Tainan Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Passport holders from these countries may enter Taiwan without a visa for tourism or business.
Entry stamp is free. Extension possible once for another 90 days at National Immigration Agency in downtown Tainan.
Travelers from select countries must obtain an online pre-authorization before arrival.
Cost: Mid-range government fee
Print the approved ETA and carry it with your passport; e-copy on phone is not accepted.
Passport holders not on the visa-free or ETA lists must obtain a visitor visa in advance.
Single-entry tourist visa is standard; multiple-entry possible for repeat visitors.
Arrival Process
Tainan Airport's single-terminal layout keeps arrivals compact and intuitive. After deplaning, you'll walk along carpeted corridors smelling faintly of citrus cleaning fluid and the buttery aroma from the nearby bakery.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Customs in Tainan uses the same allowances as Taiwan-wide regulations. Officers stand in glass booths framed by glossy posters showing prohibited fruits and plants.
Prohibited Items
- Fresh meat and dairy products - foot-and-mouth disease prevention
- Oranges, apples, mangoes - plant quarantine risk
- Opium poppy, cannabis seeds - controlled narcotics
Restricted Items
- Traditional Chinese medicines containing animal parts - need approval from Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine
- More than 5 kg of gold - require import permit from Bank of Taiwan
Health Requirements
Taiwan lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions in 2023; health checks now focus on yellow-fever zones and routine travel vaccinations.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow Fever - only if arriving from or via affected countries within six days
Recommended Vaccinations
- Routine MMR, DPT, and influenza up to date
- Hepatitis A for travelers eating street food
- Japanese Encephalitis for rural stays during summer
Health Insurance
Not mandatory. But medical costs at Tainan private hospitals can be a splurge. Buy travel insurance that covers Taiwan.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete Tainan Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Bring birth certificate or passport for minors. If only one parent is traveling, carry notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent to avoid questions at immigration.
Dogs and cats need rabies vaccination at least 180 days before arrival, ISO microchip, and advance import permit from Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine. Quarantine up to 21 days possible.
After your tourist period, apply at the National Immigration Agency in Tainan for an extension or convert to a visitor visa if eligible. Bring proof of onward travel and updated accommodation details.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View Tainan Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to Tainan?
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