Family

Your spouse and children may enter Taiwan through the following methods, then apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at a National Immigration Agency (NIA) service center after entry:

1. Visa-free entry (requires a passport from an eligible country)
2. Visitor Visa :Applied at an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission
3. Resident Visa for Spouse or Resident Visa for Children : Applied at an ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission.

The required documents For ARC are:

1. Original and photocopy of the dependent’s passport
2. Proof of dependent relative relationship authenticated by the ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission. (Not required for applicants with a Resident Visa)
3. One 2’’ x 2’’ color headshot taken within six months
4. Original and photocopy of the Gold Card of the person to whom they bear dependent status.
5. NT$1,000, with an additional NT$2,200 for applicants entering the State with a visitor visa or visa-exempt status.
6. A completed application form.
7. Letter of authorization for not being able to apply in-person
8. Certificate of current domicile
9. Applicants born in the Mainland Area and eligible for or had been granted citizenship of Mainland Area thereof, in addition to submitting documents to meet the requirements prescribed in Article 7 Paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Enforcement Rules for the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area , shall also submit one of the following certifications:  Original certification of non-establishment of Mainland household registration verified by the Straits Exchange Foundation.  Original notarial certification of cancellation of Mainland household registration verified by the Straits Exchange Foundation.  Documentary proof sufficient to prove renunciation of ID as a People of the Mainland Area, verified by an ROC (Taiwan)embassy or overseas mission.  Other documentary proof sufficient to prove renunciation of ID as a People of the Mainland Area.

In this situation, there are two approaches:

Approach 1: Wait until the Gold Card extension is completed, then apply for the ARC renewal for your spouse and children at an National Immigration Agency service center or via Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (Dependents) . Approach 2: If the Gold Card holder has an employer in Taiwan, the employer can apply for a work permit on their behalf through the Ministry of Labor. Once the work permit is obtained, the Gold Card holder can apply for a standard Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) with the National Immigration Agency. Using this ARC, their dependents can then apply to extend their ARCs. After the Gold Card renewal is completed, the holder’s ARC will be automatically canceled, while the dependents’ ARCs will remain unaffected.

The required documents for extending the dependent ARC: o Original Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) o Passport o Proof of purpose of residency (such as relevant proof of dependency) o One colored photo (following the same specifications as the ID photo) o Application fee (price determined based on the duration) o Proof of current residence (e.g., a lease agreement or homeowner’s consent, demonstrating you currently reside at the specified location) o Letter of Attorney should be attached if applicant is unable to attend in-person

For instructions on applying for an extension of an ARC, please refer to this Opens a new window: to NIA website Reference: Article 13 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals

The applicant must hold a visitor visa permitted to stay in Taiwan for 60 days or more (without the remark “no extension will be granted”).

Application Process: • Submit the application for an extension at the National Immigration Agency (NIA) service center within 15 days before the authorized period of stay expires.

Required Documents: • Application form (refer to the Application Instructions below). • Original and copy of passport. • Original and photocopy of the current visa • Relevant supporting documents: o Employment Gold Card of the person being visited. o Proof of relations or other documents sufficient to verify the relationship (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate with parents’ information, etc.).

For detailed application instructions for Visitor Visa Extension, please refer to the official website

For related regulations, please see Article 18 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals

Your same-sex spouse can enter Taiwan initially either with a Visa-Exempt Entry (requires a passport from an eligible country) or a Visitor Visa. Once in Taiwan, they should proceed to the National Immigration Agency to complete the procedures for dependent residency.

According to Article 46 of the Act Governing the Choice of Law in Civil Matters Involving Foreign Elements, if one party is from a country that recognizes same-sex marriage while the other party is from a country that does not recognize it, then the same-sex spouse cannot apply for a dependent residency ARC. Please refer to the below document ‘Countries Recognizing Same-sex Marriage’.

The required documents for ARC are: o Applicant’s original passport and a photocopy o Photocopy of the entry stamp page on the passport (for those who entered visa-free) o Original and photocopy of the Gold Card of the family member o Original and photocopy of the marriage certificate (foreign marriage certificates must be translated into Chinese first and verified at the overseas mission before submission in Taiwan) o One 2-inch white-background photo (ID photo format) o Completed application form o Letter of authorization (if the applicant is unable to apply in person)

Fees: o NT$1,000 for the ARC valid for one year o An additional NT$2,200 for applicants entering the country with a visa-exempt entry

Please note: During the application period, the applicant must remain in Taiwan. The processing time takes approximately 10 working days.

For more information on the ARC application process, please refer HERE For related regulations, please visit HERE

An application for an entry permit to visit relatives in Taiwan must be submitted by the Gold Card holder or their designated representative at a National Immigration Agency service center. Once issued, the permit must be collected by the Gold Card holder or their representative and sent to Mainland China.

Note: Each permit is valid for two months and cannot be extended. A maximum of three applications may be submitted each year. For detailed information, please refer to the National Immigration Agency Website

For information on application for naturalization for high-level professionals, please refer to High-Level Professionals’ application ,.

For more details, please refer to: Standards for Defining High-Level Professionals for Naturalization , “Ⅱ- 3. Nationality” from the FAQ page

The Mainland Chinese spouse and children of Gold Card holders can apply for a Family Reunion Certificate to enter Taiwan. They cannot apply for a Resident Visa nor can they convert to an ARC.

Please refer to this link for the Family Reunion Certificate application for Mainland Chinese individuals or contact the National Immigration Agency at +886(2)-23889393 ext. 2692

Naturalization for Spouse Eligibility: Please refer to Article 3 of the Nationality Act . Note: If your spouse has legally resided continuously within ROC (Taiwan) for 10 years or more, or if, after you become an ROC citizen, your spouse has legally resided for at least 183 days per year for a continuous period of 3 years or more and meets the criteria outlined in Article 3, Paragraph 1, Subparagraphs 2 to 5 of the Nationality Act, they may also apply for naturalization.

Application Procedures • Your spouse should apply in person to the household registration office at their place of domestic domicile. The application will then be forwarded by the municipal or county (city) government to the Ministry of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the MOI) for approval. • Your spouse must submit proof of loss of original nationality within 1 year from the date of naturalization granted by the MOI. Failure to submit within the stipulated period will result in the revocation of the naturalization process, unless due to legal or administrative restrictions in the country of origin verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Required Documents Please refer to the attached documents: • Voluntary Naturalization • Applicant as the Spouse of an ROC National

Related Laws and Regulations • Nationality Act • Enforcement Rules of the Nationality Act

Naturalization for Unmarried Minor Children

Eligibility In accordance with Article 7 of the Nationality Act , unmarried children under the age of 18 of a naturalized individual may apply for accompanying naturalization.

Application Procedures • The legal representative of the child must apply in person at the household registration office of their domestic domicile. The application will then be forwarded by the municipal or county (city) government to the MOI for approval. • After naturalization is granted by the MOI, proof of loss of the child’s original nationality must be submitted within one year. Failure to do so will result in the revocation of the naturalization process unless the MOFA verifies that legal or administrative restrictions in the country of origin prevent submission within the stipulated period, in which case an extension may be requested.

Required Documents Please refer to the attached document: • Apply for accompanying naturalization for the applicant’s unmarried minor children

Related Laws and Regulations • Nationality Act • Enforcement Rules of the Nationality Act

Important Notes • For documents issued abroad, authentication by ROC overseas missions and re-examination by the MOFA are required. If issued domestically by a foreign embassy, consulate, or authorized institution, verification by the MOFA is required. • Documents in a foreign language must include a certified Chinese translation authenticated by ROC overseas missions and re-examined by the MOFA or notarized by a domestic notary public. • The above conditions and documents are for general cases. For special circumstances, processing will follow relevant laws, regulations, and MOI provisions.

Reference Checklists: • Voluntary Naturalization • Applicant as the Spouse of an ROC National • Apply for Accompanying Naturalization for the Applicant’s Unmarried Minor Children

There are 2 approaches:

Approach I: Foreign students holding a valid dependent Alien Resident Certificate and pursuing studies in five-year colleges, elementary schools, junior and senior high schools, and Ministry of Education accredited Education School for International Residents (SIR), should apply for a change to Resident Visa for studying purposes through the Bureau of Consular Affairs or the Representative Office. The application requires the submission of all relevant documents. Please refer to this link .

Approach II: A foreign national under the age of eighteen (18) and any of his/her lineal ascendant is a national of the State with household registration in the Taiwan Area or permitted to reside in the area, or an alien permitted to reside or permanently reside in the area, or a resident of Hong Kong or Macau permitted to reside in the area, and meets one of the following conditions, may apply for a residency extension:

• Having stayed in Taiwan for an accumulated 10 years in total and residing for over 270 days each year.
• Having entered Taiwan under the age of 14 and stayed over 270 days each year.
• Born in Taiwan, having resided in Taiwan for a minimum accumulated period of at least 10 years in total and having stayed over 183 days each year.

Foreign nationals should submit the following documents along with one photograph to the National Immigration Agency within three months prior to the expiration date of his/her residency:

• Application form
• Passport and Alien Resident Certificate
• Documents to prove kinship
• Other supporting documents

o How to apply:

1. In Hong Kong or Macau: Apply to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices in Hong Kong or Macau. Second application and beyond may be filed directly to the NIA.
2. In foreign countries: Apply to ROC (Taiwan) embassies, representative offices, or other agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

o Required Documents:

1. An application form, with a white-background 2’’ photo taken within the last 2 years (Same specification as ROC national ID photo).
2. Original and copy of Hong Kong/Macau permanent residence ID card and Hong Kong/Macau passport (the original will be returned after verification).
3. Application Fee: NT$600 for a single entry permit; NT$1,000 for a 1-year multiple entry permit; NT$2,000 for a 3-year multiple entry permit.
4. A registered self-addressed stamped envelope with the recipient’s name and phone number.
5. Power of Attorney (Not required if Hong Kong/Macau residents apply in person).
6. Certificate of family relations.
7. A copy of valid ARC or ROC Employment Gold Card overseas application approval notice issued to the Hong Kong/Macau cardholder

Please refer to this Talent Taiwan webpage .

Parents or grandparents of Employment Gold Card holders must visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs website ( Application for a Visitor Visa for Visiting Relatives ) to complete the visa application form, then submit the following documents to the relevant overseas mission to apply for a visitor visa:

1. A completed visa application form, printed and signed.
2. A passport with at least six months of validity.
3. Two color passport photos taken within the past six months (white background).
4. A copy of the Employment Gold Card (or the overseas approval certificate for the Employment Gold Card “Resident Authorization Certificate”) and proof of the family relationship.

If you or your spouse hold an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC), and neither of you are citizens of the ROC (Taiwan), you can apply for an ARC for your child within 30 days of the child’s birth by bring the following documents to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) service center:

1. Birth certificate of the newborn
2. 2-inch color photo of the newborn
3. ARC (APRC) of the father or mother
4. Application fee

Once obtained the passport of your child, please go to the NIA to register the passport number for the ARC.

In addition, the newborn can apply for health insurance once obtains an ARC. For more information, please refer to the guideline “NHI Enrollment for Infants with Foreign Nationalities Born in Taiwan” (PDF) . Or dial the National Health Insurance Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare’s toll-free consultation hotline: 0800-030-598.

1. International Driving License: Please prepare the below documents and apply at the Motor Vehicles Office (監理站) : o Employment Gold Card: Bring the original o Photos: Two 2-inch color photos with a glossy single-color background, clear facial features, no hats, bust shot, taken within the last 2 years (no image synthesis). o Driver’s License: Bring the original. o Passport Copy: To verify your name in English. o Fee: NT$250. Precautions: o Ensure your driving license is valid. If it’s about to expire, renew it first. o If your address on the driving license differs from Golf Card, update the address. o Pay any outstanding fines before applying. o If someone else is applying for you, they need to bring their original national identity card for inspection.
2. Foreign International Driving License Visa (Reciprocal Country): Foreigner nationals must be permitted to stay in Taiwan for more than 6 months, and their original country’s driving license must be from a country recognized by Taiwan for reciprocal agreement. Apply at Motor Vehicles Office (監理站) . Required Documents: o Employment Gold Card and Passport: The passport must show the date of entry. o Driving License: From the reciprocal country, along with a foreign international driving license (both must be valid). o Health examination and physical fitness test results from a public hospital, public health center, or a clinic/group entrusted by motor vehicles offices o Photo: A 1-inch photo taken within the last 2 years. o Fee: NT$150. For a list of reciprocal countries.

You can apply if you meet one of the following conditions:

1. After the Gold Card holder obtains permanent residency, starting from the date of obtaining permanent residency, their spouse, minor children, and children having reached the age of majority or above who lack self-care ability due to physical or mental disabilities, must have legally resided continuously in Taiwan for 3 years, with an average of more than 183 days of residence per year. No financial proof is required for application.
2. Foreign nationals who have legally resided continuously in Taiwan for 5 years, with more than 183 days of residence each year, and who meet the requirements of Article 25 of the Immigration Act, may apply for permanent residency (Note: Adult children are eligible under this route.) Please note: If a Gold Card holder has a Ph.D. degree from Taiwan, one year of residence requirement may be waived. However, this waiver does not apply to the Gold Card holder’s dependents. For more details, please refer to the guidelines for submitting permanent residency applications.

(English) (Chinese)

When registering for an account on a car rental platform, you will usually be asked to provide:

1. Alien Resident Certificate (required validity period varies by platform, please see the attachment below)
2. Credit card (credit card regulations vary by platform, please see the attachment below)
3. Taiwan Driver’s License (Eligibility: Foreigners must stay in Taiwan for more than 6 months, and their original country’s driving license must be from a country recognized by Taiwan for reciprocal agreement. They may then present their original driver’s license at the Motor Vehicles Office (監理站) and receive a Taiwan driver’s license

For information regarding reciprocal countries, please click here

Yes, but their employer must apply for their work permit.

Full-time employment: for employer qualifications and related regulations, please see this Opens a new window: to EZ Work Taiwan .

Part-time employment: for employer qualifications and related regulations, please see the following links.

1. Spouses of Foreign Professionals Taking partly-hours Specialized or Technical Works
2. Spouses of Foreign Professionals Taking partly-hours Works as the Director or Manager of an Approved Business Invested or Established by Overseas Chinese or Foreigner(s)

When submitting a resident visa application, the dependent must provide an “address of residence”. Resident visas may permit stays of 1-3 months and it’s recommended that those without an address of residence in Taiwan at the time of visa application should book a hotel or decide on plans for a place to live in Taiwan, then apply with that address. Proof of address is not required when submitting the application.

For a Gold Card holder who has obtained permanent residency, their adult children who qualify with the prescribed days of residence and eligibility criteria, may apply directly to the Ministry of Labor for permission to work in Taiwan, and need not apply through an employer. (Please see qualification here: Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals - Article 15 )

Please see the attached PDF for a list of contacts at the Center of Family Childcare Service in Taipei (organized by district).

If you would like to know more information, please refer to the Social and Family Affairs Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare .

Please refer to the CDC’s list of designated hospitals in Taiwan

Within one month before the expiration of the stay period, they can go to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) service center to apply for the extension. If there are no other pending verifications and all required documents are complete, the application period takes one working day. The required documents for the extension are:

1. Application for Extension
2. Exit & Entry Permit (Republic of China)
3. One of the documents below: Taiwan travel permit for Mainland residents (PRC Travel Pass to Taiwan), travel documents issued by the Mainland with a validity period of more than six months (excluding Exit & Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau), Mainland Resident Identity Card, or documents proving their identity. (The extension will only be valid up until one month before the expiration of your document)
4. Proof documents explaining the reason of extension
5. NTD 300 extension fee
6. ID card of the person applying on behalf of the applicant (will be returned after verification)

For more details on how your Mainland Chinese spouse and children can extend their stay, please check this Opens a new window: to how your Mainland Chinese spouse and children can extend their stay

The Ministry of Education has built a website that collects schools and programs for expat children in Taiwan. Click the LINK for more information.

To consult with the Ministry of Education about children’s enrollment in school, please call (886)2-7736-7867 or email k12ea@mail.moe.gov.tw

The department of land administration, MOI has provided the following resources:

1. Rental Housing Market Development and Regulation Act
2. Rental Housing Contract

The government strictly regulates the importation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices in Taiwan. You may be required to apply for a permit from the Taiwan Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Applications can be submitted through the TFDA online application platform: FDA Website .

Alternatively, you may search the equivalent medication in Taiwan through Medicine Scan (藥掃描) APP, please refer to the Overview of Drug Information Progress in Taiwan .