Taiwan Visa Requirements

No, US citizens can visit Taiwan without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism, business visits, attending conferences, and visiting friends or relatives. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned stay. You'll need a confirmed return or onward ticket. While no visa is required, ensure you have proof of accommodation and sufficient funds if asked. Taiwan is a welcoming destination with straightforward entry requirements for American visitors.

Taiwan is a self-governing democracy with its own government, currency, and military, but mainland China claims sovereignty over it. The United States maintains unofficial relations through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), which functions as an embassy. For tourists, daily life in Taiwan is completely normal and unaffected by cross-strait political tensions. Taiwan is extremely safe, modern, and tourist-friendly. The situation has been stable for decades, and millions of tourists visit annually without any issues. Stay informed through official channels but don't let geopolitical concerns deter your visit.

Taiwan offers excellent value for money. It's more affordable than Japan or South Korea but slightly pricier than Southeast Asian countries. Street food and night market meals cost $1-5 USD, local restaurants $5-15 USD. Accommodation ranges from budget hostels ($15-25 USD) to mid-range hotels ($50-100 USD). Public transportation is efficient and cheap; the Taipei MRT and intercity buses are affordable. Major expenses are usually international flights. Taiwan's renowned night market food culture lets you eat incredibly well for little money. High-quality products, from electronics to tea, offer good value.

Taiwanese people are known for their friendliness and helpfulness toward visitors. Remove shoes when entering homes and some traditional establishments. Gift-giving is common; if invited somewhere, bring a small gift (fruit, pastries). Avoid sticking chopsticks upright in rice (associated with funeral rites). Tipping is not customary or expected. Taiwan uses a mix of Traditional Chinese characters (not simplified like mainland China). The official language is Mandarin Chinese, though Taiwanese Hokkien is widely spoken. Basic Mandarin phrases are appreciated but English is increasingly common, especially among younger generations and in Taipei.

Taiwan has excellent public transportation. The Taipei Metro (MRT) is clean, efficient, and English-friendly. For island-wide travel, the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) connects Taipei to Kaohsiung in about 90 minutes. Frequent and comfortable intercity buses are affordable alternatives. An EasyCard (like Taipei's version of a transit card) works on MRT, buses, trains, and convenience stores, island-wide. YouBikes (public bikes) are available throughout major cities. Domestic flights connect to Penghu, Kinmen, and east coast cities. Renting scooters is popular for exploring smaller towns but requires an International Driving Permit.