Taiwan

Demonstrations happen sometimes but are usually peaceful.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• monitor local media for planned or possible action
• avoid rallies and protests
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Crime rates are low, including for petty crime.

Taxi drivers have assaulted some passengers. However, taxis are usually safe.

Some Australians have become victims of extortion scams. Examples include minor car accidents and claims of sexual assault at nightclubs.

To keep yourself safe:

• take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places
• report suspicious behaviour
• use radio taxis, or taxis booked on the internet or through your hotel

Card skimming occurs. Keep an eye on your card when making purchases.

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

More information:

• Terrorist threats

Taiwan experiences natural disasters and severe weather, including:

• typhoons
• earthquakes
• tsunamis

Typhoons

Typhoons happen in the wet or typhoon season from May to November. Flooding and mudslides are common.

The direction and strength of typhoons can change with little warning. In some areas, shelter from a severe typhoon may not be available to everyone.

If a typhoon is approaching, be aware that:

• flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• access to ports could be affected

If a typhoon is approaching, local authorities may declare a 'typhoon day' at very short notice. This means businesses may only open for a short time and government offices may close. 

The Australian Office in Taipei may close on typhoon days. See Local contacts

Authorities announce a 'typhoon day' on local radio and television stations. This includes International Community Radio Taipei (ICRT), which broadcasts in English.

Updates on typhoons and other severe weather are available from the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau. You can also keep up to date by checking:

• World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre
• Joint Typhoon Warning Centre
• Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System

To prepare yourself in case of a typhoon:

• know your hotel's or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• take official warnings seriously
• follow the advice of local authorities on preparing for a natural disaster

If there's a typhoon or other natural disaster approaching:

• tune your radio to FM100.7 for English-language updates
• monitor the media, other local information sources and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• stay in touch with friends and family
• contact your airline for the latest flight information
• contact a tour operator to check if services at your planned destinations have been affected

Earthquakes and tsunamis

Earthquakes happen often. Get advice on travelling to and living in an earthquake-prone region.

Tsunamis are a risk because of frequent earthquakes in the region.

Check the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for information on earthquakes and tsunamis.

If you're near the coast, move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings, such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, check local media.

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.

Confirm:

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

More information:

• General health advice
• International travel and health

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

Some prescription medications are illegal in Taiwan. Authorities may jail or fine you for carrying these medications.

If you plan to take medication, check if it's legal in Taiwan. Take enough legal medicine with you for your trip.

Taiwan Customs gives advice on limits and documents you'll need.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• how much you'll take
• that it's for personal use

More information:

• Medicine

Insect-borne diseases

Dengue occurs, especially in the tropical southern and central regions.

Cases of Zika virus were reported in 2016. There's no vaccine available against dengue or Zika virus.

You could also encounter Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Speak with your doctor about getting vaccinated against Japanese encephalitis before you travel.

If you're pregnant, ask your doctor about possible Zika virus risks.

More information:

• Infectious diseases

Other health risks

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur. Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. However, they can continue until October each year.

HFMD mostly affects children aged under 10 years. However, adult cases occur, especially in young adults.

HFMD spreads through contact with discharges of infected people.

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases are common. Sometimes serious outbreaks occur.

To protect yourself from illness:

• practise good hygiene, including careful and frequent handwashing
• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical facilities

The standard of medical facilities in public hospitals in major cities is good. However, there are often long waiting times.

The medical system can be confusing. Some hospitals have English-speaking private clinics.

Treatment at private clinics and priority care centres is expensive. You may have to pay up-front for medical and dental services, including for emergency care.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Drugs

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include the death penalty.

Smoking, consuming, possessing or trafficking marijuana can lead to life in prison.

Carrying certain prescription drugs can result in heavy fines and long jail sentences. See Health

More information:

• Carrying or using drugs

Other laws

If you're involved in a legal dispute, you won't be allowed to leave Taiwan until the dispute is settled. This includes minor offences.

Legal processes can be long. Local authorities won't accept bonds or deposits to guarantee court appearances.

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

More information:

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Taiwan recognises dual nationality. Taiwanese males aged over 18 must do military service. Some exemptions are available to overseas residents, but you should check this before travelling. If you're not exempt, you may have to serve when you arrive.

If you're a Taiwanese-Australian dual national and you're male, check before you travel.

More information:

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office
• National Conscription Agency (Chinese)
• Dual nationals

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.

Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.

You won't need a visa for Taiwan if you meet all these conditions:

• you'll only stay for up to 90 days
• you're visiting for tourism or business
• you have a confirmed return or onward air ticket
• your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry
• you're not travelling on an emergency passport

In other situations, you'll need to get a visa before you travel.

Australians can use Taiwan's e-Gate service. To register for e-Gate, visit the e-Gate Enrolment Counters at the airport, located next to the e-Gate lanes at passport control. The registration is valid until six months prior to your passport's expiry date, until you renew your passport, or until you obtain an Alien Resident Card (ARC) in Taiwan. You will need then to register each trip online to use the gates. More information is available at https://egate.immigration.gov.tw/egate-frontend/aus 

Working holiday makers (WHM) must apply for the WHM visa before arriving. WHM visas are also valid as a work permit.

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

More information:

• National Immigration Agency

You'll be screened for high body temperature when you arrive. This is to guard against pandemics such as SARS and bird flu (avian influenza). Depending on your results, you may need more medical tests.

If you plan to take prescription or non-prescription medicines with you, check the Taiwan Customs website before you travel. See Health

If you're planning to work, you need to get a work permit before you start paid or unpaid work. Work permits are usually arranged in Taiwan through your employer.

If you work without a work permit or WHM visa, authorities could fine or deport you.

More information:

• Taiwan Workforce Development Agency
• Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs (Chinese)

Validity

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.

The local currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NTD).

Declare amounts over $US10,000 or equivalent. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

ATMs are widely available in cities and provincial centres.

International credit cards are usually accepted in hotels, restaurants and higher-end shops, especially in cities and larger towns.

Driving permit

If you plan to drive in Taiwan, you must get an International Driving Permit (IDP) before you arrive.

You can drive for up to 30 days with an IDP and a current Australian licence.

If you plan to stay longer, apply for an extension at the nearest motor vehicle office in Taiwan.

Road travel

Roads and vehicles are well-maintained but scooters and motor cycles often weave in and out of traffic, and vehicles might not stop at pedestrian crossings. Look before stepping onto the road.

Heavy rain and typhoons can lead to landslides and road blockages.

Mountain roads are usually winding and narrow. Travellers have been injured in bus accidents on these roads.

To stay safe:

• don't expect traffic to stop at pedestrian crossings — look before stepping onto the road
• assess weather and road conditions before you drive, especially during typhoon season
• take particular care when driving on mountain roads

More information:

• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

You need a motorcycle licence, either Taiwanese or international, to hire a motorbike.

Check if your travel insurance policy covers you when riding a motorbike.

Always wear a helmet.

Taxis

Taxis are usually safe. However, there have been instances of drivers assaulting passengers.

To minimise risk, use:

• radio taxis
• taxis booked on the internet
• taxis booked through your hotel

Public transport

Taiwan has well-developed rail and bus services.

Petty crime happens, so take care of your belongings.

More information:

• Taiwan Public Transport
• Transport and getting around safely

Sea travel

Some cruise lines stop over in Taiwan.

More information:

• Going on a cruise

Air travel

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Taiwan's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

More information:

• Air travel

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider
• employer
• airline

English language emergency line

Call 0800 024 111.

Fire

Call 119.

Medical emergencies

Call 119.

Police

Call 110 or contact the nearest police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer may have a 24-hour emergency number.

Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular help, contact the Australian Office in Taipei.

The Australian Office, Taipei

27th and 28th Floor, President International Tower 
9-11 Song Gao Road 
Taipei, 110 
Phone: (+886 2) 8725 4100 
Fax: (+886 2) 8789 9599 
Website: australia.org.tw
Email: consular.taipei@dfat.gov.au 
Facebook: facebook.com/australianofficetaipei

Check the Australian Office in Taipei website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia