MysTerry Travels

Taiwan Visa Application (for Filipinos)

I was really kind of wondering about what it really takes to get a visa because I haven't gotten one in my previous Asian travels. I was afraid too, that maybe they won't let me in but thankfully they did.

I googled like crazy on how to get one because I didn't want my tickets forfeited, some say its easy, some say its not. Well, it actually depends on your situation. I'd say visit a couple of Asian countries first, if you haven't had a visa for US, Canada, Australia, UK and those other wealthier countries. Still it is not impossible to get one even though you haven't been outside the Philippines because at the end of the day it depends on the consul's judgement.

The important thing you have to establish is that you are coming back, so a stable job most likely will get you to Taiwan. Adding the permission to Leave from your company to the COE adds to your chances. If you are a student, you'r school's certificate of admission can get you a long way.  Make sure to also provide a bank certificate to show that you can afford your trip.

Taiwan Embassy is located in Makati at the RCBC plaza, the complete address is this:
41F Tower RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Below are the steps and requirements to get a Taiwan Visa.

• Visit their form on this link: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_MRVWeb/subroot/MRVWeb0_form.jsp

The embassy's main website however is this : http://www.roc-taiwan.org/mp.asp?mp=1

• Fill-out the application form thoroughly, keep in mind that you have to put something on the address for Taiwan box even if you haven't booked a hotel yet, put in the address of the hotel/hostels that you want to book (there are a lot at Hostelworld.com). They only have a box for the given name, but be warned, it should also include your middle name that your application form will have your name exactly as it is shown on your passport.
• After submitting the form it will inform you of the time frame where you can still use the form as it expires.
• Prepare all your requirements as stated below from their website and submit.

1. An online Visa Application Form.
2. Two (2) passport size photos 1.5”x2” with white background (taken w/in the last three (3) months)
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. Certificate of Employment
8. Financial statements of the applicant (Bank Book or Bank Statements)
9. Other Supporting Documents if required (You can show your Ticket if you already have one).
10. All documents submitted to this office should be Original and with 1 photocopy.

• Releasing of the visa is after three working days. 

Tips:

• If you made a mistake on your first attempt at fillig-out out the form but you have already submitted it online, it is ok do apply and fill-out another form. 
• Never forget your bank certificate, I read a blog online of a couple denied of a visa because of the lack of this.
• The Permissin to Leave is a letter from your company stating that you were allowed to leave on specific dates and in my case they even state the place I'm visiting.
• Photocopy everything except the application form that you filled-out online.
• Paste one of the passport size photos on the box on the upper left side of the application form you filled-out and place the other on a transparent plastic or just simply place it on top of all requirements when you give it to the embassy.
• You will pay for the Visa fee (2100 PHP) upon application.
• Most of the time there is no need for an interview/appearance at the embassy though sometimes they might, you will know this if they'd contact you, hopefully not.
• If you have no other government ID aside from your passport, you will need to have an extra 1000PHP that you can leave at the reception along with any other ID that you can get back after your visit of course. The reception is right at the entrance of the building (RCBC Tower 1) and the guard will point you towards it after you say where you are headed.
• Visa is valid for three months you can apply earlier than you scheduled flight.

If you are on of the below however, you won't need to apply for a visa according to their site.
Effective August 08, 2013, Philippine passport holders are exempted from visa and are allowed to stay in the Republic of China (Taiwan) for thirty (30) days provided that they have never worked in Taiwan as blue-collar workers and are currently holding valid visas or permanent resident cards of U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., EU Schengen, Australia and New Zealand.
Qualified applicants may register for approval at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase . Upon obtaining approval, please print out the Authorization Certificate and present it to the airline staff upon checking in at counter. For those who fail to show valid visas or permanent resident cards of the above-mentioned countries, ENTRY TO TAIWAN IS PROHIBITED.

I'll probably visit Taiwan again soon as I have unfinished business there. :)