PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Taiwan

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans need to apply for a visa before travel to Taiwan.

Permitted stay

Set by the visa issued; no fixed figure is published for South Africans. Taiwan visitor visas are issued either with a 60-day stay that can be extended, or marked 'No Extension'. A 60-day visa without the 'No Extension' note can be extended up to two times by 60 days each at a National Immigration Agency service centre.

Before you go

  • Purpose of visit

    Visitor visas cover tourism, visiting family or friends, business, conferences and similar short visits. Visitors may not work.

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months, with blank pages, for the visitor visa application.

  • How to apply

    Complete the online form at visawebapp.boca.gov.tw, print and sign it, then submit in person at the Taiwan mission with the original passport and a copy, two colour photos (45 mm by 35 mm, white background, taken within 6 months), a bank statement, a travel itinerary, and a return ticket or travel agency proof. An interview may be required. Fees under the Bureau of Consular Affairs schedule for applications made overseas: US$ 50 single entry, US$ 100 multiple entry; rush handling adds 50%. Fees are not refundable. Processing time for Pretoria is not published.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa, 1147 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria. Tel +27 12 430 6071 to 3, email southafricatlo@gmail.com. Submission Monday to Friday 09:00 to 12:00, collection 14:00 to 17:00. Jurisdiction: South Africa. A Cape Town office has historically covered the Western, Northern and Eastern Cape and Namibia. South Africa's DIRCO renamed the office 'Taipei Commercial Office' in 2025 and has demanded it move to Johannesburg; check the current address before visiting.

  • Travel insurance

    Not mandatory for a visitor visa. It is not among the listed documents for tourism or business visitor visas.

  • Return or onward ticket

    Required: a return ticket, e-ticket or travel agency proof must be submitted with the visa application.

  • Proof of funds

    Required: a bank statement showing stable financial resources. No minimum amount is published.

  • Accommodation or invitation

    A travel itinerary is required for tourism. For business visits, an employer letter, invitation letter or trading records plus the Taiwan contact's name, address and phone number. Hotel bookings are not listed as mandatory.

  • Arrival forms

    Mandatory online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) at twac.immigration.gov.tw, free of charge, to be completed within 3 days before arrival. Paper arrival cards were replaced from 1 October 2025. Without it, entry processing cannot proceed.

  • Extending your stay and overstaying

    A 60-day visitor visa without the 'No Extension' note may be extended up to two times by 60 days each at local National Immigration Agency service centres. Visas marked 'No Extension' cannot be extended. Overstay penalties were not found on the pages checked.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

Research sources

  1. 1. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Visa-Exempt Entry) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-4486-7785a-2.html
  2. 2. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Who is eligible for an eVisa) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-181-8051-69fbd-2.html
  3. 3. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Travel Authorization Certificate) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-1885-b6ae7-2.html
  4. 4. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Landing Visa) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/fp-149-271-2fdc9-1.html
  5. 5. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Flow Chart of Visitor Visa Application) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-156-247-7bf35-2.html
  6. 6. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Visitor Visa for Tourism Purpose) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-250-a5a40-2.html
  7. 7. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Visitor Visa for Business Purpose) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-158-254-3dbda-2.html
  8. 8. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Visa Fees) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-160-7204-78395-2.html
  9. 9. Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan (Mission locations and contacts) (Official, boca.gov.tw) https://www.boca.gov.tw/sp-foof-countrycp-01-37-0c500-2.html
  10. 10. National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, Taiwan (Official, immigration.gov.tw) https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/141457/142068/398041/
  11. 11. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei_Liaison_Office_in_South_Africa
  12. 12. Anadolu Agency (News and guides, aa.com.tr) https://www.aa.com.tr/en/asia-pacific/taiwan-says-south-africa-seeks-talks-on-taipei-office-in-pretoria/3698659

From doineedavisa.co.za/taiwan. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.