How to apply for a Taiwan Visa (for Filipinos)

Taiwan is Philippines' neighboring country. It's so near it is actually 2hours by plane but yet pinoys prefer to go to Hongkong over Taiwan. Why? Because unfortunately traveling to Taiwan requires a visa. But here's the good news, Filipinos are exempted from getting a Taiwan visa IF: They hold a valid visa (or Permanent Resident Visa) of UNITED STATES , CANADA, JAPAN, UK, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND SCHENGEN COUNTRIES. Duration of Stay: 30 days and not extendable. Visa exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visa. 

Please take note that if you hold a visa to those countries mentioned above it has to be valid. If it already expired then you must get a visa to Taiwan before entry.

Should you have a valid visa then you must visit Immigration Bureau of the Republic of China(Taiwan)’s website :
(https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase/)
and register personal profile online in advance a visa exempt entry permit which the applicant has to present to the airline's check in counter upon departure for Taiwan and to the immigration counter upon arrival to Taiwan. 

 Now let me go back to applying a regular Taiwan visitor visa. 

What are the requirements?
1. Duly accomplished visa forms online from the website https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5" X 2" with white background taken within the last 3months.
3. Passport valid for at least 6 months and old passport showing previous travels.
4. Birth Certificate - NSO
5. Marriage Certificate - NSO. If married.
6. Certificate of Employment and Approved leave of absence from your company.
7. Financial Statements of applicant (Bank book or Bank Statements)

Traveling on BUSINESS, you must also submit:
A. Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration（If owner of the company）
B. Invitation Letter from Taiwan company / organization in Chinese letterhead that outlines clearly purpose of your visit and duration of your stay
C. Request letter from applicant’s company
D. Certificate of Employment

If you are self employed you must include your DTI or SEC registration permit and Local Mayor's Permit of your business.

I have seen applicants walking in the TECO office in Makati with a printed application form answered in handwritten form. They were asked to go back of course because you have to fill up online the visa form.

How to answer the visa application form online?
First, you have to go to this website: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw . Click General Visa Applications (or whichever applies to you) . Then type in your personal details. After which you can print it out , don't forget to sign on the last page and bring it along with other required documents to the TECO office in RCBC Plaza Makati.

The embassy is very strict on how you fill out the visa form. To guide you please see below details:

When you're ready with all the requirements then you may proceed to lodging your application form in Taiwan's Embassy in Makati. 

TECO Office address:
41st Floor RCBC Plaza Makati City

Filing of Visa time: 845am to 1145am only
Releasing time: 145pm to 445pm only (Monday to Friday)

When filing your visa don't forget to bring a VALID ID (driver's lic or PRC id or SSS id ) to be presented to the TECO receptionist located in the ground floor of the RCBC plaza bldg. The receptionist will give you a queue number. If in case you weren't able to bring any valid id then you must pay P 1,000!! So don't ever forget your valid id because it will be expensive for you.

When you have your queue number then you may proceed to the 41st flr and wait for your number to be called. There are several visa application inspectors who will screen your application form. They will tell you if you are lacking any papers so to save time be sure all your requirements are complete before proceeding to lodge your application. 

After your papers has been inspected , pay the visa fee.

Visa Fee: P 2,100 (single entry) ; P 4,200 (multiple entry)  - NON REFUNDABLE
Processing Time: 3 working days
Expedite Fee for single entry : P 1,050 (Processing time: 1 working day)
Expedite Fee for Multiple Entry : P 2,100 (Processing time : 1 working day)

So there you have it. I wish all of you good luck in filing for a Taiwan Visa. And with the numerous offerings for a cheap ticket to Taiwan (by budget airlines such as Cebu Pac and Air Asia) who doesn't want to visit our neighbor? Believe me, it's all worth it. Taiwan is a beautiful country. :)