Traveling to Taiwan from Thailand

If you’re looking to make the trip from Thailand to Taiwan, there are multiple secure travel routes to choose from for quick entry into the country. Whether planning a short-term visit or a long-term stay, knowing how to get to Taiwan is important for a seamless travel experience without delays.

This page will cover the different travel routes into Taiwan from Thailand, as well as what visas you should obtain and how to properly prepare for a hassle-free journey.

How to Get to Taiwan from Thailand

Even though it is widely considered part of East Asia, Taiwan is relatively close to Thailand. However, as Taiwan is an island nation, the only options for traveling there are by air or sea. 

Flying to Taiwan from Thailand

Air travel is the swiftest and most efficient way to get into Taiwan. There are different flight paths to take and airlines to choose from, with low-cost carriers providing good budget options. Flights from Thailand to Taiwan are available at Thai International Airports in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

When you take a flight from Thailand to Taiwan, you’ll arrive at one of two airports:

• Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (in Taipei)
• Kaohsiung International Airport (in the south of the country)

Traveling to Taiwan from Thailand by Sea

Taiwan is isolated from mainland China and the rest of Asia. Because of this, you can only get there overland by sea. However, due to its long distance away from Thailand, direct routes into the country by sea are limited. 

While more cost-effective compared to air travel, getting to Taiwan by sea is longer and can take between 1 to 2 weeks. You will have to make the trip by container ship, which is available at the main harbor in Laem Chabang. Depending on your location in Thailand, you may have to travel to Laem Chabang by train. Once you’re at the harbor, you can board a container vessel to either Taipei or Kaohsiung.

How to Get a Taiwan Tourist Visa

In some cases, you will need a valid tourist visa, such as a visitor visa or E-visa, to enter Taiwan. Unlike most countries in Asia, Taiwan doesn’t offer a visa on arrival. 

Entering Taiwan Visa-Free

Depending on your nationality, you might be eligible to enter Taiwan without a visa. You can only travel under visa-exempt status if you’re visiting Taiwan short-term for tourism or business purposes. 

If you’re holding a valid passport from any of the countries below, you can visit Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days:

• Africa: Eswatini
• Americas: Canada, Chile, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, United States of America
• Asia: Japan, South Korea
• Europe: Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holy See, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia*, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Morino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom
• Middle East: Israel
• Oceania: Australia, Marshall Islands, New Zealand, Palau, Tuvalu

*NOTE: If you’re from North Macedonia, you’re only visa-exempt until March 31, 2025.   

Some nationalities are visa-exempt for less than 90 days:

• 14 days: Brunei, Philippines, Thailand
• 30 days: Belize, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nauru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore 

You cannot qualify for the visa-exemption program if you hold a diplomatic or official/service passport from Brunei, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua, Philippines, or Thailand.

IMPORTANT!: As of this writing, the 14-day visa-exemption scheme will no longer be eligible after July 31, 2025. 

Taiwanese Visitor Visa

If you do not qualify for visa-free entry, you need to obtain a visitor visa. Valid for up to 90 days, this visa allows you to visit Taiwan for tourism purposes only. It costs around $50 for a single-entry visitor visa and $100 for the multiple-entry version. 

To qualify, you need to provide the following documents:

• Completed Taiwan Visa Application Form
• A valid passport (with no less than 6 months validity remaining)
• Passport-sized photograph of yourself (in color, taken against a white background)
• Proof of a return plane or boat ticket, depending on your mode of transportation
• Proof of accommodation in Taiwan (applicable for some nationalities)
• Any additional documents as required by the Taiwanese immigration authorities

To apply, you’ll need to gather all the required documentation, pay the fee, and submit your application to the nearest Republic of China overseas mission. A consular officer will be appointed to review your application and in some cases, you will need to complete an interview. In some situations, your application may also need to be approved by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. 

Taiwanese E-Visa

To avoid the hassle of having to visit a nearby Taiwanese Embassy or Consulate, you can obtain a Taiwanese Tourist Visa electronically by opting for an E-Visa. However, the E-Visa is only available to a select few nationalities, including:

• Americas: Colombia*, Dominica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, 
• Africa: Burkina Faso, Kuwait, Mauritius, 
• Europe: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Turkey
• Middle East: Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates
• Oceania: Solomon Islands

*NOTE: As a Colombian national, you must also provide a valid visa or residential certificate issued by a Schengen Visa country or the United States of America.  

If you don’t have a valid passport from the above countries, you can still qualify for the E-Visa under specific circumstances. To understand what sort of situations these entail and whether your nationality is eligible, it’s best to reach out to your home country’s embassy. 

To apply for the E-Visa, you will have to collect digital versions of the same documents that are required for the Taiwan Visitor Visa, except you must complete the application form electronically. You then have to submit your application to the E-Visa website and receive your new visa via email. 

What to Do Before Traveling to Taiwan from Thailand

If you don’t hold Thai citizenship but plan to return to Thailand after visiting Taiwan, you’ll need to make some preparations to ensure you can get back into the country. To avoid unnecessary stress, carefully follow these steps:

Secure the Correct Thai Visa

If you hold a valid passport from an eligible country, you can enter on the Visa Exemption or Visa on Arrival scheme and don’t need a visa to get back into Thailand. If you don’t qualify for these programs and are returning to Thailand for just a short period, you’ll need a Thai Tourist Visa or similar travel document. 

You can apply for one at the nearest Royal Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy overseas such as the Thai Embassy in Taiwan. 

If you want to secure a Thai tourist visa without visiting a Royal Thai Consulate or Thai Embassy in person, you can apply for a Thai E-Visa to receive your visa electronically. 

Acquire a Thai Re-Entry Permit

If you’re already holding a single-entry Thai Visa, such as a tourist visa or Thai Retirement Visa, you will need to obtain a re-entry permit or your visa will be voided. Failing to secure this permit before you leave will result in the cancellation of your visa, requiring you to reapply. 

If you don’t want to constantly apply for a re-entry permit when traveling in and out of Thailand, consider a long-term Thai visa:

• Thailand Elite Visa
• DTV Visa Thailand (Destination Thailand Visa)
• LTR Visa Thailand (Long-Term Resident Visa)

Planning Your Travels to Taiwan

Planning ahead is important to ensure your trip to Taiwan goes smoothly. While you don’t have to bring many items to Taiwan, especially for a short-term stay, some essentials must be included. For a smooth and enjoyable trip to Taiwan, follow these steps:

• Put your passport and other important travel documents in a folder or lockbox and put them in a safe place in your luggage to prevent damages or losses. 
• Get yourself insured (either by acquiring health or travel insurance) to cover any expected emergencies in Taiwan.
• Print out a copy of your temporary address in Taiwan (such as a hotel booking) in case the border officer asks for it. 
• Ensure you’re carrying enough funds that have been converted into New Taiwan dollars (NT$). Electronic payment methods are common in Taiwan, but you may need some for the airport at least.
• Review tourist regulations on the Taiwan Embassy’s website to avoid bringing any prohibited items across the Taiwanese border. 
• Make sure your luggage doesn’t surpass the maximum weight limit for your transportation to avoid an overcharge.  
• Not every country has the same socket layout and bringing in an incompatible charger can prevent you from charging your electronic devices. Invest in a type A or type B plug that supports a standard voltage of 110V at a frequency of 60Hz. 
• Mandarin is the official spoken language of Taiwan. However, the country uses Traditional Chinese characters for their written language as opposed to the PRC which uses the simplified version, so plan accordingly.

Contact Siam Legal for Professional Visa Assistance

To travel to Taiwan and back to Thailand without any issues, consult Siam Legal for professional guidance with your Thai visa. As a full-service law firm and visa consultancy with over 20 years of experience assisting foreigners, our Thai visa team has the skills and knowledge to make obtaining your visa smooth and stress-free. 

We will meticulously evaluate your application to correct any mistakes and handle the submission on your behalf, so you can focus on planning your Taiwan trip with peace of mind. 

Contact Siam Legal today to enter and reside in Thailand uninterrupted, and to travel seamlessly to Taiwan without any delays.

Category: Travel