Taiwan Visa for Visiting Relatives and Taiwan Dependent Visa: Applications and Regulations Guidelines

Last Updated on 08-29-2022

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan imposed entry restrictions for non-resident foreigners. This policy actually played an important role in their well-known success against the virus. However, with the spread of the vaccine and other factors, Taiwan has been slowly opening its borders to foreigners, such as foreign students or business travelers, as long as they meet the requirements.

Recently, Taiwan has also opened its borders to people visiting their relatives and to the children/spouses of people residing in Taiwan. All of them have to apply for the Taiwan visitor visa and Taiwan resident visa respectively. This article will give you an insight into the requirements and application of these visas.

Visitor Visa vs Resident Visa

Taiwan has two types of Visa depending on the reasons why you would come to the country. The first one is the visitor visa which is a short-term visa if your duration of stay is less than 90 days. The other one is the resident visa which is for people who will stay longer than 90 days. After you arrive in Taiwan with a Resident visa, you have to apply for an ARC at a local office of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days. Both types of visa can be issued for single and multiple entries valid within the visa’s duration date.

Taiwan visitor visa for visiting relatives

Taiwan has opened its borders to the family (relatives) of foreigners who hold an ARC or APRC (excluding migrant workers). As long as they have proof of their family relations with you in Taiwan, they can apply for a Taiwan visitor visa.

Taiwan visa required documents

1. Completed and signed application form which you can access through this website: Online Visa Form.
2. The original and photocopy of your passport (valid for more than 6 months and must have blank pages).
3. Two (2) 2-inch color photos (with white background) taken within 6 months.
4. The proof of the relative’s residence in Taiwan such as a Household Registration Transcript within 3 months with the personal family registry information indicated in the notes column of Household Registration Transcript, ARC or APRC of the relative.
5. Documents that prove the relationship with the relative such as birth certificate or household registration, any relevant identified documents etc…
6. Other supporting documents such as tickets, electronic tickets, proof of a travel agency, or other documents may be required.

Taiwan resident visa for spouses of ARC/APRC holders and Taiwanese citizens (Dependent Visa)

The resident visa for foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens and foreigners in Taiwan is divided into two categories: spouses of individuals without household registration in Taiwan and spouses of individuals with household registration in Taiwan.

Spouses of individuals without household registration in Taiwan

The first one is for the spouses of individuals without household registration in Taiwan and the requirements are as follows:

1. Completed and signed application form which you can access through this website: Online Visa Form.
2. The original and a photocopy of your passport (valid for more than 6 months and must have blank pages).
3. Two (2) 2-inch color photos (with white background) taken within 6 months.
4. One original and a photocopy of a health certificate issued within 3 months by one of the local hospitals designated by the Taiwan CDC or a foreign hospital. Health certificates issued by foreign hospitals must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas mission.
   • You can visit the CDC website for health checkup items and the list of designated local hospitals.
   • If you and the person who you are going to join in Taiwan is a white collar worker, and both of you are from countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-waiver entry into Taiwan, you do not need to present the health certificate.
5. Original and one photocopy of the Certificate of Residence in Taiwan, ARC/APRC or any kind of residence permit issued by the National Immigration Agency.
6. Original and one photocopy of proof of marriage.
7. Other supporting documents.

Spouses of individuals with household registration in Taiwan

The second category is the spouses of individuals with household registration in Taiwan and the requirements are as follows:

1. Completed and signed application form which you can access through this website: Online Visa Form.
2. The original and a photocopy of your passport (valid for more than 6 months and must have blank pages).
3. Two (2) 2-inch color photos (with white background) taken within 6 months.
4. One original and a photocopy of a health certificate issued within 3 months by one of the local hospitals designated by the Taiwan CDC or a foreign hospital. Health certificates issued by foreign hospitals must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas mission.
   • You can visit the CDC website for health checkup items and the list of designated local hospitals.
5. Original and one photocopy of proof of no criminal record issued by the authorities in your country.
6. Original and a photocopy of proof of marriage.
7. Original Taiwan Household Registration Certificate (issued within 3 months) of the person you are going to join.
8. Other supporting documents.

Taiwan resident visa for minors under the age of 20 joining parents or grandparents (Dependent Visa)

Currently, Taiwan also allows the children or grandchildren (under the age of 20) of Taiwanese citizens or foreigners holding an ARC/APRC to come to Taiwan on a resident visa. Here are the following required documents:

1. Completed and signed application form which you can access through this website: Online Visa Form. The application form must be signed by the applicant, either one of the applicant’s parents, or legal guardian.
2. The original and a photocopy of your passport (valid for more than 6 months and must have blank pages).
3. Two (2) 2-inch color photos (with white background) taken within 6 months.
4. One original and a photocopy of a health certificate issued within 3 months by one of the local hospitals designated by the Taiwan CDC or a foreign hospital. Health certificates issued by foreign hospitals must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas mission.
   • You can visit the CDC website for health checkup items and the list of designated local hospitals.
   • If the minor is under age 6 and the person whom he/she is going to join in Taiwan is a white collar worker, and both of them are from countries whose citizens are eligible for visa-waiver entry into Taiwan, they do not need to present a health certificate.
5. The proof of the parents’ or grandparents’ residence in Taiwan: Original and one photocopy of Certificate of Residence in Taiwan, ARC/APRC or any kind of residence permits issued by the National Immigration Agency valid for 6 months
6. Original Taiwan Household Registration Certificate (issued within 3 months) of the parents or grandparents that the minor is going to join.
7. Original and a photocopy of the parents’ proof of marriage.
   • If the applicant under the age of 20 is the child/grandchild of a Taiwanese citizen or foreigner (having ARC/APRC) with an household registration in Taiwan, the proof of marriage is not required. In contrast, if the parents/grandparents do not have a household registration in Taiwan, proof of marriage is required.
8. Original and one photocopy of birth certificate.
9. Other supporting documents.

Taiwan visa application process

For all the categories listed above, once they have gathered all the documents, they will have to take them to any one of the (preferably the closest) Republic of China (Taiwan) embassies in their country and the embassies will apply for the visa on their behalf.

Ensure that you call the embassy before your trip to confirm that all your documents are prepared according to their regulations.

Note for foreigners currently entering Taiwan

Starting from August 15, 2022, travelers do not need to present a negative PCR test upon arrival in Taiwan. However, they will have to quarantine at their home or a friend or family member’s home if it follows the one person per residence rule; otherwise, they must book a quarantine hotel for 7 days (8 nights) before arriving in Taiwan.

From September 1st, travelers arriving in Taiwan will have to quarantine for 3 days (4 nights) in a quarantine hotel or at their home or a friend or family member’s home if it follows the one person per residence rule. The remaining 4 days (self-initiated epidemic prevention period) can be done at their home or a friend or family member’s home if it follows the one person per room rule.

NB: You cannot do the 4 days of self-initiated epidemic prevention in a normal hotel.

For more information, check out the latest guidelines for home quarantine in Taiwan.

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