1) Visitor Visas

2) Visa Exempt Entry or "Visa Free"

3) Landing Visa

4) Student Visa (Studying Chinese)

5) Work Permit

6) Resident Visa - Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)

1)  Visitor Visas -    (Recommended Visa for 'newbies')

a) 2 week (14 days) single entry visa  (no extensions permitted)

b) 30 day single entry visa (no extensions permitted)

c) 60 day multiple entry visa  (*extendable within 10 days before expiry)

     Foreigners who are intending to visit Taiwan for less than six months can enter Taiwan on a Visitor Visa, which is obtained through R.O.C. embassies, consulates, and designated Representative Offices abroad for *'legitimate reasons.'

     Those holding a 60 day Visitor Visa may apply for a maximum of two extensions of 60 days each, for a total stay of six months and must do so 10 days before expiry at any city/county police headquarters in Taiwan. 2 months is the norm for most applicants who apply for one in their home country's Taiwan 'consulate', ROC embassy or representative office. It is almost unheard of to get a 60 day multiple entry visa while traveling in Asia and you’ll need to apply at the Taiwan 'consulate', ROC embassy or representative office in your country (they aren’t technically called consulates because officially Taiwan is not a country, only a ‘province or Republic of China’.) Visas are normally issued in one day.

     To apply for (and receive) an extension on your 60 day visa, you'll need to fill out an application form, show your original and one copy of your passport, an address of the people you will be staying with in Taiwan that are either citizens or have an ARC, and/or the language school enrollment certificate and/or class schedule if you are studying Chinese at an approved private language center or university. If you are employed in Taiwan,  you will need a work permit issued by the proper authorities, and if for medical treatment, you'll need proper documents from a hospital. If you become employeed while on your visitor visa, you may apply for a work visa/resident visa (ARC) in Taiwan but you may have to make a brief 'visa run' to complete the process (but you won't have to return to your home country).

    If this process sounds like a bit of a guessing game, it is because the Taiwan government and it’s affiliated overseas consulate visa processing officers are given a lot of latitude with regard to who, how and why they give out visas and they may give a shorter or longer visa depending on a variety of factors including your appearance, your reason for travel (tourism, visiting friends/family, business, medical, transit & language study) and how they feel that day, literally!

SPECIAL NOTE:    US visa agency 'Travisa' - http://www.travisa.com/

     A ‘visa agency’ in your home country may be able to help you apply for a visitor visa good for up to 5 years (with multiple entries) which will allow you to enter and exit Taiwan every 2 months without applying for a new visa for up to 5 years or paying a fee at the airport every time to arrive. A visa agency is basically a business which does nothing but deal with obtaining visas and helping with the processing of related passport services and is a liason between you and the Taiwan governmental visa agencies abroad. Most people haven’t heard of ‘visa agencies’ because they are typically used by businessmen who don’t want to hassle with standing in line at a visa office at home, and dealing with the other related paperwork hassles. In addition it costs a small fee (usually US$100) for the ‘visa agency’ to do the work for you but when you do the math, the price is excellent for the extended visa you probably wouldn’t have been able to obtain on your own, at least without a lot of hassle anyway...

     However, you must show some compelling reason to stay in Taiwan for 6 months to 5 years as the Taiwan government even admits it doesn’t take more than a few months to see or visit all the major landmarks and tourist destinations as a tourist. If you contact a visa agency they will apply for a long term visa on your behalf and if you have a business or have friends or family who can vouch for you as a member of their business then you may qualify for a long term multiple entry visa without more than a few photos, and a letter from the business talking about your need to travel in and out of Taiwan frequently to scout out potential business contacts, locations, trade partners, etc.. These, along with the small fee and the visa service will take care of everything for you.

you may enter and exit the country without needing to apply for a new visa or visiting any consulate office. The visa is valid for up to one year, or up to five years and is free for citizens of those countries that have signed reciprocal agreements with the R.O.C.

    *Maximum stay of up to six months
     NT$2,400 per application if applied in the ROC;
     US$72 per application if applied overseas.

If more than eight persons wish to enter and exit the ROC as a group at the same time, they may apply for a group visitor visa and each member of the group shall be charged 50% of the original fee.

A confirmed return air (steamer) ticket or an air (steamer) ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed air (steamer) seat reservation for departure.

No criminal record verified by the airport or seaport police (rarely verified/enforced, but still part of legal regulations).