COSCUP x UbuCon Asia 2026 — Invitation Letter Guide

TL;DR

Not visa-exempt and need a visa to enter Taiwan? Request an invitation letter here: 🔗 https://forms.gle/woqnTfwBrpq1bbBAA

Then bring it to your local Taiwan diplomatic office to apply for a visa. The organizing team handles the letter — the visa application itself is between you and the consulate.

Your application will be reviewed by both the COSCUP and UbuCon Asia (UCA) teams, who jointly hold the right to approve or decline each request. Please make sure all information is accurate and clearly demonstrates your intent to participate in the event. We strongly encourage you to apply early, as processing takes time and visa appointments may have their own lead times.

What Is an Invitation Letter?

COSCUP x UbuCon Asia 2026 provides official invitation letters to support international visitors who need documentation for their visa application. The letter confirms your participation in the conference and may be submitted to a Taiwan diplomatic office as part of your visa application package.

Each application is jointly reviewed by the COSCUP and UbuCon Asia (UCA) organizing teams. Both teams reserve the right to approve or decline any invitation letter request based on the information provided. Their decision is final.

The invitation letter does not guarantee visa approval. All visa decisions rest entirely with the relevant consulate or embassy of Taiwan (Republic of China).

Important: The organizing team's role is limited to issuing the invitation letter. We are not able to advise on, assist with, or intervene in any part of the visa application process. You are responsible for contacting the appropriate Taiwan diplomatic office in your country and following their specific requirements.

Step 1 — Check If You Are Visa-Exempt

Visitors from eligible countries may enter Taiwan without a visa. If you hold a passport from one of the 66 visa-exempt countries listed below, you do not need to apply for a visa or request an invitation letter.

(List effective as of March 1, 2026)

🇦🇱 Albania · 🇦🇩 Andorra · 🇦🇺 Australia · 🇦🇹 Austria · 🇧🇪 Belgium · 🇧🇿 Belize · 🇧🇬 Bulgaria · 🇨🇦 Canada · 🇨🇱 Chile · 🇭🇷 Croatia · 🇨🇾 Cyprus · 🇨🇿 Czech Republic · 🇩🇰 Denmark · 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic · 🇪🇪 Estonia · 🇸🇿 Eswatini · 🇫🇮 Finland · 🇫🇷 France · 🇩🇪 Germany · 🇬🇷 Greece · 🇬🇹 Guatemala · 🇻🇦 Holy See (Vatican) · 🇭🇳 Honduras · 🇭🇺 Hungary · 🇮🇸 Iceland · 🇮🇪 Ireland · 🇮🇱 Israel · 🇮🇹 Italy · 🇯🇵 Japan · 🇽🇰 Kosovo · 🇰🇷 South Korea · 🇱🇻 Latvia · 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein · 🇱🇹 Lithuania · 🇱🇺 Luxembourg · 🇲🇾 Malaysia · 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands · 🇲🇹 Malta · 🇲🇨 Monaco · 🇳🇷 Nauru · 🇳🇱 Netherlands · 🇳🇿 New Zealand · 🇲🇰 North Macedonia · 🇳🇮 Nicaragua · 🇳🇴 Norway · 🇵🇼 Palau · 🇵🇾 Paraguay · 🇵🇱 Poland · 🇵🇹 Portugal · 🇷🇴 Romania · 🇸🇲 San Marino · 🇸🇬 Singapore · 🇸🇰 Slovakia · 🇸🇮 Slovenia · 🇪🇸 Spain · 🇸🇪 Sweden · 🇨🇭 Switzerland · 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis · 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia · 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines · 🇹🇻 Tuvalu · 🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 🇺🇸 United States

Reference: 外籍人士來臺免簽證適用國家名單 (Bureau of Consular Affairs)

Not sure if your country qualifies? Check the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) website: https://www.boca.gov.tw/

Step 2 — If You Are Not Visa-Exempt: Apply for a Visa

If your country is not on the visa-exempt list, you will need to apply for a visa. We recommend trying to apply directly first — an invitation letter (Step 3) is only needed if the portal or your local Taiwan diplomatic office requires it as supporting documentation.

(Choose one of below)

General Visa Applications

Visit the Taiwan Online Visa Application System and select "General Visa Applications" when prompted:

🔗 https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/

Please do not use "eVisa Applications." We do not have a venue code required for that process.

Applicants from Southeast Asia

🔗 https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/nia_southeast/

Applicants from China, Hong Kong, or Macau

🔗 https://coa.immigration.gov.tw/coa-frontend/overseas-foreign-china

Step 3 — Request an Invitation Letter (If Required)

If your visa application requires an invitation letter as supporting documentation, please complete the request form below. Your submission will be reviewed by our team, and the letter will be issued as a PDF document that you can submit to your local Taiwan diplomatic office.

🔗 Request Form: https://forms.gle/woqnTfwBrpq1bbBAA

For any questions, contact us at: engagement@coscup.org

Forms to Complete Before Landing

Before arriving in Taiwan, please make sure to fill in the required arrival forms:

🔗 https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/

Important Notes

  1. Apply early: Visa appointments and processing can take weeks. We strongly recommend submitting your invitation letter request as soon as possible, well ahead of your planned visa application date.
  2. Deadline: Submit your request before June 15, 2026 (AoE). Requests received after the deadline may not be processed in time for your visa appointment.
  3. Scope of support: We provide invitation letters only. We are not able to assist with the visa application process itself, communicate with diplomatic offices on your behalf, or advise on visa requirements specific to your country.
  4. Eligible purpose: Invitation letters are issued for visa application purposes only. Requests made for internal company approval, certificate issuance, or any non-visa reason will be declined.
  5. Review and decision: Each request is jointly reviewed by the COSCUP and UbuCon Asia (UCA) teams. Both teams reserve the right to approve or decline any request, and their decision is final. We appreciate your patience and cooperation.
  6. Manual processing: Reviews are carried out individually by our volunteer team. Please allow sufficient time for processing.
  7. Name accuracy: Please ensure the name on your request matches exactly with your passport. Discrepancies may cause delays.
  8. No guarantee: Receiving an invitation letter does not guarantee that a visa will be granted. Decisions are made solely by the relevant consular authority.

Note Regarding Certain Travel Documents

Due to existing administrative and diplomatic constraints, COSCUP x UbuCon Asia 2026 is currently unable to issue invitation letters for holders of People's Republic of China (PRC) passports. We recognize that this limitation may be disappointing, and we sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause.

If you hold a PRC passport but have another valid residence visa or travel document, you may be able to find relevant entry information through the following resource: 🔗 https://coa.immigration.gov.tw/coa-frontend/overseas-foreign-china

We encourage affected individuals to explore alternative options or consult with the relevant consular offices directly.

About COSCUP x UbuCon Asia 2026

COSCUP (Conference for Open Source Coders, Users, and Promoters) is one of the largest open source conferences in Asia, hosted annually in Taipei, Taiwan. In 2026, COSCUP is co-hosted with UbuCon Asia (UCA), bringing together the Ubuntu community and broader open source contributors, developers, and communities from across the region and around the world.