Taiwan Alien Digital Citizen Certificate FAQ 自然人憑證常見問題

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Taiwan's Alien Digital Citizen Certificate is a useful tool to authenticate your identity on the internet, so that you can take care of many government related tasks related to your personal data online. With this certificate you can pay taxes, check your health records, check your pension accounts, receive invoice lottery winnings, check your credit history, and much more. 

The main reason I applied for my Digital Citizen Certificate was to check my pension account. There is pretty much no other way to access your Taiwan pension information except with this card. 
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Let's get this frequently asked question section started. 

Q: What is a Taiwan Alien Digital Citizen Certificate?
A: According to the Taiwan government, it is "your internet ID for bilateral identification while you are exchanging information on the internet."
Basically, it helps confirm your identity on the internet so that you can access government held data and perform certain applications and processes online. 

Q: Can foreigners apply for and use a Taiwan Digital Citizen Certificate?
A: Yes, as long as you have an ARC card (Alien Resident Certificate), an email address, and are 18 years old or older, you can apply for a Taiwan Alien Digital Citizen Certificate. 

Q: What functions does a Taiwan Alien Digital Citizen Certificate have for foreigners in Taiwan?
A: Foreigners can complete the following online with this card:

• File and pay taxes (you can do this with your NHI card too). Click here for our full guide to filing taxes online in Taiwan. 
• Check your tax records
• Hold digital receipts online, and automatically transfer winnings to your bank account if you win the receipt number lottery. For more info check out this blog.
• Check your health records,
• Check your Taiwan pension accounts. For more info check out this blog. 
• Check your credit history
• Use the government's FIDO app to verify your identity. 
• Obtain Taiwan immigration entry and exit records for free. For more info check out this blog. 
• Complete import/export declarations with EZ way
• And more

Q: What extra functions does a Taiwan Digital Citizen Certificate have for Taiwan citizens but not foreigners?
A: Taiwan citizens can complete the following additional tasks online with this card:

• Apply for a credit card
• Open a bank account
• Check Taiwan Citizen Pension Accounts (國民年金)
• And more​​

http://moica.nat.gov.tw/download/File/FRApply_en.pdf

Q: How much does a Taiwan Alien Digital Certificate Cost?
A: 275 NT

Q: How long is a a Taiwan Alien Digital Certificate valid?
A: Five years
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Q: Can I apply for an extension of validity for my Taiwan Alien Digital Certificate?
A: Yes, you can apply for a three year extension within the last 60 days of the five year validity, making the card valid for 8 years total. 

Q: If I change my ARC number, do I also need a new Taiwan Alien Digital Certificate?
A: Yes, if you change your ARC number your Taiwan Digital Certificate will automatically be cancelled and you must apply for a new one. 

Q: How Do I apply for a Taiwan Alien Digital Citizen Certificate?
​A: Check out our guide below, or check out this blog.

Step 1: Apply at the immigration office (在移民署申請)
​Go to the NIA Immigration office and apply for an Alien Digital Citizen Certificate (note Taiwan citizens should go to their local house registration office).
All you need to do is take a number, wait in line, and show them your ARC card. They will ask for your email address and phone number.
They will then give you a receipt with your subscriber code ​ (用戶代碼) which you need to pay for and unlock the card online. 

Step 2: Pay for the card (辦理繳費)

• Go to https://moica.nat.gov.tw/main.html and select "Alien Citizen Digiral Certificate"

• Select "Application Progress and Payment" on the top left of the commonly used functions.

• Enter your ARC number on top and the subscriber code received on the receipt from the immigration office on bottom.

• Fill out your credit card informaiton as well as other details to complete the payment and process. After about 10 working days, you will receive the card at the address on your ARC.

Step 3: Unlock the card (開卡)

After about ten days you will receive the card. Before you can use it, you need to unlock it (please note Taiwan citizens do not need to unlock their card if they applied through the house registration office). Funny thing is they don't add the word "Alien" on the card for foreigners. 

There are great instructions in the letter with your card on how to unlock it. 

Some important notes to protect your card.

• To unlock your card and use your card in general, you will need a card reader that connects to your computer via usb port. 
• You will also need to download the software needed to read the card here. After you install the software you will need to restart your computer.

• Go back to the website you used to pay for your card and select "How to activate card" on the left (moica.nat.gov.tw/other/IC_cardDetect.html).
• Make sure the computer sees your card and select it from the menu. Your info will fill automatically.
• Fill in the information and create a PIN. This PIN is your online password to use the card on all government websites.

That's it! Now you can go use your Taiwan Alien Digital Certificate!

Q: How do I use my ​a Taiwan Digital Citizen Certificate?
A: Go to the Taiwan government website that requires authentication, select your card, and enter your PIN. Now you can access government websites and see your personal data. 

Have any further questions? Please leave them in the comments below. 

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