Know before you go: Taiwan

Rules vary by nationality, so treat the summary below as a starting point only and always confirm your specific passport’s status before booking flights.

The 90-day visa-exempt list includes the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, all 27 European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, Chile, Paraguay, and most of the developed world. Some other nationalities fall into shorter visa-exempt tiers: the 30-day visa-exempt category covers Belize, Malaysia, Singapore, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Dominican Republic, and a separate 14-day trial programme covers Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines. Note that trial arrangements can be time-limited: that 14-day trial has been extended until 31 July 2027, so check whether any trial you’re relying on is still active.

Whatever your visa status, entry now runs entirely through the digital Taiwan Arrival Card system. As of the most recent update, paper arrival cards have been officially decommissioned across all international airports and ports in Taiwan, and every foreign national, including those entering under the 90-day, 30-day, or 14-day visa-exemption programs, is required to complete the digital Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) prior to border control. Practically, this means you should complete the TWAC online within the 3 days before your arrival, since paper cards no longer exist, and doing it in advance avoids a slow kiosk queue at the airport.

Basic passport conditions apply across nearly all categories: the passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into Taiwan. In some visa-free arrangements you may also be asked to show accommodation reservation, contact information of the host or contact person in Taiwan, and proof of sufficient financial means to cover travel expenses. Visa-free entry is strictly for short visits: visa-free entry cannot be extended or converted to a resident visa, and travelers intending to study, work, or stay longer must apply for the appropriate visa in advance. Some nationalities do have limited extension options; UK and Canadian citizens, for instance, may be granted an extension of stay, up to a maximum of 180 days, upon application, but don’t plan a trip around an extension being guaranteed.

Confirm before you fly: visa category, permitted length of stay, and TWAC requirements can change. Always check the Bureau of Consular Affairs and TWAC portal links in the Official Sources section below for your specific passport.

Taiwan’s cities, especially Taipei, have excellent, easy-to-navigate public transport, and a single stored-value card covers almost everything.

The EasyCard (悠遊卡) is the standard tool for visitors: the contactless smart card is the universal payment system for public transport across Taiwan, covering Taipei MRT, city buses, the Maokong Gondola, intercity buses, the High-Speed Rail, ferries, and the YouBike rental network. It also doubles as everyday cash: it works as a stored-value card at almost every 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, and Hi-Life convenience store in the country, plus parking lots, taxis, and many tourist attractions. Cards cost NT$100 at all MRT stations and convenience stores such as 7/11 or FamilyMart, and while an adult EasyCard pays the same MRT fare as a single-journey token, it saves you a trip to the ticket machine on every ride and unlocks transfer discounts between the MRT and bus network.

If you already have a competing iPASS (一卡通) card from a trip to the south, don’t worry: the iPASS functions almost identically to the EasyCard on Taipei’s MRT and buses, and originated in Kaohsiung but is now fully compatible with Taipei’s transport network. For first-timers though, EasyCard remains the simpler default choice.

The Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system is the backbone of getting around the capital: it is fast, air-conditioned, spotlessly clean, and covers virtually every major tourist area in the city. A recent convenience upgrade means cash-free travel is even easier, since fares start at NT$20, station signs are available in English, and travelers can pay with EasyCard, contactless bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay.

For visitors wanting unlimited rides, tourist-only passes such as the Taipei Fun Pass exist alongside the EasyCard system; these give a special pass for tourists only, valid for 1, 2, or 3 days depending which option you choose, giving unlimited MRT and bus rides in Taipei, New Taipei City, and Keelung. A few MRT etiquette points are worth knowing before you ride: eating, drinking, and chewing gum are not allowed inside the MRT paid area, so finish your drink before passing through the ticket gates.

The currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD/NT$), and as of the most recent recorded rate, on 8 September 2026 the Bank of Taiwan board quoted NT$31.81 to one US dollar for cash and NT$31.59 for spot. Note denominations run from small bills up to NT$100, NT$200, NT$500, NT$1000, and NT$2000.

Foreign cash is not usable for everyday purchases: foreign cash such as US dollar and China renminbi are not accepted at merchants, and only larger department stores and duty-free shops with a government-issued license are permitted to accept foreign cash. Plan to exchange money or withdraw TWD locally rather than bringing home-currency notes.

Cards and cash coexist but don’t fully overlap. Credit cards including Visa, MasterCard, JCB, and UnionPay are widely accepted in hotels, department stores, and chain restaurants, and mobile wallets are increasingly common too. However, Taiwan has excellent infrastructure for both cash and cards, but the two worlds don’t fully overlap: department stores and chain restaurants take cards, while night markets and local shops want cash. Budget accordingly, since night market stalls tend to run small prices, at NT$30-150 per item, so you will go through lots of small bills.

ATMs are plentiful and generally foreign-card-friendly: most Taiwan ATMs accept international cards including Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro, Visa, Plus, and UnionPay, and are practically everywhere, in 7-Eleven and FamilyMart stores, convenience stores, banks, metro stations, shopping malls, and airports. When a machine gives you a currency choice, always pick the local currency: when withdrawing cash at Taiwan ATMs, you might be asked whether you wish to withdraw in New Taiwan Dollars or your home currency; always choose TWD, since selecting your home currency applies Dynamic Currency Conversion, which gives a poor exchange rate with extra fees.

Taiwan splits emergency calls between two main numbers, with 112 working as a backup from mobile phones. Taiwan uses two separate emergency numbers: 110 for police and 119 for fire and ambulance. If you’re calling from a mobile phone, including one without a local SIM or with poor reception, you can also call 112 and follow the instructions to put you through to the police department “110” or fire department “119,” as long as your cell phone is still able to make and receive phone calls.

For non-emergency help as a foreign visitor, Taiwan runs dedicated English-language hotlines: an International Community Service Hotline (English-speaking, 24 hours, toll-free) at 1990, and a separate Travel Information Call Center (English-speaking, 24 hours, toll-free) at 0800-011-765 for tourist enquiries. Other useful numbers include the Anti-Fraud hotline (165), the Foreign Affairs Service Station in Taipei at (02) 2556-6007 or (02) 2331-3561 ext. 3064/3065, and the domestic violence and sexual assault helpline at 113.

On healthcare costs, be aware that Taiwan’s low-cost National Health Insurance only applies to residents: foreign residents enrolled in the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme pay reduced co-payments for care, while travellers and short-stay visitors without NHI coverage are responsible for the full cost, so anyone not covered by NHI is strongly advised to hold a valid travel insurance policy. Overall, Taiwan is considered a safe, well-organised destination for tourists, but always confirm current numbers before you travel, since these numbers are subject to revision over time.