Visa and Passports

Tourist visas in Taiwan cover a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. Visas are issued on arrival for citizens of most Western nations, and the tourist need only show proof of return travel arrangements, such as an outbound air ticket. Customs officials may perform a quick criminal history check, and the visa processing fee must be paid in new Taiwanese dollars.

Extensions are not typically available for tourist visas. In some instances, it may be possible to arrange a visa that covers a stay of up to 90 days, but this sort of visa must be applied for at a Taiwanese embassy in your home country in advance of travel. All visitors must possess a passport that is valid for at least six months after their date of entry to Taiwan.

Language

Taiwan's official language is Chinese. There are also a variety of dialects. Visitors to Taipei are pleased to find a high level of English proficiency, particularly within sectors of tourism and business.

Currency

The official currency of Taiwan is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD). The banking infrastructure in Taipei is excellent, and multiple forms of currency are traded by financial institutions and money lenders. For this reason, most travelers wait to do their bank when they arrive in Taipei, where local exchange rates typically trump international rates. Travelers' cheques can also be exchanged at banks, or the larger hotels.

Cash is rarely an issue in Taipei. ATMs are abundantly located throughout the city, where internationally-branded debit cards are accepted. Banks will also issue cash advances against credit cards in many cases.

Business Hours

Banks: 09:00 to 15:30, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday; 08:30 to 16:30, Saturdays; 08:30 to 12:00, Sundays
Government Offices: 08:30 to 12:30 and 13:30 to 17:30, Monday to Friday
Business Centers: 10:00 to 21:00 Monday to Sunday

Hospitals

Taipei Veterans General Hospital
Address: 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei

Taipei Show Chwan Hospital
Address: 1, Lane 116, Kung-Fu S. RD, Taipei

Taipei Municipal Wan Fang Hospital (Managed by Taipei Medical University)
Address: 111, Sec. 3 Xinglong Rd. Wenshan Dist. Taipei

Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiaokang Hospital
Address: 482, San-ming Rd, Hsiaokang, Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital
Address: 386, Ta-Chung 1st RD. Kaohsiung

Special Touring Regions:

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