Taiwan Tourist Visa for Indian - Definitive Guide

Whenever as a tourist you plan to go on a trip abroad, there are certain formalities that you need to follow. Planning is important for going on a tour to anywhere at all. If you are looking forward to going to Taiwan for a vacation, you will need to issue a tourist visa to Taiwan. This visa will allow you to travel through the country for leisure and tourism. However, if the airport authorities have an issue with the visa or yourself, there are chances that you may not be allowed to enter the country. Although the traveller wouldn’t need a visa for the first 90 days, all you need is a 6 months valid passport. With the visa, the stay granted per visit on this visa is for 30 to 60 days as per the requirement. The validity is for about 3 months which can be extended if required. This type falls under the single entry category mainly.

The process of Taiwan tourist visa application is mainly offline. Although, it does start with the filling out the application form online. But before that, you need to make sure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a tourist visa to Taiwan. These are the parameters put forth by the Taiwan Consulate to be able to clearly differentiate between the different sorts of visa as per the purpose of visit and the length of stay mainly. The procedure for the application is mentioned as follows:

1. You can start by visiting the official website of  Taiwan Immigration.
2. You can then fill out the Taiwan tourist visa application form.
3. When the form has been filled out correctly, download and print the form.
4. Attach the photographs as per the photo specifications.
5. Attach the supporting documents as per the list of documents provided.
6. Submit the form to the Embassy.
7. Pay the required visa fee and wait for the final verification.

At the time of filling out the form, you need to make sure that the information provided on the visa application form checks out with the details on your passport and other documents. If there is any incorrect or unverifiable information, there are chances that the visa application may get rejected. This kind of visa rejection can even affect your future applications for any further application for a tourist visa to Taiwan or any other kind as well. To avoid such an incidence, you can even acquire consultation from the professionals to make sure not to make a mistake that could have consequences.

The criteria for eligibility vary from visa to visa. There are different sets of criteria for the offline and online application of the visa. The parameters that you need to match in order to be able to fill in the application for the tourist visa to Taiwan are as follows:

• You must possess proof of purpose of visit
1. If you are visiting your acquaintances, you must have an invitation letter from the resident in Taiwan.
2. You must visit for tourism only, or visiting acquaintances and not searching for or taking up any kind of employment.

• You must meet the health requirements
1. You must be healthy enough to travel to Taiwan.
2. You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
3. You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a work permit.

• You must meet the character requirements
1. You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind working in Taiwan.
2. You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well (if asked) in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

• You must have sufficient funds
1. You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Taiwan.
2. Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.

There is a list of documents that are required for the issuance of the visa. The documents that are to be submitted as original but you need to get them back to you, such documents can be sent with photocopies. The basic requirements of Taiwan tourist visa are given as follows:

• Original passport with validity at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel
• Completely filled visa application form
• Two photos as per the photo specifications
• Travel Itinerary
• Proof of confirmed travel dates - Air tickets
• Proof of sufficient funds to support your stay in Taiwan - ITR, Bank Statement
• Proof of accommodation - Invitation letter, Hotel reservation
  
  

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 2 inches x 2 inches.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the Taiwan tourist visa is about 3 to 5 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the Consular office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters.

There are various aspects on which the Taiwan tourist visa fee is dependent upon. These include the type of visa, the validity of the visa required, the urgency of the visa issuance, etc. The fee includes the charges paid to the Taiwan Consulate and the visa services that you avail. The fees can be paid online or offline as per the instructions.

At the time of submission of the documents and the application form, there are certain things you need to keep in mind -

• The documents to be submitted must be in good condition and there is no need for an appointment for the submission. 
• The completely filled and signed visa application form can be submitted to the visa application centre or directly to the Consulate. 
• You can submit the documents to your nearest branch of the visa application centre. The application form must be submitted in person. 
• If in case you are more than 200 miles (300 km) away from the Consulate, or if you do not have access to a nearby visa application centre, you can mail the documents through a registered courier service. 
• If you are mailing the documents, you must make sure to mail them in a special envelope and the parcel must be self-addressed and prepaid so that you can get your documents and passport back safely.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

In order to know the status of your tourist visa to Taiwan, you can visit the website of the visa agency through which you have applied or the visa application centre website. Alternatively, you can even do it offline by calling the embassy with the visa application number and enquire about the status.

Once you have your tourist visa to Taiwan, make sure to take care of a few things that are mentioned as follows:

• Before you travel
1. Make a note of the visa expiry date, as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
2. You should travel to Taiwan within the validity of your visa to be able to cover the stay of 60 days.
3. Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while leaving the country.
4. Issue health insurance and travel Insurance from a certified company.

• At the Border
1. Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
2. Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
3. Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
4. Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.

• When you enter Taiwan
1. Ensure not to get involved in any kind of employment. You can, however, do volunteer work.
2. The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
3. Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.