Taiwan Visa Application - Philippine Passport Holders

* NB:  I think this post has reached the maximum comments it can possibly show.  I am sorry if I can no longer reply to your queries but the post itself is self-explanatory.  Most questions, too, have already been answered in the comments section.  Just have the patience to read through it.  On that note, good luck!

LATEST UPDATE FROM THE TECO WEBSITE:

NEWLY ADJUSTED VISA FEES OF 01 JANUARY 2013 

公告 Notice     2013. 01. 01實施                                                   (Exchange rate) USD：PESO＝ 1：41.1
項目 Item	種類 Type	費用 Application Fee			提辦費 Rush Handling Fee
簽 證	停留簽證【單次】Visitor (Single Entry)	2100			1050
	停留簽證【多次】Visitor (Multiple Entry)	4200			2100
	居留簽證【單次】Resident (Single Entry)	2800			1400
	居留簽證【多次】Resident(Multiple Entry)	5500			2800
	相對處理費（僅適用美籍人士） (Special handling fee for US citizens)	General （一般事由）	6600		Visitor (Single Entry)  1050 Visitor (Multiple Entry) 2100 Resident(Single Entry) 1400 Resident(Multiple Entry)2800
		Investment （投資事由）	11100

x x x

*  PLEASE NOTE - Effective from 3:00 pm, March 15, 2011, passport holders of the Republic of the Philippines may apply for an authorization certificate online for visa-free entry into the Republic of China (Taiwan).

 
* LATEST UPDATE FROM THE BUREAU OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS TAIWAN'S WEBSITE:

New Practice of ROC Visa Application for Foreign Visitors

Starting from April 9,2012, ROC visa applicants need to first access the website: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw, fill out the visa application forms online and then print them out. The completed forms with bar codes and other required documents ought to be submitted to the R O C’s overseas missions which the applicants have selected while filling out their application forms. The offline application forms will no longer be accepted.

 Re:  Visa Application Forms Filled Up Online

http://www.taiwanembassy.org/ct.asp?xItem=264492&ctNode=4712&mp=272

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. 

  

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

  (e) The complete “Name and Address of Employer or School” should be provided. 

Category 2 “APPLICANT’S PASSPORT” and “JOURNEY TO TAIWAN” 

In filling up the “Date” section, please use the calendar box function instead of manually typing the date. 

Category 3 “DETAILS OF YOUR CONTACT IN TAIWAN” 

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.

 Thank you for your co-operation and welcome to Taiwan.

     My friends and I booked tickets for travel to Taiwan in January of this year, due to my insistence that no visa is required anymore.  I thought that the visa-exemption applies to all Philippine passport holders, but I was so wrong.  To be eligible, a Philippine passport holder must also possess a valid visa or permanent residence certificate issued by U.S.A., Canada, Japan, U.K., Schengen Convention countries, Australia or New Zealand.  However, online registration for the exemption is required via the Advance Online Registration System for the Visitors of Nationals from Five Southeast Asian Countries to Taiwan.* Considering that I am not a holder of any valid visas issued by these first-world countries, I applied for a visa from the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) at the RCBC Tower in Makati City.  And it was such a breeze.

    As of 27 September 2012, here are the requirements for VISITOR and BUSINESS VISA to Taiwan: 

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 access https://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 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. 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 Statements 

     D. Etc.

          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

9. The applicant will be scheduled for an interview （if required）

Visa Fee: P2,400.00 (Single entry)/ P4,800.00 (Multiple entry)

      (NON-REFUNDABLE) payable upon filing of application

Processing Time : 3 Working days  

Expedite Fee for single entry : P1,200.00 / Processing Time: 1 Working Day

Expedite Fee for Multiple entry : P2,400.00 / Processing Time: 1 Working Day

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

   
     See, the list is not so bad, but there are a lot of requirements to be had, and the visa  fee is costly, too.  The visa application for mainland China is only Php 1,400.00; for Taiwan, it's Php 2,400.00.

   
     It must be emphasized that the Taiwan visa must be used within one (1) month from the date of its issuance, valid for fourteen (14) days after one's arrival in Taiwan.  Thus, it would be senseless to apply for a visa months before the intended departure.  It's best to apply at least two (2) weeks before the date of departure to Taiwan.  In my case, I applied one (1) week before my departure this June.  Another thing: I noticed that the date of issuance of my visa is the date I applied for one.  So, those who would be maximizing their fourteen (14)-day stay are cautioned. 

 
     Now, on to the actual visa application part.  Visa application is only entertained in the mornings, from 8:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., Mondays to Fridays; the afternoons, from 1:45 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., are being utilized for the release of the visas.  The TECO is located at the RCBC Tower, on the 41st floor, Tower 1.  I suggest that the applicant should arrive early, around 8:30 a.m., and head to the reception area, first floor, Buendia side.  The TECO receptionists usually arrive at that time, and when they do, sign up for the issuance of a service number; you will be directed to wait at the outdoor smoking  area near the atm machines for the release of the numbers at 8:45 a.m.  By that time, the receptionist would pass around a sheet of paper which would determine the serving sequence, and at the same time, the receptionist would hand out the service numbers to those who have already signed up earlier.  And you'd be directed to pick up your visitor's pass at the same reception area, and presto, you can now go directly to the TECO.  A note of reminder, you must leave your valid government-issued identification card at the reception area, such as driver's license, SSS or GSIS I.D., and voter's I.D., otherwise, you would be denied entrance.

 
     In my case, I did all of the aforementioned, save for waiting at the outdoor area.  It was humid, though it was still early, so I just waited for the receptionist at the entryway of the smoking area, where it's airconditioned.  I was given my number and hey, I  was applicant number 2, and stayed inside the TECO for less than 10 minutes and I was already done.

   
     At the application counter, just hand over your passport, the original copy of the required documents AND a set of its photocopies, including a photocopy of your passport.  If it's complete, the visa processor would return the originals to you, and would keep the photocopies and your passport.  Your name will be called for payment of the visa fee.  A receipt will be issued showing the date and time of release of your passport and visa.  Processing period is three (3)days.  However, if you want an expedited release, come back the following day, pay for the expedited fee of Php 1,200.00 to obtain your passport and visa.  For the release of regularly-processed application, the same tips for application applies, only that the time of release starts at 1:45 p.m. (handing out of the service numbers).  I arrived around 2 p.m. in the afternoon and my number was around the 60's but it only took me less than 45 minutes to secure my visa and my passport.