Taiwan - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Taiwan is a stable democracy and has a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passport required. Taiwan previously required that U.S. visitors to Taiwan hold passports valid for at least six months. This is no longer the case: Taiwan now considers U.S. passports valid for return to the United States for six months beyond the expiration date of the passport. For specific information about entry requirements, travelers may contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), 4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016-2137, via either its main telephone number,(202) 895-1800, or its visa section telephone number,(202) 895-1814. The main fax number at TECRO is (202) 363-0999, and the visa section fax number is (202) 895-0017. There is also an Internet address: http://www.taipei.org/teco.htm. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) also has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Guam, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
INFORMATION ON CRIME AND SAFETY: Although there has been an increase in the crime rate over the last year, due in part to local enforcement reporting methods, the overall crime rate in Taiwan remains relatively low. Nonetheless, there has been intense public concern in Taipei resulting from several violent crime cases in 1996-97. Residential burglaries and thefts are the predominant crimes affecting foreigners in Taiwan, but other more serious crimes do occasionally occur. Generally, U.S. citizen visitors to Taiwan should follow the basic security precautions that would apply in any large city. Women should exercise caution when traveling alone in taxis, especially at night, as there have been incidents reported involving violence directed towards unaccompanied female taxi passengers; calling for a radio-dispatched taxi is an option. Local police departments have foreign affairs sections which are normally staffed by English-speaking officers. Police contact numbers for the major cities in Taiwan are as follows: Taipei (02)2556-6007, Kaohsiung (07) 215-4342, Tainan (06) 222-9704, Taichung (04) 327-3875, Taitung (089) 334-756, Pingtung (08) 733-6283. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and to the American Institute in Taiwan, at Taipei or Kaohsiung. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad. It is available by mail from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: When outside the U.S., a U.S. citizen is subject to local laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Criminal penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect severe jail sentences and fines. Taiwan law provides for the death penalty for some narcotics offenses.
COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE: Taiwan law provides for compulsory military service. Men between the ages of 18 and 45 who were born in Taiwan or who have ever held a Taiwan passport should be aware that they may be subject to compulsory military service in Taiwan, even if they are also U.S. citizens, and even if they have entered Taiwan on U.S. passports. Affected individuals are urged to consult with the nearest office of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the United States before visiting Taiwan to determine whether they are subject to the military service requirement.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Health facilities in Taiwan are fully adequate for routine medical treatment. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services, and U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide for payment of medical services outside the United States.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost from $10,000 to $100,000. Supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, may prove useful. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, and whether it includes a provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs?brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available via the Bureauˇ¦s home page and autofax service.
For additional health information, travelers may call the toll-free numbers of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's international travelers hotline 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), may use the CDC autofax service, 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or may access the CDC home page on the Internet: http://www.cdc.gov.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Civil Aviation Authority of Taiwan as Category 1 -- in compliance with international aviation safety standards for oversight of Taiwanˇ¦s air carrier operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Roads in Taiwanˇ¦s major cities are generally congested, and driving conditions are made worse by large numbers of scooters and motorcycles that weave in and out of traffic. Special caution should be taken when driving on mountain roads, which are typically narrow, winding, and poorly banked, and which may be made impassable by mudslides after heavy rains.
REGISTRATION AND PASSPORTS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the American Institute in Taiwan, and to obtain updated information on travel and security. The American Institute in Taiwan does not issue U.S. passports but accepts passport applications and forwards them to the Passport Agency in Honolulu for processing. Processing time takes three to four weeks. In an emergency, the American Institute in Taiwan can issue a travel letter to permit a U.S. citizen who has lost a passport to return to the United States.
CHILDRENˇ¦S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children, international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.
Y2K INFORMATION: As a consequence of the so-called Y2K "bug," on or about January 1, 2000, some automated systems throughout the world may experience problems, including unpredictable system malfunctions. In countries that are not prepared, the Y2K problem could affect financial services, utilities, health services, telecommunications, energy, transportation and other vital services. American citizens who are traveling to any country during this time period should be aware of the potential for the disruption of normal medical services. Travelers with special medical needs should consult with their personal physician and take appropriate precautions. While travelers do not necessarily need to alter their travel plans, being informed and prepared for possible disruptions is prudent.
Taiwan is reliant on computerized systems and is generally prepared to deal with the Y2K problem. It appears there is a low risk of potential Y2K disruptions in key sectors. Large-scale disruptions are not anticipated. However, the medical sector is likely to be affected, as many small- and medium-sized facilities will not have completed their Y2K conversion and will be forced to send their patients to larger hospitals. In addition, there is moderate risk of Y2K disruptions in some water services. While most large companies, utilities, shipping firms, telecommunications firms and financial institutions have remediated their systems, it appears some small to medium businesses may not be ready for the rollover. Further information is not available to judge the scope and duration of these disruptions.
As a precaution, all ATM machines in Taiwan may be shut down for thirty-six hours, beginning early on December 31st. U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Taiwan in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties.
It is difficult to predict the severity or duration of Y2K-related disruptions. U.S. citizens in Taiwan should take practical precautions, anticipate the potential for disruption to their daily activities, and be prepared to cope with the impact of such disruptions. Information about personal preparedness and Y2K is available in the Department of State Worldwide Public Announcement of July 26, 1999, which is accessible on the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs?home page.
Aviation and Y2K: The U.S. Department of Transportation is heading an international Year 2000 civil aviation evaluation process to review information on Y2K readiness in aviation based on reports to the International Civil Aviation Organization and other available sources. The Federal Aviation Administration is working with the industry and its international partners to encourage sharing of Y2K readiness and contingency planning information so that air carriers will be able to make appropriate decisions. Consult your airline about contingency plans in the event of unforeseen Y2K-related delays, cancellations, or disruptions.
As January 1, 2000 draws nearer we will provide updated information available to us about important Y2K issues in Taiwan on the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/. In addition, monitor the home page of the American Institute in Taiwan at Taipei at http://www.ait.org.tw for additional updates.
AMERICAN INSTITUTE IN TAIWAN: Unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan are conducted through the American Institute in Taiwan, whose offices are authorized by law to perform American citizen services. For assistance, U.S. citizen travelers may contact the American Institute in Taiwan at No. 7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road Section 3, Taipei, Taiwan; telephone (886-2) 2709-2000; fax: (886-2) 2709-0908; or the American Institute in Taiwan branch office at No. 2 Chung Cheng 3rd Road, 5th Floor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, telephone: (886-7) 224-0154; fax: (886-7) 223-8237. In case of emergencies after working hours, the duty officer at the American Institute in Taiwan at Taipei may be contacted at (886-2) 2709-2013.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated March 1, 1999, to include country-specific Y2K information and information on Children Issues.