How to Apply for a Taiwan Tourist Visa for Filipinos

How to Apply for a Taiwan Tourist Visa for Filipinos

I was always intrigued on what there is in Taiwan. What to do, what to see and where to go. It is not a popular choice like Japan or Korea. So to help out those interested in going to Taiwan here is a post on how I applied for a visa.

There is actually two ways Filipino tourists can enter Taiwan: (1) by applying for a standard tourist visa, or (2) by qualifying for visa-free entry which is a very easy and fast process. Here’s how you do both (which I happen to do).

VISA-FREE ENTRY

For Philippine passport holders with valid US, CANADA, UK, JAPAN, and/or SCHENGEN visas, you can bypass the visa application process and get a travel authorization certificate online for free. Just fill up the form on their WEBSITE, print out the certificate, and you’re good to go. This will be good for multiple entries within thirty (30) days of its issue date, so be sure to fill this out no earlier than a month before your trip. Also make sure that all the details you entered are correct and complete.

For a more detailed explanation here is the step by step:

Visit http://www.immigration.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=2 the website will look like this:

 

 

Click on this image which can be found on the right side of the page:

 

It will redirect you to this:

 

Click on your preferred language and from there just continue on and remember to fill out all the required fields correctly.

 

Then print out the certificate. You will then present this to the immigration together with your return tickets.

 

 

 

Tourist Visa

If you don’t have a valid visa to the countries mentioned above, then you’ll need to apply for a Taiwan tourist visa.

Step 1: COMPLETE VISA REQUIREMENTS

Here are the basic documents you’ll need to file your application.

1.     Valid Philippine passport. Must have at least 6 months remaining validity. Any old passports can be submitted as well.

2.     A completed visa application form. Go to their WEBSITE to fill out and print the form. Note that the Taiwan embassy does not accept handwritten

 

Select General Visa Application

 

 

 

Once you’ve filled out and printed the form, please be sure to submit this together with all other requirements within fifteen (15) days. Otherwise, you’ll need to fill out the form again. Please also make sure to check and re-check your information as it SHOULD BE CORRECT AND MATCH THE DETAILS ON YOUR DOCUMENTS. Again ALWAYS ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK YOUR INFORMATION.

In order to avoid delays in processing visa applications, please take note of the following details when completing the Visa Application Form online:

 

Category 1 “APPLICANT’S DETAILS”

(a) For the Given Name section, please enter both your First name and Middle name in the box provided. (e.g. Given Name: Jose Protacio )

(b) Only English letters are allowed. All special characters (“-”, “.”) and non-English letters (“ñ”) should be omitted.

(e.g. “M. Kendrick André Jr.” must be M Kendrick Andre Jr)

(c) If Surname, Given name, ID No or Email are not applicable, please leave them blank. If Former or Other Name, Chinese Name, Former or Other Nationality are not applicable, please enter NONE

(d) If your Occupation, for example “Transactions Advisor”, is not fond on the ready-made list, please choose other

 

Category 2 “APPLICANT’S PASSPORT” and “JOURNEY TO TAIWAN”

(e) The complete “Name and Address of Employer or School” should be provided.

Category 3 “DETAILS OF YOUR CONTACT IN TAIWAN”

In filling up the “Date” section, please use the calendar box function instead of manually typing the date.

Enter the name and contact information of the family member, friend, company or school in Taiwan which you are in contact with, or enter NONE if not available.

Please double check all information before clicking “Submit”. In case of errors in spelling, please use the mouse to drag the cursor over the wrong letter or word, then press “backspace” to clear that portion. Keyboard “Delete” Function is disable.

3.    Two (2) 1.5″ x 2″ passport photos against a white background taken within the last three (3) months. Sign the backs of both photos and paste one of them on the form. Put the other in clear plastic and attach to the form.

4.    NSO-provided birth certificate issued within the last year.

5.    NSO-provided marriage certificate. Obviously, this only applies to married applicants. Single applicants can ignore this.

NOTE: Prepare a photocopy of these documents should you wish to have the NSO copy returned to you. They will just keep the photocopy instead of the original NSO copy.

Step 2: PROVIDE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Depending on your purpose of travel, these are the additional documents that you’ll need to provide. Again, whenever possible, submit originals together with photocopies. They should return the originals when you come back to claim your passport, hopefully with the approved visa.

A. IF APPLYING AS A TOURIST

1.    Recent bank certificate

2.    Certificate of employment (if employed)

3.    Photocopy of company ID (if employed)

4.    Certificate of business registration (if self-employed)

5.    Copy of your previous visas (if you have)

6.    Any other supporting documents that can shore up your application like confirmed round-trip tickets, hotel reservations, property titles, and pay slips. Basically anything that can prove you have commitments tying you to Manila.

B. IF TRAVELING ON BUSINESS

Together with the above tourist visa supporting documents, applicants traveling on business must also submit the following:

1.    Business letter or trading records from Taiwanese company

2.    Certificate of business name registration and SEC registration（if company owner)

3.    Invitation letter from Taiwanese company/organization in Chinese letterhead clearly outlining purpose of visit and duration of stay

4.    Formal request letters from concerned authorities for official trip

5.    Seminar program (if applicable)

Step 3: SUBMIT, PAY, & PRAY

You can now submit your application and documents to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. Filing of applications can be done from Monday-Friday, 8:45AM-11:45AM. Their office is located on the 41st floor of Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati. There is no need for personal appearance. Anybody can submit your visa application as long as it’s complete. As of this writing, visa processing fees are as follows:

 

Visa Fee: P2,100.00 (Single entry)/ P4,200.00 (Multiple entry)
(NON-REFUNDABLE) payable upon filing of application
Processing Time : 3 Working days
Expedite Fee for single entry : P1,050.00 / Processing Time: 1 Working Day
Expedite Fee for Multiple entry : P2,100.00 / Processing Time: 1 Working Day

 

After submitting your documents and paying, you’ll be given a receipt which you (or a representative) will need to present after three (3) working days for regular processing to claim your passport. Releasing times are from Monday-Friday, 1:45PM-4:45PM.

NOTE: THE TECO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD THE REASON FOR THE DISAPPROVAL OF ANY VISA APPLICATION

Unlike visa-free entry, Taiwan tourist visas are good for single-entry only and allow a maximum stay of fourteen (14) days. They’re valid for thirty (30) days from the date of issue so it’s best to apply for your visa 1-2 weeks before your trip.

 

 

TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A VERY QUICK PROCESSING TIME:

1.    APPLICATION

·         Be there early! Application starts at 8:45 am and ends at 11:45 am so be there before 8:45. Since I had to get my bank certificate I arrived there a bit late and agency representatives were already there. Because of this my waiting time was around 1 hour. I suggest you go there around 8:15-8:30 and go straight to the registration area. Make sure that you get your number by 8:45 and before you go up the embassy since the releasing of number is done at the registration area.

·         Bring a valid ID - They do not accept Philhealth ID. What I gave was my SSS ID. But don’t worry if you don’t have a government ID you can give any ID BUT you must give Php 1,000 as "security fee"--don't worry it will be given back to you once you're done.

·         WAIT and BE ATTENTIVE – when inside the embassy take a seat and wait for your number. Be attentive to the board since there is no buzzer sound when the next number is up. If your number is missed you need to get a new number. They also do not call the number.

·         Hand over your documents – When it’s your turn hand over your documents properly. The consul will review it ask you of you want it to be processed normally or rush processing. Then you will wait for you to be called to the next window which is the cashier.

·         Payment – They have a no refund policy. So before applying make sure that you your trip is within a few weeks so that your visa will still be valid. Keep the receipt and show it after 3 working days for normal processing and 1 day for rush processing.

 

CLAIMING

·         Be there early! Same procedure with the application the only difference is that the releasing time is done in the afternoon 1:45 pm – 4:45 pm.

·         BRING YOUR RECEIPT – You need this to be able to claim your passport. Please note that no personal appearance is needed. Anyone can claim it as long as they have the receipt.

 

Best to apply visa 1-2 weeks before your trip.

As long as your documents are complete and accurate you will have a smooth and easy visa application for your Taiwan visa. I hope this post was able to help you. Feel free to leave a comment in case you have questions but just a disclaimer I can only share my personal experience and I’m no expert on this. You can always ask the embassy directly by calling them

Good luck!

Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines

41F, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati
Tel: +632 887-6688
Website: taiwanembassy.org
Email: phl@mofa.gov.tw
Office Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:45AM-4:45PM
Filing: Mon-Fri, 8:45AM-11:45PM
Releasing: Mon-Fri, 1:45PM-4:45PM