taiwan tourism policy

Taiwan to end COVID quarantine for arrivals, welcome back tourists

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Tourists flock to Taiwan as COVID entry restrictions eased

First group of foreign travelers hold souvenirs after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

First group of foreign travelers arrive at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

First group of foreign travelers pose for photos after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

First group of foreign travelers applause after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

A tour guide commentary speaks to the first group of foreign travelers after their arrival at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

First group of foreign travelers take photos after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

A foreign traveler poses for photos after arriving at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

First group of foreign travelers pose for photos at Taoyuan International Airport in Taoyuan, Northern Taiwan, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. Taiwan announced that it will end mandatory COVID-19 quarantines for people arriving from overseas beginning Oct. 13. The Central Epidemic Command Center announced that the previous weeklong requirement will be replaced with a seven-day self-monitoring period. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan lifted all its COVID-19 entry restrictions on Thursday, allowing tourists unfettered access to the self-ruled island after over 2 1/2 years of border controls.

Hong Kong and Taiwan, together with mainland China, required most visitors to complete a mandatory quarantine period throughout the pandemic, even as most countries reopened their borders to tourists.

Visitors are no longer required to quarantine upon entry, or take any PCR tests. Instead, they will need to monitor their health for a week after arriving, and obtain a negative result on a rapid antigen test the day they arrive. If people want to go out during the weeklong monitoring period, they need a negative test from either that day or the day before.

There are also no longer any restrictions on certain nationalities being allowed to enter Taiwan.

Dozens of visitors from Thailand were among the first to arrive under the new rules at Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport, which serves the capital Taipei, on a Tiger Air flight that landed shortly after midnight.

Tourists like 32-year-old Mac Chientachakul and his parents were excited to visit the island.

“Hot pot is my favorite dish in Taiwan,” Chientachakul said. “It’s my first thing to do ... I miss it so much.”

Sonia Chang, a travel agent, said the changes are good for both the the tourism industry and Taiwanese residents, who can now travel abroad without having to quarantine when they get home.

Valaisurang Bhaedhayajibh, a 53-year-old business development director of a design firm, called the new rules convenient.

“We don’t have to do the test before coming here, and also after arriving,” he said. “We are still required to do the self-test every two days, and everything has been provided” by Taiwanese authorities, including the rapid testing kits.

At a welcome ceremony in the Taoyuan airport’s arrival hall, the travelers from Thailand were met by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau’s director, Chang Shi-chung, who handed out gifts.

Taiwan’s tourism bureau estimated that a total of 244 tourists from some 20 tour groups will arrive Thursday.

With both Hong Kong and Taiwan getting rid of restrictions and welcoming back tourists, mainland China remains one of the few places in the world adamant in keeping borders closed and sticking to a “zero-COVID” strategy to stamp out the virus. Hong Kong ended its mandatory quarantine policy for inbound travelers late last month, requiring just a three-day self-monitoring period.

Associated Press writer Zen Soo contributed from Singapore.

Taiwan's new Southbound Policy

On this page:

The NSP’s Four Pillars

Flagship projects and innovative fields, further reading.

Download the Full Report Published January 2018, 88 pages

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In a concerted effort to expand Taiwan’s presence across the Indo-Pacific, President Tsai Ing-wen introduced the New Southbound Policy (NSP) in 2016. The NSP is designed to strengthen Taipei’s relationships with the ten countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), six states in South Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The policy aims to leverage Taiwan’s cultural, educational, technological, agricultural, and economic assets to enhance Taiwan’s regional integration and promote the broader development of the Indo-Pacific region.

The plan hinges upon forging a “sense of economic community” and forming “a consensus for cooperation” with the 18 nations identified by Taipei as potential partners. Since Taiwan lacks formal diplomatic ties with the countries targeted by the NSP, Taipei must creatively foster bilateral collaboration. To this end, the Tsai administration has rallied local governments and civil society organizations to collaborate with the central government’s implementation efforts.

The NSP consists of four pillars, five flagship projects, and three innovative fields.

01 Promote Economic Collaboration

Cooperate with partner countries on supply chains, market demand, and infrastructure projects.

Supply Chains: Integrate Taiwan’s competitive industries with the supply chains of other economies, including not only NSP partners but also Japan and the United States.

The Asia Silicon Valley Development Plan is designed to strengthen industrial links between Taiwan and its economic partners.

Market Demand: Promote Taiwan’s industrial brand abroad by increasing exports.

The Taiwan External Trade Development Council is promoting Taiwan’s image abroad by organizing fairs and exhibitions in partner countries.

Infrastructure Projects: Create a collaborative platform for exporting infrastructure construction services and turnkey projects.

Companies from Taiwan, Japan, and Indonesia collaborated to construct Jakarta’s first mass rapid transit line.

Taiwan’s Exports to NSP Partner Countries

Source: Bureau of Trade, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ROC (Taiwan)

02 Conduct People-to-People Exchanges

Deepen bilateral exchanges through the cultivation of scholars, students, and industry professionals.

Education Ties: Deepen educational ties by offering scholarships to students from partner countries. Enhance domestic cooperation between academia and industry. Provide enhanced youth technical training.

Industry Talent: Promote a two-way flow of professionals and help match foreign workers with local companies.

Taiwan has streamlined the process for applying for work visas and created a new visa for job seekers from overseas.

New Immigrants: Help first-generation immigrants secure job opportunities. Connect second-generation immigrants with their ancestral countries through academic and cultural exchanges.

Sources of Inbound Students to Taiwan, 2018

Source: Ministry of Education, ROC (Taiwan)

03 Enhance Resource Sharing

Promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation in culture, tourism, medical care, technology, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Health Care: Boost bilateral pharmaceutical certifications and new drug and medical equipment development. Support the development of medical care and training of public health workers overseas.

Taiwan boasts a highly developed public health care system and one of the world’s most technologically advanced medical equipment industries.

Culture: Use film, broadcasting, and online games to promote Taiwan’s culture. Encourage exchanges between cities in Taiwan and cities elsewhere in the region.

The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation and the Vietnam National Institute of Culture and Arts Studies have partnered to create art programs, artist-in-residence projects, and various workshops.

Tourism: Ease visa requirements to increase inbound tourism to Taiwan. Make Taiwan’s tourism more inclusive by expanding the language-training of tour guides and creating a Muslim-friendly travel environment.

Technology: Strengthen the connections between Taiwan’s science parks and research institutes and counterparts abroad. Engage in technology sharing.

Agriculture: Provide agricultural technology assistance and increase business exchanges with partner countries.

The total value of Taiwan’s agricultural exports hit US$5.47 billion in 2018, marking a 20-year high.

Top Sources of Tourists to Taiwan

Source: Tourism Bureau, ROC (Taiwan)

04 Forge Regional Links

Systematize bilateral and multilateral cooperation with partner countries while strengthening negotiations and dialogues.

Regional Integration: Actively pursue economic cooperation agreements. Update and strengthen current bilateral investment and taxation treaties.

In 2018, Taiwan and Indonesia signed an MOU that opened the possibility of creating special economic zones and cooperating on infrastructure development.

Negotiations and Dialogues: Promote multilevel and all-encompassing negotiations and dialogues with partner countries, and other countries across the Indo-Pacific.

Strategic Alliances: Build a comprehensive foreign aid mechanism and encourage Taiwan businesses to participate in overseas development projects. Strengthen official and nonofficial cooperation between Taiwan and foreign partners.

Taiwan has established a US$3.5 billion fund to assist partner countries with development projects.

Overseas Network: Connect with overseas ethnic Chinese and overseas Taiwan business networks and strengthen their links with corporations in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s FDI to Mainland China and to NSP Partner Countries

Source: Investment Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ROC (Taiwan)

Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations has laid out five flagship projects and three innovative fields for collaboration. These programs are designed to capitalize on the pillars of the NSP and enhance mutually beneficial ties with countries across the Indo-Pacific.

Five Flagship Programs

Agricultural development.

Increase cooperation and innovation between Taiwan and partner countries.

In partnership with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, Taiwan has set up a Modern Agriculture Demo Farm in Karawang. The project is designed to assist Indonesia’s development through technology and knowledge sharing.

Medical and Public Health Cooperation

Bolster medical capacity in partner countries and create regional supply chains.

Under the “One Country, One Center” framework, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is working with hospitals in partner countries to bolster health care and medical cooperation. Projects have been launched in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Talent Cultivation

Provide partner countries with the necessary resources to improve the skills of their workers. Offer opportunities for foreign workers and students to live and work in Taiwan.

Taiwan is working on revising its immigration laws to make it easier for skilled professionals and foreign students to live and work in Taiwan.

Innovative Industries

Strengthen regional collaboration and increase innovative output in key industries through promoting R&D and capacity building.

Collaboration in areas such as green energy, smart machinery, and biotechnology provides Taiwan with an opportunity to not only assist developing countries, but also enhance its ties with R&D leaders such as Japan and the United States.

Youth Exchanges and Policy Forums

Promote student and youth exchanges to enhance regional cooperation and support the next generation of leaders. Encourage civil society engagement with regional counterparts.

The Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation was established in August 2018 to strengthen ties with NSP partner countries. The Yushan Forum is a Taiwan-initiated annual forum designed to foster dialogue, cooperation, and cultural exchange throughout the region. Areas of focus include economic prosperity, technology, innovation, and public health.

Three Innovative Fields

Help local firms expand their business abroad and aid the development of e-commerce platforms in regional markets.

Infrastructure

Provide financial support to help Taiwan companies work on infrastructure development projects in partner countries.

Expand domestic tourism services, promote Taiwan as a tourist destination overseas, and ease visa entry requirements.

The Tourism Bureau has focused on marketing Taiwan as a Muslim-friendly destination by opening prayer rooms and certifying halal restaurants and hotels.

Given the multidimensional nature of the NSP, its success should be evaluated incrementally. We encourage you to visit our Data Repository , which tracks several of the key performance benchmarks for the policy. More details regarding the NSP can be found in our longer publication .

• Executive Yuan. " New Southbound Policy." Office of Trade Negotiations.
• Bonnie S. Glaser, Matthew P. Funaiole, and Hunter Marston. " Charting Convergence: Exploring the Intersection of the U.S. Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy and Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy." Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2019.
• Bonnie S. Glaser, Scott Kennedy, Derek Mitchell, and Matthew P. Funaiole. " The New Southbound Policy: Deepening Taiwan’s Regional Integration." Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2018.
• Ministry of Economic Affairs, ROC (Taiwan). " The New Southbound Policy: A Practical Approach Moving Full Steam Ahead." October 6, 2017.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan). " New Southbound Policy Portal." New Southbound Policy.
• Tsai Ing-wen. " President Tsai Attends Opening of Yushan Forum." Office of the President, ROC (Taiwan), October 11, 2018.
• Tsai Ing-wen. " President Tsai's Remarks at Yushan Forum: Asian Dialogue for Innovation and Progress." Office of the President, ROC (Taiwan), October 11, 2017.
• Alan H. Yang. " Revisiting Taiwan's New Southbound Policy: Agenda, Networks and Challenges." Issues and Studies 56, no. 1 (2017): 123-143.
• Alan H. Yang. " Unpacking Taiwan’s Presence in Southeast Asia: The International Socialization of the New Southbound Policy." Issues & Studies 54, no. 1 (2018): 1-30.

Taiwan Insight

The online magazine of the Taiwan Research Hub

Tourism in Taiwan: The Need for Environmentally Responsible Behaviour

Written by Tsung Hung Lee and Fen-Hauh Jan.

Tourism can result in adverse environmental effects, particularly as greenhouse gas emissions are associated with travelling and other recreational activities. Tourism does not only contribute to global warming but also contributes to the physical degradation of tourist destinations. Whether tourists intentionally or unintentionally damage the environments at tourist destinations, continues to be discussed. Reducing the impact of tourism on the environment, and educating tourists on environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB) have now become growing and important issues. Thus, the ways in which human activities cause serious environmental damage must be elucidated from a range of perspectives in order to reduce environmental harm and provide solutions.

Taiwan is located on the fault line that separates the Euro-Asian and Philippine continental plates. Approximately 75 percent of its land mass is mountainous and about 59 percent of its forested areas are in the central region along the north-to-south axis of the island. The significant variation in altitudes in this region causes a large variation in climatic conditions, generating a considerable variation in forest diversity. Taiwan has abundant and numerous national forest recreational areas, which are becoming increasingly important because they form a network of ecological conservation areas.

Taiwan is surrounded by ocean and has a long coastline that offers varying natural scenery. The west coast has many wetlands that are commonly used for farming and fishing. In recent years, some wetlands have been developed as recreational areas. For example, Guandu, Aowu, Haomeiliao, Cigu and Sihcao have been developed as nature-based tourism sites.

“ Tourists should be invited to work as “conservation partners” or “environmental volunteers” who engage in pro-environmental behaviours. This is in preference to the imposition of regulations or laws to control tourists’ adverse environmental behaviours during their participation in recreational activities. “

Taiwan has several small islands, such as Liuqiu and Penghu , that have been developed as low-carbon islands to support sustainable tourism. Island-based tourism provides various attractions, including beautiful scenery, natural resources, island experiences, and local cultural activities which attract many visitors.

Taiwan used community-based development models in the mid-1990s as a means of increasing the sustainability of tourism in rural Taiwan. Since Taiwan’s agricultural sector lost its competitive advantage following the accession of Taiwan to the World Trade Organisation in 2002, community-based tourism – integrating both sustainable tourism and environmental conservation – has become one of the best alternative development models for economically depressed rural areas.

Although there exists an extensive literature on the assessment of ERB, studies regarding the methods of measuring ERB are lacking. Lee, Jan, and Yang (2013) first attempted to assess tourists’ ERB by using three surveys to establish a reliable and valid 24-item scale with a first-order and seven-factor model. They defined ERB as “tourists who strive to reduce their environmental impact, contribute to environmental preservation and/or conservation efforts, and do not disturb the ecosystem and biosphere of a destination during recreation/tourism activities.” They developed seven constructs; civil action, financial action, physical action, persuasive action, sustainable behavior, pro-environmental behavior, and environmentally friendly behavior, for conceptualising and evaluating the ERB of tourists.

However, as with most research, there are limitations. This scale relies on a self-reported measurement of tourists’ own ERBs, and so may not fully capture actual behavior. Applying the above concept and measurement of the ERB of tourists , the authors examined the factors that affect ERB and developed a series of theoretical models on ERB. They found that environmentally aware tourists’ develop significantly more positive attitudes regarding demonstrating ERB. Moreover, several precedent variables such as recreational involvement, place attachment, and conservation commitment affect tourists’ ERB.

Given that recreational activities in nature may affect tourists’ ERBs, with regards to both environmental attitudes and biospheric values, organisers of a nature-based tourism destinations should design and provide tourist activities that focus on the ecosystem and wildlife to enhance tourists’ biospheric values. They should also use pro-environmental activities, such as ecological hiking, environmental education, and environmental workshops, to help improve tourists’ environmental attitudes and their general ERBs. Tourists should be invited to work as “conservation partners” or “environmental volunteers” who engage in pro-environmental behaviours. This is in preference to the imposition of regulations or laws to control tourists’ adverse environmental behaviours during their participation in recreational activities.

Nature-based activities and tourist destinations are important for tourists who want to enjoy nature and take part in outdoor activities. Area/tourist managers who can identify the critical factors that cause environmental damage, and promote recreational engagement and experiences, develop environmental attitudes, and biospheric values, and also promote conservation among tourists, will be able to better develop sustainable tourism and ERBs.

One final observation is in regard to the assessment of studies which use self-reported measures to test ERB. Many may over-estimate their own ERB because of their own social desirability. Future studies should focus on observing participants in order to better evaluate ERB models.

Tsung Hung Lee is a Distinguished Professor at National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, Taiwan. Fen-Hauh Jan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality at TransWorld University, Taiwan.  Image Credit: CC by William Cho/ Flickr

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Travel Advisory July 11, 2023

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Exercise normal precautions in Taiwan.

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

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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 .

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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.

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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.

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• 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 .

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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.

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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.

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• 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.  
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• 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 .

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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. 

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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) .

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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;
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• 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.

Travel Advisory Levels

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Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

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This section include a few subjects, "VAT Refund," "Useful Tips," "Travel Information," "Transport," "E-Guide," "i-Taiwan WiFi," "Visa Info," "Overseas Tourism Offices," and "Free Half-Day Tour" Visitors are encouraged to utilize such info when making an itinerary. We hope to make traveling in Taiwan easier, more convenient and deeply attractive!

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