Guidelines for Foreigners Applying for Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (Plum Blossom Card) for Individuals with Special Contributions, Senior Professionals, and Investment Immigrants to the Republic of China
- Date：
- Source：Residency Section 2
- Hit：27091
(1) Article 25 of the Immigration Act (hereinafter referred to as "the Act").
(2) Article 41 of the Enforcement Rules for the Immigration Act.
(3) Articles 15 and 16 of the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens.
(4) Article 18 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (hereinafter referred to as "the Act for Foreign Professionals").
II. Applicable Subjects:
(I) Foreign nationals who have made special contributions to the Republic of China (ROC) are as follows:
1. Previously awarded a medal by the President in accordance with the Orders Act.
2. Previously awarded a medal by a government agency at the ministerial level or above.
3. Previously awarded a medal by an international organization or achieved a top-five ranking in an important international competition, contributing to the enhancement of relevant technologies and talent development within the ROC.
4. Made outstanding contributions to democracy, human rights, religion, national defense, diplomacy, education, culture, arts, economy, finance, medicine, sports, or other fields within the ROC.
5. Contributed to enhancing the international image of the ROC.
6. Other distinguished achievements rendered to the ROC.
(II) Foreign nationals who are senior professionals needed by the ROC include the following:
1. Possess specialized skills in emerging industries, key technologies, critical components, and products.
2. Demonstrate exceptional talent in scientific research and development within specialized technical or scientific institutions, with rare expertise in areas such as nanotechnology, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), optoelectronics, information and communication technology (ICT), automation system integration, material application technology, high-precision sensing technology, biotechnology, resource development, energy conservation technology, and cutting-edge basic research. Their expertise aligns with the urgent needs or those not easily cultivated in the ROC.
3. Exhibit exceptional talent in management roles, with outstanding achievements in fields such as highways, high-speed railways, metro systems, telecommunications, aviation, shipping, deepwater construction, meteorology, or seismic activities, which are rare domestically or internationally. Their qualifications meet the urgent needs or are challenging to cultivate in the short term in the ROC.
4. Possess special abilities in science, research, industry, commerce, and teaching, capable of making substantial contributions to the economy, industry, education, or welfare of the ROC, and currently employed in the ROC due to their professional skills.
5. Currently or previously held positions as a lecturer, professor, associate professor, or assistant professor at foreign universities, and currently employed in educational, academic, or research institutions in the ROC.
6. Currently or previously served as a researcher, associate researcher, or assistant researcher at foreign research institutions, and currently employed in educational, academic, or research institutions in the ROC.
7. Hold a doctoral degree, received international academic awards, or authored significant specialized works, and currently employed in educational, academic, or research institutions in the ROC.
8. Have engaged in research activities at foreign research institutions or technology organizations, or management roles in technology research and development for over four (4) years, and currently employed in educational, academic, or research institutions in the ROC.
9. Have outstanding achievements in industrial technology and gained international recognition, with their research and development in industrial technology capable of effectively promoting the upgrading of industries in the ROC.
10. Have achieved a top-three placement in the Olympic Games or World Cup, first place in continental games, or demonstrated exceptional performance in other significant competitions, contributing to the enhancement of athletic competitiveness in the ROC.
11. Previously served as a coach for national teams in various countries, with athletes trained under their guidance achieving top-five placements in the Olympic Games or World Cup, top-three placements in continental games, or demonstrating exceptional performance in other significant competitions, contributing to the enhancement of athletic competitiveness in the ROC.
12. Have been invited or selected to participate in internationally renowned cultural and artistic competitions, delivering outstanding performances, or have been repeatedly invited to participate in internationally renowned performance events, exhibitions, related cultural activities, or art festivals, receiving high acclaim.
13. Have exceptional legal expertise, currently or formerly employed in renowned domestic or international legal firms, demonstrating outstanding performance over many years. They have been awarded significant domestic or international legal-related awards and have published excellent research recognized both domestically and internationally in the field of law. They have also demonstrated exceptional performance in international litigation.
14. Recommended by central competent authority for the intended business for other outstanding achievements.
(III) Foreign nationals who have invested in immigration to the ROC are as follows:
1. Foreign nationals who have invested in profitable businesses in the ROC with an investment amount exceeding NTD 15 million and have created employment opportunities for five (5) or more nationals for a period of three (3) years.
2. Foreign nationals who have invested in central government bonds with a face value exceeding NTD 30 million for a period of three (3) years.
III. Required Documents:
Documents submitted, if produced overseas, must be authenticated by the respective overseas diplomatic mission, consulate, office, or other authorized agencies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter referred to as "overseas missions"). If produced domestically by a foreign embassy or authorized institution, they must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If produced in Mainland China, they must be authenticated by the Straits Exchange Foundation (hereinafter referred to as “the SEF”). However, concerning the authentication of foreign documents, if they comply with the provisions of Article 15-1 of the Document Legalization Act for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Overseas Missions, they shall be processed accordingly.
(I) Joint Documents:
1. Application Form:
(1) Please obtain the application form from the service centers of the National Immigration Agency (hereinafter referred to as "service centers") located in each municipality or county (city), or download it from the National Immigration Agency (NIA) website (http://www.immigration.gov.tw) and print it on A4 paper.
(2) Affix one colored photograph on the application form (in the same specification as the National ID Card).
2. One original and one copy of the passport (the original will be returned after verification).
3. Health certificate indicating good health:
(1) A health examination clearance certificate from a domestic hospital within the last three (3) months. The health examination form must use the list of items to be examined in the health examination certificate currently used by major medical centers and newly added medical examination hospitals announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
(2) Entry clearance may be verified upon approval by the Immigration Review Committee of the Ministry of the Interior, upon arrival in the ROC.
(3) If the examination items are incomplete, individuals must supplement the unexamined items domestically.
4. For individuals born in mainland China and originally holding Chinese citizenship, in addition to providing supporting documents according to Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Article 7 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, one of the following proof documents should be submitted:
(1) The original certificate verified by the SEF indicating that the applicant has not registered in Mainland China.
(2) The original certificate of cancellation of mainland China household registration verified by the SEF.
(3) The document certifying the loss of mainland China citizenship, verified by the overseas mission.
(4) Other documents sufficient to prove the loss of mainland China citizenship.
(II) Individual Documents:
1. Individuals who have made special contributions to the ROC or are senior professionals needed by the ROC:
(1) Certificate issued by the central competent authority for the intended business or an accredited institution.
(2) Relevant documents demonstrating special contributions to the ROC or being senior professionals needed by the ROC (including personal resumes or self-recommendation letters in both Chinese and English).
(3) Other supporting documents.
2. Investment immigration in the ROC:
(1) Have invested in profitable businesses in the ROC with an investment amount exceeding NTD 15 million and have created employment opportunities for five (5) or more nationals for a period of three (3) years.
A. Approval letter and reference letter for investment from the Department of Investment Review of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Science Parks, or Export Processing Zones.
B. Company Change Registration Form.
C. Certificate of tax compliance and financial statements for the past three (3) years.
D. For investors in existing profitable businesses, provide the employee roster for the past four (4) years.
E. Employee roster for the last three (3) years participating in labor insurance.
F. Other supporting documents.
(2) Have invested in central government bonds with a face value exceeding NTD 30 million for a period of three (3) years.
A. Proof of purchase of central government bonds.
B. Other supporting documents.
IV. Application Procedure:
(I) Applicants in the Taiwan Area: Applications should be submitted by the applicant personally, by an authorized representative, or by an immigration service organization to the service center of the NIA in the applicant's place of residence.
(II) Applicants Overseas: Applications should be submitted to the overseas missions, which will then forward them to the NIA for processing.
(III) Applicants in Hong Kong or Macau: Applications should be submitted to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong or Macau, which will then forward them to the NIA for processing.
(IV) Applicants in Mainland China: Applications should be submitted to the institution specified in Paragraph 1 of Article 4 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area or to a branch established in Mainland China by a private organization commissioned in accordance with Paragraph 2 of the same article. These institutions will then forward the applications to the NIA for processing. If there is no branch institution, the applicant's relatives, spouse in the ROC, or a travel agency of Class A or above, commissioned by them, can apply to the NIA on their behalf.
V. Fees: NTD 10,000 per item. However, applicants applying under Subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Point 2 are exempt from the fee.
VI. Notes:
(I) Foreign nationals applying for permanent residency as individuals who have made special contributions to the ROC, as senior professionals, or as investment immigrants shall not be subject to the restriction of residing for 183 days per year.
(II) The "certificate issued by the central competent authority for the intended business or recognized institution" referred to in Item 3-1 of Subparagraph 2 of Point 3 denotes certificates issued by government agencies, letters of employment permission, certificates issued by academic institutions, etc., which attest to the individual's outstanding achievements or special abilities in fields such as science, research, industry, commerce, and business.
(III) The "relevant documents demonstrating special contributions to the ROC or being senior professionals needed by the ROC" referred to in Item 2 of Subparagraph 2 of Point 3 include the following:
1. Special contributions to the ROC: Documents substantiating one's contributions to the nation or society, such as reports from newspapers, magazines, or official certifications issued by government agencies.
2. Senior professionals needed by the ROC: Documents substantiating one's professional expertise, such as professional skills, research and development patent certificates, relevant publications, or qualification certificates.
(IV) The term "other supporting documents" referred to in Item 3 of Subparagraph 2 of Point 3 includes documents such as graduation certificates, appointment letters, and recommendation letters.
(V) If the documents required to be submitted are in a foreign language, the NIA shall request the applicants to attach a Chinese translation certified by overseas embassies or accredited by a domestic notary public; if the applicant does not attach the said documents within the given date, the application will be rejected.
(VI) Foreign nationals who also possess ROC citizenship are not eligible to apply for permanent residency.
(VII) Starting from January 1st of the year following the issuance of the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (Plum Blossom Card), if the average annual residence does not reach 183 days over the most recent five (5) years, the Permanent Residency Permit will be revoked or invalidated, and the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (Plum Blossom Card) will be canceled. However, this provision does not apply to individuals stipulated in Article 19 of the Act for Foreign Professionals or those authorized by the NIA. Additionally, individuals whose Alien Permanent Resident Certificate has been revoked according to Paragraph 4 of Article 33 of the Act, yet still retain residency eligibility, may apply for residency within thirty (30) days from the date of revocation.
(VIII) If an individual's permanent residency permit is revoked or invalidated according to Subparagraphs 1 to 3 or Subparagraph 8 of Article 33 of the Act, the permanent residency permit of accompanying applicants shall be simultaneously revoked or invalidated.