uk tourist visa from taiwan

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• Visas and immigration
• What you need to do

How to apply for a visa to come to the UK

Choose a visa.

You may need a visa to come to the UK to study, work, visit or join family.

There are different visas depending on:

• where you come from
• why you want to come to the UK
• how long you want to stay for
• your personal circumstances and skills

Before you apply, you must check if you need a visa and what type you need. Depending on your nationality, you might not need a visa to visit or transit through the UK.

Your application must be approved before you travel.

You do not need to apply for a visa if you’re an Irish citizen.

If you want to visit the UK

Apply for a Standard Visitor visa to visit the UK for up to 6 months. For example:

• for a holiday or to see family and friends
• for a business trip or meeting
• to do a short course of study

You must apply for a Marriage Visitor visa if you want to visit the UK to get married or register a civil partnership.

If you have a visitor visa you cannot take a job in the UK.

If you’re travelling through the UK

You might need a visa if you’re travelling through the UK on your way to another country, for example if you have a layover between flights.

Apply for a visa to travel through the UK .

If you want to study in the UK

Your course length, type and place of study affect which visa to apply for.

A Standard Visitor visa lets you do a short course of study that lasts no longer than 6 months.

A Short-term study visa lets you come to the UK to study an English language course that is over 6 months and up to 11 months.

A Student visa is usually for a longer course. You must be sponsored by a licensed college or university and have a confirmed place. On this visa, you may be able to do some work.

A Child Student visa is for 4 to 17 year olds who want to study at an independent school. If you’re 16 or over, this visa lets you do some work.

If you want to work in the UK

You can work in the UK on a short or long-term basis with a work visa. There are many types of work visa .

The visa you need depends upon:

• your skills and qualifications
• if you have a job offer and sponsorship
• if you want to bring your family with you
• what you’ll be doing - for example sporting, charitable or religious work

You can set up a business with an Innovator Founder visa .

If you want to join family in the UK

If you’re a spouse, partner or family member of someone who has British citizenship or settlement in the UK, you can apply for a family visa to join them. They may need to show that they can support you financially.

You may be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain ( ILR ) after a set amount of time living in the UK.

If your family member is in the UK on a visa

You may be able to apply for a visa to join a family member who’s in the UK on a visa. They must be either:

• your spouse or partner
• your parent if you’re 18 or under

Check what visa you’ll need to join them.

Family reunion visas for refugees

If you were separated from your partner or child when you were forced to leave your country, they can apply to join you in the UK.

Your family members can apply if you have been given asylum or 5 years’ humanitarian protection, and not have British citizenship.

If your family member is from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein

You can apply for a free EU Settlement Scheme family permit to come to the UK if you have a close family member who:

• was living in the UK by 31 December 2020
• has pre-settled or settled status
• you had a relationship with by 31 December 2020 (unless you’re applying for a child who was born or adopted after this date)

Close family members include your spouse or civil partner, child, grandchild, parent or grandparent.

A family permit lets you live, work and study in the UK for up to 6 months. You can apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the UK after your family permit expires. You usually need to apply within 3 months of arriving in the UK.

Other ways to get permission to live in the UK

If you’re from the eu, switzerland, norway, iceland or liechtenstein.

If you started living in the UK by 31 December 2020, you may be able to apply to the free EU Settlement Scheme instead of applying for a visa. The deadline to apply was 30 June 2021, but you can still apply if you can show reasonable grounds for the delay in applying.

Check if you can still apply to the EU Settlement Scheme .

You can only apply from outside the UK if you have a valid passport or national identity card with a biometric chip.

Commonwealth citizens

You can apply for an Ancestry visa to work in the UK if you have a British grandparent and meet other eligibility criteria.

You may have right of abode to live in the UK.

If you’re a Commonwealth citizen and cannot prove your right to be in the UK, read about the Windrush scheme .

Returning residents

You’ll need to apply for a returning resident visa to come back to the UK if one of the following is true:

you had indefinite leave to remain under the EU Settlement Scheme (‘settled status’) and left the UK for more than 5 continuous years (or 4 continuous years if you’re a Swiss citizen or their family member)

you had permanent permission to stay in the UK (‘indefinite leave to remain’) but it was not under the EU Settlement Scheme and you left the UK for more than 2 years

Other visas

There may be another visa that’s right for you based on your circumstances. Check if you need a visa and what other visas you’re eligible for.

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Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

Taiwan Visa for Tourists in 2024: A Comprehensive Guide

Updated: April 18, 2024

Despite its diplomatic isolation, Taiwan remains a popular tourist hotspot for travelers from all over the world. Taiwan visa policy is uncomplicated unless you’re from Mainland China, Macau, or Hong Kong.

In this article, you will learn about Taiwan visa, its visa exemption, e-visa, and visa on arrival for tourists. I will also shed some light on the requirements for Chinese visitors.

Table of Contents

Visa policy and visa types.

Nationals from 65 countries are visa-exempt when visiting Taiwan for either 14, 30, or 90 days. 

Visa on arrival is available for Turkey free of charge.

Taiwan launched its eVisa program in 2016 and today 25 countries are eligible. Some may only get an eVisa if they’re part of a tour group.

An Online Travel Authorization Certificate instead of a visa is available for nationals of 6 countries under certain conditions and only if they have a valid or expired visa from some of the most advanced economies.

Certain special conditions are in place for passport holders on neither of these lists. Visitor visa applications can be submitted at a select few Taiwanese overseas missions.

Visitors from Mainland China (PRC), Hong Kong, and Macau must acquire prior approval from Taiwan and have an Exit and Entry Permit.

People born in Mainland China or certain high-risk countries may not be eligible for certain visas depending on their nationality.

Below is the summary of various visa types:

Visa Requirements

The following requirements apply to all visitors:

• A passport valid for at least 6 months
• A confirmed return or onward ticket via air or sea

If you’re visa-exempt, it’s highly unlikely immigration officers will ask to see your next ticket. They didn’t when I last traveled but for peace of mind, you can book an onward ticket .

Visa Exemption (VISA-FREE)

Visa exemption is issued at all airports and harbors. Depending on nationality, it is valid for either 14, 30, or 90 days.

• Liechtenstein
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Zealand
• North Macedonia (effective until March 31, 2025)
• South Korea
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States of America
• Vatican City
• Dominican Republic
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Philippines*

* Effective until July 31, 2024 

The validity duration starts on the day after the date of arrival. 

Visa exemptions are not extendable, except for nationals of Canada and the UK who can extend once.

Ineligibility based on place of birth

Passport holders from Belize, Eswatini, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Tuvalu are NOT visa-exempt if their place of birth in their passport is one of these countries:

• Afghanistan
• China (PRC)

Passport holders from Honduras are also ineligible for the visa exemption if their place of birth is China (PRC).

Taiwan Visa on Arrival (Landing Visa)

Only Turkey passport holders are currently eligible for a Taiwan Visa on Arrival (VOA). VOA is officially referred to as a “Landing Visa”. The visa is free of charge and valid for 30 days. 

Temporary and emergency passport holders from visa-exempt countries are also eligible to obtain VOA in Taiwan. These passport holders have to pay a visa fee of 1,600 TWD and 800 TWD handling fees.

VOA is only available at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport but it is possible to enter from another International airport and obtain the visa inside the country.

Read Taiwan Visa on Arrival for more information on requirements, documents and VOA procedures at various international airports in Taiwan.

Taiwan eVisa

Taiwan issues eVisas for tourist purposes to individual travelers from these countries:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina (Free)
• Burkina Faso
• Colombia (Free)
• Kiribati (Free)
• Kosovo (Free)
• Mauritius (Free)
• Montenegro (Free)
• Panama (Free)
• Peru (Free)
• Saudi Arabia
• Solomon Islands (Free)
• Turkey (Free; also eligible for a visa on arrival)
• United Arab Emirates.

eVisa is also available to the following countries if traveling as part of an approved tour group ;

The eVisa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue and allows 1 entry for up to 30 days. It costs 1600 TN + 46 NT processing fee (~53$), except for countries with (free) next to their names on the list above.

The eVisa is valid at all immigration checkpoints.

Read the Taiwan eVisa article for more information on eVisa requirements, documents and the application process.

Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC)

Passport holders of the following countries may be eligible for an Online Travel Authorization Certificate (OTAC) free of charge:

•  Cambodia
•  India
•  Indonesia
•  Myanmar
•  Vietnam

The conditions are that the applicant:

• Has never been employed as a migrant worker in Taiwan;
• United States
• Japan (except for Vietnam)
• Korea (except for Vietnam)
• Any EU or Schengen country
• Taiwan (except for visas marked FL, X, or P)

The OTAC is valid for 90 days for multiple entries. Each visit can be up to 14 days.

Read the Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) article for more information on the documents required, processing times, application process and border procedures.

Taiwan Tourist Visa

For countries not eligible for any of the options above, a tourist visa from one of Taiwan’s overseas missions remains the only option.

Officially Taiwan only has embassies in countries that recognize Taiwan (ROC) instead of China (PRC). Currently, it’s only 13 countries that recognize Taiwan. However, Taiwan’s cultural centers, trade centers, and overseas missions in most other countries effectively function as embassies.

The application procedure can be complex and lengthy. It starts with applying to one of Taiwan’s offices abroad, often followed by an interview and a request for a letter of guarantee from a Taiwanese sponsor.

For nationals of the following countries, obtaining a tourist visa for Taiwan is not possible. They are only allowed to obtain Taiwan visitor visas for purposes other than tourism such as business, family, etc. They must also have a sponsor in Taiwan.

Read the Taiwan tourist visa article for more information on the documents required, fees, processing time and application procedure.

Taiwan Transit Visa

If you don’t leave the international transit area of any airport in Taiwan, you don’t need a visa.

Taiwan does not issue transit visas that allow entry to the country past immigration.

Nationals of Hong Kong and Macau

Permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau do not need a visa to enter Taiwan but must have an Exit and Entry Permit and certain requirements:

• Were born in Hong Kong or Macau;
• Have entered Taiwan at least once as a permanent resident of Hong Kong or Macau; (and have proof if the visit was before 1983);
• Hong Kong Special Administrative Region;
• British Overseas National;
• Macao Special Administrative Region.

The Exit and entry permit is

• 300 NT (~10$) if obtained on arrival;
• Free if obtained online;
• 600 NT (~20$) if NOT born in Hong Kong or Macau and applying online for the first time.

The requirements can quickly become confusing. It’s best to check online on the Official ROC Embassies and Missions Website .

Nationals of the People’s Republic of China

To travel to Taiwan, passport holders from China PRC must: 

• Have prior approval from the Taiwanese government
• Have an Exit and Entry Permit 
• Travel as part of an organized tour group subject to a quota of 14,600 visitors per day.

This is unless they have a temporary or permanent residence in Hong Kong, Macau, or a third country and reside outside of China PRC.

Additional requirements may come from the Chinese PRC government. 

It’s best to check the Taiwanese Immigration website for detailed information and conditions.

Taiwan Arrival Card

Everyone who arrives in Taiwan must complete an arrival card. You can fill out the arrival card online before arrival or at the airport.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do i need an evisa if i am on a cruise ship.

If you’re not eligible for a visa exemption and arrive in Taiwan on a cruise ship, you should obtain a special temporary entry permit. It’s best to ask your cruise company, they will surely facilitate it.

Do I need a visa if I do not leave the transit area at the airport?

You don’t need a visa if you don’t pass immigration and only stay inside the airport’s transit zone.

How long in advance should I apply for an eVisa?

Apply at least 7 days before traveling.

Are there multiple entry visas for Taiwan?

Taiwan doesn’t issue multiple-entry visas for tourists.

What are the COVID testing and vaccination requirements for Taiwan?

You don’t need a test, or proof of vaccination to travel to Taiwan.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

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Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

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Do you need a visa to visit Taiwan?

Oct 19, 2023 • 3 min read

Taiwan is relatively relaxed about visa restrictions, making it easy to visit its cities, beaches, mountains © Matt Munro / Lonely Planet

Whether you prefer hiking mountains, exploring temples or soaking in hot springs, Taiwan is an island of endless temptations.

Asia’s most vibrant democracy is also relatively relaxed when it comes to immigration rules, in contrast to the more onerous visa policies of China across the strait. Generally speaking, the visa requirements for entering Taiwan will depend on your nationality.

Here’s our guide to Taiwan’s entry requirements, with all the information you need on visa types and procedures.

Visa-free entry to Taiwan

Tourists from most European countries, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, South Korea and Japan (along with a scattering of other nations) can enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan for stays of up to 90 days. Tourists from a number of other nations including Singapore and Malaysia are permitted 30 days of visa-free travel.

Tourists from most other countries will need to apply for a Visitor Visa . Citizens of mainland China are required to apply for a special type of travel permit.

All visa-exempt travelers need a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry and two blank pages for the entry and exit stamps. Upon arrival, you will also need to show a confirmed travel ticket with your itinerary for departing Taiwan before the end of your visa-free travel period. 

Can you extend a visa-free stay?

In short, no, unless you are from Canada or the UK; citizens from these countries can extend their stays up to 180 days. Visa holders approved for at least a 60-day stay can extend their trip, however. Applications to extend visas can be made in Taiwan at the nearest National Immigration Agency Office . It's worth noting that a visa-free stay can't be converted into a visa stay once the trip is underway.

Study, work and visitor visas for Taiwan

If you plan to go to Taiwan to work, study or visit relatives for an extended period of time, you can apply at an overseas mission of the ROC (Republic of China, Taiwan’s official name) in your home country for either a Visitor Visa (for a single entry, and for periods of less than six months) or a Resident Visa for longer stays. Note that there is no dedicated student visa category in Taiwan. 

Visitor Visas cost approximately US$50 (this varies from country to country), while Resident Visas cost approximately US$100.

Opportunities also exist for citizens of many of the same countries covered by visa-free travel to apply for a visa under Taiwan’s Working Holidays Scheme , targeted at those between the ages of 18 and 30. For stints of up to 12 months, the scheme permits the holder to work during their stay – subject to a few restrictions, such as not remaining with a single employer for more than 3 months. 

A useful resource for all you need to know about visas for Taiwan

Your first port of call when considering any kind of travel to Taiwan should be the Consular Affairs section of the  MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) website for Taiwan. Here, you can find a list of Taiwan’s embassies and missions abroad , along with a dedicated section on  visas showing the very latest requirements and regulations (under “News and Events”). You’ll also find links to the online visa application forms you will need to fill out and either post to your nearest Taiwan overseas mission or present in person, along with the list of necessary supporting documents, depending on the visa type.

This article was first published Jul 23, 2022 and updated Oct 19, 2023.

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Taiwan Tourist Visa

• Table of contents

Traveling to Taiwan

Who needs an taiwan visa, taiwan tourist visa validity, a valid passport, two (2) personal photos, complete application form, outbound ticket, proof of visit purpose, taiwan tourist sticker visa, taiwan tourist evisa, taiwan tourist visa fees, where to apply, taiwan tourist visa processing time, approved visa applications, taiwan visa extension, taiwan tourist visa faq.

Each year, Taiwan attracts millions of tourists for its natural beauty, fascinating temple architecture, diverse cuisine, and much more. As an island nation, Taiwan has plenty of opportunities for both coastal and inland outdoor adventures, as well as vibrant urban centers.

Foreign nationals from the following countries are required to apply for a Taiwan Visitor visa (for tourism purposes) before arriving in the country:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Costa Rica, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Macao, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Qatar, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

The Taiwan Visitor visa is available for any foreign national who intends to visit Taiwan for six (6) months or less for the purpose of tourism, visiting family/friends, attending short academic courses or business conferences, or other short-term activities. 

Visitor visas are issued for a validity period of three (3) months to one year with four possible durations of stay available: 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days. Applicants should specify how long they plan to stay in Taiwan when they apply for the tourist visa. 

Some foreign nationals may be from countries that have reciprocal visa agreements with the Republic of China (ROC). The validity of the tourist visa for these nationals will be determined according to these mutual agreements.

Taiwan Tourist Visa Requirements

All applicants for a Taiwan tourist visa must meet several requirements in order to apply. The following are the required documents and materials for the Taiwan Visitor visa (for tourism purposes):

The passport must be valid for at least six (6) months.

Photographs must be taken within the last six (6) months and included with the application form.

Application forms must be completed accurately and entirely with the applicant’s personal and trip details.

Tickets can be for a flight or steamship, but they should be valid and from an official source like a travel agency or airline.

Applicants must include documents showing their intention to engage in tourism. These documents might include hotel or tour bookings.

Taiwan Visa Application Steps

Applying for a Taiwan visa is straightforward as long as applicants follow all guidelines accordingly. All applicants will take the following steps to complete and submit their Taiwan tourist visa application:

Most visa application forms will be completed online and printed out before sending the application packet to the nearest embassy or consulate.

Mandatory materials must be gathered and submitted in order for the visa application to be processed. 

Applicants can submit their tourist visa application to the nearest embassy or consulate.

Payment methods will vary depending on the embassy or consulate where the applicant submits their visa application. The visa fee must be paid for the application to be processed.

Visa application forms will be completed online at the official eVisa portal .

Mandatory information and documents must be filled out in the correct format and submitted online.

Applicants can pay for their eVisa online using a valid credit card (Visa or Mastercard). 

Successful applicants will receive a link by email. By clicking this link they can access and download their eVisa. Applicants must print the downloaded eVisa and bring it with them as a paper copy to the border upon arrival in Taiwan.

** In some cases, applicants will receive a request from immigration officials for additional documents. They will also be sent a deadline. Materials must be submitted within the deadline to be considered valid.

The cost of a Taiwan tourist visa will depend on the number of entries the applicant intends to make. A single-entry Visitor visa costs 50 USD and a multiple-entry Visitor visa will cost 100 USD. 

Applicants can opt to expedite their visa application for an additional fee. The expedited fee for a single-entry Visitor visa is 25 USD. A multiple-entry expedite request will cost 50 USD. 

In some cases, foreign nationals may be able to waive the visa fee if their country of residence has a reciprocal visa agreement with the ROC.

Taiwan tourist visa applications may be submitted at the nearest embassy or consulate. Eligible foreign nationals can apply for a Taiwan tourist eVisa for short-term visits of up to 30 days at the official eVisa portal . 

Processing times for a Taiwan visa will depend on the embassy or consulate where the applicant submits their application materials. Applicants are advised to leave plenty of time between applying and their intended date of travel to ensure they secure their tourist visa in time.

If the tourist visa has been approved, applicants must either receive their passport with the sticker visa inside by post or go to the Taiwan embassy or consulate to pick up their passport. EVisa applicants will receive a link to their eVisa electronically by email. 

All applicants must review the information on the visa to ensure it is accurate. Any mistakes must be reported to the necessary authorities.

Holders of a Visitor visa (for tourism purposes) for stays of 60 or 90 days can apply to extend their visa by 120 or 90 days as long as their visa does not stipulate “no extension” or other similar regulations. Extension applications can be filed at the local service centers of the National Immigration Agency.

A Taiwan tourist visa is one kind of Visitor visa sub-category that is used for tourism purposes. The Visitor visa is an immigration document in the form of a sticker visa or eVisa that allows the holder to lawfully enter the country for short-term stays (under 180 days).

A single-entry Visitor visa costs 50 USD and a multiple-entry Visitor visa will cost 100 USD. Applicants can opt to expedite their visa application for an additional fee. The expedited fee for a single-entry Visitor visa is 25 USD. A multiple-entry expedite request will cost 50 USD.

Taiwan visa applications may be submitted at the nearest embassy or consulate. Certain foreign nationals can apply for a Taiwan tourist eVisa for short-term visits of up to 30 days at the official eVisa portal .

Visitor visas are issued for a validity period of three (3) months to one year with four possible durations of stay available: 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, or 90 days. Applicants should specify how long they plan to stay in Taiwan when they apply for the tourist visa.

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Immigration to UK from Taiwan

If you’re a Taiwanese national looking to immigrate to the UK, you have a number of options available to you that will allow you to do so.

For more information about immigrating to the UK from Taiwan, including assistance on what visas and immigration routes would be right for you, reach out to an immigration adviser today. Call us on  (+44) 333 4149244 , or contact us  online .

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Benefits of Choosing IAS’ Immigration Lawyers

At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

A personalised Letter of Representation to help compile a compelling case for approval

Continued support from your lawyer in the event of any complications.

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Need help with an immigration issue? Book a one-to-one advice session with one of our legal caseworkers.

We can complete your visa application on your behalf, taking the stress and hassle out of the process.

Need to submit an application quickly? We can help you complete and send it off in as little as 24 hours.

Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal with our legal support and guidance.

Overview of Immigration to UK from Taiwan

There were an estimated 51,000 Taiwanese nationals living in the UK in 2021. Although this representation is relatively small compared to other nationalities, Taiwanese nationals are still within the top 50 most populous nationalities living in the UK.

Many Taiwanese communities are similarly located to the UK’s Chinese population, due to the two groups sharing languages and cultures. As a result, most Taiwanese nationals in the UK are likely to be living in London, with small communities in other major UK cities.

For Taiwanese nationals looking to immigrate to the UK, there are a number of potential immigration routes that will allow settlement in the UK, either short-term or long-term.

Long-term settlement can also often lead to the possibility for  indefinite leave to remain , which is the UK’s term for permanent settlement.

Indefinite Leave to Remain for Taiwanese Nationals

Indefinite leave to remain (ILR) is the UK’s version of permanent settlement. Anyone who has ILR status in the UK will be able to live, study and work in the UK indefinitely, without having to apply to extend or update their permission.

However, note that there are a few requirements you must meet before applying for indefinite leave to remain, some of which may depend on the type of visa you’re in the UK with.

For example, the main eligibility criteria is that you must have spent a certain amount of qualifying time in the UK before applying. This may be 2, 5 or 10 years, depending on your type of visa or your personal circumstances.

You may also have to meet other requirements pertaining to your specific visa type, such as financial, salary or relationship requirements.

Most applicants will also have to meet the minimum English language requirements and also pass the  Life in the UK Test .

UK Spouse Visa for Taiwanese Nationals

One route to settlement in the UK is if you already have an eligible  spouse ,  civil partner  or  unmarried partner  and you intend to live with them in the UK permanently.

In order to be eligible for this type of visa, your spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner must be one of the following:

• A British or Irish citizen
• Settled in the UK, such as through indefinite leave to remain, pre-settled status, settled status or proof of permanent residence
• An individual with a Turkish Businessperson visa or Turkish Worker visa
• An individual with refugee status or humanitarian protection in the UK

The Spouse visa will allow you to stay in the UK for an initial 2 years and 9 months, after which it can be extended for another 2 years and 6 months. After a total of 5 years, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain.

What Are the Eligibility Criteria for the UK Spouse Visa?

There are a range of eligibility criteria that all applicants must adhere to when applying for a Spouse visa. These include the following:

• Your relationship with your spouse must be genuine and subsisting
• You and your spouse must be over 18
• You and your spouse must intend to live together permanently in the UK with adequate accommodation that doesn’t require access to public funds
• You must meet the minimum financial requirements, which will normally be a shared income of at least £18,600
• You must meet the minimum English language requirements

You will also have to provide a range of documentary proof to demonstrate that you and your spouse meet these requirements. For example, these may include proof that you are in a genuine relationship, or proof that you have been living together for a certain period of time.

Some applicants may also be called to attend a Spouse visa interview with an immigration officer in order to prove their eligibility.

UK Family Visas for Taiwanese Nationals

If you have another type of eligible UK-based family member other than a spouse, you may instead be eligible for a  Family visa .

Similarly to the Spouse visa, your family member must be a British or Irish citizen, have settled status in the UK, or one of the other eligible statuses as listed above.

Eligible family members you can join in the UK include the following:

• Fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner
• Relative who’ll provide long-term care for you

Note that if you’re applying as a fiancé, fiancée or proposed civil partner, you’ll only be allowed to stay in the UK for a maximum of 6 months, during which time you must get married or enter into a civil partnership. You will then be able to apply for a Spouse visa after that.

The eligibility criteria for the Family visa will vary depending on which family member you’ll be looking to join. For example, if you’re applying to join your child in the UK, you must prove that you’ll take an active role in your child’s upbringing in the UK, among other things.

Most Family visa applicants will also have to show that they meet financial and minimum English language requirements. However, Family visa routes can lead to indefinite leave to remain.

UK Student Visas for Taiwanese Nationals

For some Taiwanese migrants, the notion of studying in the UK may be a more attractive proposition than committing to immigrate permanently.

If this applies to you, then the  UK Student visa  may be a good fit for you.

Applicants can apply for a Student visa if you have a genuine offer of a place from a licensed student sponsor, such as a qualifying university or college.

You should also have enough money to support yourself during your time in the UK, as well as meet the minimum English language requirements.

As well as being able to study in the UK, you may also be able to work for a certain number of hours, depending on your course and when you plan to work.

After completing your course, you may also be eligible for a Graduate visa, which will allow you to stay and work in the UK for another 2 years if you wish to continue living in the UK. You’ll then be able to switch to another long-term visa, such as the Skilled Worker visa, if you decide to stay in the UK.

Get in touch with our immigration experts for help with your move to the UK from Taiwan.

UK Skilled Worker Visa for Taiwanese Nationals

If you’re a Taiwanese national who’s looking to immigrate to the UK specifically for work, then it’s likely that you’ll be looking to see if a  Skilled Worker visa  will fit your needs.

The Skilled Worker visa is the UK’s general, all-purpose work visa for skilled foreign nationals in a range of occupations and professions. It allows people to come and work in the UK for eligible employers who will act as sponsors.

When applying for this visa, you must already have a job offer from a Home Office-approved sponsor. You must also meet certain salary and English language requirements in order to be eligible.

The Skilled Worker visa operates on a points-based immigration system, which means that you will need to accrue a certain number of points across a number of different categories in order to be eligible to apply.

For example, you may be able to attain additional points towards your eligibility if you have a high-level academic qualification, or if your job is in a shortage occupation.

The Skilled Worker visa will allow you to stay in the UK for up to 5 years. After this 5 year period, you will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain, after which you will no longer be tied to working for your sponsor if you wish.

Other UK Work Visas for Taiwanese Nationals

If you work in a specific, specialised field of work, or you’re coming to the UK for other purposes such as starting up a new business, you may instead be eligible for some of the UK’s other work or business visas.

These cover a wide variety of specialisms and business interests, such as individuals who wish to work with rapidly growing businesses, those who have been sent to work in their employer’s UK branch, or those who work in health and care sectors.

An example of some UK work and business visas include the following:

• Health and Care Worker visa
• Senior or Specialist Worker visa
• Scale-up Worker visa
• Minister of Religion visa
• International Sportsperson visa
• Innovator visa
• Start-up visa

Like the Skilled Worker visa, these will have stringent eligibility criteria that all applicants must adhere to. For example, the Innovator visa will only be eligible for those who wish to set up an innovative business in the UK, and who also have endorsement from an eligible endorsing body.

Youth Mobility Scheme for Taiwanese Nationals

The  Youth Mobility Scheme visa  is a special visa that allows individuals aged 18 to 30 to come and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Applicants from Taiwan are eligible for this visa, though they must first enter the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot in order to be eligible.

The ballots for Taiwanese residents typically open in January and July each year. To enter, you must send an email to the Home Office with your personal details enclosed within the 48 hour period of the ballot being open.

You must also have at least £2,530 in savings in order to apply. You will also be ineligible for this scheme if you’ve already been in the UK as part of it once before.

Approximately 10% of all Youth Mobility Scheme visas were issued to Taiwanese nationals in 2001, according to the Migration Observatory.

Global Talent Visa for Taiwanese Nationals

If you’re a Taiwanese national who’s also a leader in certain fields such as academia, arts and culture, or digital technology, then you may be eligible to come to the UK with a  Global Talent visa .

With this visa, you will be allowed to come and work in the UK for up to 5 years at a time.

However, you must first either apply for endorsement to prove your credentials and potential for leadership, or provide proof that you’ve won an eligible award.

Once you’ve done so, however, you’ll be able to take up any kind of employment in the UK without having to face restrictions on what kind of work it is, or with what kind of employer.

You will also not have to meet any minimum language or salary requirements.

However, you may have to meet certain specific eligibility requirements based on which field you’re a leader or potential leader in.

How Can IAS Help?

The process of moving to the UK from a non-EU country such as Taiwan can be a daunting one, not in the least because of the distance and the differences in culture between the two countries.

If you’re a Taiwanese national looking to immigrate to the UK, IAS can help.

Our legal experts are on hand to provide you with the support and advice you need in order for your move to the UK to go smoothly. We offer complete and bespoke immigration advice for individuals, families and businesses looking to immigrate to the UK and other destinations, and can help guide you through every step of the process.

Whether you’re looking to come to the UK to join a family member, looking to take up work in the UK and don’t know where to start, or just need to talk to someone or receive a briefing about your specific immigration needs, we can help.

For more information on the services we offer and what we can do for you, reach out to one of our immigration experts today. Call us on  (+44) 333 4149244 , or contact us  online .

We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

Table of Contents

Frequently Asked Questions

What support is there for taiwanese nationals in the uk.

There are a number of groups, organisations and societies that exist to foster relationships between Taiwan and the UK, as well as connecting Taiwanese nationals within the UK itself.

These include the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, Cultural Taiwan UK, and numerous informal Taiwanese/Mandarin Chinese-speaking groups located in UK towns and cities.

How do I apply for a UK visa?

In most cases, you will have to apply for a UK visa through the  Gov.uk  website before you travel to the UK.

During this process, you will have to fill in the online application form and provide a range of supporting documents for your visa.

Note that you may also have to attend a local visa application centre to give your biometrics information as part of the application process.

There is one UK visa application centre for Taiwanese applicants located in Taipei.

How many people speak Mandarin Chinese in the UK?

Approximately 118,000 people speak Mandarin Chinese or other type of Chinese in the UK, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Can I apply for British citizenship?

You may be eligible to apply for British citizenship without having to renounce your Taiwanese citizenship, if you’re eligible.

You’ll only be eligible to apply for British citizenship after spending at least 5 years in the UK, with at least a year of this time needing to be with indefinite leave to remain.

After this time, you’ll be able to apply online to become a fully naturalised British citizen.

In order to be eligible, you’ll need to have passed the Life in the UK Test, meet the minimum English language requirements, and also be of good character.

You also should not have:

• Spent more than 450 days outside the UK during the 5 years before your application
• Spent more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• Broken any UK immigration laws

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Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos until July 2025

M ANILA, Philippines — Taiwan has extended the visa-free entry of passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, and Brunei until July 2025.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said in a statement that the decision was made in line with their efforts to promote the New Southbound Policy (NSP).

In a meeting last April 12, MOFA and relevant government agencies “conducted a comprehensive review of existing visa and entry measures, focusing on the trial visa-free entry program for nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines; the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries; and conditional visa-free entry through the Online Application for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) scheme for nationals of Southeast Asian countries,” the statement reads.

Citing the effectiveness of the aforementioned measures over the past years, Taiwan said it decided to extend the trial visa-free entry program for another year — solely for the nationals of Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines.

This means that visa-free entry to Taiwan will be extended from its original deadline of August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025.

READ:  Taiwan extends visa-free entry for Filipinos to July 31, 2024

“In addition, the Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian Countries will be extended for a further year through December 31, 2025, and the conditional visa-free entry through the TAC scheme will remain in place,” said MOFA.

It added that it will also continue to communicate with the governments of related countries to enhance visa treatment for Taiwanese nationals and make their overseas travel more convenient.

China denounces US-UK engagement of Taiwan shortly after election of new president

China’s Defense Ministry has denounced U.S. and U.K. affirmations of support for Taiwan’s newly elected government shortly after the island that Beijing claims sovereignty over freely chose its new leaders

TAIPEI, Taiwan — China’s Defense Ministry on Thursday denounced U.S. and U.K. affirmations of support for Taiwan’s newly elected government, shortly after the island claimed by Beijing freely chose its new leaders.

Col. Wu Qian accused the United Kingdom of pursuing a “Cold War” mentality and attempting to “instigate confrontation.”

The comments Thursday came after a a U.S. congressional delegation met with Taiwan’s new leader , Lai Ching-te, on Monday in a show of support, shortly after China held drills around Taiwan in response to his inauguration speech.

Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties — a Cold War concession to Beijing — the United States and Taiwan remain close security, cultural and political partners. Washington is Taiwan’s biggest provider of military hardware and maintains a de facto embassy on the island to underscore their strong ties.

China regularly sends navy ships and warplanes close to Taiwan to advertise its threat to use force to annex what it declares its own territory, which it often describes as a “sacred mission.” Taiwan was only made a Chinese province in 1885, and shortly afterward, became a Japanese province for 50 years until the end of World War II. It then separated from mainland China amid civil war in 1949 and was ruled under strict martial law until the late 1980s when it began to embrace full democracy.

During the U.S. congressional visit on Monday, Rep. Andy Barr, the co-chair of the Taiwan caucus in the U.S. Congress, said the United States is fully committed to supporting Taiwan militarily, diplomatically and economically.

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“There should be no doubt, there should be no skepticism in the United States, Taiwan or anywhere in the world, of American resolve to maintain the status quo and peace in the Taiwan Strait,” the Republican from Kentucky said at a news conference after the delegation met with Lai.

Taiwan’s new foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, noted the recent Chinese drills and called the American delegation’s visit “an important gesture of solidarity” at a critical time.

The delegation included both Republicans and Democrats and was led by Rep. Michael McCaul, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The Texas Republican was sanctioned by China last year after he visited Taiwan in April.

The other members were Republicans Young Kim from California and Joe Wilson from South Carolina, and Democrats Jimmy Panetta from California and Chrissy Houlahan from Pennsylvania.