Taiwanese Visa for Philippine Passport Holders

4/17/2013
Everything I wrote here is based on my experience. :)

This post is for first-time visitors/applicants for a Taiwan visa. I tried to give as much detail as possible because I know you guys are very worried about it just as I was. :)

Anyway, we (e.g. I) decided we will go to Taiwan in May. Taiwan will be the first country that I'll visit which requires a visa and as you can imagine I was quite nervous about it. I didn't want to get rejected, that would be so pitiful. TT_TT So, I did what I had to: RESEARCH. That's what you'd be reading about here.

Step 1 - Complete your requirements.

Here are the requirements for applying for a visa:

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 P2,100 (Single entry)/ P4,800.00 P4,200(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

I'm not on a business trip, so I only had to fulfill requirements up to number 6.
Here is what I prepared exactly:

1. Passport
2. Passport size pictures (x2) - Paste one on your application form, keep the other
3. Bank Certificate - Mine was less than 100k, but I will only stay for 3 days anyway
4. Certificate of Employment
5. Certificate/letter of permission to leave
6. Confirmed round-trip air tickets
7. APPLICATION FORM
8. Birth Certificate from NSO
9. Hotel voucher (from Agoda, not under my name)
10. Explanation letter why the hotel voucher is not under my name (this is optional, but you can include this in case you feel you want to explain something about your documents).

AND A PHOTOCOPY OF ABOVE DOCUMENTS.

Oh, and of course you have to prepare Php 2100 for the processing fee.

In filling up the online application form, USE THE DROP DOWN MENUS and CALENDARS. Try not to leave any field empty. Put NONE in fields that you have no answer for.

Once you finish the form, click print. You will have an option to save the PDF file. Check your PDF if all the information is correct.

In my first printing, my birth date showed XXXX/10/19. No, I'm not trying to hide my birth year lol. But it came out like this because I probably did not use the calendar. I had to fill the form all over again. So remember to use the calendar and the drop down menus to save you from all the trouble.

Your printed form will have a bar code at the bottom. Use a decent printer to print your form so the bar code could be read.


Step 2 - Filing of VISA application

At RCBC, you will have to secure a visitor's pass and a queue number from the receptionist when you go inside Tower 1. You need to leave a VALID ID.

The only VALID IDs they accept are the following:
1. driver's license
2. SSS or GSIS I.D.
3. voter's I.D.
4. PRC I.D.

I don't have any of those as I lost my Nursing license. lol

However, I got the visitor's pass! How? They will ask you to leave an ID (I gave my BIR I.D. which they do not consider valid) plus Php 1000. So note that you will have to bring an extra Php 1000 if you do not have a valid ID. This money will be refunded to you once you return your Visitor's Pass. So chill. :)

If you came earlier than 8:45, you will be asked to wait in the smoking area where they will be issuing your queue number. Otherwise, your queue number will be given to you on the reception desk.

The process of application did not take long. After being issued a visitor's pass and a queue number, take the elevator to the 41st floor. Go to the LEFT side once you exit the elevator. The guard will then inspect your documents if they are complete. You just have to wait until your number is shown on the LED display board. Once your number is called, go to the indicated window and give the original forms and photocopies. The staff will check it again... and return photocopies. Yeah. They took my originals. >_< Another blog said they will take my photocopies but they took my originals. Lol After that, you have to wait some more for your name to be called out by the cashier (that's window 6 or 7). And your done!

You will get a receipt with the date you have to return to claim your passport with your visa. If you applied on a Monday, you will get your visa on a Thursday given there is no holiday. If you apply on a Friday, you will get your visa on a Wednesday. They count three working days for regular processing, and just one if you pay the expedited fee.

Step 3 - Claiming your Passport

I came back three working days later. Releasing of visa starts at 1:45 pm. So, don't go there so early. Doing the same process and got my passport with visa. Note again, you have to bring an extra Php 1000 if you have no valid ID, ok? And of course don't forget to bring your receipt!

Your VISA will be valid for 3 MONTHS after the date of issue. Yep. You read that right. It's valid for three months.

Based on a blog I read, the VISA is only valid for a month, but it seems they have changed it. And that's a good thing because in case you need to make adjustments, it wouldn't be so hard! Imagine being rejected for a VISA and having to cancel flight tickets with only a couple of weeks left before departure! Nightmare. ; 3 ;

Anyways, I applied for my visa April 12th, my VISA was issued April 16th and will be valid until July 16th. In some cases, your visa might be issued on the same day of application.

It also says on the visa that "THE DURATION OF STAY STARTS FROM THE NEXT DAY OF ARRIVAL." So this means, if you arrive in Taiwan May 1st, you can stay until May 15th, given you plan to maximize the 14-day stay.

To make it easier for you guys, I got this flowchart from the Taiwanese embassy website:

So there you have it. I hope this has been informative enough. Good luck guys! :)