Taiwan
About
| Taiwan is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in all of Asia, with an amazing variety of natural, historic and culinary attractions to captivate the visitor. Taiwan is one of the only places on earth where ancient religious and cultural practices still thrive in a modern day environment. Join in the celebrations for one of many festivals taking place in the capital, and gain an insight into the island’s culture. The Chinese New Year, the Dragon Boat Festival and the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival are all colourful affairs that really bring the streets to life. The capital, Taipei, is situated on the Danshui River at the northern tip of the island, and has numerous popular shopping and entertainment districts, all easily reached by a subway/elevated rail system that serves this vast city. Taipei also has many night markets, the most popular of which is the Shilin Market in the Shilin District. |
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| Historical Name: | Formosa |
| Capital: | Taipei (TPE) |
| Currency: | New Taiwan Dollar (TWD) |
| Language: | Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and local dialects. English is generally understood. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 886 |
| Time Zones: | UTC/GMT +8 hours (6 hours ahead of South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | September – November and March - May |
| Best For: | Monastery, National Parks |
| Plugs: | 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style plugs with two flat pins (and sometimes a third grounding pin) are used. |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. Bottled water is available. |
| Health: | There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. English may not always be understood; if possible take someone who can help translate. |
| Customs: | The concept of 'saving face' is very important in Taiwanese culture, as is self-control of emotions and anger. Remove your shoes before entering a person's home. Physical contact with strangers is considered impolite. Superstitions and Bad Omens influence daily interactions – check before giving gifts. |
| Duty Free: | The following items may be imported by persons over 20 years of age without incurring customs duty: • 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 454g of tobacco • 1L of alcoholic beverages • Other goods for personal use up to the value of NT$20,000 |
| Prohibited Imports: | Fruit, live animals (other than pets with permits), plants and their products, narcotics, arms and ammunition, endangered species (unless you have a permit), and articles infringing upon the rights of patents, trademarks and copyrights. |
Issuing Authorities
Taipei Liaison Office in Pretoria
1147 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield Pretoria 0083
Tel: 012 430-6071/2/3
Email: zaf@mofa.gov.tw
Web: www.roc-taiwan.org/za
Submissions: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 11:30
Collections: Mon-Fri 14:00 - 16:30
Taipei Liaison Office in Cape Town
Suite 1004, 10th Floor, South Tower, the Tower Building, 2 Hertzog Blvd., Foreshore
Tel: 021 418 1188
Email: cpt@mofa.gov.tw
Web: www.roc-taiwan.org/capetown
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00 - 12:00 / 14:00-17:00
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1, 27-31; Feb 1-2,28; Apr 3-4; May 30-31; Oct 6, 10
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1; Feb 14-22, 27-28; Apr 3-6; May 1; Jun 19; Sep 25, 28; Oct 9-10, 26; Dec 25
Visa Requirements
Visas are required by South African passport holders.
REQUIREMENTS
Please email tlorsavisa@gmail.com or zaf@mofa.gov.tw to confirm what documents you should submit with your application. Requirements include:
- Application Form: Application forms to be filled in online atvisawebapp.boca.gov.tw (select General Visa Applications). The completed form must be printed and signed, and submitted along with supporting documents. NOTE: All information completed on the form must match the passport.
- Passport: Should be valid for at least 6 months and have blank pages
- Photos: Two passport-sized color photos taken within the last 3 months and with white background
- Ticket: Return ticket should be confirmed.
- Proof of Available Funds: Bank statements no less than R20,000 (stays under 25 days) or R60,000 (stays over 25 days).
- For Tourism: Travel Itinerary and Accommodation (confirmed hotel reservation is requested. If the applicant is staying with a relative or friend, the relevant authorities may request an invitation letter from the host.).
- Invitation letter (if applicable): This letter must include a copy of the inviter’s ARC or ID – front and back. The inviter’s details and documents must correspond to the information filled in the application form
- For Employment: A work permit letter issued by the Ministry of Labor (Employers must apply for the work permit from the Ministry of Labor.)
NOTE: You should submit your online arrival card within 3 days prior to arrival: twac.immigration.gov.tw/
Visa Cost
Free for South African Passport Holders
SA Representative
Liaison Office of South Africa
Suite 1301, 13th Floor, Bank Tower Building, 205 Tun Hwa North Road, Taipei 105, Taiwan
Tel: 886 2 2715-2295
E-mail: taipei.dha@dirco.gov.za
Web: www.southafrica.org.tw
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | None |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A & B, Japanese Encephalitis (Not available in SA), Tetanus, Polio |
