Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.
Read the Safety and Security section on the information page.
If you decide to travel to Taiwan:
Valid throughout duration of stay
1 page per entry/exit stamp
Not required for stay of less than 90 days
None required. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Taiwan be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Vaccination information can be found here.
Declare cash amounts over 100,000 New Taiwan Dollars (TWD), foreign currencies over 10,000 USD, or over 20,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB). Customs details are here.
Declare cash amounts over 100,000 New Taiwan Dollars (TWD), foreign currencies over 10,000 USD, or over 20,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB). Customs details are here.
The American Institute in Taiwan
2nd Floor, Consular Section
#7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3
Taipei, 106 Taiwan
Telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000 or (02) 2162, ext. 2306
Emergency Telephone: +(886) 2-2162-2000. Press "0" or "*"
Fax: +(886) 2-2162-2239
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
The U.S. maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Kaohsiung Branch Office
No. 88 Chenggong 2nd Road, 5th Floor
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Telephone: +(886) 7-238-7744
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the American Institute in Taiwan.
Fax: +(886) 7-238-5237
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
Please contact the American Institute in Taiwain.
The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online Monday through Friday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays.
See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Taiwan for 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, you need a Taiwan visa prior to traveling. Visit the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)’s website for the most current visa information.
HIV/AIDS restrictions. Taiwan lifted its ban on entry, stay, and residence of foreigners living with HIV on February 4, 2015. Taiwan generally does not ask you about your HIV status unless you are applying for a resident visa which requires a health certificate that will indicate whether you are HIV positive.
Taiwan and the United States both allow 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 the Department of State’s website for information on dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction.
Also see the Department of State’s 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.
Potential for Typhoons and Earthquakes: During the typhoon season (April through October), Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau issues typhoon warnings an average of six times a year (of which, three to four normally make landfall) and heavy rainstorm alerts more frequently. Taiwan also has severe earthquakes which caused 2000 deaths in 1999 and 117 deaths with widespread damage in 2016.
Disaster Preparedness:
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's and the FBI pages for information on scams.
Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at (+886) 2-2162-2000. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also seek medical attention and report to the police as soon as possible for help.
Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.
See the U.S. Department of State’s website on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas, as well as AIT's webpage for local resources, including this guide.
We can:
Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at (+886) 2-2162-2000. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should also call 113 for emergency assistance and dial 110 for an island-wide toll-free hotline. Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.
Domestic violence is considered a crime in Taiwan. Report to police and keep written records of all incidents. Preserve evidence such as medical records documenting injuries, photos of injuries, police records, and damaged clothing and weapons used against you. If you have a court issued restraining order, present this to the police for use in the arrest of the offender.
For further information:
Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. See crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.
Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately.
Labor Disputes:
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 Compulsory Military Service: Taiwan has compulsory military service for Taiwan national males between the ages of 18 and 36. Ths 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.
Faith-Based Travelers: See our following webpages for details:
Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad
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 Department of State’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 Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan and read our LGBTI Travel Information page.
Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: 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.
Medical Insurance: 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.
Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
For further health information, go to:
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. Motor scooters are common throughout the island. Be alert for scooters when stepping out of public buses or exiting a car. 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. For example, Taiwan’s central cross-island highway is meandering with poor visibility. Exercise caution when driving on highways.
Please see AIT’s website for more details on Driving in Taiwan.
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. It’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free kit in Taiwan. The legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream of drivers in Taiwan is 50 mg per 100 ml of blood. This limit is strictly enforced. It’s useful to have proof of car insurance and proof of ownership of the vehicle. On the spot fines are very common for minor traffic offences in Taiwan and are fixed for each offense. You will be told where to pay the fines and within what period of time. For more serious driving offenses you’ll receive a court appearance.
Standard international driving laws apply with one or two exceptions.
In an emergency:
If you have a problem with your car, call the number on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car.
In the event of an accident you should call the police “110” and medical assistance “119.” Provide the police with all the important information including the type of accident, details of vehicles involved involved and if there are any injuries or fatalities. The second call you should make is to your insurance company.
You will need a police report for your insurance company. While waiting for the police, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses. If it is safe to do so, don't move the vehicles.
Police will not ask for bribes.
Police will ask parties involved in the traffic accident to do an alcohol test. This is standard operation procedure.
If riding a motor scooter, you and the passenger must wear a helmet.
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.
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 with little notice or regard for other vehicles.
Please refer to the Department of State’s Road Safety page for more information. Refer also to Taiwan’s Road Traffic Safety Portal.
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.
Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Taiwan should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at www.marad.dot.gov/msci. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website (https:homeport.uscg.mil), and the NGA broadcast warnings website https://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal select “broadcast warnings.”
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY ACCURATE IN A SPECIFIC CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE APPROPRIATE FOREIGN AUTHORITIES OR FOREIGN COUNSEL.
The American Institute in Taiwan
2nd Floor, Consular Section
#7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3
Taipei, 106 Taiwan
Telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000 or (02) 2162, ext. 2306
Emergency Telephone: +(886) 2-2162-2000. Press "0" or "*"
Fax: +(886) 2-2162-2239
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
The U.S. maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Kaohsiung Branch Office
No. 88 Chenggong 2nd Road, 5th Floor
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Telephone: +(886) 7-238-7744
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the American Institute in Taiwan.
Fax: +(886) 7-238-5237
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
Please contact the American Institute in Taiwain.
The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online Monday through Friday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays.
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is a non-profit, private corporation established shortly after the United States Government changed its diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing on January 1, 1979. The Taiwan Relations Act (PL 96-8) of April 10, 1979, authorized the continuation of "commercial, cultural and other relations between the people of the United States and the people on Taiwan." It also provided that "any programs, transactions, or other relations conducted or carried out by the President or any Agency of the United States Government with respect to Taiwan shall, in the manner and to the extent directed by the President, be conducted and carried out by or through the American Institute in Taiwan." AIT's Taipei Office undertakes a wide range of activities representing U.S. interests, including providing consular services related to judicial assistance. AIT Washington, located in Arlington, Virginia, is the headquarters office of the American Institute in Taiwan. It serves as a liaison with its counterpart organization, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO). Judicial assistance is provided by authorities on Taiwan in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan’s "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts."
None.
Service of process in Taiwan can be effected by international registered mail/return receipt requested; by agent, generally a local attorney; or pursuant to letters rogatory. Affidavits of service can be executed before a travel officer at the AIT. If enforcement of a judgment is anticipated, however, Taiwan may not consider service by registered mail or by agent acceptable and may require that service be effected pursuant to letters rogatory. See below for a discussion of special elements necessary in preparation of a letter rogatory for use in Taiwan.
Letters Rogatory: Requests to transmit letters rogatory may be sent to the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Legal Affairs, CA/OCS/L. Mailing address: ATTN: Judicial Assistance Officer, U.S. Department of State, CA/OCS/L, 2201 C Street, NW, SA-17, 10th Floor, Washington, DC 20522-1710. Letters rogatory can be used to effect service of process and to compel production of documents or testimony of an unwilling witness in Taiwan. For general information about preparation of letters rogatory, see our information flyer Preparation of Letters Rogatory. Letters rogatory for use in Taiwan must comply with the following requirements:
None.
To arrange to conduct a voluntary deposition of a willing witness in Taiwan before a Travel Services Officer of the American Institute in Taiwan, contact AIT Taipei directly. Private U.S. litigants are responsible for making their own arrangements for stenographers, interpreters, videotape operators, etc. AIT Taipei may be able to provide lists of such private commercial services. Applicable fees are listed at 22 CFR 22.1.
The AIT seal can be authenticated by the Department of State's Authentication Office. See the U.S. Department of State Authentication Office page. For information about having a public document issued by a state agency or state court in the United States authenticated for use in Taiwan, first contact the state Secretary of State’s office or other designated state authority. Such documents may then be authenticated by the U.S. Department of State’s Authentication Office. That seal may then be authenticated by TECRO.
The American Institute in Taiwan
2nd Floor, Consular Section
#7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road, Section 3
Taipei, 106 Taiwan
Telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000 or (02) 2162, ext. 2306
Emergency Telephone: +(886) 2-2162-2000. Press "0" or "*"
Fax: +(886) 2-2162-2239
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
The U.S. maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Kaohsiung Branch Office
No. 88 Chenggong 2nd Road, 5th Floor
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Telephone: +(886) 7-238-7744
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: Please contact the American Institute in Taiwan.
Fax: +(886) 7-238-5237
Email: amcit-ait-t@state.gov
Please contact the American Institute in Taiwain.
The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.
Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online Monday through Friday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays.
For information concerning travel to Taiwan, including information about the location of the American Institute in Taiwan, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Taiwan.
The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA). The report is located here.
Taiwan is not a signatory to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention), nor are there any bilateral agreements in force between Taiwan and the United States concerning international parental child abduction.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. The Taiwan authorities maintain information about custody, visitation, and family law on the Internet. Click here for the full content of the Civil Code. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Taiwan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
TheDepartment of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children's Issues provides assistance in cases of international parental child abduction. For U.S. citizen parents whose children have been wrongfully removed to or retained in countries that are not U.S. partners under the Hague Abduction Convention, the Office of Children's Issues can provide information and resources about country-specific options for pursuing the return of or access to an abducted child. The Office of Children's Issues may also coordinate with appropriate foreign and U.S. government authorities about the welfare of abducted U.S. citizen children. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance.
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children's Issues
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-736-9132
Website
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Child abduction is a crime under Taiwan's Criminal Code, Article 234.
Parents may wish to consult with an attorney in the United States and in the country to which the child has been removed or retained to learn more about how filing criminal charges may impact a custody case in the foreign court. Please see Possible Solutions - Pressing Criminal Charges for more information.
Legal systems and laws pertaining to custody, divorce, and parental abduction vary widely from country to country. Parents are encouraged to consult with an attorney who specializes in family law in Taiwan and who can provide accurate legal guidance that is specific to their circumstances.
The Office of Children's Issues may be able to assist parents seeking access to children who have been wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States. Parents who are seeking access to children who were not wrongfully removed from or retained outside the United States should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for information and possible assistance.
Neither the Office of Children's Issues nor consular officials at the American Institute in Taiwan are authorized to provide legal advice.
The American Institute in Taiwan posts list of attorneys, including those who specialize in family law:
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.
Mediation is a possible remedy for both abduction and access cases. The American Institute in Taiwan does not provide mediation services. Mediation is voluntary.
While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:
The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.
To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.
For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.
For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.
Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
Taiwan is not party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention). Intercountry adoptions of children from non-Hague countries are processed in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 204.3 as it relates to orphans as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 101(b)(1)(F).
In January 2013, the Taiwan Child Welfare Bureau announced its participation in a Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) program with the United States. The PAIR program requires prospective adoptive parents to receive a preliminary determination on the child’s likely immigration eligibility from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) prior to filing an adoption case with a court. This preliminary determination, also referred to as the PAIR process, provides foreign courts and relevant Taiwan authorities with information regarding a child’s likely eligibility to immigrate to the United States before the court enters an order establishing a permanent legal relationship between the U.S. citizen parent(s) and the child.
The Taiwan Child Welfare Bureau issued an administrative order effective April 1, 2013 requiring adoption service providers to include a PAIR letter with the filing of an adoption proceeding with a Taiwan court. To enable prospective adoptive parents adopting from Taiwan to comply with Taiwan’s new administrative order, USCIS issued a policy memorandum allowing prospective adoptive parents to file a Form I-600 (Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative), before filing an adoption proceeding with a Taiwan court.
Following the receipt of a PAIR letter from USCIS and subsequent issuance of a foreign adoption decree, prospective adoptive parents must submit the foreign adoption decree and the child’s travel and identity documents to the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) which will then complete the final approval of their Form I-600 and issuance of a visa. If AIT finds the case is not clearly approvable, it will return the case to USCIS for further action. Prospective adoptive parents should pay special attention to the process described below as it differs from other non-Hague and Hague countries.
Please note again: Beginning on April 1, 2013, the Taiwan authorities will require a PAIR letter from USCIS in all U.S. adoption cases.
The United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan. All Consular and other representative functions are handled by AIT, a non-profit, private corporation authorized by the Taiwan Relations Act to conduct and carry out programs, transactions, and other relations between the United States and Taiwan.
We strongly urge prospective adoptive parents to only work with licensed adoption facilitators in Taiwan. The use of unlicensed facilitators in Taiwan could result in an adoption being carried out in a manner that does not permit the child to qualify as an orphan as defined under U.S. immigration law. If the child does not qualify as an orphan under U.S. immigration law, he or she may be found to be ineligible to immigrate to the United States. It is important for prospective adoptive parents to confirm that the adoption service provider they choose is authorized to facilitate adoptions in Taiwan by checking with Taiwan’s adoption authority, the Child Welfare Bureau. Please see the Information below in the “Choose and Adoption Service Provider” section.
U.S. IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS
To bring an adopted child to the United States from Taiwan, you must meet eligibility and suitability requirements. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) determines who can adopt under U.S. immigration law.
Additionally, a child must meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law in order to be eligible to immigrate to the United States on an IR-3 or IR-4 immigrant visa.
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, you must also meet the following requirements in order to adopt a child from Taiwan:
In addition to U.S. immigration requirements, Taiwan has specific requirements that a child must meet in order to be eligible for adoption:
In addition, no child may be adopted who is:
Caution: Prospective adoptive parents should be aware that not all children in orphanages or children’s homes are adoptable. In many countries, birth parents place their child(ren) temporarily in an orphanage or children’s home due to financial or other hardship, intending that the child return home when this becomes possible. In such cases, the birth parent(s) have rarely relinquished their parental rights or consented to their child(ren)’s adoption.
Children's Bureau (Er Tong Ju), Ministry of Interior
The process for adopting a child from Taiwan generally includes the following steps:
Choose an Adoption Service Provider
The recommended first step in adopting a child from Taiwan is to decide whether or not to use a licensed adoption service provider in the United States that can help you with your adoption. Adoption service providers must be licensed by the U.S. state in which they operate. The Department of State provides information on selecting an adoption service provider on its website.
Whether you choose a U.S.-based or foreign adoption service provider, they must be licensed in Taiwan or work with a licensed adoption agency in Taiwan. Please note that an unlicensed adoption service provider may not assume legal custody of a child for the purpose of intercountry adoption. The use of an unlicensed adoption service provider may result in your child not being eligible for an immigrant visa. Below is a list of agencies that are currently licensed in Taiwan.
Adoption Service Institutes and Foundations in Taiwan:
Child Welfare League Foundation
7F, No. 43 Chang’an W. Road, Datong District
Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Chung Yi Social Welfare Foundation
No.12, Lane 85, Jingxing Road, Wenshan District
Taipei City 116, Taiwan
Good Shepherd Welfare Services Tainan Babies’ Home
No.12, Lixing Street, North District
Tainan City 704, Taiwan
The Home of God’s Love
No. 36, Lane 189, Dapi 2nd Road
Dongshan Township
Yilan County 269, Taiwan
Christian Salvation Services
7F, No. 420, Section1, Keelung Road
Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan
Cathwel Service
No. 155, Section 2, Beishen Road
Shenkeng Township
Taipei County 222, Taiwan
Apply to be Found Eligible to Adopt
In order to adopt a child from Taiwan, you will need to meet the requirements of the Government of Taiwan and U.S. immigration law. You must submit an application to be found eligible to adopt with the Children’s Bureau (Er Tong Ju), Ministry of Interior of Taiwan.
To meet U.S. immigration requirements, you may also file an I-600A, Application for Advance Processing of an Orphan Petition with U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to be found eligible and suitable to adopt.
Be Matched with a Child
If you are eligible to adopt, and a child is available for intercountry adoption, your Taiwan adoption service provider will provide you with a referral. Each family must decide for itself whether or not it will be able to meet the needs of and provide a permanent home for a particular child.
The child must be eligible to be adopted according to Taiwan’s requirements, as described in the Who Can Be Adopted section. The child must also meet the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law.
File the Form I-600 with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to initiate the Pre-Adoption Immigration Review prior to filing an adoption case with the courts
Under the Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR) program, the U.S. prospective adoptive parent(s) files a Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative, with the National Benefits Center (NBC) prior to obtaining a final adoption decree from the relevant court authority in Taiwan. After review of the Form I-600 petition and completion of the necessary investigation, NBC will make a preliminary determination on whether the child meets the definition of orphan under U.S. immigration law. If the determination is favorable, NBC will issue a preliminary determination of immigration eligibility to the U.S. prospective adoptive parent(s) in the form of a USCIS PAIR letter. If an unfavorable determination is made, NBC may issue a request for additional evidence or denial letter to the U.S. prospective adoptive parent(s).
Under the PAIR process, prospective adoptive parents should submit a completed Form I-600 together with all available documentation listed in the Form I-600 Instructions, minus an adoption decree or grant of legal custody to the USCIS National Benefits Center through the Dallas Lockbox. This would include the Taiwan Household Registry of both the child and the birth parents and the contract between the birth parents and the Taiwan adoption service provider in cases of relinquishment, showing the placement of the child for adoption. For the address, see the “Where to File” section of the Form I-600 Instructions. All documents originally produced in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation. In addition, the following PAIR-specific documentation must be submitted when the child’s country of origin is Taiwan:
In addition to the documentation required in the Form I-600 instructions pertaining to evidence that the child is an orphan as defined in section 101(b)(1)(F) and 8 CFR 204.3(b), there may be Taiwan specific documentation that can help establish the child’s orphan status. Such documentation may include, but is not limited to:
Please note that additional documents may be requested.
USCIS will forward its preliminary determination, together with the prospective adoptive parent’s file, to AIT. USCIS will also forward the original preliminary determination letter to the prospective adoptive parents for their records. AIT will then issue a letter to the prospective adoptive parents to be included in the court filing indicating that the preliminary determination regarding the child’s likely immigration eligibility has been completed and will attach a copy of the original USCIS letter.
Upon issuance of the PAIR letter, USCIS NBC will forward the petition to AIT for final adjudication following the completion of the Taiwan court process.
The process for finalizing the adoption in Taiwan generally includes the following:
Please note: All documents originally produced in a foreign language must be accompanied by certified English translation. Documents issued in the United States that would eventually be submitted to Taiwan courts, must be translated into Mandarin, must be certified by the TECRO office for that district, and English versions must be notarized by a U.S. notary public.
Note: Additional documents may be requested.
Under the PAIR program, your Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Adopted Child is not adjudicated until after your adoption is complete. You will need to submit the final adoption decree issued by the Taiwan District Family Court, as well as the child’s identity and travel documents, to the AIT in order to complete the processing of the I-600 and receive a final determination on the immigration eligibility of your child. AIT will approve Form I-600s that are clearly approvable.
You will need to apply for several documents before you submit your decree:
Birth Certificate
If you have finalized the adoption in Taiwan, you will first need to apply for a new birth certificate for your child. Taiwan birth certificates, once issued, cannot be modified or amended. PAPs can apply for a birth certificate from the hospital of birth and/or from the local Household Registration office where the child was registered at the time of birth. For further information, see the Department of Household Registration, Ministry of Interior website.
If you have been granted custody for the purpose of adopting the child in the United States, the birth certificate you obtain will, in most cases, not yet include your name.
Taiwan Passport
Your child is not yet a U.S. citizen, so he/she will need a travel document or passport from Taiwan.
For information on how to apply for a new passport in Taiwan, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ website. The fee is 1600 NT or U.S. $55, and the turn-around time is approximately four days. Expedited processing requires an additional fee of up to 900 NT or U.S. $30.
If your Form I-600 is approved, you then need to apply for a U.S. immigrant visa for your child from the AIT. This immigrant visa allows your child to travel home with you. As part of this process, the AIT must be provided the Panel Physician’s medical report on the child.
You may submit your immigrant visa application and medical report when you submit the final, certified adoption decree, birth certificate, and Taiwan passport for final adjudication of your Form I-600. You can find instructions for applying for an immigrant visa on the adoption page of the AIT website. AIT will contact you, and your ASP or designated representative, once the Form I-600 is approved, to schedule the immigrant visa interview.
For adoptions finalized abroad prior to the child’s entry into the United States: A child will acquire U.S. citizenship upon entry into the United States if the adoption was finalized prior to entry and the child otherwise meets the requirements of the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
For adoptions finalized after the child’s entry into the United States: An adoption will need to be completed following your child’s entry into the United States for the child to acquire U.S. citizenship.
*Please be aware that if your child did not qualify to become a citizen upon entry to the United States, it is very important that you take the steps necessary so that your child does qualify as soon as possible. Failure to obtain citizenship for your child can impact many areas of his/her life including family travel, eligibility for education and education grants, and voting.
Read more about the Child Citizenship Act of 2000.
Applying for Your U.S. Passport
U.S. citizens are required by law to enter and depart the United States on a valid U.S. passport. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify U.S. passports.
Getting or renewing a passport is easy. The Passport Application Wizard will help you determine which passport form you need, help you to complete the form online, estimate your payment, and generate the form for you to print—all in one place.
Obtaining a Visa to Travel to Taiwan
In addition to a U.S. passport, you may also need to obtain a visa. A visa is an official document issued by a foreign country that formally allows you to visit. Where required, visas are affixed to your passport and allow you to enter a foreign nation. To find information about obtaining a visa for Taiwan, see the Department of State’s Country Specific Information.
Staying Safe on Your Trip
Before you travel, it is always a good practice to investigate the local conditions, laws, political landscape, and culture of the country. The Department of State provides Country Specific Information for every country of the world about various issues, including the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, and any areas of instability.
Staying in Touch on Your Trip
When traveling during the adoption process, we encourage you to enroll with the Department of State. Enrollment makes it possible to contact you if necessary. Whether there is a family emergency in the United States or a crisis in Taiwan, enrollment assists the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in reaching you.
Enrollment is free and can be done online via the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Taiwan requires five years of post-placement reports. In the first year, post placement reports are required at three, six, and twelve months. After that, one report per year is required. (This means seven reports over a five-year period.) The reports, which include photos of the child, must be completed by a licensed social worker or agency through home visits.
We strongly urge you to comply with the wishes of Taiwan and complete all post-adoption requirements in a timely manner. Your U.S. adoption service provider may be able to help you with this process. Your cooperation will contribute to Taiwan’s history of positive experiences with American parents.
Post-Adoption Resources
Many adoptive parents find it important to find support after the adoption. There are many public and private nonprofit post-adoption services available for children and their families. There are also numerous adoptive family support groups and adoptee organizations active in the United States that provide a network of options for adoptees who seek out other adoptees from the same country of origin. Take advantage of all the resources available to your family, whether it is another adoptive family, a support group, an advocacy organization, or your religious or community services.
Here are some places to start your support group search:
Note: Inclusion of non-U.S. government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
The American Institute in Taiwan
Consular Section
Immigrant Visa Unit, 2nd Floor
American Institute in Taiwan
Number 7, Lane 134
Xin Yi Rd, Section 3
Taipei 106, Taiwan
Tel: (886) 02-2162-2005
Fax: (886) 02-2162-2253
Email: aitadoptions@state.gov
Internet: ait.org.tw/en/
Taiwan’s Adoption Authority
Child Welfare Bureau (Er Tong Ju), Ministry of Interior
7F, No. 503 Li-Ming Road, Section 2
Nantun, Taichung 408, R.O.C.
Tel: (886-4) 2250-2850
Fax: (886-4) 2250-2903/2899
Email: dbi@cbi.gov.tw
Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representation Office (TECRO) in the United States
4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20016
Tel: (202) 895-1800
Email: tecroinfodc@tecro-info.org
*Taiwan also has offices (consulates) in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
Office of Children’s Issues
U.S. Department of State
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Tel: 1-888-407-4747
Email: AskCI@state.gov
Internet: adoption.state.gov
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
For questions about immigration procedures:
National Customer Service Center (NCSC)
Tel: 1-800-375-5283 (TTY 1-800-767-1833)
Internet: uscis.gov
For questions about filing a Form I-600A or I-600 petition:
National Benefits Center
Tel: 1-877-424-8374 (toll free); 1-816-251-2770 (local)
Email: NBC.Adoptions@DHS.gov
Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A B |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months A B |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| B-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-1/D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | N/A A B | N/A |
| CW-1 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-2 11 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| D | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| E-1 2 | None | Multiple C | 60 Months |
| E-2 2 | None | Multiple C | 60 Months |
| E-2C 12 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| F-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| F-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| G-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 12 Months A B |
| H-1B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| H-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| I | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| L-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| M-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| N-8 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| N-9 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | Multiple | 15 Months 3 |
| R-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| R-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 6 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 6 Months |
| TD 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-2 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-3 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-4 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| U-5 | None | Multiple | 48 Months |
| V-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| V-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | Multiple | 60 Months 8 |
Diplomatic relations not in force.
A and G visas may be issued to Taiwan applicants who are employed by a government other than the Taiwan authorities, or who are attendants or personal employees of accredited officials of a government other than the Taiwan authorities. Qualified applicants should be issued visas on Form OF-232 following the procedures indicated in 22 CFR 41.113(b).The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) on Form DS-232 should be annotated as follows:
or
A and G visas may also be issued on Form OF-232 to Taiwan applicants who are immediate family members of an accredited official from another country who has been accorded A or G nonimmigrant status. The MRV on the Form OF-232 should be annotated as follows:
or
In addition to the applicants eligible under the treaty trader and investor agreement, the Taiwan authorities and their derivatives are also entitled to E-1 status. Attendants and personal employees of a member of the Taiwan authorities are entitled to B-1 status.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident. The spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status following the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principle alien’s country of nationality.
Example: John Doe is a national of the country of Z that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. His wife and child are nationals of the country of Y which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as Mr. Doe, the principal visa holder.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
Please check back for update.
Available. A household registration record (hukou) or extract thereof shows the name of the person, date of birth, names of parents and name of spouse, if married, and any children. The island of Taiwan was under Japanese rule from 1895 to 1945. The Japanese Government maintained the same system of household registration (koseki) as they did in other parts of Japan. This system of household registration, with minor changes, has been continued. Records concerning Taiwan Chinese, i.e., those who were Japanese nationals until the end of World War II, are fairly complete. Records on Chinese who came from the China mainland after World War II date back to the date they first applied for registration with the local household registration office, and are based on information provided by the applicant.
Individuals may obtain extracts of their household registration records by furnishing their name, date of birth, names of parents, and name of spouse, if married. However, only the provincial affiliation, not the place of birth, is given--so a person born in Taiwan whose father is from Shanghai will be entered as a native of Shanghai. Care should be taken to ensure that the applicant is submitting a properly certified extract of the household registration, and not just a photocopy of his Household Roster card. A properly certified extract will have a statement stamped on it, and will be impressed with the seal of the household registration in red ink. The Household Roster card is a simplified version of the household registration, but certain information which might be significant for visa purposes and which will appear in the certified extract will not appear in the Household Roster.
Immigrant visa applicants are required to submit a current household registration record, as well as a birth certificate. Applicants who are unable to obtain their birth certificate—for example, those born during the Japanese ruling period— may provide their original household registration record as an alternative to the birth certificate requirement.
Foreign residents register with the Foreign Affairs Police. Children born of foreign fathers, since they are not granted citizenship by the Taiwan authorities, are usually registered with their own consular authorities. Persons born outside of Taiwan should be requested to obtain the documentation applicable to the country in which they were born.
Death certificates are issued by the attending physician, not by a government agency. In the case of an untimely death, the certificate will be issued by a coroner. If the death occurred during military service, a military indemnity eligibility certificate is acceptable as proof of death.
In the absence of a system of vital statistics registration that may be considered as adequate and complete as defined by visa regulations, the documents described above may be accepted.
Marriages occurring in Taiwan on or after May 23, 2008 must be registered to the Office of Household Registration. The registration date is the effective date of marriage. The Office of Household Registration will issue a standard marriage certificate stipulated by Taiwanese authorities. A marriage certificate issued by HHRO or HHR with an adoption record is acceptable as evidence of marriage.
Marriages occurring before May 23, 2008 are valid as long as there is an open marriage ceremony with two witnesses, even without registration with HHR. A marriage certificate with signature of two witnesses is acceptable; however, a marriage certificate notarized by the court is more credible.
Marriages occurring abroad are effective on the date the marriage took place.
Same-sex marriages are not recognized in Taiwan.
A husband and wife may obtain a divorce by mutual consent by signing an agreement in the presence of two witnesses and registering the divorce at the household administration office. No other legal intervention is necessary, unless one of the parties is a minor. For a divorce to be valid, its registration should be reflected on the individual's household registration.
Please check back for update.
Please check back for update.
Taiwan issues police certificates, although the information is not always comprehensive. Also, legislation is pending in Taiwan that will cause criminal convictions resulting in a penalty of a fine, probation, a suspended sentence, or a sentence of less than two years be deleted from a person's criminal record. Crimes committed by juveniles are not part of the criminal record. Therefore, under the new legislation, a police clearance certificate will not show these convictions. Crimes relevant to visa issuance may be included in those that may not be shown on a person's police clearance certificate. Conversely, convictions, once part of a person's record, remains in the person's record indefinitely. The information reported by the police on police clearance certificates is reliable, but applicants have been able to exclude relevant convictions by specifying specific dates for which the check is to be performed. Information recorded in police clearance certificates comes from a national database of criminal convictions that is updated weekly. If posts suspect that a Taiwan visa applicant is concealing a criminal conviction despite presentation of a clean police clearance certificate, posts should send a completed DS-156 with a photocopy of the bio page of the applicant's passport to the Fraud Prevention Unit at AIT.
Taiwan does not use a standard system for romanizing names, resulting in a wide range of name spellings. However, every Taiwan citizen is assigned a unique national identification number that never changes. Whenever possible, queries should include a person's national identification number. Applicants with Taiwan passports should apply for a police certificate from the police headquarters having jurisdiction over the county or city in which the applicant's household is registered, as recorded in the Household Registration certificate. A third party can assist in this application. Previous residents of Taiwan not holding a Taiwan passport may apply for a police certificate by writing to:
Foreign Affairs Division
Taipei Municipal Police Department
No. 96, Yen Ping South Road
Taipei, Taiwan
Applicants should enclose a completed application form (available from Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices (TECRO) or Republic of China Embassies). There is a processing fee of US$11.00). No police certificate is available for previous residents of Taiwan who were dependents of U.S. military personnel and covered by the Status of Forces Agreement or persons living in Taiwan prior to August 1945."
Unavailable. There is no established procedure for obtaining an official document containing a report of an individual's confinement in prison. However, if a person has been arrested and sentenced, this information may appear in the police certificate or clearance report.
Available. Theoretically, the records of all cases that came before a court in Taiwan are available. However, due to the dispersal of records in Taiwan, difficulty may be experienced in obtaining full information on old cases. A certified copy of the court judgment may be obtained upon application by an interested party to the appropriate court.
Unavailable. An official military record as defined in visa regulations is unavailable. Persons who have served in the armed forces in Taiwan after World War II will possess discharge certificates showing their military service status, e.g., reserve Army officer with rank of Lieutenant, or retired Air Force sergeant, etc., giving date of discharge.
Passport Must Contain Unrestricted Reentry Permit
Passports issued prior to May 20, 2000: A regular tourist passport issued by the authorities on Taiwan should contain a reentry permit (in English) on page 2 granting the bearer the right to return to Taiwan as long as the passport remains valid. A Taiwan passport with this permit is considered a valid passport that meets the requirements of INA 101(a)(30). Taiwan passports issued prior to May 20, 2000 that do not contain such unrestricted reentry permits do not fulfill the passport requirement of INA 101(a)(30).
Passports issued since May 20, 2000, meet the definition of a passport under INA requirements as long as they contain a national identification number on the biographic page. Despite the term "passport" on the cover, documents that do not show that the bearer has a Taiwan national identification number do not allow the bearer unrestricted right to enter and/or reside in Taiwan and do not satisfy the definition of a passport under INA 101(a)(30). Pursuant to 22 CFR 41.104(b), the Department has waived the passport requirement for bearers of such documents, who may be issued visas on Form DS-232 if they are otherwise eligible. Visas should be limited to a single entry within three months. Such persons are considered stateless for visa issuing purposes.
Visas may never be placed in diplomatic or official passports issued by the Taiwan authorities. When issuing visas to bearers of diplomatic or official passports, consular officers should follow the instructions in 22 CFR 41.113(b) and place visas on Form DS-232. In accordance with policy guidance issued annually by the Department, Taiwan's official and unofficial representatives abroad may not enter U.S. diplomatic or consular premises; however, onsite biometrics collection may be unavoidable at posts that have not implemented offsite biometrics collection when accepting applications from Taiwan's representatives. Taiwan official and unofficial representatives are entitled to no-fee visas only in the case of E-1 TECRO visas as described below.
Taiwan's official and unofficial representatives may apply for tourist (and other) visas using their regular tourist passports, and may also use their tourist passports to apply for B1 visas for official TDY travel. In these cases, a Taiwan official or unofficial representative must pay the MRV fee and must be fingerprinted.
A Taiwan passport holder who is the immediate relative of a principal alien holding A or G nonimmigrant status may be issued an A or G dependent visa on Form DS-232 upon request from the principal alien's government or organization. A Taiwan passport holder who is the immediate relative of a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident alien posted to an international organization in the U.S. may also be issued a G visa on Form DS-232 upon request by the organization.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) is the instrumentality provided for in Section 10 of the Taiwan Relations Act [Public Law 96-8] to represent the people of Taiwan in the United States in the absence of diplomatic relations. Taiwan passport holders traveling to the United States for an official posting to a U.S.-based TECRO office should have a letter from the local TECRO office confirming their assignment. Taiwan passport holders who will be assigned for more than 90 days to the TECRO office in the U. S., and their spouses and dependent children, should be issued no-fee E-1 visas and will be exempt from fingerprinting requirements and visa application fees. Applicants will present G-series Taiwan passports for this purpose. Applications submitted outside Taiwan should be delivered to U.S. embassies/consulates via courier with a letter of request as Taiwan's official and unofficial representatives are not permitted as a matter of policy to enter U.S. diplomatic or consular premises.
The guidance that accords TECRO E-1 applicants these courtesies is 2004 State 141510 (SOP 69), Title 8 CFR 235.1(D)(i)(IV)(B), the Taiwan Relations Act (PL 96-8), as well as the 1980 AIT-TECRO Agreement on Privileges and Immunities. Visas should be annotated as follows:
For the principal:
EMPLOYEE OF TECRO ACCORDED COURTESIES
USVISIT EXEMPT PER 8CFR235.1(D)(i)(IV)(B)
DURATION OF STATUS AUTHORIZED PER TRA 4(A)
For the dependents:
DEPENDENT OF (principal applicant's name)
EMPLOYEE OF TECRO ACCORDED COURTESIES
USVISIT EXEMPT PER 8 CFR235.1(D)(i)(IV)(B)
DURATION OF STATUS AUTHORIZED PER TRA 4(A)
"FP BIOVISA EXEMPT" should be typed into the Local Tracking/Misc field in NIV.
Unmarried dependent sons and daughters of TECRO employees, over the age of 21, may be issued E visas so long as they attend school, engage in employment, or remain in the United States for the purposes specified in 8 CFR 214.2 (a)(2) and otherwise normally reserved for "immediate family members" of "A" diplomats over the age of 21.
Other immediate family members (e.g., parents, parent-in-law, etc.) who are members of the same household may also be issued E-1 visas under certain circumstances. These adult dependents should provide a Taiwan household registry (with English translation) showing the same official residence as the principal E applicant. They should apply with a "G" series Taiwan passport. The above annotation for dependents should be used. If the family member's residence on the household registry is not the same as the principal E applicant, they are not dependents and cannot obtain an E visa or reside in the U.S. with the principal applicant.
If adult family members wish to visit the principal applicant only, but do not plan to reside with the principal applicant during their posting to the U.S., they should be issued a B1/B2 visa, not an E visa, regardless of their residence. Personal employees of TECRO personnel may be issued B-1 visas subject to the same regulations and guidance as applies to the personal employees of nonimmigrants in general.
In accordance with U.S. guidelines for the preparation of home studies, Taiwan's Child Welfare Bureau will issue certificates of child-abuse background checks to American citizens (either formerly or currently resident in Taiwan) wishing to adopt children from Hague Convention countries. Prospective American adoptive parents can apply in person or by mail to the central office of the Child Welfare Bureau with an application form and presentation of a valid passport. A simple certificate will be issued indicating whether or not a record of child abuse exists in Taiwan's centralized databases.
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The Consular Section of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) became operational on April 23, 1979. AIT is a non-governmental organization created by Public Law 96-8 (The Taiwan Relations Act). Prior to July 1, 1997, immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications were issued under the authority of the Consulate General in Hong Kong. Since July 1, 1997, the AIT Consular Section has had authority to issue and deny visas.
Visa records are retained in Taiwan and AIT processes clearance requests for former residents of Taiwan. Posts having files for individuals who plan to pursue their applications in Taiwan should transfer the files to AIT for further action. Persons wishing to inquire about such cases or other cases involving Taiwan residents should address their questions to AIT directly via international mail to:
Consular Section
American Institute in Taiwan
#7, Lane 134, Hsin Yi Rd., Section 3
Taipei, Taiwan 106
Consular officers should consult post's communications personnel for instructions on handling pouch or classified material for AIT Taipei.
Areas Serviced:
All of Taiwan, Penghu (Pescadores) Islands and other areas administered by the Taiwan authorities including the islands of Jinmen (Kinmen, Quemoy) and Mazu (Matsu) in the Fujian Province.
consularnotification@tecro.usg
Washington, DC (202) 895-1812 (202) 895-0017
Atlanta, GA (404) 870-9375(404) 870-9376
Boston, MA (617) 259-1350 (617) 737-1260
Chicago, IL (312) 616-0100 (312) 616-1486
Denver, CO (720) 587-2949 (720) 587-2958
Hagatna, GU (671) 472-5865 (671) 472-5866 (671) 472-5867 (671) 472-5869
Honolulu, HI (808) 595-6347 ext. 223 (808) 595-6542
Houston, TX (713) 626-7445 (713) 626-0990
Los Angeles, CA (213) 389-1215 (213) 383-3245
Miami, FL (305) 443-8917 (305) 442-6054
New York, NY (212) 317-7300 (212) 421-7866
San Francisco, CA (415) 362-7680 (415) 364-5629
Seattle, WA (206) 441-4586 (206) 441-1322
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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