Taiwan entry requirements for New Zealand passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 17, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
New Zealand passport holders can visit Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days. This covers tourism, business meetings, or transit. As of 2026, no pre-arrival visa or online registration is needed.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must cover entire stay in Taiwan | Your New Zealand passport needs to be valid for the full duration of your stay in Taiwan. Taiwan does not enforce a 6-month validity rule for New Zealand passport holders — just make sure it doesn't expire while you're there. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Outbound flight within 90 days | Immigration at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung airports routinely asks for proof of onward travel. Have a printed or digital copy of your return or onward ticket showing departure within 90 days of arrival. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Officers sometimes ask where you're staying, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary. Have a hotel confirmation or a letter from your host ready. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Immigration may ask for evidence of sufficient funds. A bank statement or credit card showing access to around NT$10,000 per day is usually enough. | Recommended |
No arrival card needed
Taiwan scrapped paper arrival cards for visa-free visitors. You just hand over your passport at immigration. No forms to fill.
90 days is strict — no extensions
The 90-day visa-free period cannot be extended. Overstaying even by a day can result in a fine of NT$10,000 (approx NZ$500) and a re-entry ban. Set a calendar reminder to leave on time.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Taiwan immigration
At Taoyuan (TPE), Kaohsiung (KHH), or Songshan (TSA) airports, follow signs to 'Foreigners' or 'All Passports' counters. Queues are usually 10–30 minutes.
2
Present your passport and boarding pass
Hand over your passport and the boarding pass from your last flight. The officer will check your passport validity and may ask your purpose of visit and length of stay.
3
Answer questions (if any)
Common questions: 'How long are you staying?', 'Where are you staying?', 'What's your job?'. Answer briefly and honestly. No need to show documents unless asked.
4
Receive entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with 'Visitor' and a date until which you can stay. Check the date before leaving the counter.
5
Collect luggage and proceed
After immigration, collect your bags from the carousel, then pass through customs (green channel if nothing to declare).
Download Taiwan Entry Checklist
PDF · New Zealand Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 17, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable up to 60 days
Validity3 months from issue date
CostNT$1,600 (~$50 USD)
Requires application at a Taiwan embassy or consulate. Extensions possible for up to 60 days total.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable up to 60 days
Validity1 year from issue date
CostNT$3,200 (~$100 USD)
Allows multiple entries within validity. Each stay can be extended.
Long-stay visitor visa
Max stayUp to 180 days
Validity1 year from issue date
CostNT$3,200 (~$100 USD)
For purposes like visiting family or long-term tourism. Requires sponsorship or strong ties.
work visa
Employment Gold Card
1–3 years, renewable
NT$10,000 (~$310 USD) for 1 year
For highly skilled professionals. Requires a job offer in Taiwan and a minimum salary. Includes work and residence rights.
Apply student visa
Resident Visa (Study)
Valid for duration of study program, renewable
NT$2,200 (~$68 USD)
For those enrolled in a recognized educational institution in Taiwan. Allows part-time work with permission.
retirement visa
Long-Term Resident Visa (Retirement)
1 year, renewable annually
NT$10,000 (~$310 USD) per year
For retirees aged 55+ with sufficient financial means. Requires proof of pension or savings and health insurance.
investor visa
Investment Visa
1 year, renewable
NT$10,000 (~$310 USD) plus investment amount
For those investing at least NT$6 million (~$185,000 USD) in a Taiwanese business. Includes residence rights.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Stay extension feeVisa-free stay is not extendable. | Varies |
| Tourist visa (single entry)For those who need a visa or want to stay longer than 90 days. | NT$1,600 (~$50 USD) |
| Tourist visa (multiple entry)Valid for multiple entries within a period, typically 1 year. | NT$3,200 (~$100 USD) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap of NT$50,000 (~$1,550 USD). | NT$1,000 (~$31 USD) per day |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Taiwan
No transit visa needed
New Zealand passport holders can transit through Taiwan without a visa for up to 72 hours (airside) or up to 7 days with a free transit visa if they have a confirmed onward ticket.
Airside transitAllowed up to 72h
Exceptions & conditions
- Holders of a valid visa or residence permit for the US, Canada, UK, Japan, South Korea, Schengen area, Australia, or New Zealand can apply for a 7-day transit visa online.
Transit hubsTaiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) · Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) · Taichung International Airport (RMQ)
Health & vaccines for Taiwan
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidRecommendedRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio, varicella, influenza)EssentialHepatitis BRecommendedJapanese EncephalitisConsiderRabiesConsider
Health risks
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne disease present in urban and rural areas, especially during warmer months.
Foodborne illnessLow risk
Generally safe, but risk exists from undercooked seafood or street food.
Air pollutionModerate risk
Particulate matter can be high in cities like Taipei; those with respiratory issues should take precautions.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Taipei
National Immigration Agency (NIA) Headquarters
No. 15, Guangzhou Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 100
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:30
Main office for visa-related inquiries and applications. Bring all original documents.
Taichung
NIA Taichung Service Station
No. 2, Section 1, Minquan Road, West District, Taichung City 403
Mon–Fri 08:30–17:30
Handles visa extensions and re-entry permits for central Taiwan.
Practical information for NZ travellers
Country basics
CapitalTaipei
LanguageMandarin Chinese
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid for up to 30 days. IDP recommended.
Money
CurrencyNew Taiwan Dollar (TWD)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 31.6 TWD
Time zone
Local timeUTC+8
vs New York+13h (EST) / +12h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+16h (PST) / +15h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage110V / 60Hz
Plug types
A,BType A, B — same as the US. No adapter needed.
✓ No adapter needed for US plugs
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is treated but most people boil it or use filtered water.
Emergency numbers
Getting to Taiwan
Nearby destinations you can also visit
Countries close to Taiwan — with your same passport.
Frequently asked questions
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. You must leave Taiwan before the 90 days expire. Overstaying can result in a fine of NT$10,000 (approx NZ$500) and a re-entry ban.
No. Taiwan no longer requires paper arrival cards for visa-free visitors. Immigration officers will process you using your passport details.
No. The visa-free entry is for tourism, business meetings, or transit only. You cannot take paid employment or enroll in a course. For work or study, you need the appropriate visa.
You cannot extend the visa-free stay. You would need to leave Taiwan and re-enter after a short period, but immigration may question frequent back-to-back visits. For longer stays, apply for a resident visa at a Taiwan embassy before travel.
No. If you are transiting and not leaving the airport transit area, you do not need a visa. If you plan to leave the airport during a layover, the visa-free entry applies as long as you meet the requirements.
You must have a passport valid for at least 6 months at entry. If it expires during your stay, you will need to contact your embassy to get an emergency travel document before you can leave Taiwan.
No. Airlines will deny boarding if your passport has less than 6 months validity from your entry date. Renew your passport before traveling.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 17, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.