Do China passport holders need a visa to visit Taiwan?

A Chinese mainland ordinary passport holder cannot freely visit Taiwan for tourism. Travel requires a Taiwan Exit & Entry Permit (入台證) from Taiwan's NIA plus a Mainland Travel Permit with exit endorsement from China's authorities; independent and group tourism from the mainland is currently suspended. Travel from mainland China to Taiwan is governed by a special permit regime, not an ordinary passport/visa. Two documents are needed: (1) the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan (大陸居民往來台灣通行證) with the relevant exit endorsement, issued by China's National Immigration Administration, and (2) the Taiwan Exit & Entry Permit (入台證) issued by Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA). As of May 2026, Beijing's 2019 suspension of individual tourism and the 2020 suspension of group tours remain in effect, so pure leisure tourism directly from the mainland is not available. Realistic pathways are: mainland residents living in Hong Kong, Macau or a third country (who may apply to the NIA online without quota since Sept 2023); approved categories such as business, professional exchange, study, or family visits; and Fujian residents visiting Matsu under a limited endorsement scheme. Permit holders with a multiple-entry tourist permit must also complete the free online Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) within three days before arrival, mandatory since October 1, 2025. Because confirmation of visa-free entry is impossible and a formal permit is always required, the conservative verdict is visa-required.