Residence Permit: FAQs for Foreign Nationals

Q: What procedures must foreign nationals complete after entering Taiwan with a Republic of China (ROC) resident visa in order to reside in Taiwan?
A: After entering Taiwan with a resident visa, foreign nationals must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and a re-entry permit at the service station in their area of residence within 30 days of entry.

Q: How soon must foreign nationals report a change of residence or place of employment during their residency period?
A: Foreign nationals must report the change within 30 days from the date the change occurred. They should bring their passport, ARC, and relevant documents (such as a household registry or rental contract) to the service station in the new area of residence. Failure to report a change of residence can result in a fine of between NT$2,000 and NT$10,000.

Q: What documents are required for foreign nationals applying for a Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC)?
A:

1. (1) Alien Permanent Resident Certificate application form.
2. (2) One color photo (same specifications as an ID card photo).
3. (3) Original and copy of an entry/exit record.
4. (4) Original and copy of new and old passports (the original will be returned after verification).
5. (5) Original and copy of the ARC (the original will be returned after verification).
6. (6) Health certificate (with the applicant’s name in a foreign language noted).
7. (7) Proof of sufficient assets or skills to support oneself (e.g., an average monthly income over the past year exceeding twice the minimum wage, or assets valued over NT$5 million, or professional/technical certifications issued by government agencies).
8. (8) Criminal record certificates from both Taiwan and the applicant’s home country within the past five years.
9. (9) Other relevant documents (such as household registration, marriage certificates, or work permits as required by the specific case).
10. (10) Application fee: NT$10,000.

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Q: What are the requirements for salary proof when applying for a Permanent Resident Certificate?
A:

1. (1) An average monthly income over the past year exceeding twice the minimum wage announced by the Ministry of Labor (e.g., total annual income of over NT$606,000 in 2022).
2. (2) Domestic movable and immovable assets valued at over NT$5 million.
3. (3) Professional or technical certification issued by the ROC government.

Q: How long must foreign nationals reside in Taiwan before applying for a Permanent Resident Certificate?
A: Foreign nationals must have legally resided in Taiwan for at least 5 consecutive years, with more than 183 days of residence each year, and meet the relevant requirements to apply for an APRC.

Q: How many working days does it take to process an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)?
A: The ARC can be collected within 10 working days (excluding mailing time).

Q: A foreign national's work permit is valid until May 2026, but their ARC expires in April 2024 due to the validity of their passport. The individual has obtained a new passport and also needs to change their residential address. Can the ARC be extended to match the work permit validity until May 2026?
A:

1. (1) If the ARC was only extended to match the passport’s expiration, it can be extended further once a new passport is obtained, provided the extension does not exceed the work permit validity. There will be no additional fees for this extension.
2. (2) According to Article 31, Paragraph 6 of the Immigration Act, when a foreign national changes their residential address or place of employment during their stay, they must report this change within 30 days to the National Immigration Agency (NIA). If there is a change of address, this can be processed at the same time as the ARC extension by providing a rental agreement or other proof of residence within 30 days of the change.

Q: A foreign caregiver has lost their ARC, and their work contract is about to expire. Can they leave Taiwan without reissuing the ARC?
A:

1. (1)According to Article 59 of the Immigration Act's enforcement rules, those who lose their ARC must apply for a replacement, even if the validity period is about to end. This includes Taiwan area resident certificates and permanent resident certificates.
2. (2)Failing to carry or report a lost ARC, even near its expiration, is subject to a fine of NT$1,000. The individual is required to follow the law and apply for a replacement.

Q: What documents are required for applying for an ARC?
A:

1. (1) Application form.
2. (2) Original passport and resident visa (returned after verification).
3. (3) One original and one copy of relevant supporting documents.
4. (4) One 2-inch, white background color photo taken within the last three months.
5. (5) Fee: NT$1,000 for one-year validity, NT$2,000 for two years, and NT$3,000 for three years. Students pay NT$500.

Q: How should a foreign national apply for an ARC extension for employment if they are unable to obtain a permit approval letter before the ARC expires?
A:If the applicant cannot obtain an approval letter from the relevant authority before the ARC expires, they should apply for a one-month extension at the service station with their passport, ARC, and proof of submission of the permit application. Once the approval letter is obtained, they can further extend the ARC within the new validity period.

Q: Can a foreign national apply for a replacement ARC if it is lost?
A: Yes, with the necessary documents, they can apply for a replacement at the service station in their area. The fee for each replacement is NT$500.

Q: A dual-national (over 12 years old) born abroad wants to register for residency in Taiwan but presented both passports upon arrival. However, the entry stamp was placed on the foreign passport. Can this individual apply for a Taiwan resident certificate using both passports?
A:

1. (1) According to Article 12 of the Immigration Act, a national without household registration entering Taiwan with a foreign passport cannot apply for residency unless certain conditions are met. They must exit Taiwan with the foreign passport.
2. (2) When entering Taiwan, a dual-national must ensure the entry stamp is placed on the ROC passport to facilitate residency or settlement.
3. (3) The described case likely occurred because the ROC passport did not have a National Identification Number or entry permit, and the individual was not aware of the need to apply for an entry permit at the airport. Therefore, they used the foreign passport for entry. Immigration officers will be reminded to guide travelers to use their ROC passport for entry.