taipei travel quarantine

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Arrival & Departure

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Restrictions on Entering Taiwan:  National Immigration Agency - Restrictions on Entering Taiwan (Chinese)

For the latest Taiwan entry/exit and quarantine information, please refer to the website of the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare:  Taiwan Center for Disease Control - Border Quarantine

Updated COVID-19 Response Actions

From August 15, 2023:

• If you have suspected symptoms of COVID-19 or receive a positive quick test, please follow the "0+n self-health management" approach. Under this system, no quarantine is required, but such individuals should avoid any unnecessary departures from their residence/hotel room and they should wear a mask at all times when they go out. These procedures should be followed until a negative quick test is received, or 5 days after the most recent positive test.
• Individuals with severe risk factors should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Foreign travelers may obtain tourist visas if they hold foreign passports or travel documents valid for more than six months in the Republic of China for purposes of sightseeing, business, family visits, study or training, medical treatments, or other legitimate activities. Visa requirements included one completed application form, incoming and outgoing travel tickets, one photo, documents verifying the purpose of the visits, and other relevant documents. The Visitor Visa Application Form can be downloaded from the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The completed form should be submitted to an Embassies and Mission Abroad of the Republic of China for visa issuances.

For any further information, please visit the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs . For any further questions about visa application, please contact: e-mail: [email protected] , TEL: +886-2-2343-2888.

• Countries eligible for Visa-Exempt Entry
• Countries eligible for Landing Visas
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad
• Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

Custom hints for Passenger please check Directorate General of Customs' website at  Taipei Customs Office . 

Traveler Luggage Clearance

Foreign Currencies: value over US$10,000 should be declared. New Taiwan Currency: under NT$100,000. A traveler should apply for the permission to the Central Bank for amounts over such value. There is no restriction on the amount of gold that a traveler can bring out of Taiwan; however, a traveler should declare to the customs office. When carrying out gold valued over US$20,000 out of Taiwan, a traveler should apply for an export permit to the Bureau of Foreign Trade, MOEA (Tel : +886-2-2351-0271 ext. 352) and apply for customs clearance to the customs office.

NB: A traveler should register at the customs office counter when bringing out of Taiwan gold, foreign currencies or new taiwan currency in excess of the said amount. (Tel: +886-3-398-2308, +886-3-398-3222)

Inbound Travelers' Luggage Inspection Flow

Last update time：

Taiwan Travel Restrictions

Traveler's COVID-19 vaccination status

Traveling from the United States to Taiwan

Open for vaccinated visitors

COVID-19 testing

Not required

Not required for vaccinated visitors

Restaurants

Open with restrictions

Recommended in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Taiwan entry details and exceptions

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Can I travel to Taiwan from the United States?

Most visitors from the United States, regardless of vaccination status, can enter Taiwan.

Can I travel to Taiwan if I am vaccinated?

Fully vaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Taiwan without restrictions.

Can I travel to Taiwan without being vaccinated?

Unvaccinated visitors from the United States can enter Taiwan without restrictions.

Do I need a COVID test to enter Taiwan?

Visitors from the United States are not required to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test or antigen result upon entering Taiwan.

Can I travel to Taiwan without quarantine?

Travelers from the United States are not required to quarantine.

Do I need to wear a mask in Taiwan?

Mask usage in Taiwan is recommended in enclosed environments and public transportation.

Are the restaurants and bars open in Taiwan?

Restaurants in Taiwan are open with restrictions. Bars in Taiwan are .

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Entry and Exit

With effect from 29 September 2022, Singaporeans can enter Taiwan visa-free for durations of stay up to 30 days.  Pre-departure PCR tests are not required, and there are no vaccination requirements to enter Taiwan.

Effective from 00:00, 13 October 2022, quarantine is no longer required, and travellers are expected to follow 7 days of self-health management instead. Travellers can refer to the notice at  https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/nEBLnOPooDYFy_CBJqfWvg?typeid=158   for more information.

Travellers can contact the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in Singapore for further queries regarding entry requirements. You  can refer to the TRO’s website at   https://www.roc-taiwan.org/sg/ ,    or reach out to the TRO at +65 6500-0100 or  [email protected] .

As entry requirements often change at short notice due to COVID-19 developments, we advise that you closely monitor the website of Taiwan Centres for Disease Control   at  http://www.cdc.gov.tw/En   for the latest updates or call them at +886 800 001 922 or 1922 (in Taiwan only).  We advise you to contact your travel agency to ensure that you have accurate information prior to departure.

Travellers entering or leaving Taiwan are required to declare the following items at customs:

1.    Cash in New Taiwan dollars of more than NT$100,000

2.    Chinese yuan (renminbi) of more than RMB$20,000

3.    Foreign currencies valued at more than US$10,000

4.    Negotiable securities with face value at more than US$10,000

5.    Gold valued at more than US$20,000

6.    Diamonds, precious stones and platinum not intended for personal use and valued at more than NT$500,000 in total

Non-declaration or false declaration of any of these controlled items will result in confiscation of the item or a fine equivalent to the undeclared amount. The same rules apply to these items delivered as general cargo, express consignments or postal parcels.

The import of pork products from Singapore by mail or hand-carry is strictly prohibited. Offenders will be subjected to a fine of NT$200,000 and repeat offenders will be subjected to a fine of NT$1 million. Travellers who cannot pay the fine will be denied entry and repatriated.

Safety and Security

The crime rate in Taiwan is low.  Nonetheless, petty crime and scams involving foreigners do occur.  Avoid confrontation and contact the police if necessary.  To drive in Taiwan you need an international driving permit.  Travellers are advised to familiarise themselves with local traffic rules and road conditions. Public demonstrations in Taiwan are generally peaceful.  Travellers should nonetheless avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place,  

If you are arrested or detained, you may request that the police notify the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei.  Foreigners accused of crimes are not permitted to leave Taiwan while legal proceedings are ongoing.  Legal proceedings can be lengthy.

Additional Information

Taiwan experiences earthquakes and typhoons.  Alerts and forecasts are issued by the Central Weather Bureau, and are available in English and Chinese. 

General Travel Advice

Overseas Travel – Be Informed & Be Safe [Updated on 5 February 2024]

Singaporeans planning overseas travel are reminded to take the necessary precautions, including being prepared to deal with accidents, natural disasters or terrorist attacks. Singaporeans are also reminded to be familiar with your destination’s local laws, customs, and COVID-19 regulations.

Demonstrations do occur in major cities across the world. Such demonstrations can sometimes escalate into violence. It is important for Singaporeans to keep abreast of local news, avoid any protests or demonstrations and heed the advice of the local authorities.

When participating in outdoor leisure activities overseas, Singaporeans should be mindful that certain sporting activities, especially in open seas, may carry risks. Besides ensuring that one has the physical competencies and appropriate condition to undertake the activity, every effort should be made to ascertain if the trip organiser or guide is reliable and competent, and that appropriate safety and contingency plans are in place. When in doubt, Singaporeans should consult the relevant professional bodies or sporting associations for specific advice.

For those planning to travel, here are some tips:

Before travelling

• Familiarise yourself with our network of overseas missions.
• Purchase comprehensive travel insurance and be familiar with the terms and coverage.
• Equip yourself with research about your destination’s entry requirements, current situation, local laws and customs.
• eRegister with us on our website ( www.mfa.gov.sg ) so that we may reach out to you during an emergency.

While travelling

• Always take care of your personal safety, remain vigilant and monitor local weather news, advisories, and security developments.
• Exercise caution around large gatherings and avoid locations known for demonstrations or disturbances.
• Be prepared for possible delays and last-minute changes in travel plans especially during unforeseen events such as natural disasters, social unrest or terror attacks.
• Stay connected with your friends and family. Inform them of your whereabouts and provide them with your overseas contact details.
• In the event that you require consular assistance, please contact the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

Advisory: Email Scams

There have been reports of individuals receiving scam emails/messages purportedly sent from friends in distress overseas. These emails/messages typically originate from an email address/social media known to the receiver bearing claims of the sender getting into trouble overseas and urgently requesting financial assistance. The sender would also claim to have approached a Singapore Embassy/Consulate and the local Police for help to no avail.

MFA takes the safety of all Singaporeans very seriously.  Singaporeans in distress approaching our Overseas Missions for assistance will be rendered with all necessary consular assistance.  If you receive such emails/messages from purported friends seeking funds transfers, we strongly advise you to call them first to verify the authenticity of the emails/messages before responding to their request.  It is also not advisable to give out any personal information such as NRIC/passport numbers, address, telephone number, etc.  Any form of reply, even one of non-interest, could result in more unsolicited emails.  Members of the public who suspect that they have fallen prey to such scams should report the matter to the Police immediately.  Should Singaporeans abroad require consular assistance, they can contact the nearest Singapore Overseas  Mission  or call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hr Duty Office at +65 6379 8800/+65 6379 8855.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Singapore responsible for conducting and managing diplomatic relations between Singapore and other countries and regions.

Travel Page

COVID-19 Restrictions on Entering Taiwan

• With steady easing of border measures, Taiwan to end quarantine and adopt 7-day self-initiated prevention policy for arrivals on October 13
• Effective September 12, Taiwan to reinstate visa-exempt entry for nationals of US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, countries in Europe, and diplomatic allies
• Effective from August 15, Taiwan to remove requirement that inbound passengers should provide COVID-19 PCR test result within two days of flight schedule time
• Effective immediately, weekly cap of arrivals increased to 40,000; starting July 14, R.O.C. nationals, ARC holders, transit passengers to be exempt from providing PCR test results within two days of their flight
• Starting June 15, Taiwan to gradually ease border controls, shorten quarantine period, and control number of arrivals
• Entering Taiwan COVID test requirement https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/_VRX4ciyxXBAZZrWlce-FQ?typeid=9 https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/n_PlQtV-5AjAKAofvmUgBA?typeid=158 https://www.mohw.gov.tw/cp-5023-64630-1.html https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Category/QAPage/SbkmnM5v0OwdDMjJ2tI_xw
• Beginning May 9, mandatory quarantine for arrivals to be shortened to 7 days; 7-day self-health management remain required for arrivals starting 8th day
• Starting April 18, arrivals on flights from US, Canada, New Zealand, Australia to take saliva test at the airport as COVID-19 pandemic slows down in these four countries; arrivals urged to abide by new rules
• Principles for admission and treatment of mild and severe COVID-19 cases adjusted effectively from today
• Taiwan to shorten quarantine, grant entry to business travelers from March 7
• Restrictions on Entering Taiwan
• American Institute in Taiwan

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Quarantining in Taiwan (Updated in June, 2022): 12 Important Traveler Questions for Visiting Taiwan

Taiwanscene.

One of the main reasons Taiwan managed to keep the spread of COVID-19 at bay was its strict quarantine regulations imposed on people entering the country. Anybody flying into Taiwan (apart from those with incredibly rare cases of special dispensation) is required by law to quarantine in a quarantine hotel or similar residence before being allowed to mix with the population. The rules have been adjusted recently to respond to the developing local situation. Here are 12 commonly asked questions regarding quarantining in Taiwan.

1. Who Can Enter Taiwan at the Moment? 

Taiwanese nationals and Taiwan residents (ARC [Alien Residence Certificate] and APRC holders/spouses of Taiwanese nationals) are the two groups for whom it is currently easiest to enter Taiwan. As of March 2022, foreign business travelers can also come into the country on a special entry permit ( https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/ ). There are also exceptions for foreign students (including those coming in to study Mandarin for over six months), diplomats, business travelers and those coming in for medical treatment . The borders are currently shut to tourists and all other non-nationals/residents.

2. Who Needs to Quarantine When Coming to Taiwan?

Everyone needs to quarantine when coming to Taiwan. Eligible travelers must present a negative PCR test taken within two days of their departure. So if your flight is on the June 30, you’ll need to take the your PCR after June 28.

Also, it is suggested that you log into the Quarantine System for Entry ( https://hdhq.mohw.gov.tw/ ) when checking-in or up to 48 hours prior to departure as well as filling out a health declaration form ( Here’s an example from EVA Air ).

3. How Long is the Quarantine Period?

Starting June 15th, all visitors should apply the “3+4” quarantine rules. This means a three-day home quarantine and four-day self-initiated epidemic prevention following the end of quarantine will be required. 

For the three-day quarantine, you can do it at a quarantine hotel or at home if there aren’t any other residents that didn’t travel with you. As for the four-day self-health management, there are restrictions on where you can go, including public transport and large public events. In fact, you should avoid going outside unless it’s 100% necessary. Masks must be worn and social distancing must be maintained if you go out.

For business travelers, however, going out for conducting site visits, giving a speech, or having a meeting, are allowed during the four-day self-initiated epidemic prevention period (with mask on, of course).

The quarantine starts on the day after your arrival, which means you’ll spend 4 nights at the quarantine hotels/home. For example, if you arrived on August 12th (Day 0), your quarantine days will start being counted from the 13th (Day 1). You will not be allowed to go out until August 16th. And the duration of self-initiated epidemic prevention will be from August 16th to 19th.

4. What documents/tests do you need when entering Taiwan ?

Basically, you’ll need two PCR test and (at least) one rapid test in different time periods:

• a negative COVID-19 PCR test result within two days before their scheduled flight to Taiwan.
• Upon arrival: deep-throat saliva samples will be collected from arrivals for PCR testing at the airport/port on the day of arrival (Day 0).
• During quarantine: two rapid test kits will be given to arrivals upon arrival. Use them when symptoms occur during quarantine. Also, you need the take one rapid test before going out for the first time during the self-initiated epidemic prevention period.

5. Can You Quarantine with Friends and Family?

You can quarantine with friends and family who arrived in Taiwan on the same day as you. But if you’re planning to isolate at a hotel, consider the size of your room first. It isn’t recommended for more than two people to share a single room.

6. Where Can I Stay during My Quarantine?

You must stay at a quarantine hotel or at a private residence if all of the other people there traveled with you . You can also check the availability of Taipei quarantine hotels here and find out how to book yourself a room in a quarantine hotel here:

• Quarantine hotels in Taipei City: click here .
• Quarantine hotels across Taiwan: click here .

A friendly reminder: as your quarantine starts a day after your arrival (see Question 3), you will need to book 11 nights at the hotel you choose.

Another friendly reminder: Double check with the hotel you’d like to book by phone or email to check availability.

One more (and the last one, we promise.) reminder: There are several websites that coordinate all the quarantine hotels in Taiwan, such as AsiaYO, 14Holidays and Taipei Traveler . Their booking system is in Chinese, however…

7. Can you Rent an Apartment or Suite or Stay at a Company’s Dormitory for Your Quarantine?

Yes for dorms, as long as there is nobody else living there at the time or you have your own room and bathroom separate from others who are also quarantining. You cannot quarantine at short-term apartment rentals, including Airbnbs.

8. How Much Do I Have to Pay to Stay at a Quarantine Hotel?

The cost of your stay will depend on your hotel. Prices range from NT$1,600 to NT$16,000 per room per night! The usual price range is around NT$2,000-4,000 per room per night , though.

Most of the quarantine hotels already include the fees of daily meals in the room rate. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be sent to your door every day, but the down side is that you cannot choose what to eat (Taiwanese bento boxes as the photo below are common options.).

View this post on Instagram A post shared by @hubhoteluz

Some hotels will refund a little if you can take care of your own meals by using delivery apps such as Uber Eats or Food Panda . They can drop your orders at the hotel entrance and the hotel staff will bring the meals to your door.

9. How Do I Get from the Airport to Where I’m Staying?

The best advised way to get to your place of residence from the airport is by taxi . Special taxis using pandemic prevention measures are available, ensuring the driver is safe from potential infection. You can access them from the airport taxi counter. The average price for a one-way trip from Taoyuan International Airport to Taipei City is about NT$1,000 (charged by meter). If your quarantine hotel is in Kaohsiung, it will cost you around NT$2,700 by taxi from Taoyuan.

You’re not allowed to to take public transportation to your hotel. Violators will be fined between NT$100,000 to NT$1 million.

10. What is the Punishment for Breaking Quarantine in Taiwan?

You will be fined , also ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$1 million. A man was fined NT$100,000 last December for simply stepping out of his room for 8 seconds at his quarantine hotel. So, yeah, it’s probably best you stay in your room…

11. Can you Quarantine in an Apartment Building? 

Yes, you can quarantine in an apartment building provided that there aren’t any other residents that didn’t arrive with you. It’s also possible to stay at the apartment of a friend or family member, but again, only if you/your travel party are the sole residents.

12. How About Previous Quarantine Experiences?

If you’re curious about quarantining in a hotel, 6 international travellers shared their experiences with us back in November. They arrived before the regulations were adjusted, so you can expect your stay to be a little shorter.

“From the landing in Taiwan to being sent to the booked hotel, all the procedures went smoothly and efficiently. I thought I may have some concerns about the 14-day quarantine life in the beginning, but it turned out just fine. During my stay in the hotel, the administrative officials in my area called twice a day to check on my physical condition; in the middle of the period, I even got a call from a Taiwan CDC volunteer to care for my mental condition. I really appreciated their help.” – Lizzie (Tokyo-Taipei)

“I was able to quarantine at home, so it wasn’t too bad. But I was very impressed by how Taiwan took it so seriously by calling and messaging me every day to make I was ok and still in quarantine. And they also they sent me a care package with snacks, instant noodles, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and masks.” – Chris (Los Angeles-Taipei)

“How to kill the time was my top concern before starting my quarantine. And I found that having a SIM card with internet at the airport helps a lot, as the WIFI in my room had a super weak signal. You must have a SIM card anyway as you need to fill in your phone numbers at the entry. My room had a balcony, which was a big plus to me too. I could take a “outdoor” breath when I need it and even do the laundry there! No washing machine, though. I washed my clothes during the quarantine all by hand with a soap. – Yi Shang (Korea-Taipei)

“I started to feel a sore throat three days after starting the quarantine so I reported it to the authorities immediately. They sent an ambulance to my hotel right away, followed by a series of health checks including a lung X-ray. Luckily, my lungs were fine, no sign of infection. They still kept me at the hospital for 4~5 hours just to make sure I didn’t have a fever. I was given some medicine for curing a cold before they arranged another ambulance to send me back to the hotel.”– Jane (London -Taipei)

“Before I returned to Taiwan, my husband and I talked about what would be the best option for us to go through the whole quarantine. As he works in Taiwan and lives in our apartment, if I want to quarantine at home, he cannot stay in house either. But then we realized that there are actually regular hotels in Taiwan offering way cheaper prices to the family members of people quarantining, which a huge budget-saver for us! And eventually that’s what we did: I quarantined at our place and he booked a room at a hotel nearby. That totally made much more sense as he was allowed to go out freely, and sometimes even drop lunch at the door for me.” – Tina (Singapore-Taipei)

@NINA TAIWAN妮娜 on Youtube shares her experience of quarantine in Taiwan.

What else do you want to know about quarantine in Taiwan? Leave your questions in the comments!

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A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Quick Summary – As of October 13, 2022, Taiwan is totally open to all international tourists. Some can enter visa-free, while others need to apply for a visa ( see the full list here ). – There is no longer any testing, tracing, quarantine, health forms, special rules, or vaccine (this was never required) to enter Taiwan. – As of March 20, 2023, virtually all COVID restrictions are finished. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation, including hostels dorms, and travel around as normal. Masks must be worn on public transportation, in taxis, and in medical facilities. Most locals are still wearing them everywhere in public. – I am no longer updating the below article, but keeping it live in case anyone wants to remember what a shit-show that was.

After Taiwan’s borders closed to all tourists on March 19, 2020, they remained that way for over two years. As of September 12, 2022, Taiwan has finally re-opened to tourists from certain countries, but those visitors must still undergo the 3+4 days of quarantine process. I will be covering exactly what all this entails in great detail below. The list of countries will be expanded on Sept. 29, and then the country is set to totally open, with no quarantine or PCR testing, on October 13, 2022.

Entry restrictions to Taiwan due to the COVID-19 pandemic have effectively destroyed my travel business. Because of this, and the fact that the arrival rules are so complicated and always changing, I’ve avoided writing about them here, on my mostly Taiwan-focused website until now. In fact, I’ve barely mentioned the dreaded words “COVID” or “quarantine” in my articles. And like you, I just look forward to the day when we can put all of this behind us.

I’ve personally cancelled my family’s flights back to Taiwan from where we now live in Canada twice since early 2020, not because we couldn’t get in (we are citizens/permanent residents), but because of all the testing/quarantining costs on both ends.

In May to July of 2022, we finally went back for the first time since 2019. All the below info about entry requirements, how to quarantine in Taiwan, COVID rules, and so on come from my personal experience doing the arrival and quarantine process in Taiwan, as well as government websites and the experiences of people reported online as well as people I personally know.

For the latest updates as soon as they roll in, please join my Taiwan Travel Planning group , and for quarantine-specific questions, I also recommend the group Quarantine Support in Taiwan . You can also call 1922 (then #7 for English) in Taiwan for any COVID or quarantine related questions.

For more information about planning your trip, see my Taiwan Travel Guide , favorite things to do in Taiwan , and recommended Taiwan travel itinerary .

Table of Contents

Current Border Restrictions

When Taiwan first closed its borders, it came in steps. Before the full tourist ban was implemented, the countries of the world were categorized into levels based on how bad their outbreaks were, there were different restrictions for each level, and they changed almost daily. Suffice to say it was very messy.

Now that Taiwan is beginning to reopen, they are also doing it gradually in steps, with the most notable steps so far coming on September 12, 2022, when they began letting visitors from certain countries enter for tourism purposes again (see the list of countries below), Sept 29, when the list of countries was expanded to include several neighborhing (Asian) countries, and Oct. 13, when all restrictions will be dropped.

As this process unfolds, I will continue to update this article daily with the latest Taiwan entry restrictions by country.

Are Taiwan’s Borders Open to Tourists Right Now?

For most of the pandemic, the answer has been no, but as of September 12, 2022, the answer is YES, for visitors from certain countries, and then even more countries after September 29.

The Taiwanese government and Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), under the Taiwan Center for Disease Control (CDC) have impressively crushed two major waves of COVID since the pandemic began. Until mid-2022, there was an admirably low number of COVID deaths in Taiwan, less than a thousand, which is less than a quarter of my home province in Canada, but with five times my province’s population. Once Omicron finally got in, the numbers skyrocketed, but thanks to vaccinations, universal mask wearing, and impressive contract tracing, the number of deaths remained comparatively low.

Numerous press announcements over the last two years have hinted at possible loosening of border restrictions when future vaccination benchmarks were reached (for example 80% double vaccination, 50% booster, and now they are saying 50% vaccination rate among young children). But when those first two benchmarks were reached, it was right around the time that Omicron took off, so they decided to keep the borders closed after all to prevent a Hong Kong-like situation from occurring.

As of March 7, 2022, Taiwan loosened the mandatory quarantine for all arrivals (for those who can get in, that is) from 14 days to 10 days (technically 11 nights, as the arrival and check out dates aren’t counted). Moreover, it allowed them to do their quarantine at home instead of a quarantine hotel, so long as their home meets certain requirements. They also made it even easier for business travelers to enter from this day on. The next step was a further reduction to 7 days of quarantine, which started at 12 a.m. on May 9, 2022, and then a reduction to 3+4 days on June 15.

This means 3 days of quarantine + 4 days of “self initiated epidemic prevention”. In practice, the day of arrival doesn’t count, so it’s actually 4 + 4. In other words, this is 4 days of strict quarantine, plus 4 days when you are allowed to go out for certain things.

On July 25, they started letting 6 categories of people to apply for permission to enter. These are volunteers, missionaries, religious scholars, interns, and people on international exchanges and working holidays. These people are still subject to 3 + 4 days of quarantine. Some have speculated that the next step will be a reduction to “0 + 7 days” (zero days of quarantine but seven days of self monitoring), but this isnt’ certain.

Then on September 12, Taiwan finally announced that tourists from certain countries were allowed. It was surprising that they mainly welcomed tourists from Western countries first. Before COVID, tourists from Asian countries far outnumbered those from Western ones. My guess is that this is part of their “gradual approach”. I don’t think a large number of tourists from faraway Western countries are suddenly going to start planning big trips and showing up in Taiwan right on September 12, especially when they still have to undergo quarantine upon arrival. But then, thankfully, Taiwan added most of its Asian neighborhing countries to the list from September 29.

From the very beginning, Taiwan has considered tourists the last priority. The country is not heavily dependent on tourist dollars like so many other countries. In fact, their economy has been booming through COVID, and there are enough local travelers to support local hotels and attractions. Having said that, several businesses who depended largely on foreign guests have, unfortunately, gone out of business. Examples include Modern Toilet Ximen , the Starbucks in Taipei 101 , and several tours, guides, and agencies that catered to visitors.

You can see the latest CDC updates with the most current changes and assessments of the situation. Updates come daily.

Who Can Enter Taiwan Right Now?

As of September 12, 2022, nationals of the following countries are allowed to enter Taiwan for tourism purposes and don’t need to apply for a visa: USA, Canada, the EU, Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan’s 14 diplomatic allies (Belize, eSwatini, Guatemala, Haiti, the Holy See, Honduras, the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Tuvalu) . They still have to undergo testing and quarantine on arrival, which I will cover below.

As of September 29, 2022 the following nationals were added to the list of people who can enter Taiwan: Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Dominican Republic, Israel, Chile, Nicaragua .

All of the countries above can enter Taiwan without a visa, as before COVID. For the amount of time nationals of each of these countries can enter, see this page https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-2.html   (you need to copy and paste this link to your browser. For some reason, it always redirects if you just click it).

For nations all other countries not mentioned above, a visa is required, and they will be able to start about for this visa from October 13, when the borders are totally opened. Russia is one exception; so far they have not yet announced whether nationals of Russia will be allowed in and when.

The following people have been allowed to enter Taiwan throughout COVID, and still are today. They also have to undergo testing and quarantine upon arrival:

• Taiwanese citizens (holding a Taiwanese passport)
• Foreign residents of Taiwan (holding an ARC or APRC)
• Foreign relatives of Taiwan citizens/ARC holders (i.e. children and spouses of citizens or residents)

The below can also currently enter but must apply for and receive approval first (starting from various points during the pandemic):

• Business/investment/contract visitors
• International students coming to study in formal degree programs in Taiwan
• Persons coming to Taiwan for employment
• Persons coming for emergency or humanitarian reasons
• Volunteers, missionaries, religious scholars, interns, and people on international exchanges and working holidays

Are Transit Passengers Allowed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport

For most of the pandemic, transit passengers have NOT been allowed at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport . This finally changed on June 15, 2022. So now, YES, transiting at Taiwan’s main airport is allowed again, though it will take a while for airlines to actually start routing more flights through Taiwan again.

Taiwan’s Current Quarantine Protocol

Everyone who is able to enter Taiwan has to undergo testing before and upon arrival and a mandatory 3 days of self-paid quarantine + 4 days of self monitoring (technically it totals to 8 nights, because your first night and check out day don’t count), as of June 15, 2022. The only people who have been able to get reduced quarantine have been pilots/airline workers and some high level business or political visitors.

If you arrive in Taiwan after October 13, 2022, you will not have to do any quarantine. Instead, you will only have to watch your health for 7 days (called the 0 + 7 system) and take a few self-administered rapid tests. They will you 4 such test kits upon arrival at the airport, free of charge. the first two are meant to be taken on days 1 and 2, while the other 2 are for if you develop symptoms later.

Before Coming to Taiwan

• Book a quarantine hotel or arrange a residence to quarantine in (more info on both below). You need to book it for 8 nights under the “3 + 4” system, since your arrival day and first night count as “day zero”.
• As of August 15, 2022, NOBODY needs to take a pre-flight PCR test before coming to Taiwan anymore (but you still have to be one of the select groups of people who are allowed to enter Taiwan). So you can ignore the next three paragraphs, but I’ll keep them up (with strikethrough) in case anyone needs that information.
• Get an RT- PCR test 1 or 2 days before your scheduled flight (July 14 update: Citizens, ARC-holders, and transit passengers no longer need to get a pre-flight PCR test). For any other travelers who are not citizens, ARC holders, or transit passengers, you still need to get a PCR test 1-2 days before your flight departure. For example, if your flight to Taiwan departs on June 9 (even for example, 1 AM of June 9), you should get the test on June 7 or 8. If you have a connecting flight to Taiwan, you count back from the date of the first leg of the flight, unless your stopover is more than 2 days. Make sure that you get it early enough so that you will receive the results before your flight, but not too early. Find out in advance how long the results will take. Important point: the test results paper must indicate your name (matching passport name) passport, date of birth or passport number, specimen collection date, testing method, report date, and test result. The “specimen collection date (or date the test was administered) is essential, so make sure the facility includes it. The test result has to be negative. A digital copy of the report is fine.
• If your PCR test is positive, you’ll have to reschedule your flight, cancel your quarantine hotel (if you have one booked, and they mostly allow this), and retest again TWICE starting in 10 days (first re-test after 10 days, second one another 24 hours after first one). If both retests are negative, then you can fly to Taiwan. This is technically the rule, but some people have reported that even though they retested twice, nobody in Taiwan asked for proof of their two tests when they later arrived. I’m not saying you should only test once; but that’s just what people have reported.
• Children aged 6 or under, those with medical exemption, or people in country that doesn’t offer PCR test don’t need to take the pre-flight PCR test . However, you have to print and fill out this PCR test exemption form and present it to your airline for check in and upon arrival. In our experience, the airline then placed us at the back of the plane, and my 6-year-old daughter (who didn’t get the test) had to use a separate toilet on the plane. Upon arrival in Taiwan, we had to exit the plane last, then we had to be met by a staff member on arrival, who took us to a separate line to register her, before we could go through the usual lines. It made our arrival process almost 30 min longer. Note: if you have another reason for not being able to take the PCR test, you’ll need to have sufficient proof.
• Fill in and submit the Quarantine System For Entry Form online 48 hours or less before arriving in Taiwan . If you do it more than 48 hours before your arrival time (in Taiwan time), it will be considered invalid. I recommend doing this at home before your flight, not at the airport like many people do. For us, our total flying time from Canada to Taiwan (including all checking in, waiting, transfers) was 22 hours, which gave us a full day before leaving to do this. Many people don’t do it until they get to the airport, then find the form is confusing or takes a long time to fill out, causing a lot of stress right before their check in. Do it at home!
• To fill in this form, you’ll need some personal info, flight number, quarantine hotel information (including hotel ID and address) or address of home quarantine. One child age 12 or under can be added per one adult form–there will be a spot to “add a person under 12” on the final page before you submit; you’ll need to fill in the whole page with all your person info first. For departure country, enter your original departure country (unless you have a stopover more than two days on the way). For the flight number, enter the details of the one that lands in Taiwan. If you don’t have a Taiwan phone number yet, enter your home number. You’ll be able to get a SIM card when you arrive in Taiwan and update the form, with help from the airport agents. Make sure the cell phone you come with is unlocked!
• When you click on the submit form, the form will be sent to the authorities in Taiwan. There won’t be any popup or words telling you that the submission was successful, but don’t worry, it works. Then it will go to a page showing your final report, called “Quarantine System for Entry – Departure Place Declaration Certificate”. This is what you need. Screenshot it. The airline will ask to see this before you get on the flight to Taiwan. At the bottom of the page, there is a confusing little button that says “Save – Press it for 2 seconds”. Many people mistakenly think this is the final submission button. It’s not. Your form has already been submitted. This button, if held for 2 seconds (on mobile only) will save a copy of the form in your phone’s camera roll.
• If you have entered a non-Taiwanese phone number like we did, you’ll probably receive a text message from the Taiwan CDC before you board your flight. You don’t need to click the link contained in the message, but save the text message. It’s just a confirmation message, and may be needed later when you arrive in Taiwan.
• Make sure your phone is charged when you arrive in Taiwan. I suggest bringing a battery pack.
• There may be additional forms required by your airline. We received an email from EVA airlines with a checklist of all the forms we needed. Also note, your country may require proof of vaccination for domestic flights or checking in at your airport, but Taiwan technically doesn’t (yet) require proof of vaccination to enter.

What Happens When You Arrive in Taiwan

• Get off the plane and follow the signs to exit. If you are traveling with a person who didn’t get the pre-flight PCR test (like us with our 6-year-old daughter), you may have to leave the plane last. When we got off the plane, there was a lady waiting with a sign with our daughter’s name on it. We then had to wait for all the other people with young kids who didn’t get tested. The woman then took us through the entire processing area, where there were hundreds of people waiting in lines, to a line where we had to register our daughter, give them the PCR test exemption form, and then go back to join the long lines.
• Follow the signs/flow of people until you reach the processing area. It’s impossible to get lost or go the wrong way – there’s only one way to go.

• If you don’t have a SIM card yet, join the line to buy one FIRST (line on the left in the above picture). Do not get in any other lines, such as the immigration LINE. When we arrived, the line was quite long (we waited about 20 minutes). It’s clearly marked, and there are lots of staff to guide people. But still, don’t go into sheep mode and just get in whatever line it seems everyone else is getting in (several people have reported doing this, and then having to go back to the end of the SIM card line. Important note: make sure your cell phone is UNLOCKED before coming to Taiwan.
• The SIM card counter has multiple phone options, and the staff will help to switch your card. They accept cash or international credit cards. You’ll see that most options come with unlimited data, plus some extra amount for voice calls. The first two (Chunghwa) are the most recommended and reliable, especially if you need strong WiFi for video conferences or anything like that.

• After you get your SIM card, ask a staff member to help you input it into your “Health Declaration Certificate” report. We watched as a staff member did ours: first, he went to the text message that we had received before boarding our flight in Canada. He clicked the link. It took him to a page where it asked to enter the last 5 digits of our passport number. Then it went to a page where he input our new phone numbers. (I don’t want to say this is all he did, because he was doing it very quickly and I may not have caught everything). After he did that, we received a new text message with a link. When we clicked that link, it went to our new, updated “Quarantine Declaration Certificate”, which contains a bar code. Screenshot the form, as you will need to show it several times after this. If you have added a child 12 or under on your form, this process will need to be done once for yourself, and again for your child, and there will be one final report for each of you. Screenshot both of them.

• Now you get to join the other line, which is opposite the SIM card station/line. When we first arrived, this line was very long, but because we were at the end, by the time we finally got in this line, it was quite short.
• If you already had a Taiwan phone number before arrival, you don’t need to join the SIM card line. Just go directly to the immigration line. You should receive a text message with a link to your “Quarantine Declaration Certificate” within a few minutes of arrival. If you don’t, ask an agent.

• When you get to the front, you’ll need to show your passport, provide your phone number (if you just bought a SIM card, they’ll give you a paper that shows your new number), and show your Health Declaration Certificate to register for your arrival COVID saliva test. NOTE: as of June 15, EVERYONE does the saliva test, no matter your country of original. Before, people from all (and then later only certain) countries still had to do the more intrusive and painful nose test). Also note: unlike with the nose tests, you no longer have to wait at the airport for the results. You will be contacted later while in quarantine if you test positive. Also note, as of September 29, saliva PCR tests will no longer be conducted upon arrival in Taiwan.
• If your child is under 2, it would be too tough to collect the amount of spit they require (5 ml), so he or she will need to take an Orophraryngeal swab. They will give you a paper indicating the kind of test you will need to take. Our kids (aged 6 and 8), were able to spit enough, but it took them a while.
• At this same station, they will also give you two antigen rapid test boxes per person. One is to be used on the final day of your quarantine to allow you to exit quarantine, and an extra one is provided for use in case you start showing symptoms of COVID. (Note: when quarantine ends on October 13 and the 0 + 7 days system starts, you will receive 4 kids. One is meant to be used on day 1, another on day 2, and the other two for later if you develop symptoms.
• After receiving your spit cup and rapid antigen test kits, you’ll proceed through immigration, where you’ll have to show your “Health Declaration Certificate” form to the agent.

• Next, you’ll proceed to the baggage area to collect your baggage.
• Next, you’ll proceed into the arrival area (where in the past the public could wait for and greet arriving passengers). You’ll join a long queue for the spit test. The line makes its way outside, where you’ll leave your luggage cart, the proceed around the corner of the building to the outdoor testing area. You’ll show your passport and the little paper they gave you with the type of test checked. Then you get to stand at a booth and spit into the little cup you were provided with earlier until it reached the little line at 5 ml. It’s a lot of spit, so it might take you a while. I would suggest starting to collect spit in your mouth from the moment you step outside of the airport. Then, you close the lid, but it in a little ziplock bag provided, and give it to the staff, along with the little paper. If your baby has to do the throat swab, they’ll also do it here. After you complete this step, they’ll put a quarantine sticker on your shirt (you can see people’s quarantine stickers on one of my pictures above, posted on the separation wall inside a taxi).

• Go back to collect your luggage cart and proceed to the taxi area (if you plan to take a taxi), which is right in front of the main arrival hall doors. There are staff directing people where to go. The main (by far longest) line is for all destinations in Northern Taiwan, including Taipei. For destinations in Central or South Taiwan, they will direct you to the appropriate line.
• If you’re getting picked up by a friend or family member, that is now allowed, but you can’t go stay with them. They can just drive you to your hotel or quarantine location which meets all the necessary standards (see below section). You still can’t take the airport MRT or other forms of public transportation to reach your quarantine location. As of September 1, 2022, you are allowed to drive yourself to your place of quarantine, for example in a rented car or car someone has left at the airport for you. As of September 29, you are also allowed to get a ride from somebody to your quarantine location. As of October 13, you will be allowed to take public transportation from the airport (buses or Airport MRT).
• If you need to withdraw money from an ATM for paying for your taxi, or to have some cash for ordering food during your quarantine, or for getting home after your quarantine, go back into the airport arrival hall and do it before getting in the taxi line. I strongly recommend having at least a couple thousands NTD just in case. There are also currency exchange booths in the airport (before collecting luggage). Note that when we last arrived, there were no duty free shops or convenience stores that we were able to visit upon arrival at the airport.

• While in line for the taxi, they will spray you and your luggage down with sanitization liquid. You may also (once again) have to show your Health Declaration Certificate. The taxi line can be really long (we waited almost an hour).
• Some taxis take credit cards, but most don’t. The set taxi fares from Taoyuan Airport, which you will pay to the drive upon arrival, are: pay by meter up to a maximum of $1000 ( Taipei , New Taipei, Keelung , Hsinchu), 1000 ( Miaoli and Yilan ), 1080 ( Taichung ), 1340 (Changhua), 1560 (Yunlin), 1630 (Nantou), 1750 ( Hualien ), 1840 (Chiayi), 2380 ( Tainan ), 2660 ( Kaohsiung ), 2950 (Pingtung), and 3500 ( Taitung ). Tipping taxi drivers in Taiwan is not common, and taxi drivers are always honest. You will NOT be scammed by a taxi driver like in other countries.

• Upon arrival at your quarantine location, enter your hotel/residence immediately and don’t leave until until 12:01 AM or later of the 4th night. If you are caught going out, the fine is extremely high.
• Then, from days 5 to 8, you are in the “self-initiated epidemic prevention” period. The rules are different than the previous “self health management period”. Before, that basically meant you could leave, go out, stay with family, live like normal but just avoid crowded indoor places and monitor your health situation. For the new “self initiation epidemic prevention” period, the rules are stricter. See the next section below.
• On the day of your arrival at your place of quarantine, and every day or other day after that, an English-speaking agent will call you to check in on you and ask if you are feeling okay. Make sure your phone is charged and that you catch the call. If you miss it, they may send someone to check on you (although the agent admitted to my wife that they are too busy nowadays, so they will probably just try to call you again later. You can also ask this guy about garbage pick up.
• If your airport saliva test turns out positive, they will contact you and advise you on how to proceed. If you’re alone, there’s a chance you will be able to stay where you are in quarantine but for an additional set number of days, or they may come pick you up and take you to a government facility. If you’re a family and only one tests positive, that person will may be taken away.
• It is possible an agent will come to check your quarantine location to make show it meets standards, but they seem to be doing this less now. My wife also got a call from the local neighborhood leaders. He then dropped off a package for us containing some garbage bags and masks.
• Obviously, do not leave your place of quarantine, even stepping outside or down the hall, for the first 3 days (technically 4 nights).

Post Quarantine: Self Health Management Period VS Self Initiated Epidemic Prevention Period

In the past, arriving travels had to undergo a period of “self health management” after quarantine. This meant always wearing a mask, watching your health, and avoiding busy places. You weren’t supposed to eat in restaurants (in practice, nobody was checking), but convenience stores or shopping for groceries was allowed. Public transportation and exercising outside were OK, too. You weren’t supposed to visit a hospital/clinic or make any doctor’s appointments during this time.

Under the new 3 + 4 program (technically 8 nights), the first 4 nights (day zero plus 3 days) is strict quarantine. The last 4 days is called “self initiated epidemic prevention”, and the rules are different. It started out as being much stricter (you basically had to stay in the same quarantine location, and could only go out with permission for “necessary tasks”). Since then, the rules for the last 4 days have loosened a lot. You are now allowed to change to a new place, go out more easily, and can move into a place where other people are living, as long as you have your own bedroom and bathroom there. You are still supposed to avoid going to very crowded places or hospitals in that time, though.

From September 29 to October 12, you will be allowed to do all of your quarantine in a house where other people (friends or family) live, so long as you have your own room and bathroom. You still aren’t supposed to do it in a regular hotel though, and Airbnbs have never been allowed, as they are technically not even legal in Taiwan.

Until spring of 2022, everyone was supposed to download and use the Taiwan Social Distancing App (臺灣社交距離) . This was the country’s way of tracing all COVID cases and notifying those who have been in contact with a case. However, with the explosion of local COVID cases in May 2022, the contact tracing system collapsed. They are no longer attempting to trace every case, so you don’t have to do this anymore.

If you were vaccinated in Taiwan, you can apply for your digital vaccine certificate , which may be required to enter some restaurants, gyms, night clubs, and so on in Taiwan (Note: in the two months I recently spent in Taiwan, I was never once asked for this). The system only works if you got your vaccines in Taiwan, because then you will already be registered in their system.

If you got your vaccines abroad and have a good vaccine card issued by your country, you can just show that, if you’re ever even asked for it. Just have the document/QR code ready to show on your phone if needed.

Do I have to wear a mask all the time once I’m in Taiwan?

Not quite, but almost. For most of the pandemic, Taiwanese have followed the rule of near universal mask wearing while in public. For example, most locals can be seen wearing masks even outdoors, even while walking down an empty street by themselves. The rules were slightly loosened on July 19, 2022. Currently, these are cases when you DON’T have to wear a mask, but some locals may still wear them in these cases out of respect for others or because they are still worried about getting COVID:

• While at home or inside your hotel room
• While riding a scooter or bicycle
• While exercising (indoors or outdoors), playing sports, at the pool, jogging, etc.
• While hiking or at the beach, forest, or mountains
• While taking photos, videos, giving a speech, etc.
• While eating, drinking, or smoking

For more information, see the official announcement here .

Even at the time that Taiwan fully opens to tourists and drops quarantine on October 13, 2022, these mask rules will stay until winter or longer in Taiwan. So if you can’t stand the thought of wearing a mask almost all the time while in Taiwan, you may still want to further postpone your trip until the mask rules change. And even when they stop enforcing the mask rules, many Taiwanese people will probably still continue to wear them for months or even years to come, as mask wearing was already common even before COVID started.

What Happens If I Test Positive on Arrival?

Every day, several people test positive upon arrival in Taiwan. Because they now only do saliva tests at the airport and you leave before the results are ready, you’ll be notified later.

If this happens to you, you are expected to report it, and you will most likely be asked to stay at your current quarantine location (in the past, you would have been picked up and taken to a quarantine facility).

In the case of traveling with family members, I used to recommend packing your luggage separately (one bag for each person) in case you got separated at the airport, for example, if only one person tested positive and was taken away. Now, I would say to at least be mentally prepared for the possibility that, within a day or two of arrival, if only one of you tests positive, they may suddenly call you and tell you that you have 30 minutes to pack a bag before they come pick you up.

The government quarantine facilities vary, and aren’t much different than a regular quarantine hotel. They could be located anywhere in Taiwan. The same friend I mentioned above got sent to one in Nantou, in the middle of Taiwan, where he had a lovely natural view out a large window that he could easily open (a much desired feature in regular quarantine hotels).

However, many people complain that the government facilities are stricter than the regular quarantine hotels. They may check your luggage for liquor and other prohibited items, which regular hotels won’t do. They are also stricter about ordering food in, like it can only be done at very specific times or can’t be done at all. And instead of self-administered rapid tests, a nurse will actually come in and do the test on you.

On the plus side, these facilities are free! However, if you’ve already booked a quarantine hotel, it may be too late to get your money back. You could at least try for a partial refund. At the end, when you take a taxi onward to wherever you’re going next in Taiwan, you’ll need to pay for that.

In the case of families traveling with children, if only a child tests positive, one parent will be able to go with him or her. When separated like this, if the quarantined COVID-positive person tests negative on the first two tests done in room (days 2 and 4), he or she will then be allowed to rejoin his/her family wherever they are quarantining. It might take a day to process, so you could expect to be rejoined on day 5 or so.

What happens if I test positive later in Taiwan, or come into contact with a positive person?

As of Tuesday, April 26, 2022, the rule for those who’ve been in very close contact with a COVID-positive person was “3 + 4”, meaning you had to isolate for 3 days then follow self health management for 4 days but on May 16, 2022, the government announced this was no longer required. Now, if you’ve had three doses of vaccine, you don’t have to isolate, even if a close contact (like family member or close coworker) tests positive, so long as you yourself aren’t showing symptoms.

If you’ve done a rapid antigen test on yourself, come up positive, and you have no symptoms or mild symptoms, you should call 1922 to report that you have COVID and then follow their instructions. You will most likely be told to isolate until you recover. Do not go to a hospital or clinic. Elderly people (75+) or babies (2 and under) may still be sent to a hospital, even with mild or no conditions.

If you have serious conditions, such as strong chest pain or trouble breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately.

If you suspect you may have come into contact with a COVID case, do not go to a hospital for testing; the hospitals are overwhelmed and have asked people not to do this.

Quarantine Hotels

Taiwan’s quarantine hotels are essentially regular hotels that have adopted all the protocol in order to qualify as quarantine hotels. Choose carefully, as you’ll be stuck in the same room for the duration of your quarantine period!

Prices include three meals a day, which are brought to your room. Unfortunately, most of them only offer a full refund up to two days before arrival, so if you test positive at the airport and get sent to a government quarantine facility, you may not get all of your money back from the hotel. (Note: at least the government facilities are free).

How to Book a Quarantine Hotel

If you are arriving in Taiwan before October 13, 2022, you will still need to book a quarantine hotel.

The most popular search engine for booking quarantine hotels in Taiwan is Mr. Host ( booking site / Facebook page ).

There are so many hotels available that choosing one can be intimidating. Also, the Mr. Host site can be difficult to use (when I tried, the “check availability” on some hotels button didn’t work), and sometimes the final price or room features are different that what is first shown, which is frustrating.

However, the Mr. Host team is very helpful, and you can even message them with a list of things you are hoping for in a room (for example, window, balcony, adjoining rooms, children’s facilities) and they will give recommendations. Their staff is highly knowledgeable about current restrictions, and they publish some useful flowcharts explaining the quarantine process in Taiwan; follow their Facebook page linked above to see them.

You can also contact and book hotels directly. The government has prepared this website listing all the quarantine hotels by location across Taiwan. Unfortunately, they don’t provide emails or website links.

Two other sites where you can book Taiwan quarantine hotels are AsiaYo and KKDay . Don’t use regular booking sites like Booking dot com , which I normally recommend, for booking your quarantine stay in Taiwan.

If you find the quarantine hotel booking sites difficult to use (or the end results aren’t matching what showed when you originally search), you can always just use these sites to find hotels, then contact the hotels directly to book.

When contacting hotels, many will ask you to use the LINE app (which is universally used in Taiwan) to communicate, fill out necessary forms, etc, so you’ll definitely need to download that.

How Much is a Quarantine Hotel?

Deals on quarantine hotels can run as low as NTD500 per night, but this is not easy to find. 2000+ is the norm. It’s easier to find cheaper ones if you look outside of Taipei.

At the other end, they can easily cost well over NTD5000 per day, meaning you’d be dropping $55,000+ for your stay. For that price, why not book a trip to Hawaii? I recommend booking your quarantine room at least a month in advance.

Recommended Quarantine Hotels

The following are quarantine hotels that have come highly recommended by other travelers:

For families : Freedom Design Hotel (富立登國際大飯店) , close to airport and offers various items needed for young children, such as cribs and bath tubs at no extra cost.

Another family-friendly option : Amba Songshan , adjoining rooms available

For those who can afford it : Hotel Proverbs , deluxe rooms have balconies, exercise equipment, and more.

Another luxury choice : Miramar Garden Taipei

Another option with balconies and exercise equipment : Chez Nous Da An

Low-budget quarantine hotel in Taipei for solo stay : Meander 1948 (pictured above)

Taichung quarantine hotels : North District L Hotel and Cloud Hotel

Tainan quarantine hotels : Taiwan North District B Hotel (low budget) or Anping District A Hotel (large rooms, windows)

Kaohsiung quarantine hotels : Long Siang Hotel (low budget) or Legend Hotel Pier 2 (colorful rooms with windows)

What’s it Like Staying in a Quarantine Hotel (including the food!)

Quarantine hotel rooms vary quite a bit. Some are small windowless boxes, while others are luxurious, multi-room suites. The owner/staff may or may not speak English. They may provide you with the LINE address so you can communicate with them throughout your stay. Most provide all the information you need and a detailed list of rules for your stay.

Getting a room with a window is highly recommended for sanity’s sake, especially for those wishing to adjust to the time change after a long flight from around the world. Balconies are rarer in Taiwan, so you’ll have to pay more for a room that has one.

You’ll want to come prepared with ways to pass the time, especially with kids. Consider bringing a yoga mat for exercise and sticking to a regular schedule. Many people have reported that the meal time becomes their favorite, most exciting part of the day. Is this what prison is like?

Some of the most common complaints about quarantine hotels are about the food. I’ve seen a lot of pictures, and the food looks fine to me. It’s mostly Taiwanese, so you can expect sandwiches or steamed buns for breakfast, lots of lunchboxes (a bed of rice with veggies, meats, eggs, tofu, etc. on top), noodles, soups, and the like. Those with dietary restrictions of course should inform the hotel in advance and they will cater to it.

Some people get tired of eating Asian-style food every day, but the biggest issue is that the food comes lukewarm at best, or often cold. Microwaves are rare in Taiwan, so don’t expect one in your room unless it is explicitly stated. Many people say they wish they’d brought in a hot plate, or actually did (this may not technically be allowed). I’ve ever heard of people using things like hair straighteners to warm up their food.

You’re allowed to order food and groceries to your room. The most common delivery services are Food Panda and Uber Eats . Some hotels many only allow you to order at specific times, or they’ll hold it until that time (so it will be cold). Most hotels also allow you to receive packages from friends or family on the outside, but some many check them for prohibited items before giving them to you.

Is alcohol allowed in quarantine hotels?

Most quarantine hotels technically don’t allow alcohol in the quarantine rooms. That means you can’t order liquor in with your groceries, nor can friends drop it off for you. However, some quarantine hotels DO allow it. If you really want to be able to, you can ask hotels about their alcohol policy before booking. I would say there’s a good chance this would be easier to find outside of Taipei.

Having said that, hotels won’t check your luggage when you arrive, so you can take the chance bringing some hard liquor or wine in them.

Note that government quarantine facilities (where you’re sent if you test positive) are stricter, and may actually check your luggage and confiscate prohibited items.

If you’re quarantining at home, you can of course enjoy whatever drinks you want, so long as you know someone nice enough to drop them off for you. You can’t order liquor online.

Applying for a Quarantine Subsidy

When Taiwan first started its mandatory, self-paid hotel quarantine system, the government offered subsidies (around NT1000/day/person) to everyone who underwent it.

Now, however, it’s much more difficult to get one. Only Taiwanese citizens can apply, and they need to demonstrate a very compelling reason they had to leave the country, for example treatment of a life-threatening disease that can’t be done in Taiwan. You also can’t be earning income while in quarantine, among other rules. In other words, don’t hold out any hope for getting one.

Having said that, we recently found out that we actually do qualify because we left Taiwan before COVID started and haven’t been back since. So if you find yourself in this case as well (citizen or ARC holder, left Taiwan before COVID started, coming back and quarantining in a hotel, not earning income while you quarantine), you may be in luck. Also note: if you feel you qualified for the subsidy in the past, you can apply for it up to six months after the quarantine time. In the end, we didn’t get it, because we ended up staying in a friend’s empty apartment instead of a quarantine hotel.

Quarantining at Home

Ever since mid-March, 2022, people have been allowed to quarantine at their home in Taiwan instead of a quarantine hotel. At first, there was a “one person per residence” rule (exception: travelers with children), but in early April 2022, this was further loosened to “one person per room”. In other words, two people arriving together can quarantine together, as long as they arrived in Taiwan together, or even on different flights but the same day. No one else can be allowed into the house though, including family members who lived there before you arrived.

As of early September, you are allowed to do the second part of your quarantine (the 4 days) in a house with others, as long as you have your own room and bathroom. As of September 29, you can do the whole quarantine (3 + days) in a house with other people, as long as you have your own room and bathroom. From October 13, all these rules are dropped.

How to Quarantine at a Residence in Taiwan

If you’d like to quarantine in your apartment in Taiwan, or even that of a friend, the apartment must abide by the following:

• No one else can be in it during your stay, unless they arrived with you and you are quarantining together.
• The apartment has to have its own number. For example, there are many illegal top-floor apartments in Taipei. Their number is the same as the apartment below them. These do not qualify.
• The apartment has to have its own entrance. For example, if you have to walk into someone else’s house/apartment in order to access the staircase to that apartment, it doesn’t qualify.
• Communal staircase or elevator up to the main door of your apartment (like most residential buildings in Taipei have) are fine.
• The apartment can be anywhere in Taiwan, but you’ll have to pay the set fee for taxi transportation to get there from the airport where you arrive.
• There’s nothing else you have to do besides provide the address, and nobody will come to check on it. However, I’ve heard of people being forced to leave their apartment and check into a quarantine facility because of the apartment number issue.
• Note that the government will track your location during this time using your phone, and leaving your residence (even just stepping outside the door) can incur a huge fine. There have been several cases of people receiving enormous fines for leaving their residence during quarantine; one of them just walked down the hall.

Are Airbnbs Allowed for Quarantine?

In the first few months of Taiwan’s COVID quarantine system, staying in an Airbnb was a popular choice. However, it was never technically allowed. In fact, Airbnbs aren’t even legal in Taiwan. So no, Airbnbs are definitely not allowed for quarantining now, and unlike before, they now actively make sure people aren’t staying in them. Staying in a friend’s of family’s place, however, is fine, as long as those people stay away for the duration of your quarantine, and the apartment complies with all the above-mentioned criteria.

Well, I hope you’ve found answers to all your questions about Taiwan’s travel entry requirements and quarantine system. If you’ve still got questions, please comment below or join my Taiwan Travel Planning group and ask there to get the fastest answer!

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74 thoughts on “A Guide to Taiwan’s Quarantine Hotels and COVID Travel Restrictions”

If residents returning to Taiwan have had Covid but recovered how many negative tests do they need before flying back please.

I’ve just found out this information today and updated the article. If you’ve had COVID and recovered for some time, you just need to do your pre-flight test. So long as it’s negative, you’re good to go. If, however, you come up positive on your pre-flight PCR test, you need to wait 10 days, test again, then wait another 24 hours, and do a second re-test. If both re-tests are negative, then you can go. That is the formal rule according to the government site. According to someone who told me she did exactly this (tested positive, then waited 10 days and did the two retests), when she arrived in Taiwan, and tested negative on arrival, they didn’t even ask about whether she’d done these two tests or just the one. So it seems like this rule exists on paper, but may or may not always be checked.

Thanks very much for this informative blog. It is very helpful. My daughter is considering taking Mandarin at one of the state approved schools in Kaohsiung. A staff member there seems to be suggesting that she must quarantine there instead of locally in Taipei. Does that seem right? Above you mentioned a taxi fare of 2660 to Kaohsiung. That is NT$, right?

There are no government rules in Taiwan about where you should quarantine. You are allowed to find a quarantine hotel anywhere in the country, no matter where you plan to go after. Some people go outside Taipei simply because it is cheaper. I’m not sure why the school would want her to quarantine closer…Maybe so they can help her or drop off stuff if necessary. But that’s definitely a school, not government rule. As for the price, yes, 2660 is a set fare in NTD, and it is an extremely cheap/reasonable fare because it is partially subsidized by the government.

Hi there, Great article, this is the most detailed content I’ve read about the arrival procedures to Taiwan. I have a question about the quarantine system for entry form. I plan on leaving my phone behind for someone else to use. If I do not have a phone with me when I arrive at the Taiwan airport, how can I show them the text with the link? Do you know if there is a workaround for this?

Good question. I haven’t personally experienced this or talked to someone who has, so I can’t say for sure. I would suggest that you make a printed copy of the final form that you see upon submitting the forms. It is called the “Quarantine System for Entry – Departure Place Declaration Certificate”. Then, when you arrive in Taiwan and purchase a new SIM card, approach one of the officers, tell them that you lost your phone, and show them the printout. They should be able to help you. But if you don’t even have any kind of proof, such as the printed form, it could be problematic, and I can’t say for sure what will happen. Best of luck!

Great website – super informative. I am travelling with my 7 month old from Vancouver to Taipei this week. Do you know, with the recent changes, if children who are holding foreign passports (with Taiwan visa) need to take the pre-arrival PCR? The airline advises that they would likely need to but could not confirm. CDC website has no mention of it, either way. Any accident would be appreciated!

Hi Katherine, the requirement for pre-PCR testing is being removed for EVERYONE starting July 14 Source: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/W0PeXU928EGDh6jpHsEwGQ?typeid=158

Do quarantine hotels have wi fi? How does a person obtain food and other necessities during quarantine?

All quarantine hotels provide meals, but you can also order groceries or meals from restaurants using Food Panda or Uber Eats. And yes, all quarantine hotels have free WiFi.

Hi Nick, Thank you for your infos. This is definitely the most detailed article about Taiwan entry procedures I’ve read so far. My wife and I will be traveling to Taiwan to finalize our international adoption and bring our kid home. Quick question about the quarantine hotel. Are married couples allowed to quarantine in the same hotel room? Or do we have to book two separate rooms? 8 days at the current prices it’s already a lot of money for one room….

Hi Luca, the rule for this has changed several times so I can’t say 100% for sure what it is right now. I would suggest asking in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” Facebook group for people’s recent experiences. You can also try contacting Mr. Host, as they are responsive and familiar with the current rules.

Your article is a gold mine, thanks a lot for sharing your experience with Taiwan’s quarantine. I was thinking about taking an Airbnb, but as you explained it’s technically not allowed. Do you have any clue about how the autorities know if your flat is an Airbnb or a long term rented flat ?

Hey Nicolas, to be honest, I can’t imagine them really putting in the effort to check. But if they did (and they might), most places on Airbnb in Taiwan are listed on other local homestay booking sites, so if the authorities were to do a quick check of the address, it would likely come up. However, in my personal experience, when we tried contacting several Airbnb places last year, none of them were willing to host us for quarantine anyways, so that may be the biggest obstacle. Personally, I wouldn’t chance it.

Ok thanks for the answer ! I got in touch with an airbnb owner who helped me to find an appropriate flat for quarantine. So this major obstacle that you had wasn’t one for me. I’m still hesitating as my teacher said that foreigners couldn’t stay in private places and HAD to go to a quarantine hotel. Have you heard about this ?

There is so much misinformation about COVID rules. Even some hotels and people working for the government helpline provide inaccurate information. So don’t listen to your teacher. However, I’ve heard of some schools who want their students or teachers flying in to do a certain thing, so it could be that. There is definitely no rule that foreigners can’t stay in apartments. All that matters is that the apartment meets the guidelines set out by the government.

Hello Nick, Thank you so much for your excellent article. My problem is, I do not find any available Quarantine hotel for August 15th (arrival). I was scared by the political situation and did not book one or two months in advance. Is there a way to claim an emergency situation (I could rent a one room + bathroom apartment in my wife’s village, but its in the 5th floor of a high-rise with 7 more apartments and I guess the house number is the same. The elevator is used by everyone in the building…)? I must go back next week, because otherwise I lose my 5 years continuous stay condition to apply for the Permanent ARC…

Hi Paul, I don’t think there’s any exceptions like that for emergency situation, but to me it sounds like the apartment you described would qualify. The question to ask is, does the apartment have a unique address? Like if somebody sent mail to it, would it only go to that apartment, or do the other apartments on the same floor all share the exact same address? For example, in the past I lived in an apartment above my landlord’s apartment. My apartment was an illegal added-on suite, so when I received mail, it went to my landlord’s apartment and he gave it to me. So for that apartment, it would not be OK. If yours has a unique address, then it should be fine. Shared elevator or stairs for getting up to it is fine, too. Just try not to ride with other people.

Hello Nick,

Like so many others who have posted comments/questions here, I thank you for explaining in detail the current process of obtaining entry into Taiwan (and for your entire website, very useful and fun).

I’m eligible to receive a visitor’s visa as my son lives in Taiwan and holds an ARC certificate. I’m planning to visit from October through December 2022 and have reserved an Airbnb apartment in Linkou.

After spending your first four days in a quarantine hotel, you can move to a different place if it meets the “one person per residence rule”. The address of the Linkou apartment begins “17, No. 10, Lane nnn, Section n, xxx Road, Linkou District, New Taipei City 244, Taiwan” etc. so it appears to have a specific address though I’m not sure. If so, would the CECC/CDC regard this apartment as a suitable accommodation for the four-day self-monitoring period and allow me to move?

You were unsure about this in your article, though perhaps you have come across additional information that would help answer my question.

Great thanks and happy trails, Russell

Hey Russell, just to further clarify a few points about the 3+4 days: 1. For the first 3 days (technically 4 nights as day 0 doesn’t count), Airbnbs are not allowed. 2. For those first 4 days, regarding the address, the main point is not that the apartment has an address. It is that this address isn’t shared with another apartment. For example, some landlords in Taiwan who own an apartment will build another apartment (often illegally) on top of it, on what used to be the roof of a building. I used to live in one. It looked like a normal top floor apartment, except that my address was the same as my landlord’s so he never registered mine. So when I got mail, it would go to him, and he would bring it up to me. Another example would be a landlord who takes one normal apartment, and divides it into several apartments. So they all have the same address, but are rented out as if they were individual apartments. These examples of apartments are what the government is referring to as not qualifying. So the important point here is not that said apartment has an address. Everywhere in Taiwan has an address. The important thing is that it has a unique address, as in it is not like the above examples of apartments added illegally or created within a pre-existing apartment. 3. For the 4 days of “self initiated epidemic prevention (note that this is a little different than the old “self health monitoring”, there are no particular rules about the place where you stay. The rules only said that it would be “ideal” if you stayed in the same place, but as you’ve pointed out, you are in fact allowed to move. So to answer your question, from what I’ve heard from people arriving in Taiwan, the CDC does not/will not check the place where you stay for the final four days. In fact, they seldom even check the first place people stay for their actual quarantine. They didn’t for us, but I know they sometimes do. The final four days are basically the honor system. On top of that, the rules about what people are allowed to do in the final four days are quite vague, anyways. In my opinion, you can move to wherever you want for those 4 days, but you should still try to avoid going to crowded public places. 4. Given that you are arriving in October, I wouldn’t be surprised if these rules have changed again by then. If you’re lucky, we’ll be on to a 0+7 day system or something like that. I hope this helps!

Thank you so much Nick for your detailed and very helpful reply! I do hope you can re-engage travel into your life and career as the world adjusts to a post pandemic world. Now I’m going to investigate your Taiwan travel planning group. Cheers, Russell

Hi, Nick! I have a question re: quarantine protocol in TW. This is what appears on the booking page of quarantine hotels. I’m looking for a quarantine hotel for 4 days (0 arrival day + 3 days quarantine period) and the remaining self-initiated monitoring will be done at my apartment. However, it says that one “must apply to the local government and sign the statement of changing location”. Question: How can I acquire this form from the Hsinchu city government (where my apartment & workplace is located) so I can sign it and prepare before my arrival? I will then show this form/slip in the airport and also in the quarantine hotel I suppose, right? Thanks, Maria

Hi Maria, first, you won’t need to show this form upon arrival at the airport. Unfortunately I haven’t personally moved from a quarantine facility to my own residence, so I’m not exactly sure what the procedure is. However, I do know that once you arrive in your quarantine location, an English speaking officer will be in touch with you and I would assume will be able to guide you through whatever needs to be done to make the switch. I would suggest posting this question in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” group, because there will surely be people in the group who have recently done this and can share their experience. Hope it goes well!

Thank you x 1,000! This has been an awesome resource for someone (me!) travelling to Taiwan tomorrow.

What is the status of the old electronic “Arrival Card” for immigration purposes? Has it been superseded by the “Quarantine System for entry” (hdhq.mohw.gov.tw)?

I went to complete the immigration card online (niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webacard/) and received an error message in Chinese that “The system is being adjusted and is temporarily closed.”

Did you complete an Arrival Card online for your recent trip?

Thanks Steve

Hey Steve, yes, it has been totally replaced with the Quarantine System for Entry, and everyone needs to complete this with 48 hours of arrival in Taiwan.

Thanks for this, I just wanted to ask: my flight is supposed to get in at 5am ish, and the drive from Taoyuan to Tainan is around 3 hours, but my reservation doesn’t start until 4pm that day. Will I still be okay? Do I have to add an extra day?

For this question, it’s going to vary by hotel, so you’ll need to contact the hotel and ask. If you’re lucky they might let you check in early, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they charged a fee or extra day for early check-in. You won’t be allowed to just stand around or go for a walk while you wait, though. Best of luck!

Thank you so much for your incredibly informative article! I only wish I had come across it earlier, I did NOT realise how in demand quarantine hotels are, my trip might end up suffering a lot from it…

You mentioned Airbnbs are not allowed for the first 4 nights of quarantine – does that mean that they are for the second 4 nights? As in, could I book a quarantine hotel for the first 4, and then move to a 1 person per residence Airbnb for the second 4?

Thanks so much again! Órla

Well, an Airbnb or another hotel – could I spend my second 4 nights in a non-quarantine hotel?

Hi Orla, Airbnbs are actually illegal in Taiwan, so they have never technically been “allowed” for any kind of quarantine, although some people were able to stay in them when COVID first started. You also aren’t supposed to do spend your second 4 days in a regular hotel. Only hotels that have been set up for quarantine or self epidemic prevention (i.e. the second 4 days) are allowed. You can find out by asking the hotels if they allow it. The rule that you’re allowed to change to a different place after the first four days states that the new place can be your home, the home of a friend of family members (but you still need to have a room and bathroom to yourself), or a different quarantine hotel. If you were to just book an Airbnb, I don’t think they are going to look so closely (how would they know that it’s not just your friend’s house?) But I also don’t want to tell you that it’s OK to do so, because if you got caught, there could be a big fine. I also feel you’d probably need to inform the Airbnb that you’re doing your second 4 days there, however there’s a good chance most Airbnbs won’t want you to stay there if they know that. It’s a tricky situation! I would suggest you also ask in the “Quarantine Support in Taiwan” Facebook group to see if anyone else has experience with doing this.

I am coming next week, unfortunately all the sites mentioned don’t have any room available in Quarantine hotels from 24-28th August. I am left with no option but to book through AIRBNB. Could you please guide me what steps can i take for booking like book entire property, check if they have seperate entrance etc.

Hi there, I can’t guide you through the steps to do this, because Airbnbs are technically illegal in Taiwan and not allowed to be used as quarantine locations. If it’s your only choice, though, then the best you could do is contact them directly and ask them if they are willing to let you stay there for your quarantine, and what the process is, but heads up that there’s a good chance most of them will NOT be Ok with it.

Thanks for all the insight. It took a lot of stress out of the process. One thing that was amazing to me is how important a cell phone is for the system. And my brand new iPhone 13 was not “unlocked” so the Taiwanese SIM card didn’t work. Luckily I had my older iPhone 12 with me too.

Good to know. I’ll add that tip to the article!

Hi again Nick

Thought I’d give you an update as I did test positive from the saliva test taken at the airport. As you suggested, I was picked up a couple of days into my quarantine hotel stay and taken to a government quarantine facility. The first change to the info that you have is that I only had to stay at the government quarantine facility until the 8th day (rather than 10 days). I also did not have do any testing to leave. The government quarantine facility gave me the option to leave at 12:01am on the 8th day, or 7:00am. This was a bonus.

And as an added bonus, the quarantine hotel refunded two night’s accommodation (they charged three nights “cleaning fee”) and 5 days of meals. I wasn’t excepting anything… so very happy!

Thanks for updating us with your experience. I’ll add the info to the article!

Hi Nick, Thanks for all the information. Regarding the first 3 days of quarantine, my flight will arrive at 5am on Monday. Does that mean I cannot leave the quarantine hotel until 12:01am on Friday? And therefore, regardless of how early or late in the day I arrive, my release time is the same, correct?

Yes, that is correct. We had the exact same situation when we last visited.

My son (also Nick) and I are taking a fairly last minute trip to Taiwan since they relaxed the rules earlier this month. I managed to book a quarantine hotel for the first 4 days on the outskirts of Taipei. I wanted to stay in Taipei for the last 4 days to be able to move about easier during my self initiated epidemic prevention. We don’t have a personal place to stay so it sounds like I have to stay at another quarantine hotel? And what do I tell the hotel in terms of not needing to be locked up and order food for all my meals? Is there a different way to book it? It sounds like I can’t just book any hotel. Thanks for your insight.

Hi Andy, unfortunately you are not allowed to stay in a regular hotel for the second part. I would suggest contacting Mr. Host and they can provide additional suggestions for places that will take you for the second part. Best of luck!

Any idea on the accommodation for tourist if we were to travel during 0+7 Self Initiated Epidemic after 13 Oct? Must we stay at hotels 1 person 1 room?

The rule is officially “1 person per room/bathroom”, but you are allowed to share a room with members of the same family or “household”. The rule is vague and open to interpretation – for example, two friends living together can count as the same “household”, and they aren’t really going to check.

I’m so glad i came across your very informational article in preparation for my trip to Taiwan in a few weeks! I was wondering if you had any idea on whether or not during the 0+7 self initiated epidemic you can book a regular hotel for less than 7 days or do you have to book the full 7 days in the hotel to do the self indiated self initiated epidemic?

Thank you, Sal

Hi Sal, there is no rule against changing rooms/locations during the 0+7 days.

I’ve loved so many of your Taiwan travel articles…. from our pre-covid 2019 trip with our then toddler, we borrowed so much of your advice. Thank you!

We’re planning to travel back in November and I’ve been so confused by what the self-initialized quarantine prevention (0+7) would look like.

Is it known if we’ll still need a quarantine hotel (for the first 8 days upon arrival)? Or if we can immediately stay at a normal hotel? It seems some hotels in Taipei say its ok, but most I’ve inquired with in Tainan say we can only stay after the self-initialized prevention window.

Either way it sounds like we could still move around (5 nights in Taipei and 3 nights in Tainan (travelling by HSR)? Did I understand that correctly – can switch hotels during that 7 days, and can take public transit?

For the hotel, I assume they would allow a 6 year old child to stay with at least one of the parents(we’re a family of 3 – but usually get 2 rooms anyway because bedding options are so much smaller than we’re used to in the USA)

Hi Victoria! The 0+7 is very lax. You can stay in any hotel or accommodation that will take you. Some are still hesitant or not ready to open their doors yet because they are either still afraid of COVID, or they haven’t been officially notified or informed yet about what will and won’t be allowed from October 13 – the authorities always tell the press first, but hotels don’t get officially notified until later, and they wait until this comes before implementing the new policies. This should change in the coming weeks, and more hotels will be ok with it. The only official rule is that you’re supposed to have your own room and bathroom, which means hostel dorms are not OK, or budget hotels where you share a bathroom with other guests. You are allowed to stay with your own family, so your whole family can stay in one room if you want. And yes, you are allowed to move around or change hotels. The only rule is that you are supposed to do a rapid test to confirm you don’t have COVID before going out in the first week. One test covers you for 48 hours.

Thank you for this very informative site. I’m arriving on the 19th of October and thought I had it all sorted and then they changed the rules. Now I’m wondering if everything on arrival will be changed. 1) online health form – still need to fill this out? 2) local SIM card – still need this? 3) will there be quarantine taxis? Or can we just take HSR/ trains? I know those first arrivals haven’t happened yet so maybe we need to wait until Thursday to find out?

1. You no longer need to fill out the online health form. 2. SIM card is not necessary, but it would be useful for having internet access while traveling around. A WiFi router will also do. 3. You can take public transportation from the airport.

Basically it will be travel as normal before COVID. The only rule is that you are supposed to stay in your own room with your own bathroom (by yourself, or with family members that you entered taiwan with) for the first week. In other words, you can’t stay in a hostel dorm or a room that has shared bathroom with other guests. Also, you will receive 4 rapid tests when you enter taiwan, and you are supposed to take one before going out to make sure you don’t have COVID (one test covers you for 48 hours).

We want to do a layover tour (approx 6hrs) in November. Not looking to book a hotel, just travel around and see a few sites. We are both Canadian citizens, coming from a vacation in Vietnam. Our layover is in Taipei before heading back to Vancouver.

At the airport do we need to provide proof of our one person per room residence for the 7 day period of self initiated prevention? Or do they ask you these questions?

We were planning on hiring a private car to pick us up from the airport and then take us back to the airport a few hours later (we weren’t planning to stay in a hotel anywhere).

If customs asks what our plans are in Taiwan and we tell them it’s a layover tour will that not be allowed?

Hi Anna, Taiwan is almost totally open now as before COVID. Canadians can enter for 90 days visa free. There will be no such questions at the airport. Even if you are staying longer, they won’t ask for any proof about the type of accommodation. Layover tours are perfectly fine. Just make sure you get back to the hotel in time! Also note, the Airport MRT is even faster than a taxi to the city. They take 35 min or 50 min to Taipei Main Station (every second one is express), while a taxi can take up to an hour. Then, as long as you plan it well, you could see a few sights on your own before returning to the airport. However, if you want the taxi for the day to take you to several sights, that would make sense.

Thank you so much for your insight on this! Any idea on how long I should budget to get out of the airport? We did a layover tour in Beijing once and it took almost two hours just to get out of the airport 🙁

During COVID times, it was taking 2-4 hours to get through. However, now that there are no COVID arrival procedures or testing, it should be back to normal, which is usually 1 hour or less.

Do you know if 4 friends, arriving same day to Taiwan, from 4 different households, stay in one/two rooms together or do we need to book separate rooms? We are renting a car & doing road trip over two weeks. So, we will be together over the entire trip.

Technically the rule says you are supposed to be the same household and arriving same day. But they don’t have any way to know if you live in the same house abroad or not. They aren’t going to check.

Thanks for getting back to me. I think I will wait until these restrictions are lifted. Hopefully soon. It makes it difficult to plan a trip.

Hi. I will be travelling to Taiwan for 8days. During 0+7 self initiated epidemic prevention, can I go sight seeing around Taipei and taking public transport?

Yes, you can travel around as normal, just need to wear a mask. You can also change hotels or leave Taiwan during that time if you want to.

Thanks for an elaborate write-up. Very informative indeed.

I am planning to visit Kaoshiung Feb2023. With the 0+7 COVID policy in place, do ALL HOTELS accept foreign guests? I am from Malaysia and will be booking hotels via Agoda/ booking.com where no such condition is stated but I read some hotels might turn away foreign guests. I wonder if that particular article was updated. I just don’t want to be left stranded.

Please help clarify. Thanks

The hotels SHOULD allow anyone now, but the truth is that some still are not. Some of them are still worried about COVID or misunderstand the new rules. So I’ve heard of people having their reservation turned down. But if this happens, you will find out right away. If you make the booking on booking dot com or Agoda, the hotel will check it as soon as you book qnd they will cancel it or let you know right away (this happened to me once). Then you can just try another. I never heard of anyone showing up to find out in person that they won’t let you stay.

Hi. After arrived(in Taoyuan Airport) is it possible to stay in hotel for a day before heading to my place unter the 0+7 Covid policy?

You can move around freely and change hotels or accommodations as you wish during the 7 days. There are no rules about this. The only rules is you are not supposed to stay in a room with strangers, such as hostel dorm.

Hi Nick, thanks for the write up! I’m travelling with my husband, do we need to book separate rooms?

No, travelers arriving in Taiwan together on the same day are allowed to stay together, so you can stay in the same room.

Hi Nick, What a great post so much information thanks so much! My wife does not have a cell phone and mine is a Trac phone which doesn’t work outside the US. Is it advisable to purchase a phone when we arrive in Taiwan?

That would be a personal choice – it is no longer required by the government to have a phone as part of the arrival process. Normally, people just use their phone from home but purchase a local SIM card or WiFi device when they arrive in taiwan, which is very affordable. If you have to buy a brand new phone just for your taiwan trip, that sounds expensive. Nowadays, almost everyone travels with a phone, so it does have a great deal of convenience. You can look up maps to find the way, look up bus/train times, make bookings, communicate with hotels, and more. Hotels almost expect in nowadays, and some communicate important info to their guests by email or messages. But sure you can still survive without one – I traveled to dozens of countries on my own before smartphones became a thing. Sure, I got lost sometimes, but I still survived!

Nick thanks for your reply I was under the impression that a personnel phone was needed so that the government could check on you during the quarantine period. I joined the Facebook group and find it very informative thanks for your posts.

You’re welcome! They did before, but that’s over now

Hi Nick, We (U.S. passport holders) will fly from Hong Kong via Taipei in early February on Eva Air to Tokyo Narita Airport. Our TPE-NRT Eva flight leaves (a layover of 19 hours) not until the next morning at 8:50 a.m., and I could not find any updated Taipei airport transit information on related websites such as Taiwan Visitor Bureau, Eva Air, or Taoyuan Airport. I called Eva Air here in LA, they asked me to call Eva Air Taipei airport direct. Unfortunately, the Eva Taipei phone line was always busy. My question: Do we allow to stay overnight at the Sheraton Taoyuan hotel? If this is not allowed, we have to cancel our flight. Thank you!

Hi Paul, yes, this is allowed. US passport holders can enter Taiwan for up to 90 days without applying for a visa. You when you arrive, just go through the normal immigration procedure to enter the country. You will need to fill in an arrival card and write the address of your hotel. Collect your bags and proceed to the hotel. Just make sure you return to the airport early enough (2 hrs) to check in for your flight the next day. Wear masks in indoor public places in Taiwan and taxi/public transport. There’s nothing else you need to do.

Thank you so much for giving the updated information. We are so relieved for now. Have a nice day!

Hi Nick, Thank you for the updated information! I hold a US passport and am currently living in Hong Kong. I plan to use my US passport to visit Taipei by myself to see friends on January 2, and will stay until January 6. I’ve also booked an ordinary hotel in Si men ding. Given the fact that Hong Kong is now an SAR of China, do you think there maybe any problems getting entry or getting admitted to the hotel? Thank you.

In terms of visa, if you use your US passport, you still won’t need one for up to 90 days stay in Taiwan. Taiwan recently introduced new rules for visitors from China. They have to do a saliva test upon arrival, and if they test positive, they have to stay in a quarantine hotel for 5 days. However, as far as I know, this does not apply to visitors from Hong Kong. Still, it’s best to ask your airline or Taiwan immigration for the latest info.

Thanks much for the valuable info.

I’ve not decided if I want to check in airport hotel during layover in TPE.

But I understand that card arrival requires name/address of hotel.

Can I just simply write any hotel?

Just worried that I’ll get caught if immigration officer ask for proof of hotel booking. Will this happen?

Appreciate your advice please.

Regards Keith

You are allowed to stay in a hotel during your stopover as long as your country has visa-exempt status for Taiwan. If it doesn’t you’ll have to apply for a visa first. You can Google the Taiwan BOCA list of countries to find out. As for hotel, you aren’t allowed to stay in a capsule room or dorm room (or any room shared with other random people) for your first 8 days in Taiwan. It’s not a matter of immigration “catching” you, but rather than the hotel will just check your passport and won’t let you stay if you are just arrived in Taiwan. You can only stay in a private room with your own private bathroom.

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Taiwan to end COVID quarantine for arrivals, welcome back tourists

TAIPEI (Reuters) -Taiwan will end its mandatory COVID-19 quarantine for arrivals from Oct. 13 and welcome tourists back, the government said on Thursday, completing a major step on its plan to re-open to the outside world.

Taiwan had kept some of its entry and quarantine rules in place as large parts of the rest of Asia relaxed or lifted them completely, although in June it cut the number of days required in isolation for arrivals to three from seven previously.

Taiwan has reported 6.3 million domestic cases since the beginning of the year, driven by the more infectious Omicron variant. With more than 99% of those showing no or only mild symptoms, the government has relaxed restrictions in its "new Taiwan model".

Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng told reporters that with a well vaccinated population and the pandemic under control at home, the time had come to re-open borders.

Arrivals will still need to monitor their health for a seven day period and take rapid tests, but tourists will be allowed to return, he added.

The government had previously said it was aiming for an Oct. 13 re-opening.

A series of other measures came into force on Thursday, including ending PCR tests for arrivals and resuming visa-free entry for citizens of all countries that previously had that status.

Throughout the pandemic Taiwanese citizens and foreign residents have not been prohibited from leaving and then re-entering, but have had to quarantine at home or in hotels for up to two weeks.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Christian Schmollinger)

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Travel Advisory July 11, 2023

Taiwan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued after periodic review with minor edits.

Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

Read the  Taiwan International Travel Information  page for additional information on travel to Taiwan.

If you decide to travel to Taiwan:

• Follow the U.S. Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the  security report for Taiwan  from the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Embassy Message

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Valid throughout duration of stay

1 page per entry/exit stamp

Not required for stay of less than 90 days

None required. Taiwan’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends travelers to Taiwan be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. Vaccination information can be found here .

Declare cash amounts over 100,000 New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), foreign currencies over 10,000 USD, or over 20,000 Chinese Yuan (RMB). Customs details are here.

Embassies and Consulates

The American Institute in Taiwan, Taipei Main Office 100 Jinhu Road, Neihu District Taipei 114017, Taiwan Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 ext. 2306 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-2-2162 2239 Email:   [email protected]

The American Institute in Taiwan, Kaohsiung Branch Office 5th Floor, No. 88, Chenggong 2nd Road, Qianzhen District Kaohsiung 806618, Taiwan Telephone:   +886-7-335 5006 Emergency After-Hours Telephone   +886-2-2162 2000 Fax:  +886-7-338-0551 Email:   [email protected]

The United States maintains unofficial relations with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), a private nonprofit corporation, which performs U.S. citizen and consular services similar to those at embassies.

Schedule routine American Citizen Services appointments online. Appointments are available Monday through Thursday except on Taiwan and U.S. holidays .

Destination Description

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Taiwan for information on U.S.-Taiwan relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

If you wish to enter Taiwan as a tourist or short-term visitor (less than 90 days), you do not need a visa. No extensions or changes of status are permitted. For visa-waiver travel, your U.S. passport must be valid through the number of days you intend to stay. Six-month passport validity is not required.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days or plan to work or reside in Taiwan, you need a Taiwan visa prior to traveling. Visit the website for the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States for the most current visa information.

Taiwan and the United States both allow dual nationality. If you have dual Taiwan-U.S. nationality, you must enter/exit Taiwan on your Taiwan passport and enter/exit the United States on your U.S. passport.

See our website for information on  dual nationality  or the  prevention of international child abduction .

Also see our  Customs Information page .

Taiwan does not have any specific COVID-19 entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Safety and Security

Potential for Civil Disturbances: Taiwan enjoys a vibrant democracy, and both spontaneous and planned demonstrations occur.  Monitor media coverage of local and regional events and avoid public demonstrations.

Potential for Typhoons and Earthquakes:  During the typhoon season (May through November),  Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau  issues typhoon warnings an average of five times a year (of which, three to four normally make landfall) and heavy rainstorm alerts more frequently. Taiwan also has severe earthquakes. The most recent severe earthquakes included one that caused 2,000 deaths in 1999 and another that caused 117 deaths with widespread damage in 2016.

Disaster Preparedness:

• Follow the guidance of local authorities in the event of a disaster. See the National Fire Agency’s page for information on “ Disaster Responses .”
• See the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website  on how to prepare for an emergency.  
• See also the Crisis and  Disaster  Abroad page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
• When an emergency arises, we will post up-to-date instructions specific to the circumstances of the event on our  website  and send messages to U.S. citizens who have registered through the Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .

Crime:  There is minimal street crime in Taiwan, and violent crime is rare. Take normal safety precautions, such as avoiding travel after dark or in deserted/unfamiliar areas.  

See the U.S. Department of State's  and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)’s pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should also seek medical attention and report to the police as soon as possible for help.

• Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic violence and Sexual Assault.
• Dial 110 to report crimes to the local police.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See the U.S. Department of State’s website on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas , as well as AIT’s webpage for  local resources .

• assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• assist you with emergency needs that arise from the crime, such as finding shelter, food, or clothing.
• provide information to facilitate access to appropriate medical care.
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• provide a list of local attorneys.
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• explain financial assistance options, such as assistance available to return to the United States.
• replace a lost or stolen passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence should call 113 for emergency assistance and dial 110 for an island-wide toll-free hotline. Dial 113 to reach the Taipei Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may also contact the American Institute in Taiwan for assistance at +886-2-2162 2000.

Domestic violence is considered a crime in Taiwan. Report to police and keep written records of all incidents. Preserve evidence such as medical records documenting injuries, photos of injuries, police records, and damaged clothing and weapons used against you. If you have a court-issued restraining order, present this to the police for use in the arrest of the offender.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:   You are subject to local laws.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. See  crimes against minors abroad  and the  U.S. Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison authorities to notify the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) immediately. 

• The American Institute can provide a list of English-speaking lawyers .  
• Taiwan authorities typically do not permit foreigners accused of crimes to leave Taiwan while legal proceedings are ongoing. 
• Penalties for illegal drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, with long jail sentences and heavy fines.
• Taiwan also has the death penalty for certain violent crimes and drug offenses.  
• See the U.S. Department of State’s  webpage  for further information. 

Labor Disputes:

• Avoid labor disputes by establishing all terms and conditions of employment or sponsorship in the labor contract at the beginning of your employment.
• If the dispute cannot be resolved directly with your employer, the American Institute can provide  a list of English-speaking lawyers .

Customs Regulations:  Taiwan has strict regulations on importing/exporting firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, and ivory. Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States for specific information  regarding customs requirements . See also  customs regulations .

Dual Nationality and Compulsory Military Service:  Taiwan has compulsory military service for Taiwan males between the ages of 18 and 36.  This includes dual U.S.-Taiwan citizens who enter Taiwan on their U.S. passports . Before you travel, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States to determine your military service status. 

Faith-Based Travelers:   See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Health Screening Process:  To detect and prevent the spread of diseases, Taiwan scans the body temperature of all arriving passengers with an infrared thermal apparatus. Symptomatic passengers are required to fill out a form and may need to give an onsite specimen or see local health authorities. See also the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website .

Judicial Assistance:  Authorities on Taiwan provide judicial assistance in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan's "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts." For further information, please go to the  American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) rights events in Taiwan. Taiwan law prohibits education and employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. On May 24, 2019, Taiwan legalized same sex marriages upon registration with a local household registration office in Taiwan. Same sex marriages from other countries are recognized in Taiwan. LGBTQI+ individuals may still face lack of tolerance, particularly in areas outside the capital and largest city Taipei. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan  and read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page .

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  Taiwan law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and sets minimum fines for violations. By law, new public buildings, facilities, and transportation equipment must be accessible to persons with disabilities. See  Persons with Disabilities in the Human Rights Report for Taiwan (2022) .

Students: See our  U.S. Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Taiwan has modern medical facilities, with state-of-the-art equipment available at many hospitals and clinics. Physicians are well trained, and many have studied in the United States and speak English. Hospital nursing services provide medication and wound care but generally do not provide the daily patient care functions found in U.S. hospitals. Taiwan requires masks in healthcare facilities and ambulances to prevent the spread of diseases, including COVID-19.

For emergency services in Taiwan, dial 119.

Ambulance services are

• widely available;
• have emergency equipment and supplies;
• and are staffed by trained medical personnel.

We do not pay medical bills . Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Taiwan hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Check with the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare to ensure the medication is legal in Taiwan.

Vaccinations: Be up to date on all routine vaccinations recommended by the U.S. CDC . Vaccinations are available at all major Taiwan hospitals.

Dengue Fever:  In recent years, Taiwan has seen cases of dengue fever, a virus common in subtropical regions that is spread through mosquito bites. There is currently no vaccine or medicine to prevent dengue. Travelers can protect themselves by preventing mosquito bites. For information on how to reduce the risk of contracting dengue, please visit  the U.S. CDC website .

COVID-19: Major Taiwan healthcare facilities have COVID-19 testing capabilities and can administer FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

The American Institute in Taiwan does not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

For further health information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions, lighting, and traffic safety in cities and on major highways are generally good. Roads in major cities are generally congested. Be alert for the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic. Motor scooters are common throughout the island. Be alert for scooters when stepping out of public buses or exiting a car. Exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers do not respect the pedestrian's right of way. Be especially cautious when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be impassable after heavy rains. For example, Taiwan’s central cross-island highway is meandering and often has poor visibility. Exercise caution when driving on highways.

Please see AIT’s website for more details on  Driving in Taiwan .

Traffic Laws:  Passengers in all vehicles, including taxis, are required by law to wear seatbelts. When exiting a vehicle, you are legally required to ensure that no motor scooter, bicycle, or other vehicle is approaching from behind before opening the door. You will be fully liable for any injuries or damages if you fail to do so. Do not turn right on a red traffic signal. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving without a hands-free kit in Taiwan. The legal limit for alcohol in the bloodstream of drivers in Taiwan is 15 mg per 100 ml of blood (0.03% BAC). This limit is strictly enforced. It is useful to have proof of car insurance and proof of ownership of the vehicle. On-the-spot fines are very common for minor traffic offences in Taiwan and are fixed for each offense. You will be told where to pay the fines and within what period of time. For more serious driving offenses, you will receive a court appearance.

Standard international driving laws apply with a few exceptions:

• You must have a warning triangle in your car to use if you break down or are involved in an accident.
• You cannot turn on a red light unless indicated.
• Many drivers run red lights, especially just after they change.

In an emergency:

• If you have a problem with your car, call the number on the rental documents or attached to the windscreen of your car.
• In the event of an accident, you should call the police “110” and medical assistance “119.” Provide the police with all the important information including the type of accident, details of vehicles involved and if there are any injuries or fatalities. The second call you should make is to your insurance company.
• You will need a police report for your insurance company. While waiting for the police, take photographs of the scene and take the names, addresses and telephone numbers of any witnesses. Do not move the vehicles unless it is necessary for safety reasons.
• Police will not ask for bribes.
• Police will ask parties involved in the traffic accident to do an alcohol test. This is standard operating procedure.
• If riding a motor scooter, you must wear a helmet.

For specific information concerning Taiwan’s driver’s permits, vehicle inspection road tax, and mandatory insurance, contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in Washington, D.C., or the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States.

Public Transportation:  Public transportation is cheap, convenient, and generally safe. Uber is widely available for use. Taxis and buses may swerve to the side of the road to pick up passengers with little notice or regard for other vehicles.

Please refer to our  Road Safety  page for more information. Refer also to Taiwan’s  Road Traffic Safety Portal .

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Taiwan’s Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Taiwan should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) web portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website , and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Navigational Warnings website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Taiwan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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Travel to Taiwan – Latest Entry Restrictions and Visa Info

by Trip.com

March 7, 2024

Taiwan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia (Source: Vernon Raineil Cenzon/unsplash)

If you plan to travel to Taiwan, Trip.com is here to present all you need to know about what to do, where to stay, what to eat, and how to get there. Taiwan is a Chinese island (with over 160 small islands ), approximately 160 km or 100 miles from the southeast coast of China’s mainland. The main island of Taiwan is where all the large cities are located, e.g., Taipei (the provincial capital), Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Taichung. The majority of highways and railways are located around the island near the coasts. There are 4 international airports and 5 international seaports in Taiwan.

Visa Information

Taiwan's visa-exempt entry scheme has been fully reinstated (Source: Benjamin Wong/unsplash)

– Tourist Visa Application

Currently, E-visa and Landing Visa are temporarily suspended. Requirements for anyone who needs a visitor visa to travel to Taiwan include a passport valid for at least 6 months; a completed application form with 2 photos taken in the past 6 months; an outbound airline ticket or steamship ticket; documents verifying the reason for the visit; and other relevant documents. To obtain the visa, applicants must submit the visa forms to the overseas mission of Taiwan. The consular office will then examine the application and request an interview if necessary.

Countries That Enjoy Visa-free Travel to Taiwan

Travel to taiwan top tips & information, – time zone.

Taiwan observes China Standard Time (CST) which is used all year and is always 8 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time). And there is no Daylight-saving Time clock change.

– Currency and Monetary Exchange Rate

The official currency in Taiwan is Taiwan New Dollar(TWD). The most popular Taiwan New Dollar exchange rate is the TWD to USD rate, which currently stands at TWD1 to USD0.032. Other major currency conversions include TWD1 to 0.22 CNY, TWD1 to EUR0.032, TWD1 to GBP0.0.28, and TWD1 to JPY4.55.

– The Best Time to Visit

 Climate in most parts of Taiwan is subtropical, except for the southernmost regions, which are tropical. Summers tend to be long and hot, while winters are short and mild. The best time to travel to Taiwan for comfortable temperatures is from Sep to Nov. There's a chance of typhoons from Jun to Oct. For people who want to travel to Taiwan on a budget, the low season is from Dec to Mar, when vacation packages, flights, and hotels are reasonably cheap.

Flight Status

Transfer options between the airport and downtown are taxi, bus, and metro (Source: Lisanto/unsplash)

– Airlines Operating Flights to Taiwan

The best way to travel to Taiwan is by air. A wide range of airlines from around the world offers direct or indirect flights to Taiwan. If you prefer to travel to Taiwan by direct flights from the US, consider flying with Air China, Air Canada, Cathy Pacific, China Airlines, Korean Air, Japan Airlines, and United. Other airlines with flights to Taiwan include Turkish Airlines, Emirates, KLM, Singapore Airlines, and Air New Zealand. If you are planning your travel , check out Trip.com's flight options to Taiwan and other vacation packages.

– Airport Information and Transfers to Downtown

Visitors who travel to Taiwan's provincial capital Taipei by air will land at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), which is situated about 40 km or 25 miles west of Taipei. The TPE is the busiest airport in Taiwan and the 11th busiest airport globally for international passenger traffic. There are currently 2 terminals in operation. For ground transportation options to central Taipei, passengers can choose between taxis, buses (departing from both terminals), Taoyuan airport MRT, and Taiwan High-speed Rail from the Taoyuan HSR station.

For a private transfer between the airport and central Taipei, check out these Trip.com offers

Top 5 Most Popular Cities in Taiwan

Taipei skyline at night, including Taipei 101

(Source: Timo Volz/unsplash)

Taipei City

As the provincial capital, Taipei is Taiwan's cultural, political, and economic center. Located in the north of the island, nearly one-third of all citizens live in this metro area. Most visitors who travel to Taiwan will first land at Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport, which is about 40 km or 25 miles west of the city. Transportation links include extensive Metro and bus systems as well as local and high-speed trains. Major attractions in Taipei and its surrounding areas include Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Longshan Temples, Beitou Hot Springs, National Palace Museum, and various night markets. Anyone interested in a 1-day tour in Taipei with a local, clicks this link on Trip.com . For hotels in Taipei, check out this Trip.com suggestion:  Best Five Star Hotels in Taipei .

Kaohsiung is the third most populous city in Taiwan (Source: Dave Weatherall/unsplash)

Kaohsiung City

Located in southern Taiwan, Kaohsiung is a special municipality and the third most populous city on the island. Dating back to the 17th Century, the city transformed itself from a fishing village to the powerhouse of southern Taiwan. In addition, Kaohsiung is also home to the largest harbor on the island (Port of Kaohsiung) and Taiwan's second busiest airport, Kaohsiung International Airport. Major attractions in and around Kaohsiung include 85 Sky Tower, Cijin Island, Lotus Lake, Liuhe Night Market, and Love River. Anyone interested in a 1-day tour around Kaohsiung, clicks  this link on Trip.com . For hotels in Kaohsiung, check out this Trip.com suggestion:  Best Four Star Hotels in Kaohsiung .

Tainan is home to several temples and historical sites (Source: Eagan Hsu/unsplash)

Tainan City

Located in southern Taiwan, facing the western coast of the Taiwan Strait, Tainan City is also a special municipality and a former provincial capital city. As the oldest urban area on the island, Tainan is a historical city rich in folk culture and traditional architecture. In addition, Tainan is also known for its local delicacies like Dan-tsu noodles, coffin bread, and eel noodles. Major attractions in and around Tainan include Anping Fort, Beiji Temple, Chihkan Tower, Confucius Temple, and Taijiang National Park. For the ultimate Tainan travel guide and 2-day itinerary, click this link on Trip.com . For hotels in Tainan, check out this Trip.com suggestion: Best Hotels in Tainan .

Taichung is the second most populous city in Taiwan (Source: Yeh Che Wei/unsplash)

Taichung City

Meaning "central Taiwan" in Chinese, Taichung City is a special municipality in, as you guessed, central Taiwan. As the second most populous city on the island, Taichung was initially developed from several hamlets of indigenous peoples. Today the city is home to many industries and is well-known for The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and suncakes. Major attractions in and around Taichung include Rainbow Village, Feng Chia Night Market, Hakka Culture Center, and Slow Village. Anyone interested in a 1-day vacation package in Taichung, clicks this link on Trip.com . For hotels in Taichung, check out this Trip.com suggestion:  Best Four Star Hotels in Taichung .

Click here to check out Trip.com’s One-day Taichung city Tour Package.

Many tours to nearby parks and attractions leave from Hualien City (Source: Jia Wei Ng/unsplash)

Hualien City

Situated on the east coast of Taiwan, Hualien City is the county seat of Hualien County. Surrounded by mountains, hot springs, dramatic coastlines, and beaches, Hualien City is an excellent base for visits to nearby national parks like the famous Taroko National Park. In addition, Hualien has many unique local good eats like fried egg scallion pancake, bamboo rice, pulled sweet potato and taro, and Hualien mochi. Major attractions in and around Taichung include Qixing Lake, Nanbin Park, Hualien railway Culture Park, and Hualien Cultural and Creative Industries Park. For the ultimate Hualien travel guide and 1-day itinerary, click  this link on Trip.com .

For hotels in Hualien, check out this Trip.com suggestion

Most Famous Tourist Attractions in Taiwan

National Palace Museum has an entrance fee of NT$350 (US$11.09)

Taipei National Palace Museum

No. 221, Section 2, Zhi Shan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

NT$350 (US$11.09)

Click here to check out Trip.com’s One-day Taipei Tour Package.

The best views are from floors 88, 89, 91, and 101 (Source: Thomas Tucker/unsplash)

No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110\

General Ticket NT$600 (US$19.01); Skyline 460 NT$3,000 (US$95.07)

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall sits in a 250,000-sq m park

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

No. 21, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 10048, Taiwan

Shilin Night Market opens nightly

Shilin Night Market

No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Free to enter

Sun Moon Lake is 80 km (50 miles) southwest of Taichung

Sun Moon Lake

Yuchi Township, Nantou County, Taiwan 555

Entrance to Taroko National Park is free

Taroko National Park

No. 291, Fushi, Xiulin Township, Hualien County, Taiwan, 972003

Alishan National Scenic Area is home to the Tsou people

Alishan National Scenic Area

605, Alishan Township, Chiayi County, Taiwan

NT$150 (US$4.75) for locals and NT$300 (US$9.51) for foreigners

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum has been open to the public since 2001

Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum

No. 153, Xingtian Rd., Dashu Dist., Kaohsiung City 840, Taiwan

Kenting National Park is the first park of its kind in Taiwan

Kenting National Park

No. 596, Kending Rd., Hengchun Township, Pingtung County, Taiwan, 946009

Free or small entrance fee depending on which site you visit

Jiufen is 40 km (25 miles) east of Taipei city (Source: Y K/unsplash)

Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 22448

Will I need to undergo a quarantine when I travel to Taiwan?

From Oct 13, 2022, all inbound travelers will no longer need to undergo a 3-day quarantine upon arrival. Instead, the self-initiated epidemic prevention will last for 7 days.

Do I need a visa to travel to Taiwan?

Many countries are part of Taiwan's visa-exempt entry scheme. To check if you need a visa to Taiwan, refer to the official Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

What currency can I use when I travel to Taiwan?

The official currency in Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar(TWD).

How to travel to Taipei city center from the airport?

Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to central Taipei transfer options include taxis, buses, and metro. Trip.com also offers private transfer between the airport and the city center.

What's the best way to travel around Taiwan?

You can travel around Taiwan by car or rail as all major cities in Taiwan are connected by the Taiwan Railway Administration network of local and express trains.

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With steady easing of border measures, Taiwan to end quarantine and adopt 7-day self-initiated prevention policy for arrivals on October 13

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Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport , for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Taiwan set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Taipei Representative Office in London or the Taipei Representative Office in Edinburgh . Entry procedures are being regularly reviewed, so may change at short notice.

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Taiwan.

Epidemic prevention period

When you arrive in Taiwan, the authorities advise that you observe a 7-day self-initiated epidemic prevention period, but you no longer need a negative test result before going out. The authorities are no longer providing free rapid test kits on arrival. You can use your booked accommodation and you can move freely during the 7 days.

This self-health management scheme is provided as guidance by the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC), and members of the public are free to decide whether to follow it. Please consult the Centres for Disease Control website for the latest guidance.

Passport validity requirements

To enter Taiwan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can spend up to 90 days in Taiwan without a visa. You can extend this by a further 90 days once you have arrived in Taiwan. You can get more information on entering Taiwan without a visa (‘visa-exempt entry’) from the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs. This applies if you travel:

• as a tourist
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• to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events

If you plan to stay in Taiwan for longer than 180 days, you must have a visa before you arrive. If you stay beyond the time given on your visa, you will get a fine and risk being deported from Taiwan.

There are specific rules for naturalised British citizens born in the People’s Republic of China and holders of British National (Overseas) passports wishing to enter under the visa waiver scheme.

You should contact the Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs or Taiwan National Immigration Agency for further information.

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If you are in the UK and need a visa, apply at your nearest Taipei Representative Office . If you are in Taiwan, apply through the Taiwan National Immigration Agency .

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If you already hold a resident certificate, you do not need a visa to enter Taiwan.

If you hold a Youth Mobility Scheme visa for Taiwan , you can apply to switch to a working visa or a visa to study a degree course at undergraduate level or higher.

Submit your application to the  Bureau of Consular Affairs  for consideration. You can then apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at your local  National Immigration Agency (NIA) Service Center  once your application has been approved. Contact the  Bureau of Consular Affairs  or  National Immigration Agency  for further information.

Vaccination requirements

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Taiwan guide .   

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There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Taiwan . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

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Do not bring animal products into Taiwan without authorisation. If you are caught with any animal products, you may face a heavy fine. Customs officials have increased inspections due to concerns about African Swine Fever Virus in pork products, particularly from the People’s Republic of China.

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Declare cash or travellers cheques if the value is higher than 100,000 New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) or 10,000 US dollars. You will get a certified declaration to show you brought it in with you. If you do not, your money could be seized when you leave. Contact the Customs Administration for further information.

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American Express, Citibank and Thomas Cook branches accept their own-brand travellers cheques. You may need your receipt as well as your passport when you cash them.

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Taiwan warns against travel to China after execution threat

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwan ’s government raised its travel warning for China on Thursday, telling its citizens not to go unless absolutely necessary, following a threat from Beijing last week to execute those deemed “diehard” Taiwan independence supporters.

Liang Wen-chieh, spokesperson for Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters the raised travel warning also applied to the Chinese-run cities of Hong Kong and Macau.

China, which views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory , has made no secret of its dislike of President Lai Ching-te , whom it views as a “separatist,” and staged two days of war games  after he took office last month.

Last week, announcing new legal guidelines, China threatened to execute Taiwan independence separatists in extreme cases, a further ramping up of tensions that drew condemnation from Lai and his government, as well as the United States.

Liang, making the announcement at a regular news conference in Taipei, said those guidelines represented a serious threat to the safety of Taiwanese visiting China, in addition to other measures China has been taking to strengthen its national security laws.

“If it is not necessary to go, then don’t,” he said, adding this did not amount to a ban on visiting and was about protecting Taiwan’s people and reminding them of the risk rather than being a “countermeasure.”

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

On Wednesday, asked about concerns that the guidelines could cause fear for Taiwan’s people and not help improve relations, the office said they were only aimed at a very small number of independence “diehards’ evil words and actions.”

China has vowed to go after people it views as Taiwan separatists wherever they may be, though Chinese courts have no jurisdiction in Taiwan and it is not clear how China could seek to enforce any judgments outside its borders.

As to whether China could seek to extradite Taiwanese overseas who it accused of separatism, Liang said separatism was a political crime and in this particular case one specific to China, and that developed countries would not cooperate with such a request.

“We can’t rule out certain countries would cooperate,” he added, without naming any countries.

Lai has repeatedly offered talks with China but been rebuffed. He rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims and says only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

Taiwan warns against travel to China after execution threat

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China might quarantine taiwan, report says.

• By Wu Meng-feng and William Hetherington / Staff writers

China might seek to isolate Taiwan and weaken its economy through a “quarantine,” which would make it difficult for the US to respond and force Taipei to negotiate on unification, CNN reported on Saturday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) “increasingly bellicose actions” toward Taiwan have heightened concerns that Beijing would use its military against Taiwan, it said, citing a report by think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

However, China might choose to initiate a quarantine, rather than a military invasion of Taiwan, to avoid US involvement, it said.

A Taiwanese sailor aboard the guided-missile destroyer ROCS Ma Kong monitors the movements of the Chinese destroyer Xian at an undisclosed location in waters near Taiwan in a photograph released on May 24.

Photo: Ministry of National Defense via EPA-EFE

“A quarantine [is] a law enforcement-led operation to control maritime or air traffic within a specific area while a blockade is foremost military in nature,” CNN said, citing the report.

International law considers a blockade an act of war, but “a quarantine led by China’s coast guard is not a declaration of war against Taiwan,” which means that US involvement could be interpreted as the Washington initiating war with China, it said.

Such a quarantine would be costly for China to maintain, but potentially could deter operators from servicing Taiwan, which would cut off the nation’s population from energy and other supplies, it said.

Furthermore, the China Coast Guard has 150 ocean-going vessels and 400 smaller ones, while the Coast Guard Administration has only 10 ocean-going ships and about 160 smaller ones, it said.

Taiwan lacks the numbers to push back a quarantine, it said.

The think tank report, coauthored by Bonny Lin, Brian Hart, Matthew Funaiole, Samantha Lu and Truly Tinsley, said the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) might only play an auxiliary or support role during such a quarantine, to avoid it being seen as a blockade.

The actions taken by Beijing to isolate Taiwan during a quarantine might be relatively limited, but they would still have the effect of strangling Taiwan economically, they said.

“Limited search and/or seizure actions have an effect on flights to Taiwan as a quarantine can easily be extended to the air,” CNN said.

“Meanwhile, a quarantine, rather than a blockade, would not require China to close or restrict access to the Taiwan Strait… [meaning] Washington” could not justify intervention by arguing it was “preserving freedom of navigation in an international waterway,” it said

China might not even use the word “quarantine” before isolating Taiwan, which would let it keep the operation more low-key, it said.

However, the importance of Taiwan’s exports to the world economy would make such a quarantine costly and risky for China, it said, citing one former US military official.

“Maintaining the quarantine will be expensive and time consuming,” former director of operations at the US Pacific Command’s Joint Intelligence Center Carl Schuster said.

“Taipei won’t give up in under 60 days. Can Beijing sustain the effort and possible international reaction for that long?” he asked.

Separately, Royal United Services Institute senior research fellow Sidharth Kaushal told CNN that “a quarantine could also push Taiwan’s government to declare independence, something Beijing has repeatedly said would likely bring armed conflict.”

“This would then leave the [Chinese Communist Party] with the options of either escalation or a major setback,” he said.

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China might seek to isolate Taiwan and weaken its economy through a “quarantine,” which would make it difficult for the US to respond and force Taipei to negotiate on unification, CNN reported on Saturday. Chinese President Xi Jinping’s (習近平) “increasingly bellicose actions” toward Taiwan have heightened concerns that Beijing would use its military against Taiwan, it said, citing a report by think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). However, China might choose to initiate a quarantine, rather than a military invasion of Taiwan, to avoid US involvement, it said. “A quarantine [is] a law enforcement-led operation to control

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Taiwan urges citizens to avoid travel to China, Hong Kong and Macao following Beijing threats

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan has urged its citizens to avoid travel to China and the semi-autonomous Chinese territories of Hong Kong and Macao following threats from Beijing to execute supporters of the self-governing island democracy’s independence.

Spokesperson and deputy head of the Mainland Affairs Council Liang Wen-chieh issued the advisory at a news conference Thursday.

That came amid growing threats from China, which claims Taiwan as its own territory to be annexed by force if necessary.

China’s threat to hunt down and execute “hardcore” Taiwan independence supporters follows the election of Lai Ching-te of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party as president. China has refused all contact with Taiwan’s government since the election in 2016 of former president Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP, who refused to endorse Beijing’s demand that Taiwan recognizes itself as a part of China, seen as a prelude to political unification between the sides.

“In response to the new guidelines related to the so-called ‘secession crime,’ the government has the responsibility to remind citizens that there are genuine risks involved” in such visits, Liang said. The government is not banning visits, but those that do travel should not express political opinions or carry books or post online about topics that the authoritarian Communist Party would use to detain and potentially prosecute them.

Hundreds of thousands of Taiwanese live in China or travel their for business, tourism or family visits each year. China has also hosted visits by local Taiwanese officials and leaders of the opposition Nationalist Party, which backs eventual unification between the sides.

The sides operate direct flights and mainland Chinese are permitted to visit, although Beijing has severely restricted tourism to the island as a means of bringing economic pressure on the government in addition to its threatening military exercises and the daily deployment of warships and military planes around the island.