Taipei Expats Chat

Who it's for

Made for digital nomads, English teachers and students in Taipei.

Common questions in this chat

Can I stay in Taiwan visa-free and for how long?

Many nationalities — including the US, UK, EU countries, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea — can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days. Other passports get a shorter visa-free stay or need a visa. The list changes, so check the official BOCA list before you fly. Source: https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-1.html. Checked: 2026-10.

How much does a one-bedroom cost in Taipei?

Sources vary: one expat site puts a Da'an one-bedroom at NT$28,000-45,000, another averages about NT$26,250 across four districts (Songshan NT$17,000 to Xinyi NT$40,000). Many expats rent a self-contained studio ('taofang') at lower prices. Treat these as rough ranges and check 591.com.tw. Source: numbers.findawayabroad.com/p/taipei-cost-of-living-2026-what-english and migaku.com/blog/language-fun/best-neighborhoods-in-taipei-daan-xinyi-and-zhongshan-compared. Checked: 2026-10.

Do I have to fill in an arrival card for Taiwan?

A third-party site says that since 1 Oct 2025 all visitors must complete the online arrival card (TWAC) before arrival. Because this rule comes from a secondary source, confirm on the National Immigration Agency website and use only the official site. Source: evisa-card.com/en/visa-taiwan and immigration.gov.tw. Checked: 2026-10.

Can I extend a visa-free stay in Taiwan?

Most visa-free stays in Taiwan cannot be extended. Holders of UK (British Citizen) and Canadian passports can apply once to extend their 90-day visa-free stay by up to 90 more days. Check the official BOCA page before you apply. Source: https://www.boca.gov.tw/cp-149-4486-7785a-1.html. Checked: 2026-10.

What is the ARC and how do I get one in Taipei?

The Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) is the residence card for foreigners staying beyond a visitor stay, issued by the National Immigration Agency after you enter on a resident visa or with approved status. Take passport, photos, health check and address proof; the NIA lists the exact documents. Source: foreignersintaiwan.com/blog/taiwan-immigration-faq and goldcard.nat.gov.tw/en/tags/family/. Checked: 2026-10.

Chat rules

1. No spam. No ads, promo or referral links without a moderator's OK.
2. Nothing illegal or dangerous: no escorts, drugs, scams, fake documents.
3. No forwards from channels while you're new — write your own words.
4. Respect each other. No insults, discrimination or harassment.
5. English only so everyone can follow.
6. Stay on topic: life in Taipei — housing, visas, work, health, events, tips.
7. Report, don't argue: reply to the message with /report and moderators will look.

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