Unified ID Number for Foreign Nationals: Financial-Related Q&A

Q: Why do some people encounter issues such as salary or cash dividends not being deposited after receiving the new Unified ID Number?
A:
(I) People frequently use their bank accounts to pay various fees or receive salaries and dividends. In practice, banks will verify a customer's account number or Unified ID Number with the billing or payment institution. Only when the numbers match will the bank process the payment or deposit. Therefore, if you receive a new Unified ID Number but the information with your bank, employer, or investment company hasn't been updated, a mismatch in the numbers could result in salaries or cash dividends not being deposited.

(II) Since the Unified ID Number is a critical piece of personal information, it's recommended that you notify not only your bank but also any billing or payment institutions to update your Unified ID Number after receiving the new one. This will help prevent issues with using your bank account to pay taxes, fees, or receive salaries and dividends. The Financial Supervisory Commission has already asked banks to remind foreign customers to pay attention to this matter.

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, if I use electronic payment tools (such as EasyCard, iPASS, icash, ETICKET, JKOPay, or Gama Pay), do I need to actively update my information with these providers?
A:
(I) Upon receiving notification of the new Unified ID Number, electronic payment institutions will proactively contact their customers. They will follow internal procedures to update the information either in writing, electronically, or by other means agreed upon with the customer. If you have any questions, you can check the websites or contact information for electronic payment institutions using the following link: Financial Institution Information Inquiry.

(II) Please be aware that if your electronic payment tool is linked to a bank account or credit card, the information stored with the electronic payment provider and the bank should match to avoid inconvenience when using the payment tool. After receiving the new Unified ID Number, please ensure that both your bank and electronic payment provider have updated the number.Contact Information for Electronic Payment Institutions (Image / Source: Financial Supervisory Commission Banking Bureau Website)

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, can I open an account or apply for a credit card online?
A: Whether a bank offers online account opening or credit card services is up to each bank's business discretion. It is recommended that you ask your bank if they provide digital deposit accounts or credit card services for foreign nationals.

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, will it affect my stock trading rights? Will the stocks I bought with my old number still exist? If I have related questions, who can I contact?
A: If you do not update your personal information (such as your residence permit number) with the securities firm after receiving the new Unified ID Number, your stocks purchased under the old number will still exist, and your trading rights will not be affected. However, it's recommended to update your information with your securities firm to ensure the smooth use of your new Unified ID Number and protect your investment rights. For related questions, contact your securities firm.
https://www.twse.com.tw/zh/brokerService/brokerServiceAudit

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, do I need to update my motor vehicle's compulsory insurance? Are there any fees for this update? Will the insurance be affected if I haven't updated it yet?
A:
(I) After receiving the new Unified ID Number, you should inform your insurance company to update the information. This can be done when renewing your compulsory insurance or by contacting the insurance company directly. No fee is required for the update. Before the update is completed, the effectiveness of the compulsory insurance will not be affected.

(II) For related questions, contact your insurance company's service hotline or the Non-Life Insurance Association's free service hotline (0800-221783).

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, do I need to actively update my insurance information? Will there be any fees for doing so? Will my insurance be affected if I haven't updated it yet?
A: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, you should notify your insurance company to update the information. This can also be done during policy renewal or contract changes. There are no fees for this update, and your insurance will not be affected if you haven't updated it yet. For more information, contact your insurance company's service hotline.

Q: After receiving the new Unified ID Number, do I need to actively update my bank account information?
A:
 (I) Upon receiving notification of the new Unified ID Number, the bank will proactively contact its customers. Whether you are a deposit account holder, credit cardholder, loan customer, or online banking customer, the Financial Supervisory Commission has instructed banks to provide non-branch methods for updating information, including written or electronic methods, or other pre-agreed means. However, for some financial services, banks may require customers to update their information in person.

(II) Major banks in Taiwan have already published relevant information for updating your data on their websites.

Q: If I don't update my information with the bank, securities firm, and issuing company after receiving the new Unified ID Number, will there be any impact?
A: If your Unified ID Number isn't updated across all banks, securities firms, and stock issuing companies, your cash dividends may not be successfully deposited. Therefore, after receiving the new Unified ID Number, it's recommended to update your information with all relevant financial institutions to avoid any issues.