Considering visiting Taiwan during the Pandemic?

I wanted to provide some helpful information if you are considering visiting Taiwan during this pandemic timeframe. Definitely feel some national pride since Taiwan is the envy of the world right now since they've been able to experience 200+ days COVID free... but of course there are reasons for that! 

Of course this is constantly changing so please refer to this page (https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-220-5081-c06dc-2.html) for Taiwan's official updates. As of this writing (11/2020), however, if you want to come to Taiwan from you can only do so for 'visiting relatives' or 'returning to Taiwan' reasons, NOT tourism. You must also undergo strict 14 day quarantine.* They are not messing around here and if you violate any of their rules you will be fined. I just want to note here that I don't think coming to Taiwan is a simple undertaking for most for a multitude of reasons and these factors should be taken into consideration.

If you have Taiwanese citizenship, this process is relatively simple. You obviously don't need to get a visa, and you are not required to take and prove a negative COVID test within 3 days of your flight. You do still have to undergo 14 days of quarantine. More about that in another post!

If you do NOT have Taiwanese citizenship, you can still potentially come to Taiwan. You can if you prove you have familial ties to Taiwanese citizens. In that case, you need to apply here (https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/) for a  General Visa and supply the supporting documentation to your local TECO branch (essentially an embassy but not because, China). Because of COVID, our local TECO in SF is currently closed/operating remotely so you cannot just waltz in and take care of your paperwork easily. You instead need to have all documentation notarized within your local area's jurisdiction (aka you cannot get it notarized in Kentucky if you are working with SF TECO) and then sent with a cashiers check(s) to TECO with a prepaid return envelopes. Here is more info (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/usden_en/post/3929.html).

Some additional notes:

• Some TECO websites are more helpful than others, so even if it's not your local TECO you can usually use it as a guideline. I think Houston's TECO tends to have much more information.
• They now charge for visas from the United States ($160) whereas they previously did not. 
• I don't believe you will get a multiple entry permit even if you request one. It will be a single special entry visa due to COVID-19.

*This information is primarily for Taiwanese or US citizens residing in the US so I am not very familiar with visits due to a death in the family, visits from other countries, and business or migrant workers.