Security Regulations

On this page:

Overview

In accordance with security regulations, the following items are prohibited inside the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT): 

  • Weapons or explosive materials of any kind
  • Sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives, or nail files
  • Laptops or larger electronic devices
  • Cameras or video recorders
  • Remote controls
  • Any bags, backpacks, briefcases, suitcases, leather bags, cloth bags, or shoulder bags larger than 18 x 14 x 8 inches
  • Food items, including bottled water (*baby formula/food may be excepted)
  • Cigarettes (including electronic cigarettes), cigars, match boxes, and lighters
  • Sealed packages

This list is not exhaustive.  Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of the security staff.

AIT cannot store prohibited items for you. You will not be allowed to enter AIT with prohibited items. All visitors must make other arrangements to store prohibited items before entering AIT.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in significant delays or cancellation of your appointment. 

Laptops, tablets, cameras, and large personal electronic devices (PEDs) are prohibited and cannot be stored at AIT.  Small PEDs such as cell phones and smart watches are not allowed inside the consular waiting room but can be stored at AIT during your appointment.  PEDs include, but are not limited to:

  • Laptops
  • Tablets
  • Cameras
  • Call phones
  • Pagers
  • Portable music players
  • Smart watches and other electronic fitness devices
  • Hand held video game players
  • USB drives
  • Audio/video cassettes and CDs
  • Headphones or other listening devices (*hearing aides are permitted)

Due to security considerations, there is no information window for walk-in visitors at AIT.  Access to the Consular Section waiting area is limited to the following:

  • Applicants
  • Parents or legal guardians of applicants under 18 years old
  • Aides of disabled applicants
  • Approved English translators *
    * If you do not speak English or Chinese and you would like to bring a translator to your visa appointment, please submit an email request to the Call center well in advance of your appointment day. Call center will forward your request to AIT for review, and you will receive a response when the review is complete.  Your translator must be able to speak English.  Translators without AIT approval will not be allowed into the Consular Section waiting area. 

Visa appointment holders must have an appointment confirmation page and may not be admitted more than 10 minutes before or after their appointment.