Taiwan Visa for Indians: TAC, Visitor Visa & Requirements

Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) — Free Online Route

The TAC is Taiwan's conditional visa-free entry system for nationals of India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos (source: National Immigration Agency, immigration.gov.tw). It is not a traditional visa — it is an online authorization that, if approved, grants multiple-entry access to Taiwan for up to 90 days, with each stay capped at 14 days. The TAC is free to apply for and processed online through the National Immigration Agency portal.

Eligibility: Indian passport holders who meet three basic requirements AND hold at least one qualifying document:

Basic requirements:

1. Passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Taiwan
2. Possession of an onward or return air/ferry ticket
3. Never employed as a blue-collar worker in Taiwan

Additional qualifying document (at least one required):

• Valid resident card or permanent resident card from Australia, Canada, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, any Schengen country, the UK, or the US
• Valid entry visa (including electronic visas) from any of the above countries
• Resident card or visa that expired less than 10 years before the date of arrival in Taiwan
• Previously held ROC (Taiwan) visa or resident card in the last 10 years with no violations

Application portal: niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw

Processing time: Typically minutes when eligibility documents are verified automatically

Key restrictions:

• Maximum 6 entries per calendar year (January 1 to December 31)
• Cannot be extended or converted to another visa type within Taiwan
• Cannot be used for work, study, or paid activities
• Does not apply to holders of temporary, emergency, or diplomatic passports
• If your TAC is about to expire and you have not used it, you can reapply up to 7 days before expiry

When to choose TAC: You hold a valid US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, or Schengen visa/residence, you plan to stay 14 days or less, and you want a free, fast, no-hassle entry.

Visitor Visa — Traditional Visa Route

The Visitor Visa is the standard route for Indian passport holders who do not qualify for TAC or need to stay longer than 14 days. It is applied for in-person at TECC offices in India and grants stays of up to 30 or 60 days depending on the visa type.

Duration: Single entry (up to 30 days) or multiple entry (up to 60 days per entry)

Fee: INR 4,200 (single entry normal) to INR 12,600 (multiple entry express) — see fee table below

Processing: 2 working days (New Delhi normal) to 5 working days (Chennai normal); express service available for 1 working day at additional cost

Application: In-person at TECC New Delhi, Chennai, or Mumbai — online form submission required at visawebapp.boca.gov.tw before in-person visit

When to choose Visitor Visa: You do not hold a qualifying US/UK/EU visa for TAC, you need to stay longer than 14 days, you are travelling for business, or you need multiple entries over a longer period.

Group eVisa (Project Kuan-Hong) — Tour Group Route

The Group eVisa is part of Taiwan's Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asian and South Asian countries (source: Taiwan Tourism Administration, taiwan.net.vn). It allows Indian tour groups of 5 or more travellers to obtain a simplified eVisa through accredited travel agencies.

Duration: Single entry, up to 30 days

Validity: 3 months from date of issuance; program extended through December 31, 2027

Fee: Visa application fee waived under Project Kuan-Hong; BOCA processing fee of NT$1,646 (approximately INR 4,100) payable online by credit/debit card

Requirement: Must book through a Taiwan Tourism Administration-accredited travel agency with a confirmed group itinerary

E-code process: Once the accredited agency submits the group application through the BOCA eVisa portal, each traveller receives an E-code. This code must be used to complete the individual eVisa application online. The eVisa is then sent to the applicant's email and must be printed for presentation at immigration.

Key restriction: Using a Group eVisa under Project Kuan-Hong permanently disqualifies you from future TAC applications. Visas issued under Project Kuan-Hong bear the remark P ("Special permission from MOFA"), which, along with FL (migrant worker) and X (others), makes you ineligible for TAC on any future independent trip. This is a permanent disqualification, not temporary.

When to choose Group eVisa: You are travelling as part of a tour group of 5 or more people, have booked through an accredited agency, and plan to stay 30 days or less.

Student Visa — Mandarin Language Study

Taiwan offers a unique student visa category specifically for Indian nationals wishing to study Mandarin Chinese. This visa is processed through TECC offices and requires proof of enrolment at a recognised language institution in Taiwan.

Duration: Resident visa, valid for the duration of the study programme

Fee: INR 4,200 (single entry) or INR 8,400 (multiple entry) — same as standard visitor visa fees

Key documents: Proof of enrolment from a Taiwanese language institution, scholarship proof or proof of sponsorship and self-finance (minimum USD 500/INR 42,000 per month), academic transcripts

Special provision: Provisional certificate holders may receive a 60-day visitor visa that can be extended twice within Taiwan. Original certificate and transcripts are required before a full resident visa can be issued.

Work Visa — Employment and Gold Card

Indian nationals planning to work in Taiwan need employer sponsorship and a work permit issued through the Ministry of Labour. The Employment Gold Card is a separate pathway for highly skilled professionals in technology, science, culture, arts, and sports — it combines work permit, resident visa, and work authority in one card.

Key documents: Employer sponsorship letter, work permit approval from Ministry of Labour, proof of qualifications, passport valid 6+ months

Processing: Typically 2-4 months through TECC offices

Most Indian applicants struggle with this decision because the TAC eligibility rules are confusing. Use this framework:

Step 1: Do you hold a valid (or expired within 10 years) visa or residence permit from the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, or a Schengen country?

• Yes → Go to Step 2
• No → You must apply for a Visitor Visa at a TECC office. Skip to the Visitor Visa section below.

Step 2: Do you plan to stay 14 days or less?

• Yes → Apply for the free TAC online. You qualify.
• No → Apply for a Visitor Visa (stays up to 60 days) or Group eVisa (30 days through an agency).

Step 3: Are you travelling as part of a tour group of 5 or more?

• Yes → Consider the Group eVisa through an accredited agency (visa fee waived, processing fee applies).
• No → Use the TAC (free) or Visitor Visa (INR 4,200+).

Important: If you do not have any of the qualifying foreign visas, you cannot use the TAC — regardless of how many other countries you have visited. The TAC is not a general visa-free arrangement; it is conditional on holding specific foreign documents.

TAC Fee

The Travel Authorization Certificate is completely free. There is no application fee, no service charge, and no processing fee.

Visitor Visa Fees (Effective January 1, 2025)

Important: Fee structures differ between TECC offices. The fees below are from official TECC sources — always confirm the current amount with your specific office before applying.

TECC New Delhi (roc-taiwan.org/in_en):

TECC Chennai (roc-taiwan.org/inmaa — updated January 2025):

Currency note: INR figures are approximate. All fees are charged in INR at TECC offices. Fees are non-refundable regardless of visa approval or rejection. Fees are effective from January 1, 2025 and may be revised by the TECC at any time — confirm the current amount with your specific office before visiting. Payment is via Demand Draft only.

Group eVisa Fee

Under Project Kuan-Hong, the visa application fee (NT$1,600) is waived for eligible group tourists. Applicants only pay the BOCA online credit card processing fee of NT$46, payable online by credit or debit card. In practice, the accredited agency may charge a service fee — confirm the total cost with your agency.

Payment Method — Demand Draft Only

This is the most important practical detail most guides miss: TECC offices in India accept payment only via Demand Draft. There is no cash payment, no credit/debit card, no UPI, no online payment.

How to get a Demand Draft:

1. Visit any bank branch that issues demand drafts (most major Indian banks including SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Bank of Baroda)
2. Request a demand draft in favour of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in [city name]" — use the exact city name where you are applying (New Delhi, Chennai, or Mumbai)
3. The demand draft must be payable at the city where you are applying
4. Carry the original demand draft and the photocopy to the TECC office
5. Processing time for demand drafts varies by bank — typically 1-3 working days. Plan accordingly.

Common mistake: Drawing the DD in favour of "Taiwan Embassy" or "Republic of China" — these are incorrect and will be rejected. Use the exact name "Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in [city]".

For TAC (Travel Authorization Certificate)

Application: Online at niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw — no physical documents needed

For Visitor Visa at TECC Offices

Photo requirements: Taiwan requires photos sized 3.5 x 4.5 cm — slightly taller than the standard Indian passport photo size of 3.5 x 3.5 cm. Ensure your photos meet this specification. White background, 60% face visibility, taken within the last 6 months.

For Group eVisa

For Student Visa (Mandarin Language)

TAC Application (Online — 3 Steps)

1. Check eligibility — Confirm you hold a qualifying visa or residence from one of the 8 designated countries and meet the three basic requirements (passport validity, return ticket, no blue-collar work history)
2. Apply online — Visit niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw, enter your passport details, qualifying visa details, and travel information
3. Receive and print — Approval typically arrives within minutes. Print the TAC and carry it with your qualifying visa documents when you travel

Visitor Visa Application (TECC Offices — 6 Steps)

1. Complete online form — Fill the application at visawebapp.boca.gov.tw, print the completed form, and sign it
2. Gather documents — Collect all required documents per the checklist above, ensuring bank statements have bank seals on each page
3. Obtain demand draft — Visit your bank to get a demand draft in favour of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in [city]" — allow 1-3 working days for bank processing
4. Visit TECC office — Submit your application in person during submission hours (New Delhi: 9:00-11:00 AM; Chennai: 9:00 AM-12:30 PM). No appointment needed — it is walk-in submission
5. Wait for processing — Normal processing: 2 working days (New Delhi) to 5 working days (Chennai). Express: 1 working day at additional cost
6. Collect passport — Return to the TECC office during collection hours (New Delhi: 3:30-4:30 PM; Chennai: 4:00-5:00 PM) to collect your passport with the visa sticker

Group eVisa Application (Through Agency — 4 Steps)

1. Book through accredited agency — Contact a Taiwan Tourism Administration-accredited travel agency and book a group tour of 5 or more people
2. Agency submits group application — The agency submits the group application through the BOCA eVisa portal with the itinerary attached
3. Receive E-code — Each traveller receives an E-code via email from the agency
4. Complete individual application — Use the E-code to complete your individual eVisa application online, download the eVisa, and print it for travel

Which office should you visit? TECC does not publish a strict jurisdiction list for Indian applicants. However, historically:

• New Delhi serves northern India (Delhi NCR, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand)
• Chennai serves southern India (Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar)
• Mumbai serves western and central India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh)

If you are unsure which office covers your state, contact the TECC office nearest to you by phone before visiting.

Key difference: New Delhi processes visitor visas in 2 working days normal, while Chennai takes 5 working days normal. If time is critical, consider applying at the New Delhi office if you are eligible to do so.

Peak season warning: During peak travel seasons (March-June for summer holidays, October-November for autumn), processing times may extend beyond the stated normal times. Apply at least 2-3 weeks before your planned travel date during peak periods.

Demand draft buffer: Remember to factor in 1-3 working days for your bank to issue the demand draft before you can visit the TECC office.

From October 1, 2025, all foreign nationals entering Taiwan — including TAC holders, visa holders, and transit passengers — must complete the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online before arrival (source: National Immigration Agency, immigration.gov.tw).

What is TWAC? The TWAC replaces the paper arrival card that was previously filled in on the plane or at immigration. It is a digital form that collects your travel and accommodation details.

How to complete:

1. Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw
2. Enter your passport details, flight information, and accommodation address in Taiwan
3. Submit the form within 7 days before your arrival date (the official TWAC FAQ states 7 days — submit as early as possible to avoid delays)
4. Save or print the confirmation

Cost: Free

What happens at immigration: Present your passport, visa or TAC, TWAC confirmation, and return ticket to the immigration officer. The officer will verify your documents and stamp your entry.

Important: Skipping the TWAC can delay your entry at Taiwan immigration, even if your visa or TAC is approved. Complete it before you board your flight.

Visitor Visa — Bank Statements

Applicants must provide personal bank statements for the last 3 months, with the bank's official seal (stamp) on each page. The statements should show:

• Consistent income and spending patterns (not sudden large deposits)
• Sufficient funds to cover the entire trip
• Closing balance that comfortably exceeds your estimated trip cost

Recommended minimum: NT$10,000 per person (approximately INR 28,000) as spending money at entry, though this is not a strict official threshold for visitor visas.

Student Visa — USD 500 Per Month

For Mandarin language study or other student visas, the financial requirement is stricter:

• Minimum USD 500 per month (approximately INR 42,000 per month) of study
• Bank statements or remittance records must cover at least 6 consecutive months
• If sponsored by a relative, submit the household registration, birth certificate, or family book proving the relationship
• Scholarship recipients must provide a letter indicating the scholarship duration and exact amount

What About TAC?

TAC applicants do not need to show bank statements or financial proof. The qualifying foreign visa is the primary eligibility criterion.

Top 10 Reasons for Taiwan Visa Rejection

Red Flags That Trigger Extra Scrutiny

• Sudden large deposits in bank account before application
• Name spelling variations across documents (even a hyphen can cause issues)
• Multiple recent visa refusals from different countries
• Vague purpose statement ("I want to experience Taiwan")
• Bank balance that exactly meets the minimum and nothing more

What to Do If Rejected

1. Understand the reason — TECC will provide a rejection letter stating the specific reason
2. Address the issue — Fix the document, financial proof, or application detail that caused rejection
3. Reapply — There is no ban on reapplication (unless fraud was involved). Reapply with a strengthened application
4. Visa fees are non-refundable — You will need to pay again for the new application

Based on our work with Indian applicants for Taiwan visas, here are patterns we observe:

Market Context:

• Indian tourist arrivals to Taiwan reached 38,158 in 2024, a 20.81% increase from 2023, but still below the pre-pandemic peak of approximately 41,000 in 2019 (source: Taiwan Tourism Administration)
• Taiwan aims to attract 100,000+ Indian tourists annually under the New Southbound Policy
• The TAC and Group eVisa programs were extended through December 31, 2027 (MOFA announcement, July 17, 2026)

Common Rejection Patterns:

• Demand drafts drawn in incorrect names — "Taiwan Embassy" or "Republic of China" instead of "Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in [city]"
• Bank statements submitted as internet printouts without bank seals — TECC requires stamped and signed statements
• Photocopies of passport pages submitted instead of original passport
• TAC applicants who do not realise their qualifying visa expired more than 10 years ago

Processing Trends:

• New Delhi office processes visitor visas in 2 working days — consistently faster than Chennai's 5 working days
• Express service (1 working day) is available but costs 50% more — worth it only if your travel date is imminent
• Group eVisa processing depends entirely on the accredited agency's submission timing

Seasonal Demand Patterns:

• Peak applications March-June for summer travel to Taiwan
• October-November applications spike for autumn foliage season
• Apply 3-4 weeks ahead during these periods

Frequently Missing Documents:

• Bank seal (stamp) on each page of bank statements — applicants often submit statements without the bank's official stamp
• Signed online application form — many applicants complete the online form but forget to print, sign, and carry it
• Cover letter — not always listed as mandatory but significantly strengthens the application

• Taiwan Tourist Visa for Indians — TAC and tourist visa detailed guide
• Taiwan Visitor Visa for Indians — Friends, family, and short visits
• Taiwan Business Visa for Indians — Business meetings and conferences
• Taiwan Work Visa for Indians — Employment and Gold Card
• Taiwan Visa Online (eVisa) — Group eVisa application process
• Taiwan Visa Requirements — Complete document checklist
• Taiwan Embassy in India — All TECC offices and contact details
• Places to Visit in Taiwan — Travel destinations and tips