(Updated on 6/13) Entry restrictions for foreigners to Taiwan in response to COVID-19 outbreak
June 11, 2022
Starting June 15, Taiwan to gradually ease border controls, shorten quarantine period, and control number of arrivals
On June 11, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that it will loosen the border restrictions listed below, effective from 00:00 on June 15, 2022 (incoming flight's scheduled arrival time in Taiwan), provided that control of the number of arrivals will be imposed.
I. Quarantine period and location:
A. The day of arrival counts as Day 0; a three-day home quarantine and four-day self-initiated epidemic prevention following the end of quarantine will be required. The previous seven-day self-health management will be terminated.
B. Epidemic prevention rules to follow during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period:
1. Avoid going outside unless necessary.
2. A negative result from an at-home rapid test taken within two days should be presented if an arrival needs to go out to work or buy daily necessities.
3. Masks must be worn at all times when outside and social distancing must be maintained.
4. An arrival fulfilling business contractual obligations may go to work, conduct site visits, give a speech, or have a meeting, provided that a mask must be worn at all times when outside and social distancing must be maintained.
5. Masks must be worn at all times and social distancing must be maintained at work; masks can be temporarily removed when dining and should be put on after finishing dining.
6. Avoid going to crowded venues or contact with nonspecific persons.
7. An arrival fulfilling business contractual obligations may dine alone or with specific persons in a separate space in a restaurant provided that table dividers must be installed or social distancing must be maintained.
8. Non-urgent medical services or examinations should be postponed.
C. An arrival should observe the rule of one person per residence in his or her quarantine location or stay in a quarantine hotel; in principle, the arrival should undergo the three-day quarantine and four-day self-initiated epidemic prevention in the same location. Furthermore, in consideration of shared living arrangements for migrant workers, fishermen, and students and their higher risk of cluster infection, the regulatory authority of the respective business will ask such individuals to complete the self-initiated epidemic prevention period in their quarantine location and not to attend classes, work, or go out unless necessary during the period.
II. Testing measures:
A. Arrivals must present a COVID-19 PCR test result within two days before their scheduled flight to Taiwan.
B. PCR testing: deep-throat saliva samples will be collected from arrivals for PCR testing at the airport/port on the day of arrival (Day 0).
C. At-home rapid tests: two rapid test kits will be given to arrivals aged 2 and older by workers at international airports/ports upon arrival; arrivals can use the test kits when symptoms occur during quarantine and before they go out for the first time during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period.
III. Transportation from the place of arrival to the quarantine location: besides taking quarantine taxis, arrivals can get a ride from their friends, relatives, companies or organizations, and epidemic prevention measures for quarantine vehicles as well as other prevention protocols should be followed.
IV. Control on number of arrivals: in principle, a maximum limit of 25,000 arrivals per week will be set in the initial stage.
V: Transits allowed: the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications will put forth new measures for transit passengers and ensure epidemic prevention measures are followed.
Source: Centers for Disease Control
https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/rYB7LWBxxycgJznNucXoiw?typeid=158
April 12, 2022
Foreign relatives of R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals and Alien Resident Certificate holders may apply to enter Taiwan while strict border control measures remain in place
Considering the need for and right to family reunions of R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals and Alien Resident Certificate holders residing in Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in coordination with other government agencies, announces that starting today, April 12, foreign relatives of R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals and valid Alien Resident Certificate holders residing in Taiwan may apply to enter Taiwan. They may submit an application for a special entry permit (visitor visa) for the purpose of visiting relatives at R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas missions by presenting proof of relationship to R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals or Alien Resident Certificate holders residing in Taiwan.
This arrangement comes in addition to the other purposes for entry to Taiwan currently allowed by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC)—i.e., joining family (foreign spouses and minors only), study (formal degree programs), studying Mandarin, business visits, investment, fulfilling contractual obligations, employment, emergencies, and on humanitarian grounds, and other cases given special approval by the CECC.
For details on the documentation requirements, please refer to the Bureau of Consular Affairs webpage on visitor visas for visiting relatives (boca.gov.tw/cp-158-251-e78ef-2.html). Individuals previously issued with special entry permits (visas) for visiting relatives purpose with expiry dates between May 19 and August 18, 2021, may apply, free of charge, for a new visa of the same purpose and type at the same R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission. Visa-exempt entry, visa on arrival, and e-visa services remain suspended.
These regulations are subject to change and may be adjusted based on pandemic developments. (E)
Source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
