The foreign ministry says it has relaxed rules on visa application for Iranian nationals.
The loosened regulations took effect on Tuesday. The foreign ministry has also simplified the screening process for Iranian visa applicants. The move follows the lifting of US and European sanctions against Iran in January.
The relaxed rules cover tourist visas and visas for Chinese language study, but the government hopes opening up to Iranian nationals will also boost business ties with Iran.
On Thursday, Chen Chun-shen, head of the ministry’s department for West Asian and African affairs, said that Iran holds particular promise for Taiwanese businesses.
"Iran’s natural gas reserves are the largest in the world, and its petroleum deposits are the world’s third largest," Chen said. "It has a population of 80 million, with 60% of its people under the age of 30. According to our analysis, Iran is a very advantageous market for ICT, machinery, molds, and auto parts."
Chen said that the foreign ministry secured visa-on-arrival status for Taiwanese passport holders in August last year. He said that that simplified visa procedures will bring Taiwan and Iran closer together.