Visa-free entry to the U.S. requires a chip-enabled passport

By MOOK Travel & Lifestyle Li Xinyi | Compiled & Reported

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano officially announced at around 11:00 AM Eastern Time on October 2—late at night on October 2 in Taipei—during the "Global Travel and Tourism Conference" hosted by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the State Department, that Taiwan has become a participant in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, making it the 37th country to join the program.

Future Republic of China nationals

Taiwan sees up to 400,000 annual trips to the U.S., with about 120,000 of these being for business/tourism visa applications. The savings on visa fees would amount to approximately NT$600 million. If we extrapolate based on the increase in travel—where the UK saw about a 1.5x rise in visitors from Taiwan after visa exemption, and South Korea experienced a similar 1.5x surge after receiving U.S. visa waiver status—the number of annual trips to the U.S. could reach as high as 600,000 in the future, saving Taiwanese travelers around NT$900 million that would have otherwise been spent on business/tourism visa fees. For example, a family of four living in Kaohsiung would save over six hours in round-trip transportation and visa interview waiting time, as well as nearly NT$20,000 in visa application costs.

The new chip-embedded passport contains a microchip that stores the holder’s basic information and facial features, along with enhanced security and anti-counterfeiting designs, significantly reducing the risk of passport forgery compared to traditional passports. The cost to apply for a chip passport is NT$1,600, and its validity period is 10 years. To apply, you need to bring the original ID card, two color photos with a white background taken within the last six months (4.5 cm tall × 3.5 cm wide, excluding borders), and a passport application form. Those renewing their passport must also submit their old passport. For more details, please visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: www.boca.gov.tw.

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