On September 5, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that Taiwan will restore visa-exempt entry for nationals of the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Taiwan's diplomatic allies as of September 12, 2022. These changes reflect global trends and intend to strike a balance between the need for continued disease prevention and the promotion of economic and social activity.
This mechanism is available for nationals of the designated nations entering Taiwan to engage in activities that do not require a permit, such as business, events, fact-finding missions, international exchanges, visiting relatives, and tourism. For information regarding visa exemption regulations, required documentation, and other details, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html.
A cap on the total number of arrivals remains in place, and inbound passengers are still required to follow the current CECC policy of three days of home quarantine and four days of self-initiated pandemic prevention.
As a result of this announcement, the updated policies for withdrawing a visitor visa application are as follows:
- Those with visas that are currently in production who submitted their visa application at the counter or by mail/drop-off (based on the postmark date or the date of the drop-off receipt) prior to September 5 will not be refunded. Those who have not yet entered the production process will be notified of the withdrawal and refund via telephone and text by TECO in NY.
- Refunds will not be accepted for applications that arrive at the counter or via mail (based on the postmark date or the date of the drop-off receipt) after September 6.
- If you have any questions regarding the withdrawal fee, please write to withdrawvisa.ny@gmail.com. For general consular issues, please contact consular.ny@mofa.gov.tw.