Rules for Crewmembers’ Entry to Taiwan Will be Loosened from 13 October 2022-Covid 19

Maritime and Port Bureau of MOTC have announced that crewmembers' entry restrictions for prevention of spreading Covid-19 will be lifted from 13 October 2022, and the quarantine measures will accordingly be updated. Taiwan will resume to open for applications of foreign crew changes, but crewmembers' compliance with quarantine measures will be required. The followings are the new rules in a nutshell for your reference:

Entry Regulations

In principle, foreign crewmembers can apply for Taiwan visa. Nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Eswatini, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Island, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia (effective till March 31, 2025), Norway, Palau, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tuvalu, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Vatican City State. Belize, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Nauru, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Singapore.

Quarantine Measures

No isolation quarantine will be required and alternatively a self-health monitoring for Covid-19 with a duration of 7 days will suffice, unless the crewmember entering Taiwan is tested with positive reaction to Covid-19 virus.

On the day of landing Taiwan, the crewmember will receive 4 sets of rapid Covid-19 antigen test kits and should stay in a room with an independent bathroom which is not shared with other people. If the crewmember must go out during the period of self-health monitoring, he/she should have a rapid Covid-19 antigen test and make sure the result shows negative reaction beforehand. The test results needn't to be reported to the authorities. Taking public transportation will be allowed as long as the crewmember is free from symptoms of contracting Covid-19.

In case that the crewmember is (suspectedly) contracted with Covid-19, he/she cannot take public transportation. The crewmember will receive telemedicine at a quarantine hotel or other place that fits for isolation quarantine, self-monitoring health condition for at least 7 days.

Others such as foreign vessels entering into local shipyard for repairs & restrictions on personnel boarding foreign vessels, previous policies continue to apply. Yet, adjustment is foreseen to be made in near future and we will you posted with further update in due course. 

Shall you have any further inquiry or question about the new regulation in respect of the crew entry to Taiwan, please feel free to contact us at any time through any handler of our office or by the general mail tmspis@panditms.com.tw and 24/7 number +886983345693.