Q: How can foreign nationals apply for an Alien Citizen Digital Certificate IC Card?
A: To apply for an Alien Citizen Digital Certificate, the applicant must bring their original chip-embedded Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) issued by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) (must be within its validity period) to an NIA service station for identity verification and application submission.

After completing the application, the applicant must, within 15 days from the following day of application submission, visit the Certificate Authority (CA) website of the Ministry of the Interior at http://moica.nat.gov.tw and navigate to Alien Citizen / Citizen Digital Certificate Personalization Page / Alien Citizen Digital Certificate Application Inquiry.

The applicant should log in using their ARC number and user code from the application receipt and complete an online payment of NT$278 (NT$250 for the IC card + NT$28 for postal handling) using a credit card. After confirmation of the mailing address, the certificate will be delivered within 7-10 business days.

Upon receiving the certificate, the applicant must visit the Certificate Authority website to activate the card and set a PIN before using the certificate.

Q: What are the steps to apply for an Alien Citizen Digital Certificate IC Card?
A: The process consists of four steps: Application, Payment, Issuance & Mailing, and Activation. The entire process takes approximately 7-10 business days.

✔ Application:

1. Visit an NIA service station and present the original ARC to apply for a digital certificate.
2. The NIA service station records the applicant's mobile phone number and email address.
3. The NIA service station prints the certificate application form and gives it to the applicant.
4. The applicant verifies the information and signs the application form.
5. The NIA service station retains a copy and provides the receipt copy to the applicant.
   
   

✔ Payment:

• Within 15 days from the day after the application, visit the Certificate Authority (CA) website at http://moica.nat.gov.tw, go to Alien Citizen / Citizen Digital Certificate Personalization Page / Alien Citizen Digital Certificate Application Inquiry, and log in using the ARC number and user code from the application form.
• Complete an online credit card payment of NT$278 (NT$250 for the IC card + NT$28 for postal handling).
• Confirm the mailing address and fill in the electronic invoice information.
  
  

✔ Issuance & Mailing:

• Once payment is completed, the Certificate Authority processes issuance, personalization (engraving card number, name, and expiration date on the card), and security verification.
• After verification, the certificate is sent via registered mail to the applicant.
• The processing time is approximately 7-10 business days.
  
  

✔ Activation:

• Upon receiving the certificate, visit the Certificate Authority website at http://moica.nat.gov.tw and navigate to Alien Citizen / Citizen Digital Certificate Online Activation.
• Follow the instructions to activate the card and set the PIN.
• The certificate will be ready for use.
   

Q: What is the validity period of an Alien Citizen Digital Certificate?
A: The validity period is five years, as stipulated in the Government Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) Certificate Policy issued by the Executive Yuan.Steps for Foreign Nationals to Apply for a Citizen Digital Certificate (Image / Screenshot from the Bureau of Labor Insurance FB)

Q: If an Alien Citizen Digital Certificate is lost, damaged, or needs to be reissued due to cancellation (e.g., voluntary cancellation, ARC number change, or nationality change), is there a fee for reapplication?
A: Yes, the reapplication process is the same as the initial application, and a fee of NT$278 (NT$250 for the IC card + NT$28 for postal handling) applies.

Q: What is the user code required for card activation?
A: When applying at the NIA service station, the system generates a random 6-10 digit user code, which is printed on the application form. This user code is required when activating the certificate online and for related online services, such as:

• Online payment for certificate application
• Card activation
• PIN reset
• Temporary suspension of the IC card
• Reactivate of the IC card
  
  

Q: What online services are currently available for the Alien Citizen Digital Certificate?
A: For the latest available services, visit the Certificate Authority website at http://moica.nat.gov.tw under Alien Citizen / Application Services. The government is continuously expanding online services to support e-Government initiatives. 

Q: Can the Alien Citizen Digital Certificate IC Card be used as a replacement for a passport or ARC?
A: No, there are no legal provisions allowing the digital certificate to replace a passport or ARC.

Q: If payment is not completed within 15 days after applying at the NIA service station, does the applicant need to reapply?
A: Yes, the payment must be completed within 15 days after the day of application. If the deadline is missed, the applicant must reapply at an NIA service station.

Q: Will the applicant receive a notification for payment after applying at the NIA service station?
A: No, the applicant must complete the payment independently within the given timeframe at the Certificate Authority website (http://moica.nat.gov.tw). The Ministry of the Interior Certificate Authority and the NIA do not send payment reminders.