Resident Visa
Foreign citizens intending to come to Taiwan and live in Taiwan for longer than 6 months are required to apply for a Resident Visa. In general, to be eligible to apply for a Resident Visa, a foreign citizen must be an immediate family member of a Taiwanese citizen with household registration in Taiwan, or have obtained prior employment approval from the competent authorities sponsored by a prospective employer. There are other eligibility criteria for Resident Visa applications. Foreign citizens wishing to reside in Taiwan for an extended period of time must comply with Taiwanese immigration law, and specific procedures to apply for a Resident Visa.
Validity of Visa
A Resident Visa is normally granted a single entry, and is valid for 3 months from the date of issuance. Visa holders must enter Taiwan before the expiration date shown on the visa.
Duration of Stay
Resident Visa holders are required to apply for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and the Re-entry Permit at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) within 30 days after being admitted. The ARC with multiple use Re-entry Permit provides for multiple travel to Taiwan, holders of such kind of the ARC can leave, re-enter Taiwan as many times as they wish, and remain in Taiwan during the validity of the ARC. When the ARC expires or is revoked, the Re-entry Permit attached to the ARC becomes invalid simultaneously. Detailed information about the application of the ARC and the Re-entry Permit can be found on the NIA’s website.
Processing Time
Visa application is really depanded on case by case basis. Expedited services (suspended ) for urgent application can be requested by paying additional 50% of visa fees. However, we cannot guarantee that your visa will be issued within the time as you requested.
Location of Application
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canberra can accept visa applications from people residing in the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia.
If you reside in New South Wales, please contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney. (http://www.roc-taiwan.org/AU/SYD)
If you reside in Queensland or the Northern Territory, please contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Brisbane. (http://www.roc-taiwan.org/AU/BNE)
If you reside in Victoria, Tasmania or South Australia, please contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Melbourne. (http://www.roc-taiwan.org/AU/MEL)
Special Requirements and Procedures for Citizens of the Designated Countries
Passport holders of the following countries should have obtained valid Australian resident visas (temporary or permanent) with evidence showing at least 1 year prior residency in Australia. If such conditions are met, visa application by these passport holders should be submitted in person only. Applicants are also required to schedule an appointment for submission of visa application and attend an interview at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office.
※Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Syria.
General Required Documentations of Visa Application
- Completed application form: Please visithttps://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw to fill out the visa electronic application form. All visa application forms must be filled out online, printed, signed and have a readable barcode.
- Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of the visa application, and have at least 1 blank visa page.
- Two passport-sized photos: Photos must be recent (taken within the last 6 months), with a clear full-face and front view image, ensuring the ears of the applicant are showing, in color. The background of the photos must be white.
- Fee: Payment of the visa fee (Fee Schedule) is required when lodging the application. Payment shall be in form of money order, bankcheque payable to the “Taipei Economic and Cultural Office” and cash. (only for application submitted in person). Credit card and personalcheque are not acceptable. Visa fee is generally non-refundable if the application is refused, and may by subject to adjustment at any time.
- Self-address, prepaid envelope or courier satchel: Applications lodged by post or courier should also include self-addressed postage prepaid envelope (Express Post Platinum, Express Post and Registered Post only) or courier satchel for the return of travel documents and visa.
- Valid Australia Visa Information (Please print out your visa Information from VEVO if holding an E-visa)
Eligibility Criteria
Most Resident Visa applications are either employment-based or family stream. There are various eligibilities for foreign citizens wishing to apply for a Resident Visa. Please review the chart below detailing information specific to each category and its additional supporting documents that should accompany your application.
| Visa Category | Eligibility | Additional Supporting Document | Note |
| A | 1. Employee2. Investor or representative of foreign corporation | 1. Approval Letter issued by the Council of Labor Affairs or the competent authorities2. Certificate issued by the Investment Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs3. Other additional documents may be required | 1. The authorised period of employment indicated on the approval letter must be more than 6 months at the time of application.2. According to ”Regulations on the Operation of Foreign Investors or Representatives of Foreign Corporations Applying for Resident Visas,” a foreign citizen must invest, without borrowing, the minimum amount of $200,000.00 (US) to be eligible for applying for a Resident Visa. |
| TS | Spouse of a Taiwanese citizen with household registration inTaiwan | 1. Marriage Certificate. (Must be issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry of State or Territory Government)2. Household Registration Transcript issued by the Household Registration Agency3. Police Certificate. (National Police Certificate issued by the Australian Federal Police)4. Health Certificate5. Other additional documents may be required | 1. The Household Registration Transcript must show marriage registration, the foreign spouse’s name, nationality and must be issued within 3 months prior to the time of application.2. The National Police Certificate should be issued within 1 year prior to the time of application. Austrailan National Police Certificate must first be certified by our office . please refer to :https://www.roc-taiwan.org/au_en/post/8211.html 3. Every applicant must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by a registered or licenced medical practitioner. After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website : Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwan for additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document4. According to “Employment Service Act,” foreign spouses of Taiwanese citizens with household registration residing in Taiwan on valid ARC automatically acquire the right to work. No prior employment approval is required to engage in work. |
| TC | Minor unmarried child under 20 years of age of parents of Taiwanese citizens withhousehold registration inTaiwan. | 1. Birth Certificate. (Must be issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry of State or Territory Government)2. Household Registration Transcript issued by the Household Registration Agency3. Health Certificate4. Other additional documents may be required | 1. The Birth Certificate must show both parents’ full names.2. The Household Registration Transcript issued with 3 months must show marriage registration of the applicant’s parents.3. Minors under 6 years of age are exempt from submitting Health Certificate. Other applicants must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by aregistered or licenced medical practitioner. After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website : Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwan for additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document4. Applicants wishing to join paternal or maternal grandparents who are Taiwanese citizens with household registration in Taiwan must provide a consent letter signed by the applicant’s both parents or legal guardian. The Household Registration Transcript must also contain details of the applicant’s paternal or maternal grandparents. |
| SF | Spouse of a foreign citizen who holds a valid ARC or is a Permanent Resident. | 1. Marriage Certificate. (Must be issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry of State or Territory Government) 2. Health Certificate3. A certified copy of the ARC or the Alien Permanent Residence Certificate of the individual the applicant intends to join with. 4. Other additional documents may be required. | 1. Every applicant must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by a registered or licenced medical practitioner. After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website : Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwan for additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document 2. The ARC must be valid for more than 6 months at the time of application. |
| CF | Minor unmarried child under 20 years of age of a foreign citizen who holds a valid ARC or is a Permanent Resident | 1. Birth Certificate. (Must be issued by the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registry of State or Territory Government) 2. Health Certificate. 3. A certified copy of the ARC or the Alien Permanent Residence Certificate of the individual the applicant intends to join with. 4. Other additional documents may be required. | 1. The Birth Certificate must show the full name of the individual the applicant intends to join with. 2. Minors under 6 years of age are exempt from submitting Health Certificate. Other applicants must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by aregistered or licenced medical practitioner. After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website: Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwan for additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document |
| FS | Student: 2 sub-categories1. Regular foreign student: Only applies to a bachelor degree, associate degree, master degree, doctoral degree.2. Exchange student: Applies to primary, junior secondary or senior secondary school courses, approved secondary school exchange programs, and all tertiary and postgraduate education programs. | 1. Admission letter from the academic institute. 2. Proof of financial support (E.g. Most recent bank statement that reflects current account balance and shows sufficient funds to support your study in Taiwan) 3. Health Certificate 4. Apart from abovementioned documents, exchange students of senior secondary school and below should also submit: (1) Approval letter issued by the Ministry of Education or the Bureau of Education of the City or County Government.(2) Health Certificate.(3) Depending on the applicant’s age, additional documents such as parental consent, letter of guarantee by references in Taiwan may be required on a case-by-case basis. | All exchange students under senior second schools must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by a registered or licenced medical practitioner.After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website :Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwanfor additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document |
| R | Religious worker | 1. A certified copy of the Certificate of Registration of the religious organisation in Taiwan. 2. Letter of Invitation 3. Applicant’s Certificate in religious work. 4. Applicant’s Credentials. 5. Health Certificate. 6. Other additional documents may be required. | 1. Religious organizations refer to temples, churches or other religious denomination institutes which are legally registered with the Ministry of the Interior.2. The invitation letter from the inviting religious organisation should be duly signed by the person-in-charge with the organisation’s seal, and should contain but not limited to the following:（1） the reason for inviting the applicant, and the nature of proposed religious work that the applicant intends to carry out, which must directly serve the organisation's religious objectives;（2） the visa applicant’s personal details, intended period of residence;（3） if any, the list of foreign religious workers who are invited by the same religious organisation and still reside in Taiwan;（4） affidavit pertaining to the true and correct content of the letter. 3. Applicants must posses an official capacity as religious workers such as Pastor, Minister, Bishop, Monk, Nun, Imam, etc. If no certificate is available according the religious denomination’s practice, proof provided by the highest administration where the applicant serves or by the organisation to which the applicant belongs is required. The Certificate should contain the applicant’s personal details, date of induction, and attests to the applicant’s capacity as a bone fide religious worker. 4. Applicants must have had at least 2 years experience in conducting works of religious nature. The credentials should be issued by the religious organisation to which the applicant belongs. 5. Every applicant must undergo a medical examination which must be performed by a registered or licenced medical practitioner. After the completion of the medical examination, the Health Certificate should be signed by the physician who performed the medical examination. The Health Certificate is considered valid 3 months only. Please refer to Items Required for Health Certificate on the Taiwan Centre for Disease Control website :Items Required for Health Certificate for Residence in Taiwanfor additional information and downloading blank medical form. Health Certificate must first be certified by our office, Please refer to : Medical Document |
Notes:
1. Please fill in an Arrival Card for immigration inspection upon arrival each time.
https://niaspeedy.immigration.gov.tw/webcard/
2. Please offer complete information when filling in the Arrival Card. If the information is found incomplete, you will be required to fill in a paper Arrival Card for immigration inspection.
3. The space for English Name accepts only English letters and spaces.
4. If Chinese information is required, please enter the information in traditional Chinese.
5. Printout is not required.
