Taiwan - Business TravelTaiwan - Business Travel
Business Customs
Business CardsFormal business introductions in Taiwan are considered incomplete without an exchange of business cards. This is a necessity for nearly every business occasion, so those visiting Taiwan on business should always carry cards printed in both English and traditional Chinese characters. Many Taiwan printers specialize in producing these key business aids, and offer accurate, low-cost services that can be completed within days.
Dress and Business Etiquette
Taiwan weather is humid throughout the year. Light clothing is recommended between May and October, while a jacket or sweater may be needed during the winter. Outside of the office, dress is relatively informal on most occasions. During the summer, businessmen usually wear short-sleeve shirts and ties, while women’s business attire varies widely. However, for men a suit and tie are advisable in more formal situations.
Tipping
In most instances, tipping is not necessary. Restaurant and hotel bills typically include a ten percent service charge, eliminating the need for gratuities in such situations. It is, however, relatively common to leave the change when a bill is paid. Porters at hotels and airports customarily receive tips for their services, usually in the range of NT$50-100 ($1.62-3.24) per item of luggage. It is not necessary to tip in taxis unless assistance with luggage is rendered, but most drivers do appreciate being allowed to keep small change.
Travel Advisory
Taiwan is generally safe and there is minimal risk of violent crime. However, pickpockets can be a problem in crowded places, especially at night markets and other large, public events. Visitors should exercise normal precautions, maintain a low profile, and be aware of their surroundings at all times. There is an extensive network of security cameras in Taipei, Kaohsiung, and other major cities, so crime victims should note the location and time of any incident so that police can review video footage.People in Taiwan are generally friendly toward foreigners and will often go out of their way to assist visitors. Taxi drivers, restaurateurs, store clerks, and other service employees are often particularly helpful to non-Chinese speaking foreign visitors. Traffic conditions present hazards to drivers and pedestrians alike and caution is advised when on or traversing roadways.
Please note that marijuana is an illegal drug in Taiwan, and Taiwan has very strict penalties for the possession, use, selling, or trafficking (including mailing) of all illegal drugs.
Emergency Telephone Numbers
Fire / Medical: 119
Police: 110
English-Speaking Police: (02) 2556-6007 (24 hours)
English Directory Assistance: 106
For the latest information about Taiwan travel advisories, visit the State Department Travel Information Page for Taiwan.
Visa Requirements
Non-ResidentsU.S. passport holders who wish to enter Taiwan as tourists or short-term visitors (less than 90 days) do not require a visa. However, no extensions or changes to this status are permitted. Additionally, the U.S. passport must be valid throughout the intended length of stay and the traveler must hold a confirmed return or onward air ticket. For stays longer than 90 days, or for those planning to work or visit family, a Taiwan visa is required prior to traveling. The processing fee for a Taiwan tourist/business visa is $160. U.S. investors and their immediate family members may also qualify for a residency visa or a five-year, multiple-entry visitor visa with 60-day duration of stay, the fee for which is $205. The most current visa information for non-residents is available at Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)’s website.
Residents
Resident visas are generally issued to foreigners with valid work permits or to those married to Taiwan nationals. When applying for a resident visa, applicants must submit supporting documents or official letters of approval from a competent authority in Taiwan alongside their completed application forms. Normally, foreign nationals submit applications through their domestic Taiwan agents, representatives, or affiliates of their firms. A resident visa does NOT automatically convey permission to work in Taiwan. To legally work in Taiwan, a foreigner must possess both a work permit and a resident visa. Taiwan residence visas are managed by the local Bureau of Consular Affairs and work permits are issued by the Workforce Development Agency under the Ministry of Labor. Click the link for additional details about Taiwan visas, including current fees.
Taiwan Council for U.S. Affairs (TCUSA)
4201 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20016-2137
Main Phone: (202) 895-1800
Main Fax: (202) 363-0999
Main Email: usa@mofa.gov.tw
Consular Phone: (202) 895-1814
Consular Fax: (202) 895-0017
Consular Email: consular@tecro.us
Emergency Phone: (202) 669-0180
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency allows passengers to fill out their immigration arrival cards online before arrival. For more information, please visit NIA’s website. For additional information about renewing a U.S. passport or other services for U.S. citizens in Taiwan, please visit the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT)’s website. U.S. Companies that require travel of foreign businesspersons to the United States are advised that security evaluations are handled via an interagency process. Visa applicants should go to the following link(s): State Department Visa Website.
E-Gate/Global Entry is a partner program between the National Immigration Agency, Taiwan (e-Gate), and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry) to facilitate travel. Under the e-Gate/GE program, eligible travelers can expedite their immigration clearance service without lining up at ports of entry. E-Gate members can use e-Gate at several ports in Taiwan. For more information, please visit NIA’s e-Gate website.
Currency
The New Taiwan Dollar (NTD) is the official currency in Taiwan. The one-, five-, ten-, twenty-, and fifty-dollar coins, and the one-hundred, two-hundred, five-hundred, one-thousand, and two-thousand dollar notes are legal tender. However, the twenty-dollar coin and the two-hundred and two-thousand NTD notes are rarely seen in circulation.Each foreign visitor may bring up to NT$100,000, RMB$20,000, and US$10,000 into or out of Taiwan, and is required to declare amounts in excess of the above to the Customs Authority when entering or departing Taiwan. Foreign currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at authorized banks and hotels. As of 2019, there were over 3,440 bank branches around Taiwan authorized to conduct foreign exchange.
Internationally-recognized credit cards are accepted in most hotels, many restaurants, and many shops. There are approximately 30,000 automated teller machines (ATMs) throughout Taiwan, most of which participate in international ATM networks and can be found at banks, convenience stores, department stores, and MRT stations.
Telecommunications/Electronics
Taiwan's telecommunications system is both efficient and convenient. International calls can be made from private cell phones, public International Direct Dialing (IDD) phones, or hotel IDD phones. Mobile phone operators offer preferential rates and packages compatible with the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Broadband and WiFi services are easy to procure, and free public WiFi is widely available in major cities. Nearly all hotels (not including guest houses) provide free WiFi services. There are four major authority-owned indoor public areas that offer free WiFi services for travelers: iTaiwan, TPE-Free and New Taipei, iTaichung, and Touch Tainan. Many restaurants and cafés also provide free WiFi for customers. Many 24-hour convenience stores provide free WiFi access, as well as fee-based copy and fax services.Like the United States, Taiwan uses an electric current of 110 volts at 60 cycles. Appliances from Europe, Australia, or Southeast Asia will require an adaptor and/or transformer. Some buildings have 220-volt outlets for the use of air conditioners.
Transportation
Air Travel
Taiwan has two major international airports: Taoyuan Airport (TPE) near Taipei is the primary gateway to the island, while Hsiaokang Airport (KHH) in Kaohsiung City offers regular flights to major destinations in the region. Taipei Songshan Airport (TSA), located within downtown Taipei, offers direct flights to and from Tokyo Haneda and major cities in mainland China. Taichung International Airport (RMQ) and Tainan Airport (TNN) offer flights to and from destinations in Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Macau, and China. Minor airports throughout Taiwan offer flights between major cities and Taiwan’s outlying islands.
Pickup
It generally takes 40 minutes to one hour to travel from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei by car or bus. Airport buses to major hotels and transportation centers in Taipei depart from the airport every 20 minutes and cost up to NT$150 ($4.86) per person. Buses from Taoyuan Airport to Hsinchu, Taichung, Changhua, Tainan, and Kaohsiung are also available. Travel by Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station will cost NT$160 ($5.18) and take around 40 minutes.
Kaohsiung’s Hsiaokang Airport is located 20 minutes from downtown and costs about NT$300 ($9.72) by taxi. Metered taxis charge a NT$50 ($1.62) surcharge from the international terminal with an additional NT$10 ($0.32) surcharge for luggage services. Several bus services are available at a low cost as well.
Taxis
Taxis are widely available in Taipei and other major cities. While some taxi drivers can speak a little English, visitors are strongly advised to present taxi drivers with the address of their desired destination written in traditional Chinese. In most cities, a meter is used to calculate fare. The basic charge is NT$75 ($2.43) for the first 1.25 kilometers (3/4 mile), with an additional NT$5 ($0.16) for every additional 250 meters. In addition, there is a NT$5 ($0.16) charge for every 100 seconds of waiting, and a NT$20 ($0.64) nighttime surcharge is added to fares between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. Taxi services can also be booked over the telephone. These services are generally considered safer and more reliable than individual private taxis. From two days before the eve of the Chinese New Year until the end of the holiday period, there is an extra surcharge of NT$20 ($0.64) by day and NT$40 by night ($1.30).
Rail
The Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) operates an extensive rail network with more than 600 miles of connected track. Tickets can be conveniently purchased at ticketing kiosks, over the phone or on the Internet.
Taipei has eleven Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) lines in operation with a combined track length of 75 miles. The MRT lines form a transportation network connecting downtown Taipei with the suburban areas of Muzha, Danshui, Xindian, Tucheng, Nangang, Banqiao, Luzhou, and Xinzhuang. Kaohsiung has two MRT lines in operation going north-south and east-west respectively.
Buses
Bus services in major cities are extensive and inexpensive but can be incomprehensible to foreign visitors. Long-distance bus networks around the island also make it possible for people to travel virtually anywhere quickly, comfortably, and at reasonable cost.
Chauffeured limousines may be booked through hotels or car rental companies for about NT$9,000 ($291.64) per eight-hour day. Standard rental cars are also available at rates starting around NT$2,000 ($64.81) per day. These require an international driver’s license and a credit card for a deposit.
Language
Mandarin is the official language in Taiwan. Southern Min, the Taiwan dialect, is also commonly spoken, especially in southern and rural areas. English is by far the most popular foreign language, and many people speak it fluently. Those working in hotels, business, or public organizations are most likely to have a good command of the language. Many elderly people, especially those educated before World War II, can also speak Japanese. Hakka and aboriginal languages are also spoken.
Health
Tap water in Taiwan’s major cities is drinkable. Visitors should take special care to wash all fruits and vegetables before eating. Although gastrointestinal illness is not rampant, it may be wise to avoid eating at any of the island's countless street stalls for at least the first few weeks after arrival.There are several international-standard private and public hospitals and clinics. Taiwan also offers high-quality dental care, with most clinics being privately operated. The majority of doctors and dentists in Taiwan speak English well. Qualified foreign nationals with Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs) and their family members can apply for coverage under the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). International visitors do not qualify for local health insurance. Foreign visitors to Taiwan should possess health insurance that covers healthcare services in Taiwan. It is also very important that foreign travelers make sure to have medical evacuation insurance, as most health insurance plans do not include this benefit.
Many Western name-brand pharmaceuticals are sold in Taiwan, often without prescription. In addition, a wide range of foreign and domestic over-the-counter non-prescription drugs are available. Visitors should bring a sufficient supply of any specific medications that they might require. Emergency medical treatment can be requested by dialing 119 from a local phone. For a comprehensive overview of local health resources available in Taiwan’s major cities, please visit the AIT Medical Assistance Webpage.
Local Time, Business Hours, and Holidays
Local Time
Taiwan is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and 12 or 13 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time depending on the time of year, as Taiwan does not practice daylight savings time.
Business Hours
In general, business hours are 9:00 am to 5:30 pm for office workers and 8:00 am to 5:00 pm for factory workers, with a one-hour lunch break. Banks are open from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm without a lunch break. Most shops and retail stores are open daily from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm. Restaurants generally run from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.
Holidays
There are four major national holidays and four major festivals celebrated in Taiwan during which corporate and government offices are closed. Dates for the four festivals – Chinese Lunar New Year, Tomb-Sweeping Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, and Mid-Autumn Festival – are based on the lunar calendar and may vary each year.| Holidays | Dates in 2019 |
| New Year’s Day | January 1 |
| Chinese Lunar New Year | February 4-7 |
| Peace Memorial Day | February 28 |
| Children’s Day and Tomb-Sweeping Day | April 4-5 |
| Dragon Boat Festival | June 7 |
| Mid-Autumn (Moon) Festival | September 13 |
| Double Tenth/National Day | October 10 |
Temporary Entry of Materials or Personal Belongings
Personal belongings and household articles (excluding controlled or restricted articles) carried by inbound passengers may be granted duty exemption as follows:- Each person aged 20 and up may bring in alcoholic beverages (1,000 cc or less without limitation on the number of bottles), plus 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or one pound of tobacco.
- Articles already owned and used by the passenger abroad, the customs value of which does not exceed NT$10,000 ($324) for each piece.
- Other articles for personal use (not including the articles mentioned above) if their total customs value does not exceed NT$20,000 ($648) for each passenger.
Travel Related Leading Sub-Sectors
Business travelers to Taiwan seeking appointments with the Commercial Section of the American Institute in Taiwan should contact the office in advance. The Commercial Section can be reached by:Tel: 886-2-2162-2000
Fax: 886-2-2162-2159
Email: office.taipei@trade.gov
Taiwan Websites
- American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) website
- Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO)’s website
- Taiwan Tourism Bureau
United States Websites
State Department Travel Information Page for Taiwan
Prepared by the International Trade Administration. With its network of more than 100 offices across the United States and in more than 75 markets, the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.