Taiwan

June 9, 2004

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Taiwan is a stable democracy and it has a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: U.S. passport holders will be allowed to enter Taiwan without a visa for up to thirty days (no extensions allowed) if their passport is valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Taiwan and the traveler has a confirmed return or onward air ticket. Travelers must have already met any additional visa requirements for the next destination, if applicable. If the passport is valid for less than six months from the date of entry into Taiwan, travelers may apply for a landing visa that has a duration of stay of no more than thirty days. The processing fee is US $124.00 and no extensions are allowed. Travelers also have the additional option of applying for and receiving a Taiwan visa prior to arrival in Taiwan. The processing fee is US$100.00.

PLEASE NOTE: No extension of stay or change of status is allowed if the traveler enters on the visa waiver program (30 day stay, no extensions). Travelers arriving in Taiwan with a valid passport and valid Taiwan visas may be admitted for up to 90 days even if their passports are valid for less than 6 months. Travelers who apply for a landing visa upon arrival will be admitted for 30 days or up to the day the passport expires, which ever comes first. For specific information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), 4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016-2137, via either its main telephone number, (202) 895-1800, or its visa section telephone number, (202) 895-1814. The main fax number at TECRO is (202) 363-0999, and the visa section fax number is (202) 895-0017. There is also an Internet address: http://www.taipei.org/. TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.

In an effort to prevent international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child's travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements can be found. Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-317-472-2328. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

CRIME INFORMATION: Although Taiwan is considered a medium risk location for crime, the overall violent crime rate in Taiwan remains relatively low. Travelers should avoid business establishments such as massage parlors, illegal "barbershops", and illegal "nightclubs" because many of these establishments are run by criminals and are located in high crime areas. In contrast to their counterparts, legal barbershops prominently display the usual grooming services. Illegal nightclubs have no advertisement and are publicized by word of mouth only. Public transportation, including the buses and the subway, is generally safe in Taiwan, but women should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis late at night. In the past few years there have been several incidents of violence committed by taxi drivers against solitary female passengers. In the central and southern parts of Taiwan, incidents of purse snatching by thieves on motorcycles have been reported.

Local police departments have foreign affairs sections that are normally staffed by English-speaking officers. Police contact numbers for the major cities in Taiwan are as follows: Taipei (02) 2556-6007, Kaohsiung (07) 215-4342, Tainan (06) 222-9704, Taichung (04) 2327-3875, Taitung (089) 322-034, ext. 2122, Pingtung(08) 733-6283, ext. 2122.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and to the American Institute in Taiwan, at Taipei or Kaohsiung. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad. It is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

If you are the victim of a crime while in Taiwan, in addition to reporting to local police, contact AIT Taipei or AIT Kaohsiung for assistance.

DUAL NATIONALITY AND COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE: Taiwan law provides for compulsory military service. Men between the ages of 18 and 40 who were born in Taiwan or who have ever held a Taiwan passport should be aware that they may be subject to compulsory military service in Taiwan, even if they are also U.S. citizens, and even if they have entered Taiwan on U.S. passports. Potentially affected individuals are urged to consult with the nearest office of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States before visiting Taiwan to determine whether they are subject to the military service requirement.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health facilities in Taiwan are fully adequate for routine and emergency medical treatment. Physicians are well trained and many have studied in the U.S. and speak English. State of the art medical equipment is available at many clinics and hospitals. Hospitals' nursing services provide medication dispensing and wound care, but generally not the daily patient maintenance functions found in U.S. hospitals. Ambulances are available in Taiwan but are not like those in the U.S. There are no trained Emergency Medical System Technicians accompanying an ambulance, unless within 2 kilometers of National Taiwan University Hospital or Veterans General Hospital. For information on specific clinics and hospitals, please refer to the AIT web page at http://www.ait.org.tw.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: Doctors and hospitals in Taiwan expect immediate cash payment for health services. The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service, and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties, whereas travelers who have purchased overseas medical insurance have, when a medical emergency occurs, found it life-saving. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs' brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureau's home page at http://travel.state.gov//medical.html.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: The Taiwan authorities reported in December 2003, that a case of SARS had been identified in Taipei. The authorities have mandated that temperature checks and SARS screening will be conducted at all schools and public institutions in Taipei. For additional information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the CDC's Internet site CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel and the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC's Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization's website at http://www.who.int/en. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Taiwan is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Roads in Taiwan's major cities are generally congested, and the many scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic make driving conditions worse.

Pedestrians should exercise caution when crossing streets because many drivers may not respect their right of way. Special caution should be taken when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be made impassable by mudslides after heavy rains.

For specific information concerning Taiwan's driver's permits, vehicle inspection road tax and mandatory insurance, contact the nearest TECO office.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Civil Aviation Authority of Taiwan as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwan's air carrier operations.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet website at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.cfm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 1-618-229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Taiwan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary import or export of items such as: firearms, antiquities, medications, currency, ivory, etc. It is advisable to contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECRO) in Washington or one of the TECO office's in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements. In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products are illegal and bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. A current list of those countries with serious problems in this regard can be found at http://www.ustr.gov/reports/2003/special301.htm.

JUDICIAL ASSISTANCE - TAIWAN: AUTHORITY - 22 U.S.C. 3306(b) provides acts performed by officers of the American Institute on Taiwan under 22 U.S.C. 3306 are valid, as if performed by any other person authorized under the laws of the United States to perform such acts (consular officers). The American Institute on Taiwan (AIT) is a nonprofit corporation under the laws of the District of Colombia. 22 U.S.C. 3305, 3306(a)(3). The judicial assistance acts of AIT personnel parallel the acts performed by U.S. consular officers under 28 U.S.C. 1781 (a)(2). See Sec. 1-201(h) of Executive Order No. 12143, 44 Fed. Reg. 37191 (June 23, 1979). Pursuant to Section 10(a) of the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), 22 U.S.C. 3309(a), the Taiwan Economic Cultural Representative's Office ("TECRO") is the instrumentality established by the people of Taiwan having the necessary authority under the laws of Taiwan to take actions on behalf of Taiwan in accordance with the Act.

Judicial assistance is provided by authorities on Taiwan in response to letters rogatory from foreign courts in accordance with Taiwan's "Law Governing Extension of Assistance to Foreign Courts." For further information regarding judicial assistance in Taiwan please go to the following website: http://www.ait.org.tw/ait/TSS/acs/judicial.htm.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines. Taiwan law provides for the death penalty for some narcotics offenses.

Under the PROTECT Act of April 2003, it is a crime, prosecutable in the United States, for U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens to exploit children sexually via pornography, the Internet or other means or to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a person under the age of 18 in a foreign country, regardless of whether there was intent.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: The International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT) provides all of Taiwan with English-language programming 24 hours a day. In the event of an emergency or an approaching typhoon, travelers should tune their radios to FM 100.7. English speakers experiencing a personal crisis in Taiwan can contact the Community Services Center in Taipei at (02) 2836-8134 or 2838-4947 to arrange counseling or to contact a support group.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Taiwan is subject to strong earthquakes that can occur anywhere on the island. Taiwan is also hit by typhoons, usually from July to October. Travelers planning a trip to Taiwan can obtain general information about natural disaster preparedness on the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at http://www.fema.gov/. Additional information about currently active typhoons can be obtained on the University of Hawaii tropical storm page at http://www.solar.ifa.hawaii.edu/Tropical/tropical.html. The Central Weather Bureau of Taiwan also maintains a web site that provides information about typhoons and earthquakes. Its Internet address is http://www.cwb.gov.tw.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html. For answers to general inquiries regarding international adoptions and abductions, and to be forwarded to the appropriate country officer in the Office of Children's Issues, telephone Overseas Citizen Services at 1-888-407-4747. This number is available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). Callers who are unable to use toll-free numbers, such as those calling from overseas, may obtain information and assistance during these hours by calling 1-317-472-2328.

REGISTRATION AND PASSPORTS: The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is authorized by law to perform American citizen services. U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at AIT Taipei or AIT Kaohsiung, and to obtain updated information on travel and security. Registration can be done on-line by visiting the AIT website at http://www.ait.org.tw. The American Institute in Taiwan is a full passport services agency. Processing time for routine passports is about two weeks.

For emergencies and assistance, U.S. citizen travelers may contact the American Institute in Taiwan at No.7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan, telephone: (886) 2-2162-2000; fax: (886) 2-2162-2239; or the American Institute in Taiwan branch office at No. 2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, telephone: (886) 7-238-7744; fax: (886) 7-238-5237. AIT's citizens' services section can also be contacted by e-mail at aitamcit@mail.ait.org.tw. In case of emergencies after working hours, the duty officer at the American Institute in Taiwan at Taipei may be contacted at (886) 2-2162-2013.

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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 22, 2003. Information has been updated in sections listed under Criminal Penalties and Children's Issues. New sections on Safety and Security and Customs Regulations have been added.