Q. Starting from January 1, 2024, what are the relaxed entry measures for nationals without household registration in Taiwan?
A. Nationals holding a valid Taiwanese chip passport and a return or onward ticket to the next destination can enter without applying for an entry permit.
Q. How long can nationals without household registration stay in Taiwan when entering without applying for an entry permit? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A. The stay period is 3 months starting from the day after entry (extensions are generally not allowed). Unless permitted to reside or settle according to regulations, they must leave Taiwan.
Q. Can nationals without household registration apply for a stay extension after the 3-month stay period expires? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A. Extensions are generally not allowed. However, an extension may be granted if one of the following conditions is met, with proof submitted before the stay period expires:
I. Pregnant for more than 7 months or within 2 months after childbirth or miscarriage.
II. Hospitalization due to illness or pregnancy, with the risk of life-threatening complications if leaving the country.
III. A spouse, direct blood relative, collateral relative within the third degree, or in-law within the second degree is hospitalized or has passed away in Taiwan due to serious illness or injury.
IV. Natural disasters or other unavoidable incidents.
V. Personal freedom is legally restricted.
Q. Where can nationals without household registration in Taiwan apply for a stay extension? What documents are required? What is the application fee?
A.
I. Applications should be submitted to service stations under the National Immigration Agency's district offices in municipalities, counties, or cities.
II. Required documents:
• Application form.
• Entry permit (those entering without an entry permit are exempt from providing this).
• Relevant supporting documents.
III. Application fee: NT$300.
Q. What should nationals without household registration do if they wish to stay in Taiwan for more than 3 months?
A.
I. They may apply for an entry permit with the "Lin Ren" designation at Taiwan's overseas offices.
II. With the "Lin Ren" entry permit, the stay period in Taiwan is 3 months starting from the day after entry. The stay may be extended once if necessary, up to a total of 6 months starting from the day after entry.
III. After the 6-month stay expires, extensions are generally not allowed. However, if one of the following conditions is met and proof is submitted before the stay period expires, the stay may be further extended:
• Pregnant for more than 7 months or within 2 months after childbirth or miscarriage.
• Hospitalization due to illness or pregnancy, with the risk of life-threatening complications if leaving the country.
• A spouse, direct blood relative, collateral relative within the third degree, or in-law within the second degree is hospitalized or has passed away in Taiwan due to serious illness or injury.
• Natural disasters or other unavoidable incidents.
• Personal freedom is legally restricted.
Q. Where can nationals apply for the "Lin Ren" entry permit? What documents are required? What is the application fee?
A.
I. Applications can only be made from overseas or in Hong Kong/Macau:
• For those overseas: apply at Taiwan's embassies, representative offices, or consular offices abroad.
• For those in Hong Kong or Macau: apply at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices in Hong Kong or Macau.
II. Required documents:
• Application form.
• Taiwanese passport.
• Proof of residency or stay in the place of residence.
• Other relevant supporting documents.
III. Application fee: Free.
Q. How long is the validity period of the "Lin Ren" entry permit?
A.
I. The validity period of the "Lin Ren" entry permit starts from the day after it is issued and can be 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or the same as the passport's validity.
II. Applicants who request a permit with the same validity as their passport must meet one of the following conditions, as recommended in writing by Taiwan’s overseas offices:
• Participates in overseas community work that contributes to overseas affairs.
• Applies for investment under the Overseas Chinese Return to Invest Act and receives approval.
• Works at an overseas office or international organization.
• Has permanent residency in a visa-exempt country.
• Is the spouse or direct relative of those who meet the above 1 to 4 conditions.
• Holds formal student status at a public school, a private school registered with the competent education authority, or a foreign school recognized by the Ministry of Education.
• Is the spouse or direct relative of someone whose direct relative, spouse, sibling, or spouse’s parent currently has household registration in Taiwan, and has been issued a "Lin Ren" entry permit with the same validity as their passport.
• Is the direct relative, spouse, sibling, or spouse’s parent of someone who currently has household registration in Taiwan.
Q. How is the entry inspection handled for nationals without household registration who qualify for entry without an entry permit and also hold a valid "Lin Ren" entry permit? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A. Priority is given to the "Lin Ren" entry permit for inspection upon entry.
Q. Can all nationals without household registration enter without applying for an entry permit or apply for an entry permit upon entry? What are the restrictions? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A.
I. Nationals without household registration who fall under the following circumstances do not qualify for entry without an entry permit and cannot apply for a temporary entry permit:
(i) Participates in violent or terrorist organizations or activities.
(ii) Is suspected of major crimes related to internal or external security.
(iii) Is suspected of serious crimes or has a criminal habit.
(iv) The passport or entry permit was obtained illegally, forged, altered, or misused.
(v) Other violations of regulations that lead to an entry ban.
II. Related regulations:
(i) For conditions (i) to (iv) mentioned above, nationals are permanently disqualified from applying for entry without an entry permit or for an entry permit upon arrival. To enter, they must first apply for a "Lin Ren" entry permit at Taiwan’s overseas offices.
(ii) For condition(v), nationals are disqualified during the period of the entry restriction. After the restriction period ends, they can apply again.
Q. How can nationals without household registration in Taiwan holding a valid non-chip Taiwanese passport apply for a temporary entry permit? What is the application fee? What is the stay period in Taiwan? Can they apply for a stay extension? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A.
I. To temporarily enter and stay for 3 months, they must hold a valid non-chip Taiwanese passport and a return ticket or onward ticket to the next destination. They can apply for a temporary entry permit at the Immigration Agency’s Border Affairs Brigades at airports and seaports upon entry.
II. Application fee: Free. III. The stay period is 3 months starting from the day after entry (extensions are generally not allowed). Unless permitted to reside or settle according to regulations, they must leave Taiwan. IV. Extensions are generally not allowed, but if one of the following conditions is met and proof is submitted before the stay period expires, the stay may be further extended:
(i) Pregnant for more than 7 months or within 2 months after childbirth or miscarriage.
(ii) Hospitalization due to illness or pregnancy, with the risk of life-threatening complications if leaving the country.
(iii) A spouse, direct blood relative, collateral relative within the third degree, or in-law within the second degree is hospitalized or has passed away in Taiwan due to serious illness or injury.
(iv) Natural disasters or other unavoidable incidents.
(v) Personal freedom is legally restricted.
Q. What is the difference between the "Lin Ren" entry permit and the temporary entry permit? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A.
I. "Lin Ren" Entry Permit:
(i) Stay period: 3 months starting from the day after entry. If necessary, it can be extended once, up to a total of 6 months starting from the day after entry.
(ii) Must be applied for while overseas or in Hong Kong/Macau.
II. Temporary Entry Permit:
(i) Stay period: 3 months starting from the day after entry (extensions are generally not allowed). Unless permitted to reside or settle according to regulations, the individual must leave Taiwan.
(ii) Applicants holding a valid non-chip Taiwanese passport and a return ticket or onward ticket can apply for the temporary entry permit at the Immigration Agency’s Border Affairs Brigades at airports and seaports upon entry.
Comparison Table of Entry Permit for Nationals without Household Registration and Temporary Entry Permit (Photo: Taken from the website of the Taipei Economic and Trade Office in Indonesia)Q. If a national without household registration in Taiwan needs to apply for a stay extension due to a relative's serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization in Taiwan, do the proof of kinship documents need to be verified by a Taiwanese overseas office?
A. Documents produced abroad must generally be verified by a Taiwanese overseas office. However, in emergencies where verification is not possible, a written explanation and sufficient proof of kinship may be provided.
Q. If a national without household registration born abroad is now an adult and their parents are nationals with household registration in Taiwan, can they apply for permanent residency? (Effective from January 1, 2024)
A. If they were born abroad, hold a Taiwanese passport, and at the time of their birth, one of their parents was a national with household registration in Taiwan, they may directly apply for permanent residency in Taiwan without being subject to a minimum residency period.
