DIY Visa Series: Travel to Taiwan Visa-Free!

Ok, so I'm feelin' good today :) because as you knowww *wink wink* so I'm doing another post on how to travel to Taiwan visa-free using the R.O.C Taiwan Travel Authorization Certificate ♥

YES, we Filipinos can now travel to Taiwan visa-free as long as we meet the following requirements:

Basic Requirements
To be eligible for an ROC Travel Authorization Certificate, the following three basic requirements must be met:

1.The applicant’s passport must have remaining validity of at least six months starting from the date of arrival in Taiwan.
2.The applicant must possess an onward/return air or boat ticket.
3.The applicant has never been employed as a blue-collar worker in Taiwan.

Additional Requirements
1. The applicant possesses at least one of the following documents issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, any of the Schengen countries, the United Kingdom, or the United States:

O Valid resident or permanent resident card or status
O Valid entry visa (electronic visa must be printed out)
O Resident card or visa that has expired less than 10 years prior to the date of arrival in Taiwan

2.The applicant possesses an entry visa or resident card issued by the ROC at any point in the past 10 years and has no record of immigration irregularities or law violations in Taiwan. However, holders of ROC entry visas bearing the remark FL (i.e., foreign laborer) or X (i.e., others), as well as holders of ROC resident cards with stated purpose of residence being foreign laborer (i.e., 外勞), are not eligible for an ROC Travel Authorization Certificate.

Read more here.

Since I was issued a single-entry visa to Japan last year, I'm eligible under the above (see highlighted area) so all I need to do is go to this website. Also, as most OFWs in UAE either has Schengen, UK or US visas, getting the TAC is a breeze!

Ok how to get one? See below:

1. Choose your language.

2. There will be 2 more reminders prior to application area, just read this and click on Next.

3. Fill up the fields below.

*Make sure that when prior to filling this up, your air tickets and accommodation/ hotel are booked.

4. Scroll down to the last fields and you'll see this:

I did the following:

a. Entry Permit

b. Country (Japan)

c. Number (Entered the Japan visa number found at the top right hand corner)

5. Click Next.

6. Last window will require you to review everything, make sure all information entered is correct. However, if you entered something wrong and already printed out the form, I read somewhere that you can re-do the process again and print out a new TAC.

7. Print out the form and present it at the airport upon check in, along with the visa you used. Print at least 3 copies just in case each immigration office you encounter needs a copy (I'll confirm this for myself after 3 weeks.)

Here's a sample copy of the certificate:

REMINDER:

An approved ROC Travel Authorization Certificate is valid for 90 days. Multiple entries within these 90 days are allowed. The holder of the ROC Travel Authorization Certificate may stay in Taiwan for 30 days, starting from the day after arrival. If the holder wishes to apply for another ROC Travel Authorization Certificate, he or she must do so seven days prior to the expiry of the current certificate.

In booking air tickets, I used Air Asia because they had the cheapest fare if you're travelling from Manila. Had a slip-up though, because I was not able to check the timings for my return flight when I booked through the app so TAKE NOTE. Or not if you're not a klutz like me :P HAHAHA

If you are, and you want my sage advice *wink wink* better to do it via their website (and using a PC) to make sure you can see all the information you need prior to clicking on payment or else rebooking fees will cost you an arm and a leg #gurangproblems I don't know why but all my cards were not working if I'm using their site so I used their app. Better make sure with your bank though, there might be restrictions set in.

Leaving you with the video below to get you all hyped up on Taiwan:

SUPER EXCITED!!! I deserve this! CHAROT!

See you there!

UPDATE: Make sure that all information entered is correct as this will be thoroughly scrutinized by airline check-in staff. If you have the wrong passport expiry date in (like me) they will require you to do the impossible (aka do the above again and have it printed out - NO PRINTERS IN AIRPORT T3 as I and another guest learned the hard way) so please be sure to triple-check it before your flight!

Alrighty, bon voyage!