0915 Guidelines for Residency Applications for Foreign Nationals Entering the Republic of China (Taiwan) on Visitor Visas or under Visa-Exemption
- Date：
- Source：Residency Section 2
- Hit：80605
- Updated date：2026-04-14
(1) Article 23 of the Immigration Act (hereinafter referred to as "the Act").
(2) Articles 6 and 17 of the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens (hereinafter referred to as "the Regulations").
(3) Articles 11 and 16 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (hereinafter referred to as "the Act for Foreign Professionals").
2. Eligible Applicants:
(1) Foreign nationals holding a visa with a duration of sixty days or more and bears no such remark as “no extension will be granted” or other limitations imposed by the visa-issuing authority, who meet one of the following conditions may apply for residency to the National Immigration Agency (hereinafter referred to as "the NIA") under the Ministry of the Interior. Upon approval, an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) shall be issued:
a. Foreign nationals who are spouses of nationals with household registration in the Taiwan Area or approved for residency, or foreign nationals approved for residency or permanent residency, or residents of Hong Kong or Macau approved for residency. However, foreign spouses granted residency under Subparagraphs 9 or 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act, or those permitted by the central competent authority for employment under Subparagraphs 8 to 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 of the Employment Service Act in the Republic of China (R.O.C. (Taiwan), hereinafter referred to as “the State”), are not eligible to apply.
b. Foreign nationals under the age of eighteen (18), whose immediate lineal relatives are R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals with household registration in Taiwan or granted residency, or foreign nationals approved for residency or permanent residency, or residents of Hong Kong or Macau with approved residency, are eligible to apply. In cases where the familial relationship is established through adoption, the adopted individual should reside together with the adoptive parent in Taiwan. However, foreign spouses granted residency under Subparagraphs 9 or 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act, or those permitted by the central competent authority for employment under Subparagraphs 8 to 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 of the Employment Service Act in the State, are not eligible to apply.
c. Spouses, minor children under the age of eighteen (18), and children aged eighteen (18) or older unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities of a person of the Mainland China Area engaged in investment, operational management, implemented investment, intra-corporate transfers, academic and technological research, or long-term industrial and technological research activities in Taiwan.
d. Engaged in employment services specified in Subparagraphs 1 through 7 and Subparagraph 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 of the Employment Service Act, or exempted jobs as stipulated in Subparagraph 1 or Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 48 of the Employment Service Act, permitted by the central labor authority or the competent authority of the industry concerned; undertaking professional work as defined in Items 3 through 5 of Subparagraph 4 of Article 4, Article 8, or Article 10 of the Act for Foreign Professionals; or obtaining a work permit according to Paragraph 2 of Article 15 of the Act for Foreign Professionals.
e. Representatives of investors, either individuals or foreign legal entities, who have made investments in the State above a certain amount, approved or filed for record by the competent central authorities of the industry concerned.
f. The person in charge of a foreign company within the territory of the State.
g. According to the provisions of the preceding three subparagraphs, those approved for residency or permanent residency include their children aged eighteen (18) or older who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities.
h. Overseas compatriot students who return to study in the State and are distributed by the competent authority of overseas community affairs, then forwarded to various levels of educational administrative agencies for allocation.
i. The surviving spouse, who was a national with household registration in the Taiwan Area at the time of the spouse's death, and has under-eighteen children with household registration in Taiwan, maintaining care responsibilities, exercising rights and obligations, or having regular interactions.
j. The former spouse was a national with household registration in the Taiwan Area and had legally resided in Taiwan, and has under-eighteen children with household registration in Taiwan, maintaining care responsibilities, exercising rights and obligations, or having regular interactions.
(2) Foreign nationals entering the State without a visa or holding a visitor visa, who are permitted by the central labor competent authority or the competent authority of the industry concerned to engage in work stipulated in Subparagraphs 1 through 7 and Subparagraph 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 of the Employment Service Act, or work exempted from a permit under Subparagraph 1 or Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 48 of the Employment Service Act, or professional work as defined in Items 3 through 5 of Subparagraph 4 of Article 4, Article 8, or Article 10 of the Act for Foreign Professionals, or obtaining a work permit according to Paragraph 2 of Article 15 of the Act for Foreign Professionals.
(3) Foreign professionals or foreign specialist professionals entering the State without a visa or holding a visitor visa, who are permitted or exempted from a permit, according to Article 7 of the Act for Foreign Professionals, to engage in professional work in the State.
(4) Spouses, minor children under the age of eighteen (18), and children aged eighteen (18) or older unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities of applicants under the preceding two paragraphs, entering the country without a visa or holding a visitor visa.
(5) Foreign nationals applying for residence whose reasons for residence align with the purpose of the visitor visa they originally held upon entry, and meet one of the following conditions:
a. Overseas compatriot students permitted to study in the State by educational administrative agencies at various levels, universities, or overseas joint admission committees formed by universities.
b. Students permitted to study in the State by schools approved by educational administrative agencies at various levels to admit international students.
c. Students who have studied for a minimum of four (4) months at Mandarin teaching institutions affiliated with higher education institutions accredited by the Ministry of Education and continue their registration for more than three (3) months.
3. Application Procedures: Submit the application to the service stations of the NIA located in each jurisdiction of direct municipalities, counties (cities), or apply online (For applicants specified in Subparagraph 4 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act or Article 16 of the Act for Foreign Professionals, applications can be made through the “Online Application System for Foreign Professionals and Their Dependents” of the NIA; for applicants specified in Subparagraph 8 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 and Paragraph 4 thereof of the Act, applications should be submitted through the “Online Application System for Residence, Extension of Residence, and Registration of Changes for Foreign Students and Overseas Compatriot Students” of the NIA). But for applicants who apply based on a relationship with a R.O.C. (Taiwan) national or according to Subparagraphs 9 and 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of this Act, they should apply to the service center of the NIA at their current place of residence.
4. Required Documents:
(1) Application form for foreign nationals' residence (stay) cases.
(2) A recent, color, uncovered head photo taken within the last two (2) years (following the same specifications as a national ID photo).
(3) Original and photocopy of passport and visitor visa (the original document will be returned after inspection). However, applicants entering by visa-exempt means, according to Paragraphs 2 to 4 of the second point, do not need to submit a copy of the visitor visa.
(4) Health examination certificate issued within the last three (3) months, proving the applicant's fitness:
a. Applicants applying under the grounds of “employment in professional work,” “investment in Taiwan,” or “responsible person of a foreign company” are exempt from submitting this document (i.e., applications pursuant to Subparagraphs 4 through 6 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act).
b. Applicants who are dependent family members of foreign nationals approved for residency in Taiwan under the grounds of “employment in professional work,” “investment in Taiwan,” or “responsible person of a foreign company,” or who are dependent family members of holders of a valid Employment Gold Card, and who are nationals of visa-exempt countries (excluding countries under visa-exemption trial programs) are exempt from submitting this document.
c. Children aged six or below may submit a "vaccination certificate" instead.
d. The health examination certificate must comply with the health check items announced by the competent authority, the Ministry of Health and Welfare. For examinations conducted domestically, individuals must visit the designated hospitals for health checks on foreigners as announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. If the examination is conducted overseas, it should be verified by the embassy, representative office, or office (hereinafter referred to as "the overseas missions") abroad. If the examination items are incomplete, individuals must supplement the unexamined items domestically.
(5) Criminal Record Certificate:
a. Applicants applying pursuant to Subparagraphs 4 through 8 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act (i.e., employment in professional work, investment in Taiwan, responsible person of a foreign company, adult children unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities of persons approved for residency or permanent residency under the preceding provisions, or Overseas Chinese students returning to study in Taiwan through referral by the competent Overseas Community Affairs authorities) are exempt from submitting a criminal record certificate.
b. Applicants who are foreign spouses of persons approved for residency in Taiwan under the grounds of “employment in professional work,” “investment in Taiwan,” or “responsible person of a foreign company,” or foreign spouses of holders of a valid Employment Gold Card, whose marital relationship existed prior to entry into the Republic of China, and who apply for dependent residency, are exempt from submitting a criminal record certificate.
c. A criminal record certificate from the applicant's home country issued within one (1) year from the date of issuance. However, the certificate must not exceed the validity period indicated in the document. The term "home country criminal record certificate" refers to a nationwide record from the applicant's country of origin. For example, if the applicant is a U.S. citizen, the criminal record certificate must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). If the applicant is a Vietnamese citizen, the criminal record certificate should be the Vietnamese "Bản Kê Khai Tư Pháp số 2" (Judicial Record No. 2).
d. The criminal record certificate must include records from the last five (5) years.
e. Applicants who were previously granted residency in the State and reapply for residency cases by entering with a visitor visa within three (3) months of leaving the State are not required to submit a criminal record certificate from their home country.
(6) Proof of current residence (such as a lease agreement, photocopy of property ownership deed, or photocopy of both sides of the identity card of a national property owner with a statement of consent, or other sufficient documents to prove the actual residential address of the applicant).
(7) For individuals born in mainland China and originally holding mainland Chinese citizenship, in addition to providing supporting documents according to Article 7 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, proving residence overseas for more than four (4) years (such as passport entry and exit records and a certificate of entry and exit issued by the competent authority at the place of residence), the applicant shall also submit documentary proof that he or she has not established household registration in mainland China and has not been issued a mainland China passport. Proof that the applicant has not established household registration in mainland China includes the following:
a. The original certificate verified by the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) proving that the individual is not registered in mainland China.
b. The original certificate of cancellation of mainland China household registration verified by the SEF.
c. Other supporting documents demonstrating the loss of status as a mainland China resident (such as entry and exit inspection stamps for mainland China appearing in a foreign passport, visas or residence permits for mainland China appearing in a foreign passport, Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, employment permits for foreign nationals issued in mainland China authenticated by the SEF, adoption certificates authenticated by a foreign court, or other documents sufficient to demonstrate that household registration has not been established in mainland China). However, where deemed necessary, the competent authority may require the applicant to submit one of the supporting documents listed in the preceding two subparagraphs.
(8) Original and photocopies of supporting documents related to the grounds for residency under Article 23 of the Act (the original document will be returned after inspection):
a. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 1, Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1, or Paragraph 3 as spouses:
(i) The applicant, as the foreign spouse of the foreign national residing in the State with permission, is exempt from submitting a marriage certificate verified by the overseas missions if the relationship, spouse's name, and identification number have already been annotated in the visa note field based on the code table. The submission of the identification documents of the sponsoring relative is sufficient for the application. If the visa is exempted or holding a visitor visa with the note field indicating only "P" (for purposes such as tourism, visit, or family reunion) without specifying the relationship, name, and identification number or residence permit number with the sponsoring relative, it is still necessary to submit a verified document confirming the family relationship by the overseas missions (such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate issued by the applicant’s home country).
(ii) If the applicant is a foreign spouse of a national with household registration in the Taiwan Area, and the marriage has been registered in the household registration, submit the identification documents of the sponsoring relative.
(iii) If the applicant is the spouse of a foreign national approved for residency in Taiwan as foreign technical professional, proof must be provided that the sponsoring relative's average monthly total income for the past year is at least NTD 53,000.
b. Applicants applying for the status of minor children under the age of eighteen (18) or children aged eighteen (18) or older who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities, as stipulated in Subparagraph 2 or Subparagraph 7 of Paragraph 1, or Paragraph 3:
(i) Original household registration transcript or ARC for the entire household, valid within the last three (3) months, for direct lineal ascendants.
(ii) Proof of family relationship, such as a birth certificate or court-issued adoption certificate. Foreign nationals under the age of eighteen (18) applying for family reunification with their lineal ascendants, if the relationship, family member's name, and ID (or residence permit) number are already noted in the visa annotation column, only need to submit the identity documents of the family member when applying.
(iii) If the applicant is a minor child under eighteen (18) years of age of a foreign national approved for residency in Taiwan as foreign technical personnel, the applicant shall submit supporting documents proving that the dependent sponsor has received an average monthly total salary of at least NTD 53,000 during the most recent year.
(iv) Applicants who are 18 or older unable to live independently due to physical or mental disabilities must provide a diagnosis certificate. The document should sufficiently prove their condition, such as paralysis, inability to care for oneself, or the need for complete assistance in daily life. Alternatively, a Barthel Index score assessed by a physician should be thirty (30) points or below.
c. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1:
(i) The original copy of the valid multiple Entry/Exit Permits for the sponsoring relative in Taiwan (the original document will be returned after inspection).
(ii) Documents proving relationship.
d. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 4 of Paragraph 1:
(i) Approval letter from the central labor competent authority or the competent authority of the industry concerned. The approval letter must have a period of employment validity of at least six (6) months.
(ii) Original certificate of employment issued within one (1) month (bearing the company seal and responsible person’s seal). Applicants holding a personal work permit without an employer are exempt from submitting this document.
(iii) Applicants who meet the requirements of Article 48 of the Employment Service Act are not required to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. They can submit the approval letter from the competent authority of the industry concerned for processing.
e. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 5 of Paragraph 1:
(i) Approval letter from the competent authority of the investment enterprise (investment amount must be USD 200,000 or more). The approval letter must be issued by the competent authority of the investment enterprise within the last three (3) months.
(ii) List of directors and supervisors.
(3) Company Change Registration Form.
f. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 6 of Paragraph 1:
(i) Approval letter from the Administration of Commerce, Ministry of Economic Affairs.
(ii) Foreign Company (Change) Registration Form or Branch Office Establishment (Change) Registration Form.
(iii) If the representative or litigious or non-litigious agent ad litem of the foreign company's branch office also serves as the manager of the branch office, in addition to the documents listed in Items (i) and (ii), a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor must also be provided.
g. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 8 of Paragraph 1:
(i) Admitted but not yet registered: Admission letter.
(ii) Already registered: Certificate of enrollment issued within one (1) month (including the student ID card valid for the current semester).
h. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 9 of Paragraph 1:
(i) The marriage certificate verified by the overseas missions is exempted for those whose marriage has been registered in the household registration record.
(ii) The original death certificate of the spouse or the household registration record indicating the completion of the death registration is required.
(iii) The household registration record of the child under the age of eighteen (18) who has been registered in the State is required (the child must be in the State).
(iv) Proof of guardianship or interaction with children under the age of eighteen (18) registered in the State, including judicial orders allowing interaction or custody, affidavits from village chiefs, national spouses or their relatives, government agencies (such as social affairs, health affairs, civil affairs, police affairs, veterans service offices, etc.), schools, or other documents (such as payment receipts for tuition, health insurance premiums, alimony, etc.), communication records, photos of interactions, etc., should be provided.
i. Applicants applying under Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1:
(i) The marriage certificate verified by the overseas missions is exempted for those whose marriage has been registered in the household registration record.
(ii) The household registration record of the child under the age of eighteen (18) who has been registered in the State is required (the child must be in the State).
(iii) Proof of guardianship or interaction with children under the age of eighteen (18) registered in the State, including judicial orders allowing interaction or custody, affidavits from village chiefs, spouses of R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationals or their relatives, government agencies (such as social affairs, health affairs, civil affairs, police affairs, veterans service offices, etc.), schools, or other documents (such as payment receipts for tuition, health insurance premiums, alimony, etc.), communication records, photos of interactions, etc., should be provided.
j. Applicants applying under Paragraph 4 (the original document will be returned after inspection):
(i) Subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Paragraph 4:
(A) Admitted but not yet registered: Admission letter.
(B) Already registered: Certificate of enrollment issued within one (1) month (including registration certification for the current semester or the student ID card).
(ii) Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 4: Proof of enrollment and registration (Proof of enrollment must indicate completion of at least four (4) months of study and continuous registration for at least three (3) months, with attendance records showing a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of classes per week from Monday to Friday, with absences, including leave hours, not exceeding one-fourth of the total class hours).
(9) Other supporting documents.
Documents produced in overseas areas must be certified by the overseas embassies. If the required documents are made, notarized, authenticated, or certified by foreign missions or authorized institutions in the Republic of China, they shall be certified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If the documents are in a foreign language, the NIA may request the applicant to provide a Chinese translation verified by the overseas missions or notarized by a domestic notary public.
5. Fees: The Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) is charged at NTD 1,000 per item per year of validity. However, for applicants entering the State via visa-exempt entry or holding a visitor visa, an additional fee of NTD 2,200 is charged.
6. Processing Time: Ten (10) working days (excluding the time for document return, supplementation, and interview). Applicants with incomplete or insufficient documents must rectify the issue within fifteen (15) days from the day of notification. For those who need to apply from overseas, mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau, the rectification period is extended to three (3) months. Failure to rectify or incomplete rectification by the deadline will result in the rejection of the application. After rectification, the processing time will be recalculated, starting from the date of resubmission, with a duration of ten (10) working days.
7. Notes:
(1) Applicants holding a visitor visa valid for 180 days and bearing the remark “No Extension” may apply. Those entering the State through trial exemptions, visa on arrival, individuals from Southeast Asian countries checking online in advance, APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders, working holiday visa holders, and those whose visas contain annotations prohibiting extension, conversion to a residence visa, or application for a residence certificate in the State, shall not be eligible to apply, unless otherwise provided by relevant regulations.
(2) Applicants applying in accordance with Subparagraph 1, Subparagraph 9, or Subparagraph 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act may submit their application up to thirty (30) days before the expiration of their stay period.
(3) Applicants applying in accordance with Subparagraphs 2 through 8 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23 of the Act, Paragraph 4 of the same Article, or Article 12 of the Act for Foreign Professionals for visa-exempt entry may submit their application up to fifteen (15) days before the expiration of their stay period.
(4) The validity period of the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) shall commence from the day following its approval.
(5) Foreign nationals marrying nationals with household registration in the Taiwan Area and applying for the first time for residence based on family ties are restricted to applying for a one-year validity Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and must apply accompanied by their spouse.
(6) Any R.O.C. (Taiwan) national residing in the Taiwan Area with a registered household, who has entered the State with a foreign passport and is applying for an extension of stay, residency or an extension of residency, shall first apply to a household registration office for household de-registration before the NIA may accept his/her application. The NIA will not process applications from males approaching military service age who have not yet fulfilled their military service obligation or from those who are of military service age and meet any of the following circumstances:
a. The applicant does not possess a military service-related Overseas Compatriot Identity Certificate.
b. An overseas compatriot male has resided in the Taiwan Area for 183 days or more (i.e., continuous residence of 183 days), or has accumulated residence of 183 days or more within any calendar year (January 1 to December 31).
c. They are subject to conscription processing in accordance with the law and are restricted from leaving the country.
(7) The maximum validity period for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) of those studying Mandarin, undergoing training approved by the educational or other competent authorities in the State, and missionaries shall not exceed one (1) year.
(8) Applicants who are unable to obtain an ARC before the expiration of their stay period shall leave the State within the prescribed period.
(9) If the applicant leaves the State during the application process, the application will be closed and archived (no further processing). If the applicant re-enters the State and meets the requirements stipulated in paragraphs of Article 23 of the Act, they may reapply according to the Guidelines.
Related File(s)
- 0915 Guidelines for Residency Applications for Foreign Nationals Holding a Visitor Visa or Entering the Republic of China through Visa Exemption pdf