Plan your travel
If you plan to join us in-person for RightsCon 2025 in Taipei, we’ve put together guidance to help you prepare for your visa application, flights, hotels, and more! Have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].
Participation Timeline
Visa Information
We are excited to welcome you to RightsCon in Taipei and online! If you’re planning to travel to Taiwan, here’s information to help you determine if you need a visa and ways to apply for one. If you have any questions about visas to Taiwan, reach out to us at [email protected]. If you have general questions about your participation, reach out to us at [email protected].
Determining if you need a visa to Taiwan
There are 65 countries eligible for visa-exempt entry into Taiwan. To find out if you need a visa, we recommend navigating this website * for getting up-to-date international travel requirements. Simply enter the issuing country of your passport, where you’re traveling from (including if you have a connecting destination), your dates of travel, and click “see requirements”. Your trip summary will include whether or not you require a visa for your connecting flight or final destination, COVID-19 guidance, and other documentation requirements.
Remember to check if you need a visa for your final destination, Taiwan, and also if you need transit visas based on your flight routes and where you’re stopping over. Please note that travel requirements are frequently updated, and we recommend that you check the latest entry requirements before your trip.
(* RightsCon is not partnered or in affiliation with the website mentioned in this page. We recognize the implications of its name as a branding and we don’t endorse it being used outside of its context of indigenous Sherpa communities and clans).
If you need a visa to enter Taiwan
If you have determined you need a visa, there are different pathways for obtaining entry into Taiwan. The below flow chart and information will help you understand which pathway you should take. Depending on the passport that you hold, there are different pathways for entry into Taiwan:
Click each pathway below to know more about the requirements.
1. Apply for a ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate
Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for a ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate if they meet the relevant requirements stated here:
- Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam
The processing time for an ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate is usually 24 hours, and it is valid for 90 days from the date of approval. Please take into consideration your expected length of stay as well as date of departure from Taiwan when applying to ensure that your ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate is valid throughout your duration of stay in Taiwan.
For more information on requirements and the process of applying for a ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate online, visit the National Immigration Agency website.
2. Apply for an eVisa
Nationals of the following countries are eligible to apply for an eVisa if they meet the relevant requirements stated here:
- Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Colombia*, Dominica, Ecuador, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Mauritius, Montenegro, Oman, Panama, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates
*For countries indicated with an asterisk, there are additional eligibility requirements which you can check here.
The processing time for an eVisa is usually is 5-10 working days, and it is valid for 3 months from the issue date. Please take into consideration your expected length of stay as well as date of departure from Taiwan when applying to ensure that your eVisa is valid throughout your duration of stay in Taiwan.
For more information on requirements and the process of applying for an eVisa online, visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs eVisa application portal.
3. Apply for a Visitor Visa for attending conferences at an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission
This visa is specifically designed for conference attendees who have an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in their country (click here to find out if you have an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in your country). Please note that an interview may be required, and you may need to visit the nearest ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in-person.
For more information on requirements and the documents needed for the application, visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs Visitor Visa for Attending Conference / Exhibition website. We recommend that you also visit the website of the ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in your country to find out specific documents that you would need to provide as part of the application. For example, if you’re applying for a Visitor Visa from the Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria, you should refer to the Trade Office’s website to find out specific documents required.
The processing time for a Visitor Visa for Attending Conferences depends on the ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission where you apply, and can range from 5-10 working days though might take longer. Generally, a Visitor Visa is valid for 3 months, and we suggest that you start the application process 3 months prior to your planned date of entry into Taiwan. After your visa is issued, please check that the dates on the visa cover your planned duration of stay in Taiwan.
Note: Given the potential relocation of the ROC (Taiwan) mission in South Africa and its impact on visa applications, we suggest that RightsCon participants based in South Africa go through the eVisa through eCode process (i.e. Pathway 4 below) instead.
As part of the application, you would need to provide an invitation letter inviting you to attend a conference in Taiwan. You can request for an invitation letter to RightsCon 2025, in both English and Chinese, by filling in this form. Upon submitting the form with complete and accurate information, we will provide you with an invitation letter in both English and Chinese via email within 5 working days.
We strongly suggest submitting this form with complete and accurate information as soon as possible. The deadline to submit a request for a visa invitation letter is January 31, 2025, at 23:59 Pacific Standard Time.
4. Apply for an eVisa through MOFA’s eCode eVisa process
This visa is specifically designed for conference attendees who do NOT have an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in their country of residence (click here to find out if you have an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in your country of residence).
Note: Given the potential relocation of the ROC (Taiwan) mission in South Africa and its impact on visa applications, we suggest that RightsCon participants based in South Africa go through this process, instead of applying for a Visitor Visa at the ROC (Taiwan) mission (i.e. Pathway 3 above).
Taiwan has an eCode eVisa through eCode process (Flexible Mechanism) for all foreign passport holders who are attending international conferences, which are either hosted, co-organized or sponsored by Taiwanese central government agencies, or select non-profit organizations. To facilitate this process, RightsCon is partnering with Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), the sponsoring entity for the process, and our local NGO partner Open Culture Foundation (OCF).
If you submit a request through this process, you do not need to submit a visa application through an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission.
To apply for an eVisa through this process, you will need an eCode issued by Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). The RightsCon team will request the eCode on your behalf. Please fill out this form with complete and accurate information to submit your request for an eCode.
This form will request personal, travel, and passport information. In addition to your submission, in the form, you will be asked to:
- Upload a legible copy of the biodata (photo) page of your passport where your personal data is shown in PDF format (note: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of entry into Taiwan); and
- Indicate your unique RightsCon order number that can be obtained from the confirmation email once you have completed registration (note: if you haven’t already done so, you can register for RightsCon here).
We strongly suggest submitting this form as soon as possible. The deadline to submit a request through this process is December 20, 2024, at 23:59 Pacific Standard Time.
What happens after you submit the form
- The RightsCon team will ensure that the information you have provided through the form is consistent and complete, and that you have successfully completed registration for RightsCon. The RightsCon team will then pass on your request, in batches, to MODA.
- MODA will verify that the information is consistent and complete, and pass it on to BOCA within 3-7 calendar days. We will notify you over email once your request has been passed on to BOCA.
- BOCA will then process your request for an eCode. The typical processing period is 5 working days, but may take longer. If your request is approved, BOCA will issue your eCode, and send it to the RightsCon team.
- The RightsCon team will send you the eCode with step-by-step instructions on applying for an eVisa using the eCode. Please note that an eCode is not equivalent to an eVisa.
- Once you receive your eCode from the RightsCon team, you have to apply for an eVisa using the eCode through this application portal.
- Your eVisa application will then be processed by the respective ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission for your country. The processing period is typically 2 weeks. Additional documents and/or an interview may be requested by the mission.
- Once your eVisa application is approved, you will receive your eVisa via email, which you can download and print to present upon your arrival in Taiwan.
5. If you are holding a passport from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, or Macau
Those holding a passport from the People’s Republic of China are eligible to apply for an Entry & Exit Permit if they meet the relevant requirements stated here. For more information on requirements and the process of applying for an Entry & Exit Permit, visit the National Immigration Agency Entry & Exit Permit application portal (for People’s Republic of China passport-holders).
Those holding a passport from and with permanent resident status in either Hong Kong or Macau are eligible to apply for an Entry & Exit Permit if they meet the relevant requirements stated here. For more information on requirements and the process of applying for an Entry & Exit Permit, visit the National Immigration Agency Entry & Exit Permit application portal (for Hong Kong and Macau passport-holders).
Applying for an Entry & Exit Permit is a lengthy process. If you are applying for an Entry & Exit Permit, please reach out to us at [email protected] so that we can provide you with the necessary support. We strongly suggest that those applying for an Entry & Exit Permit register for RightsCon by October 15, 2024, so as to begin the application process early.
Request an official invitation letter for your visa application
Depending on which pathway illustrated above you go through, you might need to provide an invitation letter as part of the application process. You can request for an invitation letter to RightsCon 2025, in both English and Chinese, by filling in this form. Upon submitting the form with complete and accurate information, we will provide you with an invitation letter in both English and Chinese via email within 5 working days.
We strongly suggest submitting this form with complete and accurate information as soon as possible. The deadline to submit a request for a visa invitation letter is January 31, 2025, at 23:59 Pacific Standard Time.
Get in touch
We recognize that the visa applications take time, capacity and additional effort on the part of individuals, and we are committed to supporting our community in navigating this process, as part of our priority to facilitate access to our summit.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding visas to Taiwan, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
Venue
RightsCon 2025 will be hosted at the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), located at 1 Hsin-Yi Road, Section 5, Taipei, Taiwan.
Located in the Xinyi District, Taipei’s financial hub and one of the busiest shopping areas in the city, the TICC is part of the Taipei World Trade Center and neighbors the city’s tallest building and iconic landmark, Taipei 101.
Here are a few notable spots around the venue:
• Taipei 101: Not only it is the tallest building in the city, but it also serves as a massive shopping mall with numerous international brands, just a minute away.
• Linjiang Night Market: Explore Taipei’s famous street food and shops, just a 14-minute walk or 4-minute drive from the TICC.
• Zhongshan Park: A perfect place to relax and escape the city’s buzz, only a 20-minute walk from the TICC.
• Xiangshan Hiking Trail: For those seeking adventure, this popular hiking area is just a 4-minute drive away.
We also encourage you to take some time to explore the city’s many wonders. Taipei is considered one of the safest cities in Asia and is well known for its hospitality and friendliness toward tourists.
Flights
The Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is the primary airport for international flights, located at No.9 Terminal South Road, Dayuan Township. Taipei Songshan Airport is located in the Songshan District of Taipei City, and primarily handles domestic flights within Taiwan, with some limited international flights to destinations in mainland China, Japan, and South Korea.
Transportation: There are a number of ways to travel from Taoyuan International Airport to downtown Taipei. As we get closer to the summit, we’ll share information on the different options including shuttles, public transit, taxis, and car shares.
Accommodations
Our summit’s venue, the TICC, is located in the heart of the city and offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit all budget, accessibility, and group size needs.
For your convenience, we’ve secured room blocks at the following hotels located nearby the TICC, and accessible by walking, public transportation, and car:
Grand Hyatt Taipei
Les Suites Hotel
Please note that room availability varies by hotel, so we encourage you to book as early as possible to secure your reservation.
If the options listed do not meet your needs, feel free to explore our custom map of other hotels in the area, ranging from local boutique accommodations to international hotel chains. For more independent arrangements, Taipei offers a variety of hostels and co-living spaces, ideal for extended stays.
Community Support Fund
In order to facilitate the participation of underrepresented communities, RightsCon provides travel and connectivity support to a small number of civil society members who wish to attend RightsCon (February 24-27, 2025). The fund is reserved for individuals facing financial barriers who would be unable to attend the summit without our support.
Applications for travel and connectivity support are now closed and all available funding has been fully allocated.
Eligibility requirements and selection criteria
As our funding is limited, to be considered for the fund, you must meet all of the eligibility requirements below:
- Belong to an underrepresented group: you identify with or belong to a community traditionally excluded from convening spaces, including but not limited to: Black, Indigenous, and racialized individuals; transgender and gender non-conforming individuals; people with disabilities; informal workers such as migrant workers and sex workers; and individuals directly affected by conflict and crisis.
- Belong to a civil society organization or work within the civil society sector: you are associated with a civil society organization, or work within the civil society sector in fields at the intersection of human rights and digital technologies. Examples of groups that fall in this category include but are not limited to: community-based organizations, NGOs, advocacy groups, labor unions, independent media organizations, and charitable organizations.
- Belong to a country in the Global Majority: you reside in, identify with, or represent an organization or community based in a country that is part of the Global Majority, in regions including, Africa, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
- Demonstrate financial need: you belong to a small civil society organization with limited funding, or work independently in a relevant field without institutional support. We will ask for information about specific financial barriers that might prevent you from participating at RightsCon without our support, as well as relevant details such as access to organizational support or challenges in obtaining funding from other sources.
Once the eligibility requirements above have been met, we will further evaluate applications considering each individual’s unique experience, background, and need, and prioritize applications that meet our selection criteria as follows:
- Program participation: while everyone is welcome to apply, we will prioritize applications from session organizers, Program Committee members, facilitators, and/or speakers accepted into the RightsCon program. If you are a participant not involved in the program, just make sure you work within the human rights and / or technology space, as we will ask to know about your contributions to the issues supported in the RightsCon program in the application form.
- Those who have not received funding from RightsCon in the past: to ensure a diversity of perspectives and opportunities to experience RightsCon, we will give priority to those that have not received funding from RightsCon in the past.
For individuals applying from the same organization, we are only able to fund one individual per organization. We encourage organizations to consider having only their junior staff apply, if they believe senior staff can secure funding from other sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out our answers to frequently asked questions. If you are unable to find the information you are looking, get in touch with us at [email protected]
Where and when will RightsCon 2025 be held?
RightsCon 2025 will be held from February 24-27, 2025, in Taipei, Taiwan and online through the RightsCon Platform.
The venue for in-person participation is the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC), located at 1 Hsin-Yi Road, Section 5, Taipei, Taiwan.
When will the RightsCon platform open?
The RightsCon platform will open on January 31, 2025.
Where and when will I be able to register for RightsCon?
Registration is open for RightsCon 2025. Enjoy early bird prices until December 3!
Do I need a visa to travel to Taiwan?
To find out if you need a visa, we recommend navigating this website for getting up-to-date international travel requirements. Simply enter the issuing country of your passport, where you’re traveling from (including if you have a connecting destination), your dates of travel, and click “see requirements”. Your trip summary will include whether or not you require a visa for your connecting flight or final destination, COVID-19 guidance, and other documentation requirements. Please note that travel requirements are frequently updated, and we recommend that you check the latest entry requirements before your trip. (Note: RightsCon is not partnered or in affiliation with the website mentioned in this page. We recognize the implications of its name and we don’t endorse it being used outside of its context of indigenous Sherpa communities and clans.)
How do I apply for a visa to Taiwan?
Depending on the passport that you hold and whether you have an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in your country of residence, there are different pathways for entry into Taiwan. Please refer to the visa information section in our website for guidance on which type of visa you are eligible for, as well as resources on relevant requirements and the application process from Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
How far in advance before my travel should I apply for a visa?
The timing of your visa application depends on the following factors:
- The type of visa you’re applying for;
- The processing time for the visa application; and
- The validity period of the visa.
If you’re eligible and applying for a ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate, the processing time is usually 24 hours. The ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate is valid for 90 days from the date of approval. Please take into consideration your expected length of stay as well as date of departure from Taiwan when applying to ensure that your ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate is valid throughout your duration of stay in Taiwan.
If you’re eligible and applying for an eVisa, the processing time is usually is 5-10 working days. An eVisa is valid for 3 months from the issue date. Please take into consideration your expected length of stay as well as date of departure from Taiwan when applying to ensure that your eVisa is valid throughout your duration of stay in Taiwan.
If you’re applying for a Visitor Visa for Attending Conferences, the processing time depends on the ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission where you apply, and can range from 5-10 working days. You can apply for a Visitor Visa any time, and we recommend that you do so as early as possible.
If you’re applying through MOFA’s eVisa through eCode process (Flexible Mechanism), please find step-by-step guidance on the eCode request and subsequent eVisa application process here.
What if my country is not listed in any of the visa options listed above?
Please reach out to us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to help!
Should I book my flight to Taiwan before my visa is approved?
Whether you’re applying for a ROC (Taiwan) Travel Authorization Certificate, an eVisa, a Visitor Visa for Attending Conferences, or an eVisa through eCode (Flexible Mechanism), you might need proof of booked flights and accommodation as part of the application process. To ensure peace of mind in case of any change in circumstances, you may choose to book refundable flight tickets.
Who is Access Now partnering with for the implementation of the visa process?
There are multiple pathways for obtaining entry into Taiwan, depending on the passport you hold.
In particular, Taiwan offers a well-established visa process for international conference participants: the eVisa through eCode process (Flexible Mechanism). This process allows participants who do not have a ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission in their country of residence to apply for a visa online. The process has been successfully executed by our partners for multiple convenings, including the recent Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum held in August 2024.
To facilitate the eVisa through eCode process, RightsCon is partnering with Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), and our local non-profit partner Open Culture Foundation (OCF). On August 20, 2024, MODA publicly announced its partnership with Access Now, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, for the successful planning and execution of RightsCon 2025. In the press release, MODA highlights its excitement to welcome participants from around the world to Taipei as well as to provide a hospitable experience for them. In addition, RightsCon 2025 has received a public welcome from the Vice Premier of Taiwan’s Executive Yuan, as well as senior officials in various ministries.
We are pleased to be partnering with Open Culture Foundation (OCF), a trusted non-profit in Taiwan and a long-time RightsCon community member, for RightsCon 2025. Securing a partnership with a local organization is crucial to ensuring that our summit remains open, accessible, and rich in programmatic diversity. OCF has been a key local partner for international summits and convenings similar to RightsCon, and has extensive experience in supporting participants in navigating different pathways to obtaining a visa to Taiwan.
We look forward to working closely with these key stakeholders to facilitate access to our summit, by supporting our community in navigating visa processes.
What type of funding assistance do you provide?
Our Community Support Fund provides financial support to a select number of civil society members who wish to attend RightsCon (February 24-27, 2025) in-person or online, and is reserved for individuals facing financial barriers who would be unable to attend the summit without our support. The fund offers support for in-person participation in Taipei including flights, hotel, stipend, among other travel related costs, as well as support for online participation including, connectivity, translation and other services.
Applications for travel and connectivity support are now closed and all available funding has been fully allocated.
What language is used in Taiwan?
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Taiwan, and English is widely spoken.
What currency is used in Taiwan, and how can I make payments?
The official currency in Taiwan is New Taiwan Dollars (NTD). In addition to cash, major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and JCB are widely accepted, and mobile payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay are increasingly accepted.