U.S. Immigration Lawyer in Taipei, Taiwan

U.S. Immigration Guidance for People in Taipei

People in Taipei and elsewhere in Taiwan may be able to retain Herman Legal Group for U.S. immigration matters without traveling to Ohio. Depending on the engagement, HLG may assist individuals, families, U.S. petitioners, and employers with family-based immigration, employment petitions, temporary visas, waivers, consular processing, and related U.S. immigration strategy. The work may generally be coordinated by video, telephone, and secure electronic document exchange.

Herman Legal Group is a U.S. law firm headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. HLG does not have an office in Taipei or elsewhere in Taiwan. This page identifies Taipei as an area the firm serves remotely; it does not represent a physical location. HLG advises on U.S. immigration law, not Taiwan law, and is not affiliated with the American Institute in Taiwan or any government agency. A matter is accepted only after a consultation, conflict check, and written engagement agreement.

Do You Need ESTA, a Temporary Visa, or an Immigrant Visa?

The right path depends on citizenship, passport, purpose, and expected length of the U.S. stay—not simply where the traveler lives.

• ESTA and the Visa Waiver Program: Eligible Taiwan passport holders with qualifying electronic passports may seek travel for permitted tourism or business activities for 90 days or less after obtaining ESTA authorization. Permitted examples include vacations, family visits, business meetings, conferences, contract negotiations, and certain unpaid short-term training. ESTA is not a visa and is not appropriate for employment, study for academic credit, journalism work, or permanent immigration.
• Nonimmigrant visas: A visa may be required when the traveler is not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, wants to remain longer than 90 days, or plans an activity requiring a specific classification. Depending on the facts, that might include a student, exchange-visitor, temporary-worker, intracompany-transferee, extraordinary-ability, investor, or visitor visa.
• Immigrant visas: A person planning to reside permanently in the United States normally follows a family-based or employment-based immigrant process. That process commonly involves a petition, National Visa Center processing, civil documents, a medical examination, and an interview at the American Institute in Taiwan.

Visa Waiver eligibility belongs to the traveler, not the traveler’s address. A Taipei resident using a passport from another jurisdiction must evaluate eligibility under that citizenship and passport. Even an approved ESTA or issued visa allows a traveler only to request entry; U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the admission decision at the port of entry.

What AIT Taipei Does—and What an Immigration Lawyer Does

The American Institute in Taiwan is commonly called AIT. It should not be described as a U.S. embassy. The Department of State identifies AIT Taipei as authorized to process both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applications for Taiwan residents. USCIS, the Department of State, the National Visa Center, and CBP may each control a different part of a case.

Depending on the scope accepted, HLG may help identify the proper route, prepare or review petitions and applications, organize supporting evidence, reconcile inconsistent records, respond to government requests, and prepare a client for a visa interview. HLG cannot issue a visa, control appointment availability, guarantee admission, or promise an outcome.

Taipei Immigrant-Visa Preparation: Details That Can Prevent Delay

A strong file should be internally consistent before the applicant reaches the interview stage. Taipei applicants should pay particular attention to the following:

1. Match the records. Compare names, dates, prior marriages, addresses, employment history, and immigration history across the passport, petition, DS-260, civil documents, and earlier U.S. applications. Explain material differences rather than hoping they will be overlooked.
2. Use the Taiwan-specific civil-document instructions. For Taiwanese citizens born in Taiwan, AIT’s current checklist requires the original Individual Household Registration Transcript in two sets—English and Chinese, with full remarks, issued within one year—instead of a Taiwan birth certificate. Exact documents still depend on the visa category and personal history.
3. Schedule the medical examination early. Current Taipei instructions recommend attending an examination with an AIT-approved physician at least three to four weeks before the interview because hospitals in Taiwan often need two to three weeks to finalize results. If results will not be ready, the instructions say to bring the medical-exam receipt to the interview.
4. Finish the delivery and document steps. Register the document-delivery address, upload required records to CEAC when the case is electronic, and bring the required originals and copies. AIT warns that missing documents can cause delays or additional trips.

How HLG Works Remotely With Clients in Taiwan

An initial consultation can be scheduled around the Taiwan–United States time difference. If HLG and the prospective client agree to proceed, the written engagement agreement identifies the legal scope, fees, responsibilities, and communication process. Documents can then be gathered securely, reviewed with the U.S. petitioner or employer when applicable, and prepared for the responsible government agency. Contacting the firm or attending a consultation does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.

Frequently Asked Questions From Taipei

Does Herman Legal Group have a Taipei office?

No. HLG is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, and may serve clients in Taipei remotely on U.S. immigration matters.

Do all Taiwan residents qualify to use ESTA?

No. Eligibility depends on citizenship, passport, travel history, purpose, and other Visa Waiver Program requirements. Living in Taiwan alone does not establish eligibility.

Can I use ESTA to start a U.S. job or degree program?

No. The State Department lists employment, study for credit, and permanent residence among purposes not permitted under the Visa Waiver Program. The proper visa or immigrant category should be determined before travel.

Where is a Taiwan immigrant-visa interview conducted?

Applicants assigned to Taipei generally follow the Department of State’s instructions for an interview at the American Institute in Taiwan. Applicants should use their appointment notice and the current AIT instructions for case-specific directions.

When should I arrange the immigrant-visa medical exam?

Current Taipei instructions recommend attending the approved medical examination at least three to four weeks before the interview. Only an AIT-approved physician may perform the required immigrant-visa exam.

Official Taipei and U.S. Visa Resources

• American Institute in Taiwan visa information
• Department of State immigrant-visa instructions for AIT Taipei
• Taiwan reciprocity and civil-document guidance
• Department of State Visa Waiver Program requirements
• Official CBP ESTA website

If the U.S. immigration plan involves a petitioner, employer, prior refusal, status violation, criminal history, document discrepancy, or uncertainty about ESTA, book a consultation with Herman Legal Group or contact HLG.

Information checked September 4, 2026. This page provides general educational information about U.S. immigration law, not legal advice or Taiwan-law advice. Government requirements and procedures can change. Reading this page or contacting HLG does not create an attorney-client relationship.