A Guide for Filipino on How to Apply for a Taiwan Tourist Visa

Airasia had an irresistible promo for Clark to Taipei last November 2012. The total amount for the roundtrip ticket is only Php. 2,900. I thought it was a score so I booked it! But after a week, I think they lowered it to 1,9++ for the round trip ticket. Boohoo!


Anyway, I knew that I would need a visa for this trip. But what I thought was I would need to apply online and just wait for the approval and print it. Thank God for go-ogle  I found out that this process is only for applicants who have visas from OECD countries (USA, UK, Japan, Australia, etc.) 

I lodged in my application on December 12, 2012 for my December 19-23 flight. I got my visa three business days after. 

My Taiwan Tourist Visa

This is a guide for Filipino on how to apply for a Taiwan Tourist Visa. I also included tips based on my experience.

REQUIREMENTS:

For short term visas to Taiwan, you will have to submit the following to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), the office which issues Taiwanese visas in the Philippines:

1. Application form completely and correctly filled out plus one photocopy. Do not leave blanks. Indicate N/A if not applicable

An online Visa Application Form (please access https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw to fill up the Form and print them out) 

2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5 x 2 inches with white background, taken within the last three (3) months

3. Philippine Passport valid for at least six (6) months plus a photocopy of the first page

4. Birth Certificate issued by the National Statistics Office

5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by the National Statistics Office

6. Supporting documents related to the purpose of visit and financial capability such as:

- Confirmed round trip plane ticket or booking certificate
- Certificate of Employment and letter of permission or proof of leave from employer
- Financial statements of the applicant such as: 
(1) Income Tax Return 
(2) Bank Book, Bank Statements or Bank Certificate

- Letter of Guarantee (if applicable)

7. If traveling on business, you must also submit:

- Business letter or trading records from the Taiwanese company
- Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration (if owner of the company)
- Invitation letter from the Taiwanese company or organization in Chinese letterhead that outlines clearly the purpose of your visit and duration of your stay
- Official letters or request letters from concerned authorities for official trip
- Seminar program
- Certificate of Employment, professional identification and/or company ID
- Other supporting documents if required such as SSS contribution lists, pay slip, etc.

8. All documents submitted must be original plus one photocopy

9. Applicant may be scheduled for an interview (if required)

10. Visa fees are: 
Php2,400.00 (Single Entry) 
Php4,800.00 (Multiple Entry), 

payable upon filing of application and are non-refundable.

11. Processing time is three (3) working days. 

For rush applications (one day processing), there is an Expedite Fee of Php1,200.00 (Single Entry) and Php2,400.00 (Multiple Entry)

12. Filing Time is 8:45 to 11:45 a.m. from Mondays to Fridays except holidays. Releasing Time is 1:45 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays to Fridays except holidays.


WHAT I SUBMITTED:


1. Application Form
2. Birth Certificate
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5 x 2 inches with white background, taken within the last three (3) months
3. My Supporting documents:

-Confirmed Roundtrip Ticket
-COE
-Bank Certificate from BPI

4. Photocopies of all the docs I submitted.


STEPS:

1. Be at TECO early. TECO opens at 8:45 am but they give out numbers at 7:45 am in the lobby. Give them your government ID in exchange for the number. 

2. Wait for your number to be called inside. Don't use your phone or any electronic gadget inside. 

3. Once called, submit your original documents first and photocopy to windows 1-4. 

4. After submitting, wait for your name to be called for payment of the visa fee. 

5. After paying, you will be given a claim stub. 

6. Claim your passport on the date stated in the claim stub.



TIPS

•  Have another government issued ID like SSS ID, Voter’s ID, BIR TIN, and Driver's License. They only accept these ids. 
•   You just need one proof of your financial statements so you can submit either your ITR or     Bank Certificate. I submitted my bank certificate when I applied last December since I don't have an ITR from 2011 (It's a long story).
• My bank certificate only has my balance which is around 46K. It didn’t show when it was opened or how long is the account. I think what they really look for is if you can really afford the trip. You don’t need to have a lot of money in your account. What I did is I borrowed 40K from my dad and deposited to my account 2 weeks before I requested for a bank certificate from BPI.
•  If you don’t have an account, you can use your payroll account. I used mine.
•  Make sure that your COE states how long I've been working in our company and your salary.
•  Arrange your documents based on what is listed above and have photocopies of all your documents. 
•  Make sure that your picture is pasted or glued in the application form. Not stapled and not clipped. GLUED or PASTED. 
• If you want someone else to claim your passport, you can. Just make sure you give him/her an authorization letter which states your passport number. Give her your ID and a photocopy as well. She also needs any government issued ID.

Visa Exemptions

Effective March 15, 2011, Philippine passport holders may apply online for an Authorization Certificate for visa-free entry to Taiwan for up to thirty (30) days. Those eligible for visa-free entry are passport-holders with valid visas or permanent resident cards of the United States, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, European Union (Schengen), Australia and New Zealand, provided that they have never worked in Taiwan as blue-collar workers before.

Qualified applicants should register their passports and personal data at the website of the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan and apply for approval. Upon obtaining approval, print out the Authorization Certificate and show it to the airline check-in counter. Remember that the Authorization Certificate must be presented at Taiwanese Immigration together with the valid visas or permanent resident cards. Failure to do so will lead to prohibition from entering Taiwan.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
41st Floor, Tower 1, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City
Telephone No. (02) 8876688; Fax No. (02) 8877828