So I applied for a Taiwan tourist E-Visa and got approved in less than 24 hours. Yep! You read it right. I applied online at around 2:00PM on August 22nd and received the confirmation email just 2 hours after submitting the application. So, how did it happen? Honestly, I really don’t have any idea at all. Maybe it was just my lucky day or the officer who reviewed my application was having a good mood. Nonetheless, I got my E-Visa now and all set for my Taiwan adventure.
Taiwan has made its visa application more easier for Filipinos. Last October 2016, they implemented the E-Visa process for Philippine Passport holders who wish to enter Taiwan may it be for business, as a tourist or visiting a relative. It’ll save you a lot of time, hassles and effort. Just apply online, pay through credit card and wait for the approval. The program will run for a year and hopefully will get extended. Read more about TECO’s E-Visa announcement here.
Recently this year, Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) also announced the free visa policy for Filipinos. It was first said to start at June this year but was somehow moved to September of 2017. TECO hasn’t published any announcements yet if it’ll push through this September and since I’m traveling to Taiwan on September 25th I decided to apply for an E-Visa. Just to be on the safe side.
Just like you, I also had questions when I was applying for the E-Visa as to how will I answer some questions or what to put and what not. No worries, I’ll be sharing with you a step by step instructions on how did I apply for an E-Visa and got approved just 2 hours after submitting the application. But before we get started, for a faster application process, please ready the following:
1. Passport (must be valid at least 6 months before your travel dates)
2. Travel Dates (Arrival and Departure date in Taiwan)
3. Address and Telephone Number of your hotel in Taiwan
Step 3: Read the information and click on I have read the above information Click here to continue button.
Step 4: This is where you will enter your personal information. Read each questions carefully and make sure that you are typing the information correctly. (wrong spelling wrong bes!)
Helpful guide in some confusing parts in the form:
Select Where You Will Be Applying For Your Visa: Asia > Taipae Economic and Cultural Office in Philippines
Chinese Name and Former or Other Nationality: Leave them blank if not applicable.
ID No.: I typed in my passport number.
Father’s Full Name: My dad’s full name, of course. Format: First Name, Middle Name, Last Name.
Mother’s Full Name: Since it’s not indicated whether it’s asking for my mothers maiden name or not, I just typed in my mothers full name after she got married (using my dad’s last name). Same format as with my fathers full name.
Address and Telephone Number in Taiwan: I booked an accommodation with Booking.com and chose the pay at the hotel option. This way I don’t really have to pay for it right after booking. The good thing about it is that I can cancel my reservation without any charges on my credit card provided that I do it 2 days before the booking date. So I entered the address and telephone number from the voucher.
Email: This is very important as they will be sending you the confirmation email to your email address so make sure that you are typing your email address correctly.
Step 5: This is the part where you will enter you passport information, purpose of travel in Taiwan and your arrival/departure in Taiwan.
Details of your contact in Taiwan: I typed N/A in all fields under this part.
Step 6: I answered NO to all questions in this part. Please read each questions and answer honestly. Though I don’t think that one will ever answer yes to these questions. But…who knows..
Step 7: Enter the date of application. I answered NO to the following questions.
Step 8: Read the Acknowledgement and click on I Agree.
Step 9: Take note of the Application No. as you will be needing it to follow up on your application, if needed. Click on Process eVisa button.
NOTE: There will be a confirmation page after you click on Process eVisa. Review the information you’ve entered. Make sure all the data is correct. You cannot edit any misspelled/wrong information in this part of the application. If you have made an error, before paying, you must submit another form. You will also be asked to enter your email address again. So please ensure that you are typing your email address correctly.
Step 10: This part is for payment page. The total amount that I paid was NTD1632 or PHP2767.45 (based on the current forex rate).
Step 11: You will be redirected to this page. Enter you credit card details
Please take note that the only mode of payment for E-Visa application is through credit card. If you don’t have a credit card, you may use a family member’s or friend’s credit card with their consent.
Step 12: CONGRATULATIONS!! This is the last and final step of the application process. This part shows the payment status.
You will be receiving an automated confirmation email about your payment and application. Now all you have to do is wait and pray that it’ll be approved! E-Visa application takes 3 business days.
In my case, I didn’t have to wait for 3 business days coz just 2 hours right after I applied I received an email that my application is already approved. Hooray!
You might notice the time difference between the application confirmation email and decision email. For some reason, my gmail is using a different timezone (please refer to the picture below) hence the different dates on the screenshots above.
So there you have it! Thank goodness to this E-Visa process, I didn’t have to go to TECO’s office, endure the horrible traffic situation in Makati and wait in line to process my application. In just less than 10 minutes I was able to submit my application and in less than 24 hours I got approved! No other documents asked. It may be different on your case though so don’t get your hopes too high that you’ll be approved in less than 24 hours. Even me didn’t really think that it’ll be approved that fast. As I have said the processing usually takes 3 business. So after submitting your application just be patient, relax and pray. But Taiwan Visa application isn’t as strict as with the US or Europe though so there is a high chance that you’ll get your visa application approved.
Now I’m excited for September 25th for my trip to Taiwan. Hope to see you there. I’ll be writing my itinerary soon so watch out and don’t forget to like my facebook page The Travelers Luggage and subscribe.
For more questions about Taiwan Visa application, please visit TECO’s FAQpage.
I received a lot if inquiries after publishing this post so due to frequently asked questions, I have decided to sum them all up here.
Do I need to have a Visa from other countries before applying for an E-Visa? No. You can apply for an E-Visa even if you don’t have any visas from other countries. However, if you have Visa from countries like Japan, Korea, NZ, US, UK or any Schengen countries you are not required to apply for a Taiwan Visa. Just apply for a Travel Authorization Certificate for free. Apply here. For more questions about Travel Authorization Certificate application please check here.
I have a Visa from Japan, Korea, NZ, US, UK or any Schengen countries. Do I still need to apply for a Taiwan E-Visa? No. Please refer to the answer on the question above.
Do I need to submit any supporting documents (COE, ITR, Bank Cert) upon E-Visa application? No. Supporting documents are not required upon E-Visa application. However, you might wanna ready those documents as the immigration officers (both here in the PH or Taiwan) might ask those, so just have them prepared in case you’ll be asked.
How much do I need to pay for my E-Visa? As mentioned above it’s NTD1632 or PHP2767.45 (depending on the forex rate).
I don’t have a Credit Card can I pay using other methods? No. The only mode of payment for E-Visa application is through credit card. If you don’t have one you may use a family member’s or friend’s credit card with their consent.
I’m travelling with my friend/husband. Do we need to apply for an E-Visa each? YES! Someone asked me this so I have to post it here for the sake of those who might asked the same question.
How Long is the Processing for E-Visa? 3 business days. But in most cases it’s less than that. In my case, I got the approval 2 hours after applying.
I didn’t receive the confirmation email after paying. What to do? Don’t fret. Check your Spam/Junk folder. Still not seeing the email? Call TECO.
Hi po. I just wan to ask what if I'm staying at a relative's house instead of a hotel. Will that be an issue for the evisa application? Or will I need to pass additional requirements? Thanks in advance
Hi Janine. In my opinion, I don't think that it's gonna be an issue in getting an E-Visa. However, IO's might ask additional documents lalo na here in the Philippines. What I can suggest is book a hotel in booking.com. Hindi mo sya need bayaran agad. Mag book ka lang for the sake of getting a voucher na may address and contact number sa Taiwan. Print na voucher and cancel your booking roughly around 3 or 4 days (read the terms and conditions if ilang days pwede mag cancel without incurring cancellation charge) before your travel dates.
September 13, 2017 @ 12:55 am
Hello, in the "given name" field, did you include your middle name? I appreciate your response.
September 13, 2017 @ 12:57 am
Hello Jem. No I didn't include my middle name in the Given Name field.
October 5, 2017 @ 3:34 am
Hi po. I just wan to ask what if I'm staying at a relative's house instead of a hotel. Will that be an issue for the evisa application? Or will I need to pass additional requirements? Thanks in advance
October 5, 2017 @ 3:39 am
Hi Janine. In my opinion, I don't think that it's gonna be an issue in getting an E-Visa. However, IO's might ask additional documents lalo na here in the Philippines. What I can suggest is book a hotel in booking.com. Hindi mo sya need bayaran agad. Mag book ka lang for the sake of getting a voucher na may address and contact number sa Taiwan. Print na voucher and cancel your booking roughly around 3 or 4 days (read the terms and conditions if ilang days pwede mag cancel without incurring cancellation charge) before your travel dates.
October 9, 2017 @ 8:43 am
Hi po again. May I ask kung ano po nilagay niyo dun sa "Place of issue" ? Thank you po ulit.
October 9, 2017 @ 8:45 am
Hi Janine. I believe sa passport details yan na part, right? Nasa Passport mo po yung info pa check lang if san naissue passport mo.