🇺🇸United States Visa for Taiwanese Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

eTA / e-permit90 days max stay

Taiwanese passport holders need an approved eTA (electronic travel authorisation) before travelling to United States — a quick online pre-screening completed before departure, not a full visa.

Must obtain ESTA prior to travel. Admitted for 90 days or less for tourism or business under the Visa Waiver Program. Taiwan is listed as a VWP participant; no ISO3 assigned per standard country coding. VWP nationals who have traveled to Iran, Iraq, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen (since March 1, 2011) or Cuba (since January 12, 2021) must obtain a visa instead. Dual nationals of Cuba, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria are ineligible for VWP.

travel.state.gov

How Taiwanese citizens apply for a United States visa

  • → Apply online for the eTA before you travel; approval is usually quick. Apply here

United States visa cost for Taiwanese citizens

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) - Visa Waiver Program

USD 40.27

2 years or until passport expiry, multiple entries, stays up to 90 daysofficial source
esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Fees checked 2 Jul 2026 · sourced from official government fee schedules

United States visa types

B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa

Tourism, business visits, transit, medical treatment

180 daysmultiple entry3-60d processing

Admission period (typically up to 6 months) is set at port of entry by CBP. Must apply at a US embassy or consulate.

Apply here ↗

C-1 Transit Visa

Immediate and continuous transit through the United States en route to another country

29 daysmultiple entry3-30d processing

For travellers passing through the US to another destination. Not valid for layover tourism. Crew joining a vessel or aircraft typically use a combined C-1/D transit/crew visa.

Apply here ↗

D Crewmember Visa

Crew serving aboard sea vessels or aircraft operating in the United States

29 daysmultiple entry3-30d processing

For pilots, flight attendants, ship crew and similar personnel. Frequently issued as a combined C-1/D transit/crew visa. Departure generally required within 29 days.

Apply here ↗

E-1 Treaty Trader Visa

Nationals of treaty countries carrying on substantial trade principally between the US and their home country

730 daysmultiple entry

Only for nationals of countries with a qualifying commerce and navigation treaty with the US. Admitted for up to 2 years per stay, renewable indefinitely while trade continues. Does not lead directly to permanent residence.

Apply here ↗

I Media (Journalist) Visa

Representatives of foreign media (press, radio, film, print) on assignment in the US

multiple entry3-60d processing

For employees of foreign-based media organisations engaged in informational/news activities. Admitted for Duration of Status. Media work is not permitted on a B visa or under the Visa Waiver Program.

Apply here ↗
Other United States visa categories (16)

These don't apply to a typical short visit, but cover other reasons people travel to United States. Eligibility varies by visa type — some are limited to specific nationalities, so check each one's conditions.

F-1 Student Visa

Full-time academic study at SEVP-approved institutions

multiple entry5-90d processing

Duration of Status (D/S) - valid for the duration of your academic program. Requires I-20 from school and SEVIS fee.

Apply here ↗

H-1B Specialty Occupation Visa

Working in specialty occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree

1095 daysmultiple entry15-180d processing

Requires employer sponsorship. Annual cap of 65,000 (plus 20,000 for US master's). Initial period 3 years, extendable to 6.

Apply here ↗

L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa

Transferring to a US office in a managerial, executive, or specialised knowledge role

1825 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Must have worked for the sponsoring company for at least 1 year in the past 3 years.

Apply here ↗

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

Au pairs, camp counsellors, interns, teachers, research scholars, professors

multiple entry5-60d processing

Duration of Status. Requires DS-2019 from a designated exchange program sponsor.

Apply here ↗

EB-5 Investor Visa

Immigrant visa through investment of at least USD 1.05M (or USD 800K in rural/high-unemployment areas) creating 10 US jobs

multiple entry365-730d processing

Leads to lawful permanent residence (Green Card). Can apply through a USCIS-designated Regional Center.

Apply here ↗

M-1 Vocational Student Visa

Full-time study at vocational or other recognised nonacademic institutions (other than language training)

multiple entry5-90d processing

Requires Form I-20 from an SEVP-approved school plus the SEVIS fee. Admitted for Duration of Status covering the vocational program, generally up to 1 year. Distinct from the academic F-1 visa.

Apply here ↗

K-1 Fiancé(e) Visa

Foreign-citizen fiancé(e) of a US citizen, to enter and marry the sponsor within 90 days

90 dayssingle entry

US citizen sponsor first files Form I-129F with USCIS. Visa is single-entry, valid up to 6 months; marriage must occur within 90 days of entry, after which the spouse may apply to adjust status to permanent resident.

Apply here ↗

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa

Individuals with extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics, or extraordinary achievement in film/TV

1095 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Petition-based (US employer or agent files Form I-129). Initial stay up to 3 years, extendable in 1-year increments. No annual cap. Can be a stepping stone to EB-1A permanent residence.

Apply here ↗

P-1 Athlete and Entertainer Visa

Internationally recognised athletes and members of internationally recognised entertainment groups

1825 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Petition-based (Form I-129). P-1 individual athletes may be admitted up to 5 years (extendable to a total of 10); entertainment groups and P-2/P-3 performers are generally admitted up to 1 year.

Apply here ↗

E-2 Treaty Investor Visa

Nationals of treaty countries investing a substantial amount of capital in a US business they direct

730 daysmultiple entry

Only for nationals of qualifying treaty-investment countries. No fixed minimum investment (must be 'substantial' and proportional to the enterprise). Renewable indefinitely but does not directly lead to a green card. Also tracked under residency-by-investment programs.

Apply here ↗

E-3 Australian Professional Specialty Visa

Australian nationals coming to perform services in a specialty occupation

730 daysmultiple entry

Only for Australian citizens. Requires a US job offer in a specialty occupation and a certified Labor Condition Application. Granted in up to 2-year increments, renewable indefinitely. Annual cap of 10,500.

Apply here ↗

TN USMCA Professional Visa

Canadian and Mexican professionals in qualifying occupations under the USMCA (formerly NAFTA)

1095 daysmultiple entry

Available only to Canadian and Mexican citizens in USMCA-listed professions with a US job offer. Canadians may apply directly at a port of entry (no visa foil required); Mexicans obtain a TN visa at a consulate. Admitted up to 3 years, indefinitely renewable.

Apply here ↗

H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Visa

Temporary or seasonal agricultural work for employers facing a shortage of domestic workers

1095 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Employer must obtain a temporary labor certification and file Form I-129. Generally limited to nationals of designated eligible countries. Initial stay tied to the certified period (typically up to 1 year); maximum 3 years before a required departure.

Apply here ↗

H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Worker Visa

Temporary or seasonal non-agricultural work (e.g. hospitality, landscaping, seafood processing)

1095 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Employer must obtain a temporary labor certification and file Form I-129. Subject to a statutory annual cap (66,000). Generally limited to nationals of designated eligible countries. Maximum 3 years.

Apply here ↗

R-1 Religious Worker Visa

Ministers and other religious workers employed by a bona fide non-profit religious organisation in the US

1825 daysmultiple entry15-90d processing

Requires a US petitioner (Form I-129) that is a bona fide non-profit religious organisation. Initial stay up to 30 months, extendable to a total of 5 years.

Apply here ↗

Family-Based Immigrant Visa (IR/CR/F)

Spouses, children, parents and other qualifying relatives of US citizens and lawful permanent residents to immigrate permanently

single entry

Immigrant (green card) category. A US citizen or LPR sponsor files Form I-130. Immediate relatives (IR1/CR1 spouse, IR2 child, IR5 parent) have no annual cap; family-preference categories (F1-F4) are numerically limited with multi-year waits. Grants lawful permanent residence on entry.

Apply here ↗

United States visa for Taiwanese citizens — FAQ

Do Taiwanese citizens need a visa for United States?

Not a visa, but yes — an approved eTA (a quick online pre-screening) is required before travelling.

What documents do Taiwanese citizens need for United States?

A passport valid well beyond your planned stay (commonly three to six months, depending on the destination), proof of onward travel and funds, and any documents required for the specific United States visa category — check the official portal for the exact passport-validity rule.

Related visa requirements