Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:538 Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Path: world!compuserve.COM!76702.1202 From: 76702.1202@compuserve.COM (Wally Doerge) Subject: ALL: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Taiwan Message-ID: <940825152939_76702.1202_CHN76-1@CompuServe.COM> Sender: daemon@world.std.com (World Mail) Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Distribution: wstd Date: Thu, 25 Aug 1994 15:29:39 GMT Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 74 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Taiwan ============================================================ Taiwan - Consular Information Sheet August 24, 1994 Country Description: Taiwan is completing a transition toward democracy and has a strong and well-developed economy. Tourist facilities are widely available. Entry Requirements: A passport and visa are required. Visas for stays of up to two months are issued without charge. For specific visa information, travelers may contact the Coordination Council for North American Affairs (CCNAA), 4201 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016-2137; telephone (202) 895-1800. CCNAA also has several subordinate offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Medical Facilities: Health facilities in Taiwan are fully adequate for routine medical treatment. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental overseas medical insurance, including coverage for medical evacuation, has proven useful. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide payment of medical services outside the United States. The international travelers hotline at the Centers for Disease Control (404) 332-4559 has additional useful health information. Information on Crime: The overall crime rate in Taiwan is low. Residential burglaries and thefts are the predominant types of crimes that affect foreigners, but other more serious street crimes do occasionally occur. Some foreign businesses have also been the victims of criminal extortion attempts. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police, and the American Institute in either Taipei or Kaohsiung. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad." It is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: Travelers are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country or area in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and/or large fines. Registration: Americans who register at the American Insitute in Taiwan may obtain updated information on travel and security within Taiwan. The American Institute does not issue U.S. passports directly; passport applications are sent to the American Consulate General in Hong Kong for processing. This takes nearly two weeks. For those persons who must travel immediately, the American Institute can issue a travel letter good for travel to Hong Kong or the U.S., but not for any other destination. Embassy Location: Unofficial relations with the people of Taiwan are conducted through the American Institute in Taiwan whose offices are authorized by law to perform American citizen services. For assistance, U.S. citizen travelers can contact the American Institute at No. 7 Lane 134, Hsin Yi Road Section 3 Taipei, Taiwan; telephone (886) (2) 709-2000 or the American Institute at No. 2 Chung Cheng 3rd road, 3rd floor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; telephone (886-7) 224-0154. In case of emergencies after working hours, the duty officer at Taipei can be contacted at (886-2) 709-2013. No. 94-170 This replaces the consular information sheet dated July 9, 1993, to provide information concerning supplemental medical evacuation insurance.