See Taiwan’s tourism website.  See also the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Taiwan for additional information on U.S. - Taiwan unofficial relations.

If you wish to enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor (less than 90 days), you do not need a visa.  No extensions or changes of status are permitted.  Your U.S. passport must be valid throughout your intended length of stay and you must have a confirmed return or onward air ticket.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or plan to work or join family, you need a Taiwan visa prior to traveling.  Visit the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)’s website for complete visa information.

Taiwan and the United States both recognize dual nationality.  If you have Taiwan/U.S. dual nationality, you must enter/exit Taiwan on your Taiwan passport and enter/exit the United States on your U.S. passport. 

See our website for information on dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction. 

Also see our Customs Information page.

Potential for Civil Disturbances:  Taiwan enjoys a vibrant democracy, and spontaneous and planned demonstrations occur.  Monitor media coverage of local and regional events and avoid public demonstrations.

Crime: There is minimal street crime in Taiwan, and violent crime is rare.  Take normal safety precautions, such as avoiding travel after dark or in deserted/unfamiliar areas. 

See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 110 and contact the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) at (+886) 2-2162-2000.  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence:

Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) for assistance.

For further information:

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. 
• Call us in Washington at 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the State Department's travel website for Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts.
• Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. 
• See traveling safely abroad for useful travel tips.

You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 

Penalties for illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, with long jail sentences and heavy fines. Taiwan also has the death penalty for certain violent crimes and drug offenses. 

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.  See crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

We cannot intervene in labor disputes. Avoid such disputes by establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of any employment.  Try to resolve disputes privately with your employer.  If this fails, the Consular Section can provide a list of lawyers.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately.  Taiwan authorities typically do not permit foreigners accused of crimes to leave Taiwan while legal proceedings are ongoing.  See our webpage for further information. 

Customs Regulations:  Taiwan has strict regulations on importing/exporting firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, and ivory.  Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington or one of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) offices in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.  See also customs regulations. 

Dual nationality and military service:  Taiwan has compulsory military service for Taiwan national males between the ages of 18 and 36. This includes dual U.S./Taiwan citizens who enter Taiwan on their U.S. passports.  Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington or one of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) offices in the United States to determine your military service status.                                                                                           

Disaster Preparedness:  During the typhoon season (April through October), Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau issues typhoon warnings an average of six times a year and heavy rainstorm alerts more frequently.  Taiwan is also subject to severe earthquakes.  One of the most damaging earthquakes occurred in September 1999 when more than 2,000 people were killed in an earthquake in central Taiwan. Most recently in February 2016, there was widespread damage and 117 deaths when an earthquake struck southern Taiwan. One of the first things you should do upon arriving in Taiwan is to learn about earthquake and disaster preparedness from hotel or local government officials.  See  AIT’s American Citizen Services (ACS) webpage on how to prepare for an emergency.  Also see the Hurricane Preparedness and Natural Disasters pages of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.  In the event of an actual emergency, AIT will post up to date instructions specific to the circumstances of the event on our website and send messages to U.S. citizens who have registered through the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  Enroll your trip with STEP to ensure you receive these messages during an emergency.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report.

Health Screening Process:  To detect and prevent the spread of diseases, Taiwan scans the body temperature of all arriving passengers with an infrared thermal apparatus.  Symptomatic passengers are required to fill out a form and may need to give an onsite specimen or see local health authorities.  See also the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Judicial Assistance:  Authorities on Taiwan provide judicial assistance in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan's "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts."  For further information, please go to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website. 

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) rights events in Taiwan, and Taiwan law prohibits education and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.  However, Taiwan does not recognize same-sex marriage, and LGBTI individuals may still face lack of tolerance, particularly in areas outside the capital and largest city Taipei.  See Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan (2015) and read our LGBTI Travel Information page. 

Persons with Mobility Issues:  Taiwan law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and sets minimum fines for violations.  By law, new public buildings, facilities, and transportation equipment must be accessible to persons with disabilities.  See Persons with Disabilities in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan (2015).

Students:  See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers:  If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

Taiwan has modern medical facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment available at many hospitals and clinics.  Physicians are well trained, and many have studied in the United States and speak English. Hospital nursing services provide medication and wound care but generally do not provide the daily patient care functions found in U.S. hospitals. For specific clinics and hospitals, see the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website. 

Emergency Services: Ambulances have emergency equipment and supplies and are staffed by trained medical personnel (dial 119).

We cannot pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas. Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Consider supplemental insurance that includes medical evacuation. See insurance providers for overseas coverage. Most hospitals overseas accept only cash payments. 

Carry prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. 

Dengue Fever:  In recent years, Taiwan has seen a significant increase in cases of dengue fever, a virus common in subtropical regions that is spread through mosquito bites.  There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent dengue. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. For information on how to reduce the risk of contracting dengue, please visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

Be up-to-date on all routine vaccinations. 

For further health information, go to:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions, lighting, and traffic safety in cities and on major highways are generally good. Roads in major cities are generally congested. Be alert for the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic. Exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers do not respect the pedestrian's right of way. Be especially cautious when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be impassable after heavy rains.  

Traffic Laws:  Passengers in all vehicles, including taxis, are required by law to wear seatbelts.  When exiting a vehicle, you are legally required to ensure that no motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle is approaching from behind before opening the door.  You will be fully liable for any injuries or damages if you fail to do so.  Do not turn right on a red traffic signal.

For specific information concerning Taiwan's driver's permits, vehicle inspection road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the nearest Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.  Refer also to the website of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

Public Transportation: Public transportation is cheap, convenient, and generally safe.  Taxis and buses may swerve to the side of the road to pick up passengers will little notice or regard for other vehicles.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Taiwan's Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the FAA’s Safety Assessment Page.