Taiwan keeps 14-day visa-free entry for Thais until 2027

Taiwan has extended visa-free entry for Thai passport holders for a further year, allowing eligible visitors to stay for up to 14 days without applying for a visa.

The scheme will run from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand announced. The extension forms part of Taiwan's visa arrangements for nationals of Thailand, Brunei and the Philippines under its New Southbound Policy.

For Thai nationals living in Thailand, including those planning short holidays, business visits or family trips, the extension removes the need for a pre-departure visa application for stays within the 14-day limit. It does not change Taiwan's entry rules for foreign passport holders resident in Thailand, who should check requirements for their own nationality.

A decade of visa-free travel

Taiwan first introduced visa-free entry for Thai tourists in 2016, as part of a pilot programme intended to promote tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Eligible Thai passport holders were allowed to enter without a visa, subject to immigration requirements. Taiwan has repeatedly renewed the arrangement following reviews of its impact on tourism and bilateral exchanges.

The Taipei office said travel links between Taiwan and Thailand had become warmer and closer over the years, with rising numbers of visitors travelling in both directions.

During 2024 and 2025, more than one million Taiwanese travellers visited Thailand, while more than 500,000 Thai travellers went to Taiwan. Both figures were the highest recorded in several years, according to the office.

The office said the continuing exemption should encourage more Thai visitors to explore Taiwan and further strengthen ties between the two places.

Entry conditions still apply

Peter Lan, Taiwan's representative in Thailand, said Taiwan offered cultural attractions, natural scenery and business opportunities across a range of industries. He said the destination had received international recognition for a convenient and safe travel environment.

Taiwan's food, four-season landscapes and history-rich culture were among the reasons Thai tourists returned, Lan added. With the exemption extended, he said Thai travellers would have more opportunities to experience its cities, mountains and coastlines.

Visa-free travel is not an unconditional right of entry. Thai visitors should check the latest rules with Taiwan's Bureau of Consular Affairs before departure, as immigration procedures and supporting-document requirements can change.

Under Taiwan's visa-exemption rules, eligible visitors generally require a passport valid for at least six months, a confirmed return or onward ticket, and proof of accommodation, contact details and sufficient travel funds. The permitted stay starts on the day after arrival and normally cannot be extended.

Taiwan's government and its Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand said they would continue to promote cooperation with Thailand in the economy, trade, tourism, education and culture.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

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19 July 2026