New Southbound Policy Portal

MOFA announces adjustments to regulations for foreign nationals entering Taiwan beginning March 1, 2021, in line with the continuation of CECC Fall-Winter COVID-19 Prevention Program

From Bureau of Consular Affairs, MOFA 2021-02-25

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on February 24, 2021, that implementation of the Fall-Winter COVID-19 Prevention Program (2020/12/01-2021/2/28) will be continued until further notice, but that entry regulations will be adjusted. In accordance with the decision, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will update regulations concerning the entry of foreign nationals into the Republic of China (Taiwan). Beginning March 1, 2021, foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan for reasons other than tourism and regular social visits may apply for a special entry permit with an R.O.C. overseas mission by submitting relevant documents and forms. However, the entry of foreign students will still be based on regulations of the Ministry of Education. (Please note that currently only students in formal degree programs in Taiwan and recipients of the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship attending the Mandarin Language Enrichment Program may enter the country.)

To continue to safeguard domestic antipandemic efforts, all inbound and transit travelers to Taiwan are required to provide a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report issued within three working days of their incoming flight’s scheduled departure time. Travelers should also log into the Quarantine System for Entry ( http://hdhq.mohw.gov.tw/ ), use their mobile phone to fill out the health declaration form prior to their departure, and make an affidavit stating that the location of their intended 14-day home quarantine in Taiwan (to be conducted in a quarantine hotel or in a home with one person per residence) meets relevant regulations. These conditions are subject to change and may be adjusted as circumstances require.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. For what purposes may foreign nationals currently visit Taiwan?

A:
Beginning March 1, 2021, individuals wishing to travel to Taiwan for purposes other than tourism and social visits may apply for a special entry permit with an R.O.C. overseas mission by submitting relevant documents and forms. However, the entry of foreign students will still be based on regulations of the Ministry of Education. (Please note that currently only students in formal degree programs in Taiwan and recipients of the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship attending the Mandarin Language Enrichment Program may enter the country.)

Q2. Currently foreign nationals may not travel to Taiwan with tourism, including social visits, as a purpose. What is meant by a social visit? Can you give an example?

A:
Social visits, which are similar to tourism, include attending social activities or making private visits that have no obvious connection to family and no domestic contact point. Examples include traveling to Taiwan to visit friends or attend a wedding, sporting event, concert, other performance, or holiday festival.

Q3. May foreign nationals use visiting family as a purpose to visit Taiwan?

A:
Yes. Foreign nationals may come to Taiwan for a short time to visit relatives if they present evidence showing a clear familial relationship when applying at an R.O.C. overseas mission for a special entry permit. Foreign nationals using a valid visa, landing visa, or visa-free entry shall, after arriving in Taiwan, submit supporting documents to a Border Affairs Corps immigration officer for inspection to determine whether they may enter Taiwan.

Q4. May foreign nationals and those accompanying them apply for a special entry permit to visit Taiwan for medical treatment?

A:
Yes. If approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), foreign nationals seeking treatment and those accompanying them may submit the MOHW approval letter and other relevant documents to an R.O.C. overseas mission and apply for a special entry permit.

Q5. When will Taiwan allow foreign nationals to come to Taiwan to study or learn Chinese?

A:
The Ministry of Education will separately announce its decision regarding foreign nationals wishing to study or learn Chinese in Taiwan. Currently, foreign nationals who wish to study Chinese in Taiwan may not enter the country. Until further notice, only students in formal degree programs in Taiwan and recipients of the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship attending the Mandarin Language Enrichment Program may enter the country.

Q6. When will Taiwan allow foreign nationals to visit for tourism and social visits?

A:
Adjustments to entry control measures for foreign nationals will be determined by the Central Epidemic Command Center in accordance with global pandemic developments.

Q7. May foreign nationals originally eligible to visit Taiwan visa free or on a landing visa for reasons other than tourism or social visits do so during the pandemic, or do they need to apply for a special entry permit?

A:
1. Taiwan’s current entry control measures for foreign nationals are based on their purpose of visit and do not supplant original visa treatment privileges. However, whether foreign nationals may visit Taiwan visa free or on a landing visa during the pandemic will depend on the boarding regulations and policies adopted by individual airlines. In addition, upon arrival at the airport, travelers must submit supporting documents to a Border Affairs Corps immigration officer for inspection to determine whether they may enter Taiwan.
2. If foreign nationals are unable to determine whether their supporting documents are complete or meet the requirements for border entry, it is recommended that they apply for a special entry permit at an R.O.C. overseas mission before traveling to Taiwan.

Q8. May nationals of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam still visit Taiwan after obtaining an R.O.C. Travel Authorization Certificate (conditional visa waiver) from the National Immigration Agency’s website?

A:
Currently, no. The R.O.C. Travel Authorization Certificate program aims to provide nationals of these Southeast Asian countries with a convenient visa-waiver mechanism to visit Taiwan for the purpose of tourism. It does not meet the requirements for a special entry permit. Thus, during the pandemic, nationals from these countries may not use the R.O.C. Travel Authorization Certificate to visit Taiwan.

Q9. How do foreign nationals visiting Taiwan for short-term commercial purposes apply for a shortened home quarantine period?

A:
Foreign nationals visiting Taiwan for short-term commercial purposes who meet specified criteria should submit relevant documents, such as a company’s letter of invitation, an itinerary, and a disease prevention plan, when applying to an R.O.C. overseas mission for a special entry permit. Moreover, both prior to boarding and upon arriving in Taiwan, travelers must present a COVID-19 RT-PCR negative test report issued within three working days of their incoming flight’s scheduled departure time. For more details please visit the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control website: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/b1eCtr41msjGk3R8f2re7A?typeid=158.