Taipei Acclimation Playbook
8 steps to get settled | 0 of 8 complete
🇹🇼Taiwan GuidePre-Arrival
Visas, digital arrival card, SIM options, and subtropical packing
Visa and entry requirements
US passport holders can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay — the 6-month rule does NOT apply to Taiwan. You must have a confirmed return or onward ticket. For longer stays, Taiwan launched its Digital Nomad Visa on January 1, 2025 — initially allowing 6-month stays, updated in January 2026 to a 2-year validity period. Requirements vary by age: ages 20-29 need proven annual income of at least US$20,000 over the last 2 years; ages 30+ need US$40,000/year. All applicants must show bank deposits equivalent to $10,000/month over the last 6 months ($60,000 total), provide proof of remote work, and submit a description of intended activities. Apply through BOCA (Bureau of Consular Affairs) or Taiwan representative offices abroad.
Complete the mandatory digital arrival card
Since October 1, 2025, Taiwan has fully switched to digital arrival cards — paper forms are no longer accepted. Complete the online form within 3 days before your arrival at the official website. You will need your passport details, flight information, and Taiwan accommodation address. The form is free and takes about 10 minutes. Submissions made earlier than 3 days before arrival may expire and need to be resubmitted.
Choose your SIM card plan in advance
Taiwan has three major mobile providers: Chunghwa Telecom (largest network, best nationwide coverage, most reliable), FarEasTone (good coverage, competitive pricing), and Taiwan Mobile (good coverage, popular tourist plans). Tourist SIM cards are available at Taoyuan Airport arrival hall kiosks immediately after customs — all three providers have counters. Passport required for SIM purchase. Tourist plans range from 3-day to 30-day options with unlimited data, starting from about NT$300 ($9) for short-term and NT$500-1,000 ($15-30) for 15-30 day plans. eSIM options are also available from all three carriers. For longer stays, monthly prepaid plans run NT$300-500 ($10-15) with generous data.
Pack for subtropical weather and typhoon season
Taipei is warm and humid most of the year — temperatures range from 13-35°C (55-95°F) depending on season. Pack lightweight, breathable fabrics for summer and a light jacket for winter months (December-February) when it can feel chilly and damp. A compact umbrella is essential year-round as Taipei gets significant rainfall. If visiting during typhoon season (June-September), pack a packable rain jacket. Taiwan uses plug types A and B (same as the US) at 110V/60Hz — your US electronics will work without any adapter or voltage converter. This is one of the few countries in Asia where this is the case.
Arrange travel insurance
Travel insurance is not legally required for visa-free entry but is strongly recommended. Taiwan has world-class healthcare at a fraction of US costs, but a serious emergency without insurance can still run into thousands of dollars. If you are staying long enough to qualify for NHI (National Health Insurance) — which requires an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) and 6 months of residency — you will have access to one of the best public healthcare systems in the world. For shorter stays, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (~$45/month) or World Nomads are popular among digital nomads.
SafetyWing
Travel & medical insurance for nomads
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose the best digital nomad city for me?
Start by filtering on your non-negotiables: if budget is tight, sort by cost and look at cities under $2,000/month (Chiang Mai, Medellín, Tbilisi). If fast internet is critical for video calls, filter by internet speed score. If you're on a US passport in Europe, check Schengen status — cities in Georgia, Albania, or the UK give you unlimited stay without the 90-day limit. Use the quiz to get 3 personalized picks based on your specific priorities.
What is the 'nomad score' shown on each city?
The nomad score is a 0–10 composite rating built from verified data: internet speed (25%), cost of living vs. global median (25%), safety index (20%), English proficiency (15%), and coworking availability + visa friendliness (15%). A score of 7+ indicates a city that works well for most nomads. The score is recalculated quarterly as underlying data refreshes.
Which digital nomad cities have the best internet?
The consistently highest-rated cities for internet speed are: Tallinn, Estonia (average 100+ Mbps, fiber everywhere), Seoul, South Korea (gigabit fiber standard), Chiang Mai, Thailand (fast and cheap, coworkings have 200+ Mbps), Lisbon, Portugal (fiber widely available, 100–500 Mbps in most apartments), and Mexico City (100+ Mbps in Roma/Condesa neighborhoods). For video-heavy work, any of these cities provides reliable upload speeds for HD streaming.
Can I live in these cities without speaking the local language?
Most top-ranked nomad cities have high English proficiency — Lisbon, Tallinn, Amsterdam, Prague, and Bangkok all have strong English-speaking nomad communities and service sectors. Cities with lower English scores (Tokyo, Medellín, Chiang Mai) still work well for nomads because the expat community is large, coworkings operate in English, and translation apps handle most daily situations. Every city guide includes an English proficiency rating and practical notes on language.