General Information
Capital	Taipei
Government	Republic since 1912. Head of State: President Chen Shui-bian since 2000. Head of Government: Prime Minister Yu Hsi-kun since 2002.
Language	The official language is Northern Chinese (Mandarin). Taiwanese is widely spoken, and English is taught as the first foreign language in schools.
Religion	Buddhism; also Taoism, Christianity and Islam.
Time	GMT + 8.
Electricity	110 volts AC, 60Hz.
Telephone	Full IDD is available. Country code: 886. Outgoing international code: 002. There is an extensive internal telephone system.
Mobile telephone	GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Network operators include Taiwan Cellular Corporation, KG Telecom and Far Eastone Telecommunications.
Fax	Facilities are widely available.
Internet	Internet cafes provide public access to Internet and e-mail services. ISPs include Asia Pacific Online and Chunghwa Telecom/Hinet.
Telegram	Telegrams may be sent from post offices and hotels.
Post	Airmail to Western Europe takes up to ten days. Poste restante facilities are available in main cities.
Press	English-language daily papers include Taiwan News and the China Post. English-language journals include Taipei Journal (weekly) and Taipei Review (monthly).
Radio	BBC World Service and Voice of America can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.
Restricted entry and transit	Nationals of the People's Republic of China are not currently permitted to enter Taiwan unless on business.
PASSPORTS :	Passport valid for at least six months required by all.
VISAS :	Required by all except the following, provided they have no criminal record: (a) 1. nationals of countries referred to in the chart above (except nationals of Denmark, Finland and Ireland who do need visas) and nationals of Costa Rica and New Zealand for up to 14 days (which period cannot be extended); Note : (a) 2. Nationals mentioned in (a) 1. above (and also nationals of Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Singapore) are eligible to apply for a Landing visa on arrival at CKS International Airport or Kaohsiung International Airport, on condition that they are holding tickets for an onward destination, and have no criminal record. The Landing visa is valid for 30 days and cannot be extended. They must provide a passport-sized photo of themselves and pay a fee of NT$2000. Nationals from countries who have a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan receive this visa free of charge. (b) Passengers arriving at Kaohsiung International Airport (including passengers arriving from China (PR) may apply for a temporary entry permit at the Kaohsiung Station Aviation Police Bureau. They must convert the permit into a visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or its Kaohsiung Office. If they fail to do so, they will not be allowed to depart or will be subject to a fine. (c) Nationals holding Hong Kong (SAR), British National (overseas) or Macau (SAR) passports, if born in Hong Kong or Macau or if having previously visited Taiwan, may obtain a visa on arrival, valid for up to 14 days. Types of visa and cost : Single-entry visitor: NT$25. Multiple-entry visitor: NT$50. Landing: NT$1500. Multiple-entry visas are issued for business purposes only and require a document from employer regarding purpose of visit. Validity : Single-entry visitor: up to 60 days (depends on nationality and purpose of stay); up to two extensions of 60 days each may be granted by local police stations. These visas are valid for three months from date of issue. Multiple-entry visitor: six months from date of issue. Landing: 30 days. A visa is not required by travelers continuing their journey by the same or connecting aircraft on the same day, provided holding confirmed onward tickets and the necessary travel documentation and provided not departing from the transit lounge. Note : Travelers intending to stay more than three months in Taiwan will be required to take an AIDS test. If the test is positive, they will be required to leave the country. Application to : Visa section of Taipei Representative Office (see Contact Addresses section). Application requirements : (a) Application form. (b) Two passport-sized photos. (c) Passport (valid for at least six months). (d) Documents verifying purpose of visit or letter from a sponsor in Taiwan if appropriate. (e) Fee payable in cash, check or by postal order. (f) For a postal application, a registered, stamped addressed envelope. Temporary residence : Those wishing to stay more than six months must apply for a Resident visa. Contact the Taipei Representative Office for further information.
Climate	A subtropical climate with moderate temperatures in the north, where there is a winter season. The southern areas, where temperatures are slightly higher, enjoy sunshine every day, and there is no winter season. The typhoon season is from June to October.
Required clothing	Light- to medium-weights, with rainwear advised.

Money and Currency
Currency	New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of NT$1000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of NT$50, 10, 5 and 1, and 50 cents.
Currency exchange	All travelers are required to make a currency declaration in writing together with the baggage declaration. Unused currency can be reconverted on departure, on production of exchange receipts.
Credit & debit cards	Accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops.
Traveler's checks	Accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions	The import and export of local currency are limited to NT$40,000 and a permit from the Ministry of Finance is required for amounts over NT$8000. Free import of foreign currency is allowed, but subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalence of US$5000 or up to the amount imported and declared. All exchange receipts must be retained.
Banking hours	Mon-Fri 0900-1530, Sat 0900-1200.

Useful Contact Numbers
Location	Between the South and East China Seas, off the southeast coast of the People's Republic of China.
Country dialling code	886
Tourism Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications	Ninth Floor, 290 Junghsiau East Road, Section Four, Taipei, 106 Taiwan Tel: (2) 2349 1635 or 2717 3737. Fax: (2) 2771 7036. E-mail: tbroc@tbroc.gov.tw Website: www.tbroc.gov.tw
Taiwan Visitors' Association	Fifth Floor, 9 Minchuan East Road, Section Two, Taipei, Taiwan Tel: (2) 2594 3261 (information hotline). Fax: (2) 2594 3265. E-mail: gtva@ms26.hinet.net Website: www.tva.org.tw

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