Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Taiwan

Taiwan
Taiwan

Reciprocity Schedule

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.

Explanation of Terms

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 Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months  
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months  
A-3 1 None Multiple 12 Months  
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   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  60 Months
E-2 2 None Multiple  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  
G-2 None Multiple 12 Months  
G-3 None Multiple 12 Months  
G-4 None Multiple 12 Months  
G-5 1 None Multiple 12 Months  
H-1B $54.00 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 $54.00 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 $54.00 Multiple 36 Months
L-2 $54.00 Multiple 36 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 $37.00 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $37.00 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

Country Specific Footnotes

▲. 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:

  • "Bearer is employed by the Embassy of _____, Washington, D.C."

or

  • "Bearer is an employee of John Doe, Embassy of _____, Washington, D.C."

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:

  • "Bearer is the immediate family member of John Doe, Embassy of ________, Washington, D.C"

or

  • "Bearer is the immediate family member of John Doe, (international organization), Washington, D.C."

◼. 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.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. 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:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. 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 or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B 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 John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

    Canadian Nationals

    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

    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, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni 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.

  6. 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.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. 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.

  9. 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:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

General Document Information:

Fees for many documents (such as court documents) vary depending on the municipality and if it is a first-time application, a renewal, or a replacement.  

General Issuing Authority Information:

Please note that with respect to all references to “country” or “countries,” it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b) (1).  Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Immigration and Nationality Act are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.

Taiwan passports are issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Much of the required information contained in the documents/certificates below (records of birth, death, marriage, and adoption) can be found in a Taiwan national’s Household Registration Record, issued by the Office of Household Registration.  These offices are located in all major Taiwan cities and in rural county seats. Individuals may obtain extracts of their household registration records by providing their Taiwan National ID and furnishing their name, date of birth, names of parents, and name of spouse, if married.

A note on eligibility for Taiwan nationality: Children born in Taiwan to foreign parents are not granted citizenship by the Taiwan authorities and are usually registered with their own consular authorities.  Before February 2000, Taiwan’s Nationality Law only permitted Taiwan national fathers to transmit Taiwan citizenship to their children.  Children of foreign fathers were not granted Taiwan citizenship.  Following the amendment of the Nationality Law in 2000, children are eligible for Taiwan citizenship as long as one of the parents is a Taiwan national. Persons born outside of Taiwan should be requested to obtain the documentation applicable to the country in which they were born.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: NT$115 to apply for both Chinese and English versions.

Document Name:  Individual Household Registration Transcript (“Ge Ren Hu Ji Teng Ben” in Chinese)

Issuing Authority: Office of Household Registration

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Must be printed in both Chinese and English versions, with full remarks included (no remarks omitted). The original copy will include a red stamp on the back of the page with the name of the issuing office.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Office of Household Registration

Registration Criteria: Births of Taiwan nationals must be registered with the local Office of Household Registration.  Before February 9, 2000, only Taiwan national fathers could transmit Taiwan citizenship to their children.  Children of foreign fathers were not granted Taiwan citizenship and were registered with the consular authorities of their father’s country of citizenship.  Following the amendment of the Nationality Law in 2000, either parent can transmit Taiwan citizenship to their children.  Children born in Taiwan to foreign parents are not granted citizenship by the Taiwan authorities and are usually registered with their own consular authorities.

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the local Office of Household Registration

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available; applicants can apply for new original copies instead.

Alternate Documents: None

Exceptions: None.

Comments: None.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: Fees vary depending on the municipality and if it is a first time application or a replacement.  

Document Name:  Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: Attending physician or hospital

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Should be signed and dated by the by the attending physician and the physician’s seal should be present in wet ink

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Attending physician or the administrative official attending an autopsy

Registration Criteria: Deaths of Taiwan nationals are registered with the Office of Household Registration and will be listed on the family’s Household Registration Record

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact hospital or attending physician

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Death registration record (issued by the Office of Household Registration) together with the Household Registration Record

Exceptions:  In the case of death outside a hospital, the certificate will be issued by a prosecutor.  If the death occurred during military service, a military indemnity eligibility certificate is acceptable as proof of death. 

Comments: Death certificates are issued by the attending physician or prosecutor and not by a government agency.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees:  NT$100

Document Name:  Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority: Office of Household Registration

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Red wet seal

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Office of Household Registration

Registration Criteria: Marriages occurring in Taiwan on or after May 23, 2008 must be registered with the Office of Household Registration.  The registration date is the effective date of marriage. The Office of Household Registration will then issue a standard marriage certificate.  Prior to May 23, 2008, there was no requirement to register with the Office of Household Registration and a marriage is considered valid as long as there were two witnesses.

Procedure for Obtaining:  Contact the local Office of Household Registration

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available; applicants can apply for new original copies instead.

Alternate Documents: Marriage registration record along (issued by the Office of Household Registration) together with the Household Registration Record

Exceptions: None

Comments: As of May 24, 2019, same-sex marriage is recognized in Taiwan.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: NT$100  

Document Name: Divorce Certificate

Issuing Authority: Office of Household Registration

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Red wet seal

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Office of Household Registration

Registration Criteria: A couple may obtain a divorce by mutual consent by signing an agreement in the presence of two witnesses and registering the divorce at the Office of Household Registration.

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the local Office of Household Registration

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Divorce registration record (issued by the Office of Household Registration) together with the Household Registration Record

Exceptions: None

Comments: For a divorce to be valid, its registration should be reflected on the individual's Household Registration Record.

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees:  NT$100

Document Name: Court order

Issuing Authority: Local court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Red wet seal

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge

Registration Criteria: Adoptions are registered with the local Office of Household Registration and should be reflected on the Household Registration Record.

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact issuing court

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Adoption registration record (issued by the Office of Household Registration) together with the Household Registration Record.

Exceptions: None

Comments: There is no official policy or law prohibiting adoptions by LGBTQ individuals. Although Taiwan law does recognize same-sex marriage, it does not currently allow same-sex couples to co-adopt a child together. However, one party of a same-sex marriage can adopt the genetic child of the other party.

Identity Card

Available

Comments: Every Taiwan citizen is assigned a unique national identification number. ID numbers are changed in certain circumstances, such as when a citizen registers a change in gender, or it is found that the ID number was issued as a duplicate.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Court/Prison Records

Available (Court records are available, Prison records are not available)

Fees: Fees vary depending on the municipality and if it is a first time application or a replacement.  

Document Name: Court Record

Issuing Authority: Trial court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Red wet seal

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Trial Judge

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Contact the appropriate court

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Theoretically, the records of all cases that have come before a court in Taiwan are available. However, due to the dispersal of records in Taiwan, obtaining full information on old cases may be difficult.

Comments: With regards to prison records, 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.

 

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: NT $100 for applicants in Taiwan, US$6 for overseas applicants

Document Name: Police Criminal Record Certificate (Good Citizen Certificate)

Issuing Authority: Police headquarters in the city where the household is registered

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Blue wet seal

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Commissioner of the City/County Police Department

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: 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 Record. A third party with an authorization letter can assist in this application. This application can also be started online at the Police Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs website, but the applicant or an authorized third party must later bring required documents in person. Previous residents of Taiwan not holding a Taiwan passport may apply for a police certificate through the Taipei Municipal Police Department’s Foreign Affairs Division.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: Police certificates are not available for persons living in Taiwan prior to August 1945.

Comments: Taiwan issues police certificates, although the information is not always comprehensive. For example, Taiwan police certificates do not include criminal convictions resulting in a penalty of a fine, probation, suspended sentences, or jail term of less than six months. Crimes committed by juveniles are also not part of the criminal record.

Military Records

Unavailable.

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic, and Official

Fees: NT$1,300 for a regular, 10-year passport (US$45)

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Bureau of Consular Affairs

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Two versions of regular passports are currently in use.  Both are dark green with the emblem of a sun in the middle.  On the top is written "REPUBLIC OF CHINA" in Traditional Chinese characters.  In one version, “REPUBLIC OF CHINA” is written in English below the Chinese. In the other version, the English words “REPUBLIC OF CHINA” encircle the sun emblem.  Below the emblem the word "TAIWAN" is printed in English only and "PASSPORT" is printed in both Traditional Chinese and English.  The cover of the official passport is brown and shows "OFFICIAL PASSPORT" on the cover, and the diplomatic passport is dark blue with "DIPLOMATIC PASSPORT" on the cover.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Registration Criteria: Applicants must provide their Taiwan National ID card, which requires registration with the Office of Household Registration.

Procedure for Obtaining: Through the Bureau of Consular Affairs.  First-time applicants must apply in person but renewals may be done by mail.  Overseas Taiwan nationals may apply at their nearest embassy, consulate, or Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO).

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: 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.

Comments: U.S. 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).

Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available

Other Records

Child Abuse Background Checks

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

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei

Address: 100 Jinhu Road, Neihu District

Phone Number: +886 2-7741-7989 or +886 2-7741-7998
From the U.S.: +703-665-7348

Visa Services: All nonimmigrant visa (NIV) and immigrant visa (IV) services

Comments / Additional Information: The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is a non-governmental organization created by Public Law 96-8 (The Taiwan Relations Act).  Prior to July 1, 1997, immigrant and nonimmigrant 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 Services

The American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei provides nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services for:

  • All of Taiwan
  • Penghu (Pescadores) Islands
  • Other areas administered by the Taiwan authorities including the islands of Jinmen (Kinmen, Quemoy) and Mazu (Matsu) in the Fujian Province.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

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.