For my next destination 2 weeks from now, I will be visiting Taiwan, Taipei. I booked this particular trip last year during a piso fare from Cebu Pacific Air for only Php 970. I think this is by far the cheapest international airfare I got for the past 2 years of traveling. Taiwan as a country is quite interesting. I read it in the internet that Taiwan has the highest recycling rates in the world and the lowest poverty rate in the world? Cool huh? And did you know that they have one of the fastest processing of travel visa here in the Philippines? Well, this is based on experience and I'm about to share with you the easy breezy steps and visa processing for Filipino passport holder. First and foremost, visit the Official Taiwan Website here to read latest news and changes regarding their visa processing. Online forms and list of requirements for different type of visa can be seen here as well. For now, I will focus on the tourist visa requirements. 1. Visit the site for online visa forms. A security message will pop up stating that the site is not trusted. It will look like either this.
Or this...but no need to fret because it is legit. So just accept whatever prompts may appear and then proceed.
2. You should be able to enter the Taiwan online application forms. Click General Visa Application when you're applying for tourist visa.
"Effective April 01, 2012, all visa applicants (including Philippine Passport Holders) should access the Visa Application Forms from the website https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw After filling up the Application Forms online, please print them out, sign on the last page and bring them along with other required documents to our office, Taipei Economic & Cultural Office in the Philippines, either personally or through a substitute within 15 days of accomplishing the visa form. Please note that Handwritten Application Forms will not be acceptable after April 01, 2012."
and then fill up the forms :) ALWAYS ALWAYS DOUBLE CHECK YOUR INFORMATION. IT SHOULD BE CORRECT and be submitted within 15 days after filling up otherwise you need to fill up again.
Attention (General Visa Application) In order to avoid delays in processing visa applications, please take note of the following details when completing the Visa Application Form online: Category 1 “APPLICANT’S DETAILS”
(a) For the Given Name section, please enter both your First name and Middle name in the box provided. (e.g. Given Name: Marian Nieves Tria )
(b) Only English letters are allowed. All special characters (“-”, “.”) and non-English letters (“ñ”) should be omitted. (e.g. “M. Jor-El Jr. Señor” must be M Jor El Jr Senor )
(c) If Surname, Given name, ID No or Email are not applicable, please leave them blank.If Former or Other Name, Chinese Name, Former or Other Nationality are not applicable, please enter NONE
(d) If your Occupation, for example “manpower broker”, is not fond on the ready-made list, please choose other
Category 2 “APPLICANT’S PASSPORT” and “JOURNEY TO TAIWAN”
(e) The complete “Name and Address of Employer or School” should be provided.
Category 3 “DETAILS OF YOUR CONTACT IN TAIWAN”
In filling up the “Date” section, please use the calendar box function instead of manually typing the date.
Enter the name and contact information of the family member, friend, company or school in Taiwan which you are in contact with, or enter NONE if not available. Please double check all information before clicking “Submit”. In case of errors in spelling, please use the mouse to drag the cursor over the wrong letter or word, then press “backspace” to clear that portion. Keyboard “Delete” Function is disable.
2. Now after filling up the form, it's time to prepare your requirements.
Visitor and Business Visa requirements:
For those who intend to travel to Taiwan, Republic of China for a short visit, shall submit the following:
1. An online Visa Application Form (please accesshttps://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw to fill up the Form and print them out)
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken within the last three (3) months) --sign the 2 ID pictures at the back then paste 1 on the form the other, put it in a small clear plastic then attach it to your form. If you don't have a plastic, you can ask the guard at the embassy before you come in.
3. Passport valid for at least six months and old passport showing previous travels
4. Birth Certificate issued by NSO
5. Marriage Contract (if applicable) issued by NSO
6. Supporting documents related to the purpose of VISIT such as:
A. Confirmed round trip Air ticket or Booking Certificate
B. Certificate of Employment AND Letter of permission to leave from the employer
C. Financial statements of the applicant such as:
(1) Income Tax Return
(2) Bank Book or Bank Certificate. Note that Bank Certificate is different from a Bank Statement. Bank Certificate is a letter of certification how much money you have in your account. Bank Statement reflects your "historical" account activities (it reflects when and what time you deposited money, withdraw, etc..)
D. Etc. --I gave a certification of my enrollment for masters class. I think you can give one if you have just to prove that you have commitments here in Manila and will not work in Taiwan.
7. Traveling on BUSINESS, you must also submit:
A. Business letter or trading records from Taiwan Company
B. Certificate of Business Name Registration and SEC Registration（If owner of the company）
C. Invitation Letter from Taiwan company / organization in Chinese letterhead that outlines clearly purpose of
your visit and duration of your stay
D. Official letters or request letters from concerned authorities for official trip
E. Seminar program
F. Certificate of Employment; Professional Identification; Company ID
G. Other Supporting Documents if Required such as SSS contribution lists, Pay Slip etc.
8. All documents submitted to this office should be Original and with 1 photocopy. They will take the original copies but will return it soon as you claim your passport and hopefully with approved visa.
9. The applicant will be scheduled for an interview (if required) but most of the time, they won't require you to show up anymore. You can also ask a representative to pass your requirements and claim it as long as you indicate these details in your online form and present the O.R. when claiming.
Processing Time : 3 Working days
Filing Time : Monday to Friday 8:45AM to 11:45 AM
Releasing Time : Monday to Friday 1: 45PM to 4:45PM
NOTE: THE TECO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO WITHHOLD THE REASON FOR THE DISAPPROVAL OF ANY VISA APPLICATION
3. For the actual application this you must keep in mind. I will share you some tips on how to have a very quick processing time.
Passing of requirements take place in the morning from 8:45 am to 11:45 Mondays to Fridays. In the afternoon, it’s all about claiming of passports from 1:45 pm to 4:45. The TECO is located at the RCBC Tower, 41st floor, Tower 1. RCBC is across People Support Building and Makati Medical Center. I suggest the applicant to arrive around 8:15 am and make sure to sign the registration form at the strike of 8:30 am in the reception area (Buendia side, 1st floor).
The receptionist will ONLY allow guests to log in at 8:30 am. Please take note, writing your name on the log sheet does not mean that’s your queue number….not yet!
After logging your name, you will be asked to go to the “smoking area” outside the building. Look for the Edsa revolution monument outside and stay at the left side (to your left when facing the monument). Unfortunately, TECO does not care whether you’re allergic to smoke or it’s hot outside. On the day I passed my application, I stayed inside and near the door…and low and behold! I did not realize they were already giving out queue numbers outside and they skipped my name because I’m not there! Plus, it’s also hard to identify the TECO personnel because they won’t show any placards identifying they’re from TECO nor they wear uniform. You’ll know they’re there if everyone starts to crowd in and one person would start calling out names based on the log sheet.
After getting your number RUN to the elevator! haha just kidding. Go back to the reception, line up and ready your government ID so the receptionist will hand you the visitor's pass. Then proceed to 41st floor. Note that if you don't have a government ID, you can give any ID BUT you must give Php 1,000 as "security fee"--don't worry it will be given back to you once you're done.
When inside the embassy, take a seat and wait for your number. Be attentive to the board. There's no "ding dong" sound that will cue the next number.
When it's your turn. Hand over your requirements (the consul will review it) and go to the next window to pay the visa fee. Keep the receipt and show it after 3 working days. BTW, you can ask someone to claim your visa. No more authorization letter or ID needed just present the receipt.
Lastly, for claiming follow the same procedure but be mindful of the releasing schedule (1:45 PM to 4:45 PM). I just want to share that when I claimed my visa, I was applicant number 1 and it only took me 5 mins waiting time inside the embassy but total of around 45 mins. if I include registration time. I'm really glad TECO works fast.
Taiwan tourist visa must be used within one (1) month after date of issue and duration of stay is only limited to 14 days so to those who would like to maximize their stay in Taiwan, keep this in mind. Best to apply visa 1-2 weeks before your trip.
Completeness, accuracy, and precise timing are the three things you should keep in mind when applying for Taiwan visa. There! Hope I was able to help :) Leave a comment in case you have questions but I can only share my personal experiences. When in doubt ask the embassy directly.
Disclaimer: This is an old post from my Blogspot account dated November 14, 2013.
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