Guide on how to apply for a Taiwan Residence Permit

Taiwan Residence Permit is a perfect option for foreign nationals who wish to stay for an extended period in the country.

Taiwan is a fantastic place for foreigners! The people are friendly and welcoming. It’s a great place to live and work. Also, there’s so much to see and fun things to do.

However, the Taiwan government has established requirements that applicants must fulfill to secure a resident permit. The process can be daunting, but with this article, you will be guided on how to apply and get it.

Quick facts about Taiwan

Taiwan is an island country located off the southeastern coast of China and west of the Ryukyu Islands of Japan. The island nation has an area of 35,801 square kilometers. Taiwan is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a population above 23 million people. The official languages of Taiwan are Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese Hokkien. Taiwan has a rich culture with influences from various countries like China, Japan, and Korea.

The country’s economy is one of the most prosperous in Asia. It is an export hub, and its products are highly sought-after by consumers worldwide. Taiwanese companies are also known for their innovative and cutting-edge technologies.

Its strong economic performance has translated into numerous job opportunities for foreign workers. As a result, Taiwan is now one of the top destinations for ex-pats looking for work in Asia.

What is a Taiwan Residence Permit?

It is a legal document that allows eligible foreigners to stay in Taiwan for a specific duration. National Immigration Agency in Taiwan is in charge of processing and issuing the resident permit.

Types of Taiwan Residence Permits

The Taiwan Residence Permit is classified into two categories which are:

Taiwan temporary residence permit
Taiwan permanent residence permit

Taiwan temporary residence permit is available for foreigners that plan to stay up to a year in Taiwan. It can be an Alien resident certificate (ARC) or a Taiwan Area Resident certificate.

An alien resident certificate (ARC) is issued to foreigners in Taiwan without a household registration. In addition, the Taiwan Area certificate is granted to foreign nationals, the Taiwanese abroad, Overseas Chinese, and naturalized citizens.

As a foreigner In Taiwan, you can apply for a residence permit if you hold any of the listed Taiwan visas.

Taiwan family reunion visa
Taiwan work visa
Taiwan study visa
Taiwan investment resident visa
Taiwan working holidays visa
Taiwan nomad digital visa

Taiwan Permanent resident permit: This type of residence permit is available to foreign nationals that have stayed in Taiwan for six months each year for five years. You can also apply if you are married to a Taiwanese who has stayed in the country for a minimum of ten years. You are also eligible to apply for it if you are a child of Taiwanese.

Eligibility criteria for Taiwan Residence Permit

If you fulfill the criteria listed below, you are eligible to apply for a Taiwan Residence Permit.

You are twenty years or above (Age of Majority)
You hold a valid traveling passport.
You have skills and talents that can contribute meaningfully to the national development of Taiwan.
Your character is not questionable by security agencies in Taiwan.
You have stayed at least five years in Taiwan on average of six months annually (Permanent residence applicant only).
You should have all the required documents in Chinese or English.

Benefits of Taiwan Residence Permit

Holding a resident permit comes with numerous benefits and the hope of becoming a Taiwanese citizen. Here are the benefits you will be open to as a resident permit holder in Taiwan.

You will have the opportunity to in Taiwan academic institutions at all levels.
You can apply for a job and work to earn
The privilege to explore the business opportunities and invest in them
Ability to engage in missionary and humanitarian tasks.
The ease of inviting your family to Taiwan for a reunion
Access to quality health care delivery

Taiwan Resident Requirements

The requirements you should fulfill depend on the type of Taiwan resident permit you wish to apply for. However, you should meet some requirements regardless of the type of resident permit.

General requirements

A duly completed Alien resident application form
A copy and original of your traveling passport that has a six months validity
Two copies of colored passport photographs on white background. You should take it for at least three months with a dimension of 45mm by 35mm.
A certificate of Medical fitness to show that you are medically fit and free of communicable disease.
As applicable, evidence of clean criminal records from your home country or Taiwan police. The federal police or its equivalent, not a local security agency or police, should issue you the certificate. It should also be recent and not older than three months.
Proof of financial solvency to cover your stay or proof of income in Taiwan.
A valid Taiwan visa

Specific requirements

These requirements are the supporting documents relevant to your reason for the application for a resident permit. They include:

Proof of admission to Taiwan academic institution if you are a student applicant.
Taiwan employment letter if your resident permit application is work-related.
Proof of relationships, such as a marriage or birth certificate, if you seek a residence permit for a family reunion.
Certificate of business registration if you’re in Taiwan as an investor or an entrepreneur. It could be from your country or a change of registration in Taiwan.
Ministry of economic affairs approval letter
Your Alien Resident Certificate if you are applying for a permanent residence

You should add other documents that could be an advantage to expedite your application. For example, a visit to the ministry of foreign affairs in Taiwan or the Bureau of Consular Affairs to enquire more or get updates will be helpful.

How to apply for a Taiwan Residence Permit

Here are the steps you should follow to apply for a Taiwan Residence Permit without hassle.

Get all the required documents in order and ensure they are in English or Chinese.
Pay the application fee of NT$1,000 for the temporary resident permit and NT$10,000 for Taiwan permanent residence.
Visit the office of the National Immigration Agency in Taiwan or its nearest sub-offices to submit your resident permit application. Lastly, the Agency will take three weeks or more to process your application. The duration depends on the type of residence permit you applied for.

Meanwhile, you can also apply online by visiting the official website and filling out the application form with genuine and verifiable details. Then, you upload all the supporting documents in PDF format, preview your application to correct errors, and submit. You also make the payment online using a debit or credit card.

Also Read: Taiwan Visa – Application, Fees, Types, and Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Does Taiwan allow Dual Citizenship?

Yes, Taiwan allows dual citizenship, but the naturalized Taiwanese must renounce the first citizenship. Dual citizenship offers many benefits, including the ability to live and work in both countries and access to social services in two countries.

Can Foreigners get a Taiwan Passport?

Taiwan passport is available to foreigners that have stayed over ten years in Taiwan and have obtained a citizenship certificate.

Can a Foreigner marry a Taiwanese?

Yes, a foreigner can marry a Taiwanese, but both parties must be at least 18 years old and have valid passports. In addition, the foreigner must have a residence permit valid for at least six months. The couple must also submit a marriage registration form to the local household registration office.

How long can I stay in Taiwan if my Alien Residence card expires?

If your Alien Resident card expires, you can stay in Taiwan for up to 30 days. After that, you should apply for a new card or leave the country.

How much is the penalty for overstaying in Taiwan?

The penalty for overstaying in Taiwan is a fine between NT$3,000 to NT$10,000, depending on the duration you have overstayed in the country.

Is Taiwan visa-free?

Taiwan visa-free entry and exemption are for some countries with strong ties; you can find out here.

How strong is Taiwan Passport?

Taiwan passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 145 countries and territories, ranking the Taiwanese passport 30th in the world in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index. Taiwan’s national passport is also ranked the 9th most powerful in Asia.

Is Taiwan a particular country for Foreigners?

Yes, Taiwan is generally a safe and secure country for foreigners. The crime rate is relatively low, and the government has taken steps to ensure the safety of tourists and other visitors. In addition, Taiwan remains a peaceful and stable country; though there have been some incidents of political violence in recent years, these have been isolated cases,s and overall.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this guide has provided you with all the information you need to apply for a Taiwan Residence Permit. Now it’s up to you to take the steps and submit your application. Good luck!