taiwan tourism stipend

Discover Taiwan's Wonders, One Wander at a Time

Explore Taiwan with ‘Taiwan the Lucky Land’ Travel Stipend Program

Taiwan, a land brimming with cultural wonders and natural beauty, invites travelers from across the globe to embark on a memorable journey through its vibrant landscapes and rich heritage. To celebrate the lifting of COVID restrictions and to entice more foreign tourists to visit this spectacular island, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has introduced an exciting initiative: “ Taiwan the Lucky Land .”

The Travel Stipend: What’s on Offer?

As of May 1, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau launched the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” subsidy scheme, offering a remarkable NT$5,000 (approximately US$163) travel stipend to foreign travelers. Over the course of three years from May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, a total of 500,000 lucky winners will have the chance to claim this enticing travel incentive.

How Does the Lucky Draw Work?

The prize scheme aims to invigorate Taiwan’s tourism industry by providing the NT$5,000 incentive to 250,000 winners in 2023. In 2024, the prize will be awarded to 150,000 travelers, and in the final year, 2025, there will be 100,000 lucky recipients.

Claiming Your Prize: The Options and Eligibility

Winners must choose in advance whether to receive the funds through a pre-paid payment card or accommodation voucher, with supporting documentation required at the designated airport or Tourism Bureau office.

Eligibility for the draw extends to foreign independent travelers holding foreign passports, planning to visit Taiwan for a duration of three to 90 days. Notably, applicants must not be members of a tour group or applying for any group-related Taiwan travel subsidies.

How to Register and Claim Your Prize

To participate in the lucky draw, interested travelers must follow these steps:

• Visit the “ Taiwan the Lucky Land ” website.
• Click on the “Register Now” option.
• Fill in the necessary details including personal information, passport details, travel itinerary, and prize selection (payment card or accommodation voucher).
• Receive a confirmation email containing a QR code for verification.

Upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport , Taipei Songshan Airport , Taichung International Airport , or Kaohsiung International Airport , winners can scan their QR code at the dedicated lucky draw redemption area. If the lottery screen indicates a win, presenting the necessary documents will enable collection of the prize.

Embrace the Adventure!

This exceptional opportunity invites travelers to experience Taiwan’s beauty, immerse themselves in its rich culture, and create unforgettable memories. The “Taiwan the Lucky Land” program serves as a gateway to exploring the wonders of this vibrant island nation.

So, get ready to embark on an exciting journey and explore Taiwan’s treasures with the alluring “ Taiwan the Lucky Land ” travel stipend. Remember, every step you take in Taiwan could lead you to an exciting adventure and unforgettable experiences!

Key Details at a Glance

• The travel stipend program operates from 12 pm on May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025.
• Open to foreign independent travelers holding foreign (non-ROC) passports.
• Stays in Taiwan should range from 3 to 90 days.
• Applicants must not be part of tour groups or applying for group-related ROC travel incentives.
• STEP 1 : Register at least 1 day and within 7 days before arrival in Taiwan.
• STEP 2 : Try your luck and participate in the draw at the arrivals hall of airports in Taiwan.
• STEP 3 : Receive your prize on the spot upon winning and enjoy your trip to Taiwan.

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Taiwan Introduces Plan to Attract Tourists — by Paying Them

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025.

kecl/GETTY IMAGES

Taiwan is looking to boost its tourism numbers, and will hand out cash to visitors as an incentive to come.

The island will hand out NT $5,000 (or about $166) to 500,000 individual tourists along with up to NT $20,000 (or about $667) to 90,000 tour groups, CNN reported . The money will be given out digitally after tourists arrive, according to the Taipei Times , and can be used to cover expenses while in Taiwan , including for food or accommodation.

However, travelers looking to plan a trip may want to hold tight since it was not immediately clear when the money would be issued or how to apply for it, according to CNN .

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said, according to the Taipei Times . “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

The new incentive program comes as the government aims to draw in six million tourists in 2023 and then 10 million tourists by 2025, CNN noted.

Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai said the island hopes to use the incentive to bring in visitors from key markets, including Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macao, Europe, and America.

Taiwan welcomes travelers, including from the United States, without the need to test for COVID-19 before their trip, according to the American Institute in Taiwan . The country also dropped quarantine rules in October and eased mask rules in December.

Taiwan isn’t the first destination to pay tourists to visit. In 2021, Malta introduced a scheme to pay tourists to stay in hotels there, and last year, a region in Italy’s northeastern corner chose to cover traveler’s train fare in an effort to promote sustainable travel.

On the other hand, several destinations have introduced plans to collect tourist fees , including Thailand , Venice , and Europe as a whole.

Taiwan to pay tourists to visit

Looking for a bargain long-haul trip this year? Head to Taiwan, where plans are afoot to actually pay travelers to come over.

Taiwanese officials are looking to offer a financial incentive of 5,000 New Taiwan dollars (about $164) per traveler or NT$20,000 ($654) for group tours in a bid to help boost flagging tourist levels.

Some half a million foreign vacationgoers are set to benefit from the plan, which was designed to help the government reach its goal of 6 million visitors by year's end.

Taiwan only fully reopened its borders last October due to the COVID-19 pandemic and has subsequently failed to attract even a tenth of the number of tourists compared to years prior. As a result, officials are now spending money to make money.

How will it work?

Chang Shi-chung, director-general of the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, said the financial package will be sent digitally to a type of tourist card, ensuring all the cash will go directly back into the country's tourism sector.

"International tourists who are given NT$5,000 will not receive it until they arrive," Chang explained. "It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation and other travel expenses during their time here."

Related: Taiwan's Starlux Airlines will start flying to the US in April

There's still no information on when or where these cash amounts will be handed over to travelers, just that it will be distributed via a number of "promotional events" this year.

The very fact we're writing this, and you're reading this, means, at least on the marketing side of things, Taiwan has found a smart way to tell the world that it's open for business. Whether this will translate into the 10 million tourists it hopes to snare by 2025 remains to be seen.

It's not the first Asian destination to throw money at dwindling tourist numbers either. Last month, Hong Kong revealed it was giving away half a million free airline tickets in a bid to win back visitors in a project dubbed "Hello Hong Kong."

How far will the cash amount go?

Pretty far, actually. Living costs in this part of Asia are cheaper than in many of its bigger neighbors; a weeklong escape could cost you less than the same time spent in many European destinations.

In Taiwan's capital Taipei, you can find five-star hotel rooms for about $84 per night in June for two people. Although perhaps a truer reflection of how far your dollars will go is via the "Big Mac index," which has the hallowed meat sandwich priced at $2.50 in Taiwan compared to the average cost of $6.05 in the U.S. — (junk) food for thought.

Why has Taiwan's tourism dried up?

The move comes at a time of increasing uncertainty in a travel market still suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Annual visitor numbers were around 11.8 million before the pandemic but had dwindled to just 9,000 last year.

This could have a dramatic toll on businesses, including hotels, airlines, restaurants and leisure companies throughout the country.

Another possible reason for a dwindling travel market could be escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. The tensions have prompted warnings from the U.S. to China against a possible invasion.

Just this week, 25 Chinese warplanes and three warships were spotted off Taiwan's mainland in the latest provocation to cause geopolitical ripple effects.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't visit Taiwan — far from it. The U.S. Department of State gives Taiwan a " Level 1 " travel advisory, which advises "normal precautions" for travel.

Bottom line

Let's be honest, unless you had already planned to explore this delightful corner of Asia in 2023, a $164 subsidy probably won't be enough to sway you into paying a visit when a flight could cost three or four times that.

However, if you aren't one of the half a million tourists to benefit from the campaign, you can console yourself with incredible food and scenery.

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Fri, Feb 24, 2023 page3

Cabinet approves subsidy to attract foreign tourists, over nt$5bn earmarked: the program would be funded with last year’s tax surplus and be part of efforts to entice 6 million foreigners to travel to taiwan.

• By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter

The Executive Yuan yesterday approved a Tourism Bureau proposal to allocate NT$5.3 billion (US$174.31 million) from last year’s surplus tax revenue to attract international tourists in the next three years.

The bureau has funding to distribute the money — NT$5,000 each — to 500,000 international visitors, bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung (張錫聰) told a news conference at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications in Taipei.

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Chang said. “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

Travelers walk through a terminal at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in an undated photograph.

Photo courtesy of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport

“International tourists who are given NT$5,000 will not receive it until they arrive,” he said. “It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation and other travel expenses during their time here.”

The bureau would also offer incentives for domestic and overseas travel agencies to bring international tourists to Taiwan, Chang said.

A tour group from overseas would receive a subsidy of NT$10,000 if it has eight to 14 members and NT$20,000 if it has more members, he said, adding that there was enough money for 90,000 groups.

To address staffing shortages in the hotel industry, the government would help pay the salaries of new hotel employees, he said.

“Hoteliers will receive a bonus of NT$5,000 per month for each new staff member they hire,” Chang said. “It will help raise the monthly salary of entry-level hotel employees in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Keelung and New Taipei City to NT$33,000 or more.”

“Hotel employees in other administrative regions would see their monthly salaries rise to or above NT$31,000,” he added.

The bonus could continue for up to one year, he said, adding that employers must not lower the salaries once the funding ends.

The bureau is planning to focus on attracting tourists from Japan, South Korea, Europe, North America and target countries of the New Southbound Policy, Chang said.

The 18 countries defined in the policy are: Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

The goal is to attract 6 million international tourists this year, Chang said.

High-Quality of Travel Association chairman Ringo Lee (李奇嶽) said that the government should ensure that more sectors can benefit from the cash distribution to international tourists.

“The government should strive to have more international tourists visit central, southern and eastern Taiwan, not just the north,” Lee said.

While it is important to offer incentives for overseas travel agencies to organize tour groups to Taiwan, the government should also encourage them to stay in hotels and hire tour buses run by Taiwanese operators, he said.

“The number of Taiwanese traveling overseas has far exceeded the number of inbound tourists,” Lee said.

“Compared with nearby countries, we are relatively late in reopening the borders for international tourists and have fewer means to conduct international tourism marketing,” he added.

The government should also restart all cross-strait flight routes, which would boost inbound and outbound tours, he said.

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Taiwan is paying people to come visit

The government is also offering cash incentives to hotels to get more workers in the hospitality business.

By Sarah Gambles

If you’ve ever wanted to visit Taiwan, now might be your perfect opportunity. The Asian country is offering a cash incentive to tourists who come.

Taiwan’s government is offering $165 to up to 500,000 individual tourists to increase tourism to the island. Taiwan’s Premier Chen Chien-jen announced that the government hopes “to attract six million tourists in 2023, doubling that figure in 2024 and aiming for 10 million visitors by 2025,” CNN Travel reported.

Tour groups could receive up to $658.

“The money will be given out through multiple tourism promotion events this year, rather than giving it all out at once,” Taiwan Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung said, per Taipei Times . “As such, not all international tourists would receive it.“

To address hotel work shortages, the government also announced it would provide monthly cash incentives for each new staff member hired, per Taipei Times .

The announcement did not include how to apply or when the incentive would start.

Do other countries offer cash incentives to visit?

Taiwan is not the first place to offer a cash incentive to come visit. In 2021, Malta announced it would “pay each visitor who books a three-night stay directly with select three- to five-star hotels on a scaled basis,” according to Travel + Leisure .

Malta offered to pay $119 per person for every five-star booking, $89 for 4-star hotels and $60 to each visitor staying at a three-star hotel.

Hong Kong announced earlier this month it would cover airfare for 500,000 tourists.

Here’s how to apply for the free Hong Kong flights

The flight giveaways will take place in three rounds, as follows:

• March 1: Southeast Asians can apply for tickets.
• April 1: Mainland China residents can apply.
• May 1: All international tourists can apply for the tickets.
• July 1: Hong Kong residents can apply for the “make up for lost travel time” flights the government is offering to locals, according to CNN .

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Taiwan government is giving away NT$5,000 travel vouchers to tourists

Here's everything you need to know

Planning for a trip to Taiwan? Well, you're in luck as the Taiwan government has just announced that they will be dishing out travel vouchers (much like our consumption voucher scheme , but travel edition) with the aim to boost tourism and attract foreign visitors to the country. Here's what you need to know:

What is it?

Starting May 1, 2023 (12pm), the Taiwan Tourism Bureau will be distributing 500,000 vouchers worth NT$5,000 each (approximately HK$1,280) as travel incentives for tourists visiting Taiwan. The vouchers will be given out through a lucky draw system and will run all the way through to June 30, 2025. The first 250,000 vouchers will be given out in 2023, while the remaining 150,000 vouchers will be distributed in 2024, and 100,000 vouchers in 2025.

Who is eligible?

Independent travellers who do not hold a ROC (Republic of China) passport and are staying in Taiwan for three to 90 days are eligible. However, this does not apply to those travelling in tour groups. In other words, Hong Kong residents holding a Hong Kong passport can participate!

How do I enter the lucky draw?

The rules are simple. Those who are eligible can register online one to seven days prior to their arrival date in Taiwan on a designated government website (5000.taiwan.net.tw). Registration begins on April 28 at 12pm – but remember, the lucky draw only starts from May 1, 12pm onwards.

Participants must fill in the necessary travel information and choose the type of vouchers they would like to receive (electronic tickets or accommodation discount vouchers). A QR code for the lucky draw will be sent to you via email upon successful registration.

On the day of arrival in Taiwan, participants can head to the lucky draw event area located at the arrival halls in one of four Taiwan airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport.

How do I collect my prize?

Lucky winners may head to the airport's redemption area and provide relevant documents – including their entry stamp, boarding pass, and an electronic copy of their round-trip tickets – to redeem their prize.

How can I use the travel vouchers?

Those who have chosen to claim their prize in the form of electronic tickets may store the money on an EasyCard or iPass and spend them at designated merchants. Each transaction limit is NT$5,000, while the maximum usage per day is NT$3,000.

Meanwhile, winners who have opted for accommodation discounts will receive five vouchers worth NT$1,000 each. The vouchers can only be used once by the winner at hotels with tourist hotel business licenses and commercial hotels or hostels with registered licenses. The vouchers can not be reused or resold.

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“Taiwan the Lucky Land”: Taiwan’s NT$5,000 lucky draw for foreign tourists. Participation methods, eligibility

Last Updated on 12-30-2023

If you’re planning a trip to Taiwan, here’s some exciting news for you! The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has introduced a special subsidy scheme called “ Taiwan the Lucky Land ” to encourage more foreign tourists to visit the country.

As part of this scheme, foreign travelers have the chance to participate in a lucky draw and win a NT$5,000 (US$163) travel stipend. In this article, we will delve into the details of this enticing offer and provide you with all the information you need to know.

Before planning your visit to Taiwan, you can look for suitable accommodation on mrhost Taiwan Short-term rentals and find out if they have a partnership with “Taiwan the Lucky Land” .

What is “Taiwan the Lucky Land” ?

Eligibility for the lucky draw, lucky draw method, accommodation discount coupon, bonus prize of taiwan the lucky land, redemption process.

Taiwan, known for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality, has always been a popular tourist destination. To further boost tourism and attract more visitors, the Taiwan Tourism Bureau has launched the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” subsidy scheme. This scheme aims to provide foreign tourists with a chance to win a NT$5,000 travel stipend through a lucky draw.

The “Taiwan the Lucky Land” subsidy scheme offers a total of 500,000 lucky draw prizes over a span of three years, from May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025. The distribution of prizes is as follows: 250,000 winners in the first year, 150,000 winners in the second year, and 100,000 winners in the third year. This distribution ensures that a significant number of travelers can benefit from this scheme each year.

Foreign independent travelers who hold foreign (non-ROC) passports, have stays in Taiwan of 3-90 days, are not members of tour groups, and are not applying for any group-related ROC travel incentives.

How to participate for the Lucky Draw

To participate in the lucky draw, foreign tourists must register on the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” registration website . The registration process requires travelers to provide their personal information, including name, nationality, passport number, arrival date, departure date, and email address. It is important to note that registration should be completed 1-7 days before the scheduled arrival date in Taiwan. 

• Step 1. Register at least 1 day and within 7 days before arrival.
• Step 2. Try your luck and draw at the arrivals hall of airports in Taiwan.
• Step 3. Receive your prize on the spot and enjoy your trip to Taiwan.

Prize Options for Winners

Winners of the lucky draw have the option to choose their preferred method of receiving the NT$5,000 prize. There are two options available:

Winners can opt to receive the funds via a pre-paid payment card. Two types of cards are offered: EasyCard or iPass. These cards can be used for various transactions within Taiwan, including transportation and purchases at affiliated stores. The maximum single purchase limit with these cards is NT$1,500.

Alternatively, winners can choose to receive an accommodation voucher. These vouchers can be used to cover the cost of accommodation during their stay in Taiwan.

If you want to full this of accommodation cooperate with this program, you can refer to the official website . Or you can check out our article on the 5 best hotels that have collaborated with this program .

Taiwan’s NT$5,000 lucky draw for foreign tourists starting from September 15, 2023, in addition to the existing EasyCard, iPass and Accommodation Coupon options, will add the icash 2.0 Stored Value Card option.

Starting from September 15, 2023, travelers who enter Taiwan and win prizes after the raffle will receive additional prizes for choosing different prizes as follows:

• Choose icash 2.0 Stored Value Card : one NT100 dollars 7-11 merch Card + 2 Iced Americanos (to be redeemed at 7-11store)
• Choose EasyCard : A.S. Watson Coupon (NT 120 off upon spending of NT 1,200 or above), and a complimentary mask upon spending of coupon (limited to 30,000 coupons, first-come-first-served basis, while stock lasts)
• Choose iPass : Hi-Life convenience store Coupon tickets. (NT 50 off upon purchase of NT 250 or more, limited to 30,000 tickets, first-come-first-served, while stock lasts.)

If you don’t know what Easy Card is, you can refer to our All the things you can do with your Taiwan Easy Card article .

Once winners have chosen their preferred prize option, they must present the supporting documentation at the designated airport or Tourism Bureau office to claim their prize. The supporting documents include the passport, entry stamp, boarding pass, and electronic round-trip air ticket. Winners will need to sign a confirmation receipt upon collection of their prize.

Taiwan’s “Taiwan the Lucky Land” subsidy scheme presents an exciting opportunity for foreign tourists to win a NT$5,000 travel stipend. By participating in the lucky draw, travelers can enhance their experience in Taiwan and make the most of their visit. Register for the lucky draw, explore the wonders of Taiwan, and enjoy the warm hospitality of this captivating land.

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This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

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Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said the payment to international tourists has been approved. This has been corrected.

MANILA, Philippines – Revenge travel season doesn’t get any better than this! Taiwan’s government is considering the tourism bureau’s plans to provide monetary allowances to international tourists, as reported by Taipei Times on February 23.

The proposal is an allowance of NT$5,000 per person (approximately P9,000) will be given to 500,000 tourists when they travel to the country, as a way to boost Taiwan’s tourism.

Additionally, those traveling in groups can also receive cash incentives from the government. Groups of 8 to 14 tourists can receive NT$10,000 (around P17,900), and groups with more members can receive NT$20,000 (around P35,800). Up to 90,000 groups can enjoy the allowances.

Tourists chosen to have allowances will receive the amount upon arriving in Taiwan. Tourism Bureau Director-General Chang Shi-chung explained that the stipend will be provided digitally.

“It will be stored in an electronic ticketing card, which can be used to pay for food, accommodation, and other travel expenses during their time here,” Chang said.

Chang noted that the money will not be given all at once to travelers but will be distributed throughout multiple tourism promotion events.  

The bureau’s plans are in line with Taiwan’s goal of boosting tourism, with a target of welcoming 6 million international visitors in 2023. The program has an allocated budget of NT$5.3 billion (P9.5 billion). The bureau is primarily targeting to attract tourists from Japan, South Korea, Europe, and North America. 

Filipinos are also qualified to receive the incentives as the program covers countries under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. Other eligible countries include Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and many more. 

On Friday afternoon, March 3, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines told Rappler that as of this writing, the proposal was still under review and has not been finalized yet. The official guidelines will be posted on its official website once confirmed. – with reports from Charlene Enriquez/Rappler.com

Charlene Enriquez is a Rappler intern.

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Taiwan Tourism Launches “Taiwan the Lucky Land” Subsidy Scheme for Foreign Travelers

The Taiwan Tourism Bureau has recently launched a subsidy scheme titled “Taiwan the Lucky Land” to encourage more foreign tourists to visit the country now that its COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Here are the details of the scheme:

Table of Contents

“Taiwan the Lucky Land” The Lucky Draw

Prize options, eligibility and registration, to register, visitors should:, how to claim the prize.

The scheme offers a lucky draw for a NT$5,000 (US$163) travel stipend for foreign travelers. Over the course of three years from May 1, 2023, to June 30, 2025, 500,000 foreign tourists who win a lucky draw will be provided with NT$5,000. To jump-start Taiwan’s tourism, the NT$5,000 incentive will be handed out to 250,000 winners this year, while in 2024, the prize will be awarded to 150,000 travelers, and in 2025, there will be 100,000 recipients.

Winners must choose in advance whether to receive the funds via a pre-paid payment card or accommodation voucher and present the supporting documentation when claiming the prize at the counter of a designated airport or Tourism Bureau office. Tourists who opt for payment cards can choose between having the money stored on an EasyCard or iPass. When spending the prize money with these cards, the single purchase limit is NT$1,500, while no more than NT$3,000 can be spent per day.

According to the bureau, the draw is open to foreign independent travelers who hold foreign passports, visit Taiwan for three to 90 days, are not members of a tour group, and are not applying for any group-related Taiwan travel subsidies. Visitors may register for the draw one to seven days before their scheduled arrival date in Taiwan.

• Go to the “Taiwan the Lucky Land” website.
• Click on the “Register Now” option.
• Select and click “Register for the lucky draw.”
• Fill out last name, middle name, first name, passport number, nationality, arrival airport, arrival and departure dates, airlines, flight numbers, and email address.
• Next to “Travel prizes options,” select E-Ticket-iPass, E-Ticket- EasyCard, or Accommodation Vouchers.
• Enter the verification code.
• Click the checkbox next to the statement pledging correctness and authenticity of information entered.
• Click “send.”

A confirmation email should arrive at the email address submitted in the form. The email will contain a QR code that will be used to determine whether they have won the draw when they arrive at a designated airport.

Winners can claim the prize by scanning the QR code at the dedicated lucky draw redemption area when arriving at one of these four airports: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung International Airport, and Kaohsiung International Airport. If the lottery screen at the airport arrival hall indicates that a traveler has won the prize, they must present staff with their passport and relevant supporting documents, including entry stamp, boarding pass, and electronic round-trip air ticket.

The lucky traveler must then sign to confirm receipt and collect the prize. The type of prize received will depend on the option selected when registering. The type of prize cannot be changed after it has been entered into the system. Prizes can only be redeemed on the day of arrival in Taiwan.

To obtain further details, please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on the website.

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Taiwan Tourist Tax Refund: Full Guide and Locations

To encourage spending in Taiwan, the government introduced a tourist tax refund scheme for travellers holding a non-Taiwanese passport.

Tourists spending over NT$2,000 at designated stores are entitled to a full VAT rebate of 5% .

Tax Refund Requirements

Tax refund procedures, taoyuan airport, songshan airport, taipei main station.

• Shopping Malls

Useful Information

Click link to go to the appropriate section on this page.

The Taiwanese government have introduced an incentive scheme to attract more tourists. They’re giving handouts of NT$5,000 ($165) to 500,000 tourists from May 2023. Click here to read my guide on the Lucky Land Giveaway

• Tax refunds are only available from stores where you see the tax refund logo (above). Click here for a full list of participating stores
• Ensure you have your non-Taiwanese passport on you when making the purchase
• If you needed a Visa to enter the country, you may also need to show them this
• Refunds are eligible for anyone making purchases of NT$2,000 or more from the same store during the same day . You can therefore make multiple smaller purchases from the same store that totals over this amount
• Tax refunds must be claimed within 90 days of making your purchase

Procedure at Store

• When purchasing your item(s), ask the shop assistant for the Tax Refund Claim Form
• Show them your passport and they will complete the form, attach the receipts, and ask you to sign it
• Keep this form safe until you leave the country

Note : There are a few places where you can claim your refund immediately. You simply need to take your goods and passport to the VAT Refund Service Counter at that location to claim your refund (see Locations section).

Procedure at Airport

• Visit the VAT Refund Service Counter or the E-VAT Refund Machine before you check-in your luggage (see Locations section)
• Tax Refund Claim Form along with receipts
• Passport (and Visa documents if required)
• Purchased goods
• If approved, you can either choose to refund the amount to your credit/debit card, or receive a cheque which you must take to a nearby bank (found within either airport) to exchange it to your desired currency
• You may be required to show your goods at the customs check before you can receive you refund (these are located directly adjacent to the refund booths)

Tax Refund Locations

If the refund desks are not open, you can still make your claim from the refund desks open 24 hours a day at both airports. E-Vat refund machines can be found close to the desks.

Floor 1 between departure and arrivals halls

Found in Terminal 1 on the first floor

There is a tax refund desk located near the Taoyuan Airport MRT station at Taipei Main Station.

This can be found on floor B1, and is right next to the In-Town Check-In Area and a Starbucks.

You will need to use this desk if you want to take advantage of the In-Town Check-In (it will save a lot of hassle at the airport!).

Click here to read more about the In-Town Check-In facility at Taipei Main

I would recommend coming here instead of the airport tax refund desk as it’s normally less busy, plus there is a customs desk right next door should you need to have any of your purchases examined.

Note that there are limits to any refunds you can claim here (see Limits section below).

Shoppings Malls

The Taipei 101 mall , and all SOGO and Shin Kong Mitsukoshi  malls in Taiwan allow you to get an immediate tax refund on any purchased goods.

Only some of these malls have tax refund counters, but you can claim your refund if you have purchased your goods from the another mall of the same brand.

The malls that have tax refund counters are:

* 20% processing fee .

Limits for Shoppings Malls

The following limits apply when claiming a refund from locations other than the airports:

• Purchases from a single store on the same date must be less than NT$48,000
• Total purchases for a single visit must be less than NT$120,000
• Total purchases for multiple visits within the same year must be less than NT$240,000

If your purchases fall outside these limits, you’ll need to use the airport tax refund desks.

• A handling fee of 14% will be taken out of your tax rebate
• Download the Taiwan Tax Refund App ( Android / iOS ) for information such as nearby tax refund stores, personal refund history and even a calculator
• Tax refunds cannot be claimed for meals or hotel bookings
• Ensure you give yourself enough time if claiming your refund at the airport
• Watch this useful guide on obtaining your tax refund:

If you have found the information on this page helpful, please take a minute to share this post. Your support would be greatly appreciated :)

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Taiwan Is Paying Tourists $165 Each To Visit The Island: When Can You Apply?

• Taiwan plans to offer $165 each to 500,000 foreign visitors and $658 each to 90,000 tour groups
• Taiwan recorded just under 900,000 inbound visitors in 2022, compared to 11.8 million in 2019
• Taiwan will offer public transport passes to its residents to help revive the tourism industry

After three years of isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan is wooing international travelers to come and experience its culture.

The Taiwanese government plans to offer 500,000 foreign tourists NT$5,000 ($165) each to visit the island, CNN reported. It also plans to offer cash incentives of up to NT$20,000 ($658) each to 90,000 tour groups.

Taiwanese Premier Chen Chien-jen said the cash allowances for overseas travelers are part of their objective to attract 6 million tourists this year and 10 million visitors by 2025.

Taiwan's Transport Minister Wang Kuo-tsai said the handouts will be delivered digitally, and travelers will be able to use the money for their expenses while on the island.

Kuo-tsai added they are targeting travelers from Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Europe and America.

However, the Taiwanese government has yet to announce when the promotion will begin or how to apply for the money, as it waits for the Legislative Yuan to pass the legislation to fund the tourism incentives.

In 2022, the island recorded just under 900,000 tourist arrivals, according to the Taiwan Tourism Bureau , after it lifted its COVID-19-related restrictions in October last year.

Since the island's reopening, the number of inbound visitors started to pick up, and it recorded 302,100 visitors in December 2022. Most of the visitors came from Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the U.S.

But last year's figures are small compared to the record 11.8 million foreign tourists who visited Taiwan in 2019.

Meanwhile, Taiwan also introduced monthly public transport passes for its residents to encourage the use of public transport, which saw a decline in passenger volume during the COVID-19 pandemic, Focus Taiwan reported .

The public transport pass is worth NT$1,200 (US$39.56) and is slated for launch in July.

Lin Fu-shan, the director-general of the Department of Railways and Highways of Taiwan's Transportation Ministry, said the monthly pass will allow unlimited travel on public transport, including local city and intercity buses, mass rapid transit (MRT) lines, Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) trains and bicycle-sharing services, in Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan and Keelung.

Taiwan is not the only one in Asia that has launched an incentive program to revive its tourism industry after the pandemic.

Earlier this month, the Hong Kong government pledged more than 500,000 free flights to encourage foreign travelers to visit Asia's business hub.

The giveaway is expected to begin in March and will be distributed by Cathay Pacific, HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines and Greater Bay Airlines. It will last for about six months, with tickets released in phases.

In December 2022, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced that his government is lifting coronavirus restrictions for incoming travelers.

All tourists and residents coming from overseas will be allowed to enter the city if they present a negative COVID-19 test. They will no longer be required to use a contact tracing app to enter most establishments.

© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.

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