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Taiwan lies on the western edge of the Pacific "rim of fire", and continuous tectonic movements have created majestic peaks, rolling hills and plains, basins, coastlines, and other wonders. Furthermore, Taiwan’s tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate climates provide clear differentiation between the different seasons, thus it owns abundant flora and fauna. That’s why when the Portuguese first landed on Taiwan, they said: “Formosa,” meaning, “beautiful (islands).” And it is just on account of the historical fusion of east and west on this island that makes Taiwan diverse with regard to landscape and cultural contour. For more information, please click the following options:
Highlighting Taipei
Taipei is Taiwan’s largest city as well as its economic, political, cultural, and fashion center. It is also a city which never sleeps. The nightlife of the city is as lively, if not more lively, when compared with daytime. In Taipei, 24-hour bookstores, restaurants, cinemas, karaoke parlors, and other places of cultural or leisure entertainment are providing visitors with a dynamic urban living experience. Furthermore, the prosperous 3C gadget market is the destination anyone visiting Taipei must go.
Transportation
Air Travel
Taiwan is located at the crossroads of some of Asia's busiest air routes, travel to and from the island is easy and convenient. The island has two international airports: the Taoyuan International Airport (TIA) (formally known as CKS International Airport) in the north. They are served by over 56 airlines from Asia, Europe, and North America.
For information on Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport arrival and departure schedules, please visit the TIA website.
VISA for Entry
Visitor Visa Application Form can be downloaded from www.boca.gov.tw and the completed form with supporting documents should be submitted to Bureau of Consular Affairs for visa issuance.
Visa-Exempt Entry
Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry:
- Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, *Ireland, Italy, *Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands ,*New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia , Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, *U.K. , U.S.A. and Vatican City State.
- Passport holders of India, Thailand, Philippines, Viet Nam, Indonesia, who also possess a valid visa or permanent residence certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand. Travelers meeting the above qualifications and having never been employed in Taiwan as blue-collar workers, have to first register information concerning their documents and personal data into the “Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan”. Upon completion, the printed confirmation is used to validate the traveler during the boarding and the immigration check. During the immigration check, travelers who can not show a valid visa or permanent resident visa issued by one of the aforementioned developed countries will not be admitted into the country.
Requirements:
- A passport with validity of at least six months upon entry.
- visa-exempt entry only applicable to visitors holding formal passports, not including those holding emergency, temporary, other informal passports or travel documents..
- Japanese Citizen is entitled to validity of passport at least three months, under same other requirements) (unless otherwise stipulated by treaty or agreement)
- A confirmed return air/sea ticket or an air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure.
- No criminal record or not listed by the local authorities.
Duration of stay:
- 30 days (Japanese, U.K., Ireland and New Zealand passport holders can stay 90 days), The 30 /90 days' duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Travelers must depart by the end of the said 30/90 days. Please click here for " Penalty for overstay". Visa-exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visas.
- However, aliens entering the R.O.C. through visa-exemption may apply for a visitor visa within the visa-exemption period on the following conditions at the Bureau of Consular Affairs and branch offices of MOFA. In case of severe acute diseases, natural disasters or other force majeure reasons, which hold them back from leaving the R.O.C. white-collar professionals obtaining the work permit within. The visa-exemption period, plus their spouse and minors (under age 20) entering the R.O.C. together.
- U.K. passport holders please go to "Notice for British Passport Holders Who Entered Taiwan Visa-Free and Are Applying for an Extension of Stay".
Ports of entry: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Keelung Harbor, Taichung Airport, Taichung Harbor, Kaohsiung International Airport, Kaohsiung Harbor, Magong Airport, Taitung Airport, Hualien Airport, Hualien Harbor, Kinmen Airport, Shuitou Harbor and Fuao Harbor.
For more information, please visit http://www.boca.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=2
Climate
Taiwan enjoys warm weather all year round and the average temperature in October is 24 °C (75.2 °F). If you are from a high-latitude country, you can leave your winter coat behind when coming to Taiwan and indulge in the pleasant warmth of the sun. Don't worry too much about getting burnt by the dazzling sun; the island of Taiwan is located in the subtropical climate zone, and the sun is not as stinging hot as it seems bright.
Time
Taipei Standard Time is 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT+8).
Electricity and Water
Taiwan uses an electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles. Tap water is drinkable but drinking un-boiled water is not recommended. Most hotels provide boiled drinking water and bottled water.
Currency and Credit Cards
The Taiwan's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$), which has five denominations  in paper money and five in coins. Paper money comes in NT$2,000, NT$1,000, NT$500, NT$200, and NT$100 denominations. Coins come in NT$50, NT$20, NT$10, NT$5 and NT$1 denominations. Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks and hotels. Receipts are given when currency is exchanged, and must be presented in order to exchange unused NT dollars before departure.
Major credit cards such as American Express, Master Card, Visa, and Diners Club are accepted and traveler's checks may be cashed at foreign-exchange banks, some tourist-oriented businesses, and (by room guests) most international tourist hotels. To make Taiwan's banknotes and coins more difficult to counterfeit, on July 1, 2002 the island's Central Bank of China issued new NT$2,000 notes and discontinued the circulation of some old notes and coins, as follows:
Notes:
Notes bearing the inscription "Bank of Taiwan" in denominations of NT$1,000, NT$500, NT$100, and NT$50.
Coins:
Brass-colored NT$50 coins issued in 1992 and 1993, with a plum blossom and rays of light on the face and "Fifty Yuan" and "50" on the obverse, and with 50 plum blossoms on the edge.
Banking Hours
Monday - Friday: 9.00am – 3:30pm
Automatic teller machines (ATMs): 24 hours in the city and suburbs. Please look for the Cirrus, Plus, Mastercard, or Visa symbol if you are using an ATM card from a bank outside Taiwan. Cathay National Bank and Megaholdings bank are two banks in Taiwan where all foreign cards can be used.
Medical Services
Taipei offers multiple public and private hospitals that offer top-notch medical services throughout the city. Healthcare needs are subsidized by the government making healthcare in Taiwan affordable and accessible. The main hospital that services Taipei, Taipei City Hospital, has over ten convenient locations throughout the city. For more healthcare information during your stay in Taiwan please visit the main website for the city's hospital network at: http://english.tch.taipei.gov.tw/
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