Entry and Exit: Q&A for Foreign Nationals

Q: How can foreign nationals apply for the lifting or shortening of entry bans?

A: Foreign nationals who have violated any provisions under Article 18, Paragraph 1 of the Immigration Act and have been banned from entering Taiwan by the National Immigration Agency (hereafter referred to as NIA), may apply for a reduction or lifting of the entry ban if they meet the criteria specified in the "Regulations on the Entry Ban of Foreign Nationals." The application can be submitted by the national or foreign spouse, or relatives of the foreign national, along with the following documents, either in person at the NIA service stations in each county/city or by mail to No. 15, Guangzhou Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City. (Contact number: 0223889393-2651)

1. Application Form: This can be downloaded from the NIA website at the following link: (https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/7244/7250/7317/Other/148656/).
2. Required Documents:
• (1) Photocopy of the passport of the applicant.
• (2) Photocopy of the identification of the applicant.
• (3) Proof of family or marital relationship. (For those married to nationals, a marriage registration must be completed.)
• (4) If the documents are in a foreign language, a Chinese translation certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy/consulate/representative office, or a domestic notary is required.
3. Other Supporting Documents: Depending on the application, provide the following documents:
• (1) Married to a national with household registration and have biological children together:

• 1. Documents proving the child's household registration or birth certificate for children without household registration or a photocopy of the child’s Taiwanese passport.
• 2. If the child was conceived outside of marriage, an original DNA parentage test report and proof of no marital relationship during the conception period must be provided (not required if the child already has household registration). It is recommended that the DNA test report be issued by a hospital approved by the central health authority, a foreign public hospital, or an institution recognized by the central health authority (for a list of recognized hospitals abroad, see: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/Page/n7sHESv9NP_M6lJqD1UPCw).

• (2) Spouse, parents, or biological children are nationals with household registration, nationals legally residing in Taiwan without household registration, or foreigners with permanent residency: Proof of family relationship (e.g., birth certificate) or marriage relationship (e.g., household registration transcript).
• (3) A spouse in Taiwan suffers from a severe illness: Medical certificate from a hospital approved by the central health authority, a major illness card, or a handbook for moderate or severe physical and mental disabilities.
• (4) Spouse is pregnant for more than 21 weeks:

• 2. Diagnosis certificate from a hospital approved by the central health authority, a foreign public hospital, or an institution recognized by the central health authority (for a list of recognized hospitals abroad, see: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Category/Page/n7sHESv9NP_M6lJqD1UPCw).
• 2. If the pregnancy occurred before marriage, a certificate of no marital relationship during the conception period (commonly known as a single certificate) must be provided.

• (5) Married before the entry ban and have been out of the country for over a year, or married during the entry ban period and have been married for over a year: Proof of marriage.
• (6) Acquired rights and responsibilities for a minor biological child with household registration in Taiwan: Proof of custody or responsibility for the minor biological child.
• (7) Victim of domestic violence and divorce, with a minor biological child with household registration in Taiwan:

• 2. Court judgment.
• 2. Proof of the minor biological child’s household registration in Taiwan.

• (8) Possess special skills or experience recognized as urgently needed in Taiwan or difficult to cultivate in a short period by the central competent authority: Confirmation document from the central competent authority.

Departure of Overseas Chinese Students After Graduation (Photo/Source: My e-Government Website)

Q: How to apply for re-entry to Taiwan after the expiration of an overstay ban?

A: After leaving Taiwan, the applicant should apply for a residence visa at a Taiwanese embassy or consulate abroad; or first apply for a visitor visa, and then convert it to a residence visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs after entering Taiwan. Within 15 days of obtaining a residence visa, the applicant should bring their passport, a 2-inch photo, supporting documents, and the required fee to the local service station to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).

Q: For overseas Chinese with dual nationality entering Taiwan with a Taiwanese passport, can they request entry/exit stamps on their foreign passport when departing?

A: To facilitate the smooth return of overseas Chinese with dual nationality, the NIA provides entry/exit stamps according to the following conditions:

1. The information on the Taiwanese and foreign passports, including gender, date of birth, place of birth, and photos must be consistent.
2. During their stay in Taiwan, they must comply with the valid visa period of the foreign passport. If no visa is required, they must comply with the visa-free period regulations.
3. For entry/exit through different airports or ports, if the stay period has not been exceeded, entry/exit stamps can be requested. If the stay period has been exceeded, only an exit stamp can be requested.

Q: How do overseas Chinese students apply for suspension of studies and departure? Can they apply for a work residence permit while remaining in Taiwan?

A: Overseas Chinese students entering Taiwan with a foreign passport must apply for a new residence visa to re-enter Taiwan after suspension of studies and departure. Working is not permitted during the suspension period.

Q: How do overseas Chinese students apply for departure after graduation?

A: Overseas Chinese students entering Taiwan with a foreign passport must leave Taiwan on their own within the validity period of their residence certificate after graduation.

Q: Can fines be waived for overstaying due to a lost passport?

A: If the passport is lost and meets the requirements for extending residence or stay, the applicant can prepare the relevant extension documents and proof of lost passport (or apply for a travel document or passport certification) and go to the local service station to complete the extension procedure. If the stay has already been overstayed, it will be handled according to the overstay regulations.