Enforcement Rules for the Issuance of ROC Visas to Foreign-Passport Holders (IV)

Article 9

The term “short-term stay” as stated in Article 8 of the Statute refers to any planned visit to the ROC that does not exceed 6 months.

The validity of the visa, the number of entries and the duration of stay for a visitor-visa holder shall be determined by the applicant’s nationality, purpose of visit, and the type of passport the applicant holds, as well as its date of expiry.

Visitor visas shall have a validity of no more than 5 years, with an option of single or multiple entry.

Article10

Foreign passport holders may apply for visit visas for the purposes of transit; tour; visit relatives; undertake visits; undertake inspection tours; attend international conferences; conduct business; pursue short-term study; undertake short-term employment; undertake short-term missionary work; and engage in other activities in the ROC as approved by MOFA.

Applicant’s applying for the above-mentioned visa seeking to engage in profit-making activities or work shall submit documents from the competent authorities at the central-government level, or their authorized agencies, showing that such activities have been approved.

Article 11

The term “long-term stay” as stated in Article 11 of the Statute refers to a planned period of stay exceeding 6 months.

A resident visa issued by overseas mission shall be good for single entry only and its validity shall not exceed 6 months. The visa holder shall apply for an Alien Resident Certificate(ARC) after being admitted into the ROC.

Resident visas issued by MOFA within ROC territory shall be used for applying for ARCs only and shall not be used for entry into the ROC.

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Enforcement Rules for the Issuance of ROC Visas to Foreign-Passport Holders (III)

Article 6

MOFA and overseas missions shall review the applicant’s status, purpose of visit, and type and validity of passport before issuing the appropriate ROC visa to the applicant.

Article 7

Diplomatic Visas and Courtesy Visas as stated respectively in Paragraph 1 and Paragraph 2, Section 1, Article 7 of the Statute shall have a validity of no longer than 5 years. The number of entries and length of stay shall be determined in accordance with the applicant’s needs and the purpose of his/her visit. In cases where the duration of stay is not specified, there shall be no limit to the length of stay, provided that this does not exceed the time required for the visa-holder’s assignment in the ROC.

Article 8

The “validity” of a visa as stated in Section 2, Article 7 of the Statute refers to the time within which “duration of stay” as stated in Section 2, Article 7 of the Statute refers to the time within which the visa-holder is permitted to enter the ROC. The period of duration shall be calculated from the day the visa is issued.

The “duration of stay” as stated in Section2, Article 7 of the Statute refers to the period within which the visa holder may be permitted to stay in the ROC.

The period of “stay” shall be calculated from the day following the applicant’s admission into the ROC.

The “number of entries” as stated in Section 2, Article 7 of the Statute refers to the number of times the visa holder is permitted to enter the ROC during the validity of the visa.

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Enforcement Rules for the Issuance of ROC Visas to Foreign-Passport Holders (II)

Article 3

Passport holders who may apply to MOFA for a visa upon arrival in the ROC due to special needs as described in Article 6 of the Statute are passport holders from countries other than the specified countries who meet any of the following conditions and obtain approval from MOFA:

1. They have been invited to the ROC by the Central Government;
2. They have been invited to international conferences and/or activities hosted by the Central Government of the ROC;
3. Expedited entry is necessary due to major events or disaster relief programs; and
4. Other important causes.

Article 4

A foreign-passport holder who enters the ROC by visa-exemption, or who obtains a visa upon arrival, shall leave the ROC upon or before the expiration of permitted legal period of stay. However, in the following circumstances, the person may submit supporting documents and apply to the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its subordinate agencies for a visitor visa before the expiration of permitted legal period of stay;

1. The person is afflicted with an acute, severe disease, excluding infectious, mental or other diseases that may pose a threat to public health or social order;
2. Natural disasters or forces majeur; and
3. Other justifiable causes.

Article 5

When a foreign-passport holder applies for an ROC visa, the passport holder shall submit to MOFA, or to ROC Embassies, Consulates, representative offices abroad, or other agencies(hereinafter referred to as ROC overseas missions) authorized by MOFA, a completed visa application form, a valid passport and photograph(s) taken within the past six months. Unless regulated otherwise by treaties or agreements, a “valid foreign passport” as stated in the preceding section shall be valid for or over 6 months.

MOFA and overseas missions may request the applicant to undergo and interview or submit travel plans, proof of familial relations, results of health examinations, proof of criminal record, proof of financial status, proof of the purpose of visit, information regarding the applicant’s contacts, relatives or guarantor in the ROC, and other documents as required for the review process.

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Enforcement Rules for the Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas to Foreign-Passport Holders (I)

Promulgated under MOFA’s administrative order (89) C2 NO. 8968130051 on May 31, 2000.
Revised under MOFA Administrative Order C2 No. 09369019120 on June 2, 2004

Article 1
The Enforcement Rules are prescribed in accordance with Article 15 for the Statute Governing the Issuance of ROC Visas to Foreign Passport Holders(hereinafter referred to as the Statute).

Article 2

Nationals of specific countries as prescribed in Article 6 for the Statute who are eligible for visa-exempt entry to the ROC, or to apply for a landing visa upon arrival in the ROC, shall meet the following requirements:

1. Unless otherwise regulated by treaties or agreements, or agreed to by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs(MOFA), the remaining validity of the applicant’s passport shall be of no less than six months;
2. The applicant has booked a return or onward air ticket/sea passage with the date of departure preceding the expiration of the length of stay;
3. A valid visa for the next destination has been secured, unless no visa is required for the onward trip;
4. Section 1, Article 10 of the Statute and Section 1, Article 17 of the Immigration Law do not apply to the applicant’s case.

Parties eligible for visa-exempt entry to the ROC, or the issuance of a visa upon arrival as stated in the preceding section, shall be chosen and announced by MOFA.

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Statute Governing Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports (IV)

Article 13

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs or ROC overseas missions may revoke and invalidate a visa under any one of the following circumstances:

1. The visa holder falls under any of thecategories referred to in Paragraph 1 of the previous Article.
2. The visa holder engages in activities in the ROC that are not in accordance with the purpose(s) of the visa.
3. The visa holder engages within or outside the ROC in fraud, drug trafficking, subversion, violence or other activities endangering the ROC national interest, law enforcement, good customs or social stability.
4. The original purpose for the visa application no longer exists.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs may authorize other agencies to revoke or invalidate a visa.

Article 14

Diplomatic visas and courtesy visas are issued gratis. Application fees and/or other stipulated charges apply to all other visas unless otherwise regulated by treaties or agreements, or approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs based on the principle of reciprocity, or based on the needs of public duty. The visa fee rates shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Statute Governing Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports

Article 15

Regulations for the implementation of the Statute shall be stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 16

The Statute shall enter into effect on the date of its promulgation.

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Statute Governing Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports (III)

Article 8

Diplomatic visas may be issued to the following foreign passport holders in possession of diplomatic passports or laissez-passer:

1. Heads of state and deputy heads of state, prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, and ministers of foreign affairs and their dependents.
2. Personnel dispatched to the ROC by foreign governments and their dependants and entourage.
3. Officials dispatched to the ROC by foreign governments on short-term missions and their dependants.
4. Senior foreign officials such as administrative heads or deputy heads of international intergovernmental organizations dispatched to the ROC and their dependants.
5. Diplomatic messengers sent by foreign governments.

Article 9

Courtesy visas may be issued to the following foreign passport holders:

1. Former heads of state and deputy heads of state, prime ministers, deputy prime ministers, ministers of foreign affairs and their dependents.
2. Personnel dispatched by foreign governments to the ROC on official duties and their dependants and entourage.
3. Foreign employees other than the senior employees referred to in Paragraph 4 of Article 8 who come to the ROC for public duties and their dependants.
4. Foreign employees of international intergovernmental international organizations invited by the ROC government and their dependants.
5. Foreign passport holders who visit the ROC at the invitation of the ROC government or who have made great contributions to the ROC and their dependants.

Article10

Foreign passport holders who are in possession of foreign passports and intend to stay in the ROC for a short-term period may apply for a visitor visa.

Article 11

Foreign passport holders who are in possession of foreign passports and intend to stay in the ROC for a long-term period may apply for a resident visa.

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Statute Governing Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports (II)

Article 5

The competent authority of the Statute isthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The issuance of ROC visas in foreign passports is administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or ROC overseas missions. Subject to the Statute, resident visa applications shall not be approved by ROC overseas missions unless first approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 6

Foreign passport holders shall enter the ROC with a valid visa. Notwithstanding this visa requirement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may grant visa-exempt entries or landing visas to citizens of specific countries, or in special circumstances.

The eligibilities, requirements, and other related items regarding application for the aforementioned visa-exempt entries and landing visas shall be established by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after consultation with other related agencies.

Article 7

Types of Visas issued in foreign passports:

1. Diplomatic visa
2. Courtesy visa
3. Visitor visa
4. Resident visa

The duration of the visa and length of stay, the number of entries, the purposes, the application requirements, the required documents, and other related items regarding the aforementioned types of visas are stipulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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Statute Governing Issuance of ROC (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports (I)

Promulgated and enforced by Presidential Order Hua Zong 1 yi zi No. 8800123460 on June 2, 1999
Amended and Promulgated by Presidential Order of Hua Zong 1 yi zi No. 0920011670 on January 22, 2003

Article 1
The Statute is stipulated to exercise national sovereignty, uphold the national interest, and regulate the issuance of visas on foreign passport.

Article 2
The issuance of visas in foreign passports, unless as otherwise provided in treaties or agreements, is governed by the Statute. For circumstances not stipulated in the Statute, the provisions in other laws may apply.

Article 3
The term “foreign passport” in the Statute means any valid travel documents issued by foreign governments, intergovernmental organizations or autonomous governments, and recognized or accepted by the Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the ROC.)

Article 4
The term “visa” in the Statute means the permission to enter the ROC issued in foreign passports by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or ROC embassies, consulates, representative offices, offices, or other agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as ROC overseas missions.)

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Travel to Green island, Taiwan

Green Island lies in the Pacific Ocean 33 km east of Taitung City. The island, administered by the Taitung county government, is a mere 16.2 sq. km in size and has a top elevation of 281 meters. Formed by ancient volcanic activity, Green Island is surrounded by coral reefs and sedimentary rock. Wind, tides and time have sculpted many interesting and imposing geological formations around the island.

From the prehistoric relics excavated here, it is known that humans have inhabited Green Island for 3,000 to 4,000 years. The first Han Chinese immigrants arrived about 200 years ago. Since 1931, factories were set up to process dried chipped fish for export to Japan. In 1970, the island developed a booming industry of raising Sika deer, and at one point there were more deer than people on the island. The deer-raising industry has been in decline since 1986, though today the deer are one of Green Island’s tourism attractions.

Green Island first came under the management of the East Coast National Scenic Area Administration in 1990. Since then, services and facilities on the island have been steadily improved and the island has become a popular tourist destination.

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Travel to East Coast of Taiwan, Fanshuliao

One of the most unique canyons of the East Coast can be found in Fanshuliao. The terrain on the two sides of the canyon differs markedly due to longtime erosion by the river. The canyon itself is nearly 100 meters deep.

The Fanshuliao River is approximately 40 meters wide and, according to local legends, any young man who succeeded in pole vaulting over the river would be chosen as the tribal chief. Over the years, many young men are said to have died attempting this feat. Their poles remained stuck in the mud of the riverbed, where it is said they eventually formed a grove of bamboo that can be seen to this day.

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