Getting a Tourist (TR) Visa in Taipei, Taiwan

[eldragon]

Does anyone have recent experience getting a Tourist (TR) Visa in Taipei, Taiwan? I'm mostly curious about whether or not they asked to see the round-trip ticket in/out of Thailand. Also, I want to confirm they do indeed issue Thai visas for non-Taiwanese nationals and individuals that are not residing/working in Taiwan. Thank you.

[BangkokKen]

As far I know Taipei only delivers to Taiwanese residents.

[ubonjoe]

It has been a while since the last report for Taipei but it was a positive one for getting a tourist visa at the trade office in Taipei.

I am certain they will want to see a onward ticket to get the visa. A round trip ticket would not be required.

Info here: http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

[eldragon]

It has been a while since the last report for Taipei but it was a positive one for getting a tourist visa at the trade office in Taipei.

I am certain they will want to see a onward ticket to get the visa. A round trip ticket would not be required.

Info here: http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

Not positive, but the most recent account seems to be written by people that were residing and working in Taipei. They mentioned they had lived there for four years. I guess I can just email the Trade Office.

[eldragon]

As far I know Taipei only delivers to Taiwanese residents.

Thanks. Do you have a reliable source on that? I know the embassies in Japan only issue for Japanese nationals and individuals working in Japan.

[ubonjoe]

It has been a while since the last report for Taipei but it was a positive one for getting a tourist visa at the trade office in Taipei.

I am certain they will want to see a onward ticket to get the visa. A round trip ticket would not be required.

Info here: http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

Not positive, but the most recent account seems to be written by people that were residing and working in Taipei. They mentioned they had lived there for four years. I guess I can just email the Trade Office.

I see no mention on their website of residency being required. I can only recall reports of non residents getting one.

[eldragon]

It has been a while since the last report for Taipei but it was a positive one for getting a tourist visa at the trade office in Taipei.

I am certain they will want to see a onward ticket to get the visa. A round trip ticket would not be required.

Info here: http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

Not positive, but the most recent account seems to be written by people that were residing and working in Taipei. They mentioned they had lived there for four years. I guess I can just email the Trade Office.

I see no mention on their website of residency being required. I can only recall reports of non residents getting one.

Me neither. But I also see no mention of this on the website for the Thai Embassy in Japan. Actually, I'm starting to wonder if they didn't change policy in Japan. Have a look at this. They even talk about "planning your trip".

http://www.thaiembassy.jp/rte2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=618&Itemid=117

[lkv]

No, for Japan you have to either be resident or working there and you need a ton of documents. (See point 4 under Visas-Tourist visa) on their website.

Correction: Taiwan appears to grant SETV's as explained by ubonjoe below.

[ubonjoe]

If you click acknowledge you will find this.

"4. For non-Japanese applicant, a copy of residence card or certificate of alien registration which is valid at least 3 months or more. For those who are currently applying for renewal of residence card, please submit a copy of acceptance of renewal issued by Immigration Bureau of Japan. The applicant is also required to present the original documents of identification upon visa application."

[sunnyjim5]

It has been a while since the last report for Taipei but it was a positive one for getting a tourist visa at the trade office in Taipei.

I am certain they will want to see a onward ticket to get the visa. A round trip ticket would not be required.

Info here: http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

Not positive, but the most recent account seems to be written by people that were residing and working in Taipei. They mentioned they had lived there for four years. I guess I can just email the Trade Office.

I see no mention on their website of residency being required. I can only recall reports of non residents getting one.

Me neither. But I also see no mention of this on the website for the Thai Embassy in Japan. Actually, I'm starting to wonder if they didn't change policy in Japan. Have a look at this. They even talk about "planning your trip".

http://www.thaiembassy.jp/rte2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=618&Itemid=117

Re Japan !

You seem to have missed this

"4. For non-Japanese applicant, a copy of residence card or certificate of alien registration which is valid at least 3 months or more. For those who are currently applying for renewal of residence card, please submit a copy of acceptance of renewal issued by Immigration Bureau of Japan. The applicant is also required to present the original documents of identification upon visa application."

http://www.thaiembassy.jp/rte2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1203&Itemid=117

[BritTim]

Me neither. But I also see no mention of this on the website for the Thai Embassy in Japan. Actually, I'm starting to wonder if they didn't change policy in Japan. Have a look at this. They even talk about "planning your trip".

http://www.thaiembassy.jp/rte2/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=618&Itemid=117

Sorry to go off topic a little. When you click through to the requirements for a tourist visa, it seems to imply that you must be a Japanese resident, except ... there is a bit about a Japanese guarantor for non Japanese. This would seem to be superfluous for a Japanese resident. If you happen to have a Japanese friend who will sign as the guarantor, would an application be accepted?

[lkv]

Sorry, coming back to Taiwan, I can almost swear this website looks different than a few days ago.

http://www.tteo.org.tw/main/th/services/5202/56235-Tourist-Visa-(TR---Single).html

It appears no residence is required for SETV in Taiwan.

[ubonjoe]

Was having a look at Taiwan a few days ago, no chance based on the requirements from the website unless you live there.

You must of been looking at a different page than the one I posted a link to earlier. Perhaps you should do a copy and paste of the info you read.

From that page.

"Required Documents:

1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months and contain at least ONE completely empty visa page.

2. One visa application form completely filled out.

3. One copy of 2”x2” size photographs of the applicant, photocopies of photographs will not be accepted. (Photographs must have white background with a full-face view of the person without wearing a hat or dark glasses and must be taken within 6 months.)

4. Round trip air ticket."

[eldragon]

If you click acknowledge you will find this.

"4. For non-Japanese applicant, a copy of residence card or certificate of alien registration which is valid at least 3 months or more. For those who are currently applying for renewal of residence card, please submit a copy of acceptance of renewal issued by Immigration Bureau of Japan. The applicant is also required to present the original documents of identification upon visa application."

Okay. I was just looking at this, which doesn't include my nation, although it appears a bit outdated (2012).

• Non-Japanese applicant holding passports of 1. Afghanistan 2. Bangladesh 3. Egypt 4. Iran 5. North Korea 6. Libya 7. Nigeria 8. Palestine 9. Sudan 10. Yemen 11. Cameroon 12. Congo 13. Republic of Congo 14. Equatorial Guinea 15. Guinea 16. Algeria 17. China 18. India 19. Iraq 20. Lebanon 21. Nepal 22. Pakistan 23. Sri Lanka 24. Syria 25. Ghana 26. Central African Republic 27. Somalia28. Sao Tome and Principe 29. Liberia 30. Sierra Leone 31. Saudi Arabia (latest updated:2015.11.30) cannot apply for any category of visa at the Royal Thai Embassy in Tokyo, unless the applicant acquires permanent resident / mid-to long-term / specific visa to legally reside in Japan.

Sent off a message to Taiwan. Will let you guys know for sure.

[eldragon]

Hey, guys. Just wanted to let you know my friend in Taiwan called the Thai Embassy in Taipei and they said non-Taiwanese nationals can obtain visas for Thailand there. So I'll let you all know how it went when I get back. Looking forward to seeing Taiwan.

[eldragon]

Okay, I'm back. And I was NOT granted a Tourist Visa in Taipei. Here's my fully report...

For starters, the Thailand Trade and Economic Office is located in downtown Taipei. Public transportation is fantastic in this city, so if you're staying anywhere in the greater Taipei area it will be easy to get there. Applications must be made between 9:00 and 11:30 AM and can reportedly be picked up the same day between 4:00 and 5:00 PM.

There were a lot of Taiwanese people there on the day I went. Not sure if this is normal. The office was going to be closed on the next three working days for a set of holidays. But either way, the queue moved very fast, so I advise against taking a number and then stepping out for coffee. Definitely wait there.

The first problem with my application was I did not have a round trip ticket in and out of Thailand that would bring me back to Taiwan. I had a ticket for Taiwan to Bangkok and another for Bangkok to Cambodia, but he wanted to see a ticket that would bring me back to Taiwan. I told him I was just traveling and would be moving on after my 60 days in Thailand. At this point, he left to speak to the supervisor, who eventually informed me the Thailand Trade and Economic Office doesn't grant tourist visas for individuals who just came from Thailand, regardless of their reason for being there. He politely informed me I can return to Thailand visa exempt and then seek a visa elsewhere or extend in 30 days. I did not attempt to argue with him.

Of course, I was disappointed, but it wasn't a total waste of time. Taipei is a great place. There are a lot of things to see there, the food is great, and the people are very helpful. I highly recommend a visit, although not to obtain a visa. Hopefully one of the mods can pin this to the Latest Reports section, as it might be helpful for anyone thinking about a visa run to Taipei.

[BritTim]

Thanks for a very useful report. I have been thinking about a trip there. I have been in Taiwan a few times in the past on business, but never as a tourist.