Taiwan (TW)

Required for visa application, ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) issuance at the National Immigration Agency (NIA — immigration.gov.tw), banking, SIM registration and all official transactions. Keep scans and certified copies.

Required for most long-stay categories (work visa, student visa, family visa, entrepreneur visa) before applying for an ARC. Apply at the Taiwan Embassy, de facto diplomatic office (AIT for US citizens, BOCA in Taiwan) or TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) representative office in your country. The Employment Gold Card combines a four-year residence permit and work authorisation for highly skilled professionals (goldcard.nat.gov.tw).

The ARC (外僑居留證) is the primary residency ID for most foreign residents, issued by the NIA. Required for National Health Insurance (NHI) enrolment, banking, tax registration, mobile phone contracts and telecom. Apply within 15 days of entry as a long-term resident. After 5 years of continuous residence, eligible residents can apply for an APRC (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate).

Issued by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) for most categories of foreign employment. The employer typically initiates the application. Work permits are tied to a specific employer and job category; changing jobs requires a new permit. Some categories (intra-company transferees, professionals) have simplified routes.

Required for work permit applications, tax registration, NHIS enrolment and banking. Must be signed by both employer and employee. Contracts should align with Taiwan's Labour Standards Act (勞動基準法).

Often required for work permit applications, teaching positions and academic qualification recognition. Taiwan is NOT a member of the Hague Apostille Convention; foreign diplomas cannot use apostille. Documents must be authenticated by your home country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (or equivalent) and then by the Taiwan de facto consular office (TECO or AIT) in your country before use in Taiwan. Certified Chinese translation may be required by specific employers or the MOL.

May be required for teaching licences, APRC (long-term residence), family visas and some specialist work routes. Taiwan is NOT a Hague Apostille member; the certificate must be authenticated by the home country government authority and then by the TECO/AIT office in the issuing country. Certificate must be recent — typically issued within 6 months.

Required for family visa applications, child registration and some dependant procedures. Taiwan is NOT a Hague Apostille member; foreign birth certificates must be authenticated by the issuing country's government authority and then by the relevant TECO or AIT office. Certified Chinese translation may be required.

Required for spouse-dependent visas, household registration-related procedures and NHIS dependant registration. Taiwan is NOT a Hague Apostille member; authentication through home country government authority and TECO/AIT is required. Certified Chinese translation may be required.

Some work visa categories and long-stay routes require a health check from a designated clinic or hospital approved by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) or the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Tests typically include tuberculosis screening, chest X-ray and general health assessment.

An IDP is valid for up to 30 days from entry in Taiwan. After 30 days of residence, a Taiwan driving licence is required. Nationals of countries with bilateral exchange agreements (including the USA, Japan and others) can convert their licence at the DMV (監理所) with a vision test. Others may require a written and practical test. Taiwan drives on the right.

Required for BAPHIQ (Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine) clearance at the airport. Core documents: microchip certificate (ISO 11784/11785), current rabies vaccination record, a rabies antibody titre test (for pets from non-approved countries), a veterinary health certificate and a BAPHIQ import permit (apply at baphiq.gov.tw at least 30 days before travel). Mandatory quarantine applies for pets from non-approved countries.

Required for income tax filing with the National Taxation Bureau (NTB), double-tax treaty relief, mortgage applications and APRC income evidence. Taiwan residents pay income tax from a sliding scale (5–40%). Retain home-country tax records and proof of prior residency for DTA applications.