Do Taiwan passport holders need a visa to visit China?

Taiwan ordinary passport holders cannot enter mainland China on the passport itself. You need a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents ("Taibaozheng"). Most travelers apply in advance for the 5-year card via a Taiwan travel agency, but as of November 20, 2025 a single-entry permit can also be obtained on arrival at 100 ports. A Republic of China (Taiwan) passport is not a valid entry document for mainland China; entry requires the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents (台湾居民来往大陆通行证, commonly "Taibaozheng"). The standard option is the ID-card-style permit valid for 5 years, applied for in advance through an authorized travel agency in Taiwan or a China Travel Service branch in Hong Kong/Macau; holders may then travel freely to and from the mainland for the card's validity. Since November 20, 2025, China's National Immigration Administration also lets Taiwan residents who hold no valid permit obtain a single-entry permit on arrival at any of 100 ports (up from 58), allowing a stay of up to 3 months, typically issued within about 30 minutes. From July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027, the permit fee is waived for first-time applicants ("首来族"), who also enjoy free admission to over 1,000 scenic areas. Because the on-arrival permit is available at ports rather than requiring a visa from an embassy, this route is best classified as a visa-on-arrival type pathway, though planning ahead with the 5-year card is recommended for smooth, repeated travel.