Foreword: Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of questions and answers. This is meant to only give a basic overview of Taiwan's immigration landscape to those who have never been there.
Q: What is an ARC? A: Alien Resident Certificate, which is equivalent to a resident permit or "green card" in Taiwan. Q: How do I apply for a Taiwan visitor visa? A: You can use iVisa.com. They can process your visa online for a small fee. For more information click here. Q: How do I find out if I need a visitor visa to Taiwan for my country? A: You can use the following tool below provided by iVisa.com.
Q: How do I apply for an ARC?
A: Go to the Taiwan immigration office in Taiwan, or contact the TECRO (Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office) in your home country. Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Q: How do I apply for an employment gold card? A: Please see our full employment gold card FAQ here. Q: How do I apply for permanent residency in Taiwan (APRC)? A: Check out our APRC FAQ here. Q: What kind of resident permits are there? A: According to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, there are 9 different types of resident permits: CODE-A: Employment CODE-TR: Changing a visitor visa to a resident visa CODE-P: Touring, visiting relatives CODE-TS: Foreign spouses CODE-B: Business CODE-FR: Studying Chinese CODE-R: Religious CODE-FC: Overseas Chinese students CODE-FS: Foreign students You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Q: How do I apply for a marriage ARC? A: After you get married to a Taiwan national, you then need to apply for a marriage ARC from the Taiwan representative office in your home country or the immigration office in Taiwan. This may require that you leave Taiwan and apply from the TECRO in Hong Kong or elsewhere. This process will likely include proof of marriage and proof that you are single from your home country. For more information, please visit this website: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1091979&ctNode=31674&mp=se05 Q: How do I apply for a work ARC? A: Your company should do this, but technically you are supposed to do it from your home country, otherwise there will be extra fees for visa conversion. For more information, please visit the government’s website here: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1090287&ctNode=30085&mp=2 Q: What limitations does my ARC have? A: There should be an expiry date before which you have to renew it. If you are working in Taiwan, you have to stay with the same company as stated on your ARC and register any changes. Also, you have to register change of address within 15 days. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Q: When do I need to renew my ARC address? A: Within 15 days after you move. Q: How do I renew my ARC? A: Go to the immigration office, take a waiting number, and fill out the form. Click here for a list of immigration office service centers around Taiwan: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1092844&ctNode=32289&mp=2 Q: What is an APRC? A: Alien Permanent Resident Certificate. Check out our APRC FAQ here. Q: What are the requirements for an APRC (permanent residency in Taiwan)? A: First you must live in Taiwan for over 183 days for 5 consecutive years. If you are married to a Taiwanese spouse or are a dependent of a Taiwan national, another qualification is that you have lived in Taiwan with your spouse visa for a ten year period (over 183 days in the first year), and you stayed over 183 days for 5 years within that 10 year period. There are also other requirements such as minimum salary requirement of at least double minimum wage, clean criminal record, etc. Check out our APRC FAQ here. Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? Click here or here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. Q: How do I apply for dual citizenship in Taiwan?/Can I apply for dual citizenship in?/ Does Taiwan allow dual citizenship? A: If you are a foreigner, then in general no. You must reject your original citizenship to become a Taiwanese national, along with fulfilling other educational, residency, and/or work requirements. Only if you are originally Taiwanese can you have dual citizenship, or if you are granted honorary citizenship because of special contributions to society. Here and here are specific guides on the subject: Just Landed Guide: https://www.justlanded.com/english/Taiwan/Taiwan-Guide/Visas-Permits/Getting-Taiwanese-citizenship Taiwanease Guide: https://articles.taiwanease.com/2017/07/09/turning-taiwanese-a-step-by-step-guide-to-acquiring-taiwanese-citizenship/ Q: Does Taiwan need Visas?/ Does Taiwan require a Visa?/ Does Taiwan need Visas? A: If you are a foreign national from one of the 46 countries that have Visa free entry, then no. Otherwise, yes. Q: Does my Country’s passport have a Visa free entry into Taiwan? A: Currently there is a total of 46 countries that are visa free to come to Taiwan. They are listed below according to number of days and geographic area: 14 days visa-exempt: Philippines (trial) 30 days visa-exempt countries: Malaysia and Singapore 90-day visa-free countries: Asia Pacific: Japan North America: Canada and the United States of America Europe Region: United Kingdom, Ireland, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia, Vatican City State, Bulgaria, Romania, Cyprus, Andorra, and San Marino (36 in total) Passport validity should be more than six months. (Formal passports, official and diplomatic official passports are applicable, excluding emergency, temporary, other informal passports or travel documents). However, the validity period of a Japanese passport must be longer than three months. The validity period of a U.S. passport (including the U.S. emergency passport) should only be longer than the planned date of stay. Persons holding emergency or temporary passports (except for nationals of the United States) should apply for a visa from my embassy or apply for a visa when arriving in Taoyuan or Kaohsiung airport. U. S. emergency passport holders are eligible for visa-free treatment. Click here for a full list of countries that Taiwanese nationals do and do not need visas to visit. If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. Q: If my country’s passport does not have Visa Free Entry into Taiwan, what should I do? A: You can use iVisa.com. They can process your visa online for a small fee. For more information click here. Alternatively, you can do it on your own. First, you should decide which visa type you need. There are four different types of visas:
Fill in the visa application form online at https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw. Fill in the visa application information and print the application form, then write your signature. You will also need to provide the following (as applicable):
"The Visa Department has the right to refuse and need not explain the reason. Proposed visa applicants regardless of whether or not issued a visa, visa fees paid in accordance with the law is not refundable. For a one time, the visa fee is US $ 50; multiple entry visa fee US $ 100; relative processing fees is US $ 160 (currently only applies to US nationals). Any changes to this statement are subject to the latest information published by the Consular Affairs Bureau website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs." Please check the local Taiwan representative office in you country for the latest information relevant to your home country. Q: How much is a Taiwan Visa? A: Check the local Taiwan representative office in you country for the latest information relevant to your home country. If you are not from a visa free country, for a one time visa, the visa fee may be around US $50; multiple entry visa fee US $ 100; relative processing fees may be around US $ 160. You can also use iVisa.com. They can process your visa online for a small fee. For more information click here. Q: How much is a Taiwanese Visa in the Philippines? A: For a visitor visa, currently the Philippines has a 14 day trial Visa Exemption. Otherwise please check with the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines. Q: How much for a Taiwan trip? A: For a week of vacationing in Taiwan, you can budget for 1000 USD and probably have a few hundred dollars left over. But this depends on what you want to do, what kind of hotels you want to stay in, and what your budget is. For a one week trip for one person, plan to spend about 1500-3000 per night for a decent hotel (10,500-21,000 NT), 100-150 NT per meal for low end restaurants (2,100-3,150), maybe 3,000-5,000 on travel (depending on where you want to go), and 1,000 NT or so to buy small gifts for your family back home. This would be a grand total of 16,600-30,150 NT (553-1005 USD). Q: I just came to Taiwan on a working visa. Can my dependents get national health insurance? A: Yes! New legislation has come into affect as of 2018 so that dependents of foreign workers can be enrolled immediately into the national health insurance system. Before there was a waiting period of 6 months. Q: I just came to Taiwan on a working visa. Can my dependents start working here? A: Yes but they must apply for a work permit through their employer. Have any more questions about immigration in Taiwan? Please leave them in the comments below, and we might just add them to the list! Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels in Taiwan here. You can find more tours of Taipei on Klook here or KKday here. Please like, follow, and share to help everyone know that Taiwan is a friendly and inviting place for foreigners!
64 Comments
1/20/2019 06:27:44 am
In order to qualify for National Health Insurance, must I have at least 6 months on my contract when working at a public school, or a cram school?
Reply
1/21/2019 09:42:29 am
In order to get National Health Insurance, you must have a work permit and an ARC, which usually means you will work in Taiwan for over six months.
Reply
Stanley
1/25/2019 08:22:21 pm
I am Filipino and I had renounced my citizenship last year and the processing continues in the Philippines. My passport was already been nullified and I can't travel abroad even if it is emergency.
Reply
Stanley
2/18/2019 02:46:45 pm
Sorry about that! I would talk to the Taiwan authorities and see if they can make an exception to your situation. It really is stupid they make you give up your citizenship of your home country.
Reply
Kevin
3/14/2019 02:02:08 pm
My wife and I are both Filipinos working here in Taiwan with ARCs. We studied our master's here first and now we are working in separate companies. My question is, we are planning to have a baby soon but we don't want to give up our jobs here and be separated from our future baby. Is it possible to let our baby stay here with us till we decided to go back home in our country?
Reply
kael
3/25/2019 10:42:52 am
im filipino with multi entry arc and my wife is a dual citizen here in taiwan . we recently change our address in household but i did not change my address yet in my arc and we are planing on a vacation in philippines . .do ineed to change my arc address first before going on a vacation in the philippines?
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:59:40 pm
Change within 15 days of changing your address.
Reply
Imesh
3/31/2019 12:45:32 am
I just came to Taiwan on a student visa. Can my dependents start working here?
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:59:02 pm
No, unless they have a Taiwan employer sponsor their work permit.
Reply
marvin c
5/14/2019 07:19:11 pm
hi there! i have a question and i hope you can give me any idea about this. i've worked in taiwan for 12 years unfortunately i never try to apply to have APRC and im currently working in Malaysia. My question is this, is it possible to apply APRC even if im outside Taiwan? i really miss everything in taiwan i hope i have a chance to go back there. thank you!
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:58:31 pm
You can apply from the Taiwan office in Malaysia.
Reply
ABDELHAMID
5/22/2019 05:45:29 pm
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:57:58 pm
Yes.
Reply
David Snajdr
5/28/2019 09:53:55 am
Do I need to return ARC at the end of my stay please?
Reply
Jane Anne
5/30/2019 10:46:26 am
my mom is married to a taiwanese for over 15yrs and she is now a citizen too. i am 23 years old here in the philippines, what kind of visa should i apply because my stepdad and mom wants me to stay there.
Reply
Suvin P S
6/10/2019 10:35:07 am
I am in Taiwan with visiting Visa- single entry(valid for 60 days) and work permit for 6 months. Can I get ARC with 6 months work permit?
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:55:21 pm
You can request a change with the immigration office.
Reply
Joy
6/12/2019 07:23:39 pm
what are the step by step process if my mother is applying for resident visa in taiwan and my father is already a citizen
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:54:37 pm
Ask your father's local household registration office.
Reply
Meru
7/29/2019 02:58:54 am
Hi. My husband works in Taiwan on an ARC at the moment and I would like to move up to live with him. Can I get a spouse visa? Or do I have to wait until he gets his APRC? What would the procedure be?
Reply
Gelato
8/21/2019 05:49:17 pm
I would like to know this as well (from the perspective of a foreigner with APRC intending to marry a filipina who is not presently living in Taiwan and has no ARC).
Reply
Albermen Barraquiel
8/2/2019 08:38:52 pm
Good day. Hi, I'm a Filipino and have a resident visa with no duration to Taiwan as I am married to Taiwanese national and registered in household registry.
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:53:54 pm
Either way is fine. You can enter and exit Taiwan freely.
Reply
Albermen Barraquiel
2/15/2020 03:36:07 pm
Thank you for your reply. I am not living in Tainan since August. Everything is good. I live with my Taiwanese wife and applied for medicare and stuffs.
Narcisa
10/23/2019 04:44:05 pm
Hi,
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
12/4/2019 03:53:07 pm
Yes, the 90 days resets after you leave the country.
Reply
Shereen Mamuri
12/11/2019 02:15:20 pm
Hi me and my boyfriend are filipino working here in taiwan , is it possible to get married here?
Reply
Kris
12/18/2019 04:12:52 pm
Hi .Goodafternoon,im a Filipino a nd married taiwanese,im just arrive here in taiwan last Nov.21,219,and have plan to going back in philippines for emergency is it ok?.but i have already an arc..
Reply
Albermen Barraquiel
2/15/2020 03:39:26 pm
Hi Kris, how was it? I'm also married to a Taiwanese and holding an ARC. Are there any documents needed to re-enter Taiwan?
Reply
Meenakshi
12/26/2019 08:44:14 pm
Can dependents study in Taiwan?
Reply
Sherwin
1/8/2020 07:37:08 pm
I’m a Filipino working in Taiwan. I plan to get my family and will apply them resident visa in the Philippines. Is it required for my ARC to be more than 6 months from expiration before they can apply for resident visa? What if they were able to get resident visa, is it required also (ARC more than 6 months) when they apply for ARC in Taiwan? Thanks!
Reply
Gretchen Quiambao
2/7/2020 04:09:52 am
Hii! I’m a OFW working here in Taiwan, my boyfriend tried to came here as tourist but been denied by the immigration due to lack of documents, which is my fault because I’m the sponsor. Is it ok to try again once the affidavit of support and guarantee is completed???
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
2/13/2020 07:21:29 pm
I am not sure. Ask the immigration office or Taiwan rep office.
Reply
Menchu
2/10/2020 10:34:08 am
Dear Sir/Madame,
Reply
Foreigners in Taiwan
2/13/2020 07:20:28 pm
There are other visas you can try, if you want to be a student, find another job, get married to a Taiwanese person etc.
Reply
bessie
2/15/2020 12:18:38 pm
Hello.
Reply
relyn canaynay
3/4/2020 03:34:16 am
Good Day!
Reply
Hendry L. Lie
3/19/2020 03:20:00 pm
I am a USA Citizen and USA Passport, I have a 90 days Multiple Visitor Visas until 3 October 2020 with No Extension. This means that every 90 days,
Reply
5/31/2020 02:18:23 pm
Blessed afternoon !
Reply
Jam
6/14/2020 09:27:24 pm
Hi. I am currently working in Taiwan with Philippine Passport. If i want to visit Japan, Korea or other countries that doesnt required visa using my Ph passport, will i get in trouble with Taiwan embassy? Or will get problem in airport during my flight? Or once i return in Taiwan? I just want to visit other countries without getting trouble in my company.... Thanks in advance.
Reply
Sibu
7/28/2020 09:11:04 pm
Hi there! I have been working in Taiwan for over a year now and i recently got accepted to study my Master's degree at one of the universities. I would like to know if it is possible to convert working visa to study visa without leaving the country?
Reply
Koi
11/18/2020 04:19:43 pm
Yes go to your local immigration office for your district.
Reply
JACK
8/7/2020 07:08:01 am
I am a Ph.D. foreign student in Taipei, My wife will come here and live together with me in August 2020. And she plans give birth in November. So I want to ask:
Reply
Koi
11/18/2020 04:18:53 pm
Baby will get NHI right away, not sure about your wife.
Reply
Ghen
10/9/2020 08:13:26 pm
I am a Filipina currently working here in Taiwan and my boyfriend is polish, As pandemic is to high in the Philippines, Can we get married here since we had a requirements that has needed in getting married? Thanks for the answer.
Reply
Koi
11/18/2020 04:17:21 pm
Yes, but you will need the proper paperwork to get it done.
Reply
Chester
11/30/2020 06:53:22 am
hi,
Reply
Roy
1/27/2021 11:27:48 pm
Hi, I have my friend who applied as an english teacher in Taiwan. She already obtained her residence visa as worker but suddenly the employer just say no to her. What should my friend do? still come to Taiwan and find an employer?
Reply
Irish dela cruz
3/14/2021 08:57:27 pm
Hi im a filipina and im married may mother is pure chinese and she is resident in taiwan she wanted me to lived with her
Reply
Rick
4/21/2021 01:39:06 pm
Hi, my wife has a working visa in Taiwan and I’m here as her spouse, not Currently working. I now have the opportunity to do some part time work for a company in my home country while living here in TW. Since it isn’t a Taiwan company I plan working for, can I still apply for the working spouse visa? Since I live here I guess I need a working visa here and pay the taxes here even if the work is carried out in another country?
Reply
Tomas
7/16/2021 01:04:35 am
Dear, I'm planning to do a Masters' Degree in Taiwan in 2022 with a duration of two years. I am married, so I was wondering if there are any possibilities of a spouse of dependent visa in this case?
Reply
Chau
9/10/2021 10:28:47 am
Hi, I have a question for you? I'm US citizen. I live in Taiwan now, I have ARC. I'm planning to fly back to US and come back to Taiwan but my US passport with expires within 6 months by the time I get back to Taiwan. So my question is do I need to have a valid US passport with my ARC when I come back to Taiwan?
Reply
11/8/2021 04:44:21 pm
Excellent article! Your post is essential today. Thanks for sharing, by the way.
Reply
Ali Lottof Al amri
5/3/2022 10:07:39 pm
Can be change my visa FS to work visa in Taiwan
Reply
JC
7/4/2022 07:42:58 am
Hello. How long (days or months) can a foreigner with marriage ARC stay outside of Taiwan? Thanks.
Reply
San
7/4/2022 06:17:11 pm
Hi I'm currently a master's student now, but found a full time job wich, my plan is to pause my studies to take this opportunity
Reply
Danny
7/13/2022 03:12:34 pm
Thank you so much for this great website. I finally got my ARC and I am wondering if I want to extend it do I need to make the same procedure again? Do I need to get another resident visa?
Reply
Singh Devender
5/5/2023 06:08:38 pm
I came to taiwan for 14 days stayon a bussines trip but i want to extend my stay for more 15 days due to some work issue . i have japanese residence visa having indian passport. is it possible to extend before expiration?
Reply
10/13/2023 09:22:00 pm
Great read! The Taiwan Immigration FAQ is a comprehensive guide, addressing key concerns with clarity. The breakdown of visa types and application processes is incredibly helpful for anyone considering a move. The inclusion of frequently asked questions anticipates reader queries, providing a one-stop resource. I appreciate how it demystifies the often complex immigration landscape. Kudos for making the information accessible and concise. As someone contemplating a move, this article has eased my apprehensions and fueled my excitement about the prospect of living in Taiwan. Looking forward to more insightful content!
Reply
Parker
1/23/2024 05:06:33 pm
My wife is planning to teach in Taiwan. I have a DUI from 10 years ago and would like to get the spouse visa of a foreign worker. The DUI was expunged/cleared/dismissed in the state of California. Will there be a problem getting a visa for me?
Reply
Angela
4/25/2024 08:33:50 pm
I’m currently working here in Taiwan as factory worker under Blue Collar Visa. And I’m planning to pursue my masters degree here. Is it possible to me convert to student visa? What would be the process and requirements i should prepare?
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
|