The National Immigration Agency (NIA) launches a pilot scheme to offer a convenient online Alien Resident Certificate application service for foreign professionals and their family. Starting from July 1, 2022, those foreign professionals who have obtained employment permits from the Ministry of Labor, may file an application online for themselves and their family, and thus save them the trouble of queuing on-site.

The NIA maintains that, if the pilot scheme is successful, it will be gradually rolled out to those who have obtained employment permits from the Ministry of Education and other authorities. The pilot scheme is now available on the website of the NIA. For technical support, please call 02-27967162 which is available Monday to Friday from 08:30 am to 5:30 pm. The applicant may call Foreigner in Taiwan hotline at 1990 which provides multi-language services, including Chinese, English, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Cambodian for consultation.

 The applicant may also visit the NIA’s local service centers for further information, please visit the NIA’s website at https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/5388/7181/7184/7193/

     Q1: Eligibility:
    A1: The following applicants can apply ARC through the “Online Application System for Foreign professionals
          and their family, of the National Immigration Agency":
          1. A foreign national or resident who applies to engage in professional work in Taiwan under the provisions of
             Article 46 of the Employment Service Act must be recognized of the industry concerned as being a special
             professional in one of nine specified professional fields or other field, or be recognized by the Competent
             Authority. The applicants’ spouse, minor children, and children over the age of majority who are unable to
             live independently due to physical or mental disability, having entered the State with a visa exemption or
             holding a visitor visa are also applicable.
         2.The ARC holders changes his/her purpose of residence to joining family (with whom the applicants are
            recognized as special professional)or employment.
   
    Q2: What are the relevant fields of the work permit issued by Ministry of Labor for foreign special
          professionals?
    A2: The fields for foreign special professionals are referred to the Article 46.1.1 to 46.1.6 of the
          Employment Service Act.

        1.Specialized or technical work.
        2.Director/manager/executive of a business invested in or set up by overseas
          Chinese or foreigner(s) with the authorization of the Government of the Republic of China.
        3.Full-time teacher at a short-term class registered for supplementary schooling in
           accordance with the Supplementary Education Act.
        4.Sports coach and athlete.
        5.Religious, artistic, and show business work.

   Q3: How to apply?
   A3: The applicant shall sign up for a new account to apply for an alien residence certificate at “Online Application
         System for Foreign professionals and their family, of the National Immigration
         Agency”  
   
    Q4: How to pay for the fee? 
    A4: The applicants can make the payment for the residence permit within 5 working days after the online
          application is reviewed and approved by the National Immigration Agency. There are multi-payment options
          such as "international credit card", "ATM online", "virtual account payment", "e-government payment
          platform", and "payment at the four major convenience stores in Taiwan". Regarding the payment option of
          "International Credit Card", this platform does not support China Union Pay and American Express, and only
          JCB, VISA, MasterCard credit cards are used for online payment. After the payment is completed, no refund
          will be made. Please be informed that all the payment made at convenience stores takes 2 to 3 business days
          for the whole transaction process to complete and to confirm that the payment is received.
    
     Q5: How many days will it take for the review period?
     A5: It will take 5 working days under normal circumstances where no correction is necessary.  
    
     A6: How to pick up IC Card after approval?          
     Q6: After the application is reviewed and approved by the National Immigration Agency and after the payment is
           made, the applicants will receive an e-mail sent by the system informing that the e-residence permit and
           receipt are ready for download after approval. Take the e-receipt to the service station of the NIA in
           exchange for the IC card as a residence permit.  
   
     Q7: Is there a manual for application?
     A7: The applicants can sign up the online system to download the instruction PPT at front page of the online
           system.