🏮 Taiwan

Official government travel advice

Advice changes quickly. Check it before you travel and again before you leave.

Practical information

Entry

What is needed at the border depends on the passport, so consult the official sites below. Holders of some passports can obtain a Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) online if they qualify, so no normal visa is needed; for example people with a Japan visa-waiver registration or with certain visas or residence permits issued by countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, the UK, the US or Schengen countries. In the remaining cases a visa may be required, and it comes from a Taiwan representative office; see the pages below. Conditions for a TAC are typically a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return or onward ticket, and no record in Taiwan of having worked or committed violations. The approved certificate must be printed and shown at the border. Both the rules and the list of those eligible are subject to change, so verify on the National Immigration Agency pages and those of the Bureau of Consular Affairs before booking. An online arrival card, TWAC, applies to some entries; only the official immigration site should be used.

Culture and rules - take note

Politeness, safety and order are typical in Taiwan. Anything eaten or drunk on the MRT brings a fine, and durian is not allowed on public transport. On escalators, stand on the right, and wait in line. Sockets take type A/B plugs at 110 V, unlike many countries, so bring an adapter and make sure chargers accept 110 V. Older buildings may ask that toilet paper be put in the bin rather than flushed; follow the signs. Shoes come off inside homes and some guesthouses. Tips are not customary. At temples, dress modestly, leave offerings untouched, do not point at statues, and enter by the right-hand door and leave by the left. Vapes and e-cigarettes are prohibited. Steer clear of touchy political comparisons of Taiwan with mainland China. Earthquakes occur, as do typhoons (roughly July-October); the Central Weather Administration is the source to follow. Halal food can be found in Taipei, including some places close to the Taipei Grand Mosque.

Emergency

Police 110. Fire and ambulance 119. Tourist information hotline 0800-011-765 (English).

Good to know

Plugs and voltage

Taoyuan's city tourism site says Taiwan uses 110 volts at 60 cycles, which is 60 hertz, and lists Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (North American three-pin) sockets. Many buildings also have 220-volt sockets for air conditioners. Appliances from Europe, Australia or South-East Asia, it says, need an adaptor or transformer.

Cash declarations and scam calls

The currency is the New Taiwan dollar, says Canadian advice. Travellers carrying more than a set amount in cash and similar assets must declare it to customs on entering or leaving. Card and ATM fraud occurs, so watch your card when others handle it and use machines in well-lit public areas or inside banks. Foreigners have also received calls or emails from people posing as authorities or financial institutions.

Local laws and customs

ID, drugs and medicines

UK advice says to always carry ID such as a passport, though police usually accept a printed copy of the photo page, and that drug offences, cannabis included, can bring severe prison sentences and in some cases the death penalty. Canadian advice says some common prescription and over-the-counter medicines are controlled substances in Taiwan and need prior permission to bring in, and that defamation laws are strictly enforced, especially online. UK advice describes Taiwan's LGBT+ rights policies as among the most progressive in Asia.

Taxis and scams

Calls posing as authorities

Foreigners in Taiwan have been targeted by scammers pretending to be local authorities or financial institutions, Canadian travel advice says; they often request personal details or a transfer of funds to settle a supposed problem. Travellers are advised against sending money to unknown individuals or giving out personal information by phone or email.

Who can help

local government

National Police Agency (110 emergency line)

Helps with: Taiwan's national police. Call 110 if you need emergency help, see something suspicious or have a matter that needs police handling. The page does not say whether English is offered.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Taiwan, including visitors, who needs police help.

Phone: 110

Address: No.7, Sec. 1, Jhongsiao E. Rd., Jhongjheng District, Taipei City 100009

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Tourism Administration travel information hotline

Helps with: Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) toll-free travel information hotline, listed by the Taipei City Government as running 24 hours. It is for visitors needing travel information.

Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Taiwan who needs travel information or help.

Phone: 0800-011-765

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Tourism Administration traveler complaints hotline

Helps with: Toll-free hotline of Taiwan's tourism authority (Tourism Bureau) for travellers to make complaints, as listed by the Taipei City Government.

Who qualifies: Travellers in Taiwan who have a complaint about a tourism service.

Phone: 0800-211-734

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

National Immigration Agency - Foreigners in Taiwan Hotline

Helps with: Taiwan's immigration agency hotline for foreigners, dialled as 1990 inside Taiwan or +886-800-001990 from overseas. It covers help and information for people from other countries living in or visiting Taiwan.

Who qualifies: Foreign nationals in Taiwan. The page does not list its hours or languages.

Phone: 1990

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Taipei City Police Department Command and Control Center

Helps with: The Taipei City police command centre number listed by the National Police Agency as the local contact for the 110 report service in Taipei.

Who qualifies: Anyone in Taipei with a police matter. In an emergency dial 110; this is the city police command centre's landline.

Phone: (02)23812054

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

local government

Taipei 1999 Citizen Hotline

Helps with: Taipei City Government's information line. People in Taipei dial 1999; international callers dial 886-2-2720-8889. The page does not say whether English is offered.

Who qualifies: Residents and visitors in Taipei City.

Phone: 1999

Official website

Source · checked 2026-11-04

Cities and places

Taipei TaipeiThe lively Ximending district, the National Palace Museum, night markets and Taipei 101 are what the capital is known for.Photo: 毛貓大少爺, CC BY-SA 2.0 Jiufen and the New Taipei coast Jiufen and the New Taipei coastFrom Taipei, it is easy to reach seaside Tamsui, Yehliu's rock formations and Jiufen on its lantern-lit hillside.Photo: yoshio9989, CC BY-SA 2.0 Sun Moon Lake Sun Moon LakeIndigenous culture, cycling paths and boat rides are the draw at Taiwan's largest lake, which lies in the mountains of Nantou.Photo: 徐月春, CC BY 3.0 Kaohsiung KaohsiungIn the south, this port city offers harbour views, night markets, the Lotus Pond pagodas and the Pier-2 Art Center.Photo: 毛貓大少爺, CC BY-SA 2.0 Taichung TaichungA relaxed cafe culture, the National Taichung Theater, Rainbow Village and Fengjia Night Market define this central city.Photo: Tiouraren (Y.-C. Tsai), CC BY-SA 4.0 Kenting National Park Kenting National ParkTaiwan's tropical southern tip has beaches, surfing, a coral coastline and a night market street that is lively.Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 3.0

City selection based on: Taiwan Tourism Administration visitor surveys, Wikipedia Tourism in Taiwan

Festivals and events

festival

Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks

31 Dec 2026 - 1 Jan 2027 · Taipei

The tower called Taipei 101 is the launch point of the fireworks.

festival

Lantern Festival

16-22 Feb 2027 · Taipei

The country has few yearly events bigger than this. Prices go higher and hotels get full, so early planning pays.

trade

Computex Taipei

around May-Jun 2027 · Taipei

A trade show for computers and AI that ranks among the biggest in the world.

festival

Taipei 101 New Year's Eve fireworks

31 Dec 2027 - 1 Jan 2028 · Taipei

The tower called Taipei 101 is the launch point of the fireworks.