operates conventional trains around the island. Fares and timetables can be found on this website. The long-distance Taiwan High-Speed Rail (HSR) network runs the length of the island's west coast. Tickets can be purchased on this website. Foreign travellers may opt for the THSR Pass, a pass that offers unlimited train rides throughout Taiwan for days.

Maritime Travel

Taiwan's ferry network provides access to its outlying archipelagos and neighbouring mainland China. Daily services run from Taitung to Green Island and Orchid Island, from Chiayi and Kaohsiung to the Penghu archipelago, and from Donggang to Xiao Liuqiu. Overnight ferries (such as the New Taima Ferry) run from Keelung Harbour near Taipei to the Matsu Islands near the coast of mainland China on an 8- to 10-hour journey. Travellers can cross the Taiwan Strait into mainland China via the "Mini Three Links" ferry routes. Frequent 30-minute ferries link Kinmen Island directly to Xiamen (Wutong Port) and Quanzhou, while routes from Matsu connect directly to Fuzhou. Summer typhoons or rough sea conditions during the winter northeast monsoon often cause seasonal suspensions or sudden cancellations.

Public Transport

Public transport in Taiwan is very reliable and safe. Most large cities have modern metro networks. Rail connections are fast and convenient.

Buses: Taiwan's intercity buses are called kè yùn. The network of services is large and safety is good. Most vehicles used are modern and crime rates on buses are extremely low. Timetables are usually only available in Mandarin.

Buses that operate within a city or small rural area are known as gongche. These buses run efficiently but can be hindered by heavy traffic. Public buses in Taipei can be paid for with the EasyCard.

Metro: Taiwan's metro systems are modern and generally very safe. Several large cities in Taiwan have metro systems. The one in the Taipei metropolitan area is particularly extensive. Timetables, fares and a map can be found on this website. Metro tickets are available from vending machines and kiosks inside stations; alternatively, rides can be paid for with the EasyCard.

Taxis: Taiwanese taxis enjoy an excellent reputation for safety and ease of use. They are recognisable by the taxi signs placed at the top and the yellow colour. Taxi-related crime is not common in Taiwan, however, travellers should always ensure they use licensed taxis to reduce the risk of overcharging. Ride-hailing and taxi apps such as 55688 or FindTaxi are also widely available.

Vehicle Hire: Local and international car hire firms have offices in major urban centres and airports. However, due to the heavy traffic in most cities, hiring a car can be a bad idea. An International Driver's Licence is necessary to hire a vehicle.