COVID-19: Entry testing policy amended

IMPACT – HIGH

Taiwan recently made amendments to its COVID-19 testing policy for inbound foreign nationals.

Key Points:

• The COVID-19 RT-PCR test required for inbound foreign nationals previously had to be taken within three calendar days prior to boarding a flight to Taiwan. It must now be taken within three working days of boarding.
• All foreign nationals traveling to Taiwan must submit an English-language COVID-19 negative RT-PCR test report from a test taken within three working days of flight boarding, with the following exceptions:
  • Personnel on diplomatic or official business, migrant workers, foreign nationals with valid Alien Resident Certificates, and students listed as special cases with manageable pandemic risk by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Education. Individuals who are receiving emergency humanitarian assistance and individuals arriving by boat are also exempt.
• Foreign nationals with valid Alien Residence Certificates remain subject to 14-day home quarantine after entering.
• Visa holders who do not yet possess an Alien Resident Certificate are still required to be tested and submit an English-language COVID-19 negative RT-PCR report from a test taken within three working days of flight boarding.
• In addition to the COVID-19 negative test report submission, foreign nationals traveling to Taiwan must also complete the Quarantine System for Entry form on their cell phones before boarding.

Background: Taiwan first announced the COVID-19 test requirement at the beginning of this month.

Analysis & Comments: Foreign nationals who wish to enter Taiwan should arrange to take a COVID-19 test with an English-language certificate within three working days of boarding their flights. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

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