In a move that seeks to further strengthen bilateral relations and increase tourism, business, trade and cultural exchanges, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has granted visa-exempt status to nationals of 11 South American countries. Qualified nationals from these countries may enter Taiwan for up to 30 or 90 days for tourist and business visits without requiring an entry visa. These countries were previously eligible for the electronic visa (eVisa) program.
Effective immediately, nationals of El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua and Paraguay are granted visa-exempt stays of up to 90 days while nationals of Belize, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Saint Lucia are granted visa-exempt stays of up to 30 days.
To qualify, applicants from these countries must:
- Have a standard passport valid for at least six months;
- Hold a return flight ticket, or a flight ticket and a valid visa for an onward destination; and
- Possess no criminal record, as verified by immigration authorities upon arrival at an airport or other designated ports of entry in Taiwan.
Holders of Belizean, Saint Christopher and Nevis, and Saint Lucian passports with their "place of birth" indicated on the passport data page as Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, People's Republic of China, Syria or Yemen, are not eligible for the visa exemption. Similarly, holders of Honduran passports indicating People's Republic of China as their birth place are also not eligible for the visa exemption.
To expedite their entry, all visa-exempt travelers are recommended to complete an online immigration arrival card (in lieu of a paper arrival card) on the website of the National Immigration Agency prior to arrival.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Eligible foreign nationals should benefit from this visa-free entry process and should contact their immigration professional for specific requirements.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.
Media mentions
Nomadic Director Kim Conway discusses technology’s impact on the business travel landscape at the 2024 GBTA Canada Conference.
Media mentions
In an interview, Partner David Grunblatt shares his thoughts on the challenges impacting the future of immigration law.
Video
Partner Charles Johanes discusses key tips on managing workforce ratios and other localisation requirements across the APAC region.
Blog post
Associate Anastasija Vasiljeva discusses the digitalisation of the UK immigration system, how these changes are designed to enhance efficiency and security and how student sponsors and visa nationals must stay informed and compliant.
Video
Senior Immigration Consultant Elisabeth Kamm discusses changes to the Schengen Area that travelers should be aware of and how they can ensure they are prepared to meet immigration requirements.
Blog post
Senior Manager Deirdre Murray discusses the possibility of the Irish Government granting the spouses and partners of Intra-Company Transfer employment permits an automatic right to work in Ireland.
Media mentions
El director Miguel Jiménez analiza el programa de viajes de negocios a corto plazo de México con GBTA en la Conferencia LATAM 2024 en Ciudad de México.
Media mentions
Director Claire Cumiskey joins the Breakfast Business podcast to discuss Ireland’s Employment Permits Bill.
Blog post
Senior Associate Evan Tutton and Immigration Supervisor Sanjay Parmar discuss how organisations in the UK employing Student visa holders must ensure immigration compliance, and what steps Student visa holders should take.
Blog post
This blog covers the UK Government's evaluation of the Graduate visa route's effectiveness, its potential for abuse and the impact on the country's higher education system and economy, as well as the impending review by the MAC.
Media mentions
Partner Dan Brown co-authored a whitepaper on how the U.S is better situated to face workforce challenges because of immigration.
Media mentions
Partnering with Talent Beyond Boundaries, Fragomen continues to support displaced people in their host societies.