Eligibility quiz
Was either of your parents a Taiwanese (Republic of China) citizen when you were born?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Taiwanese passport and ID
Taiwanese citizens can hold a passport for international travel that also proves their citizenship.
An ordinary passport is valid for up to 10 years and is not renewed automatically.
A passport can allow visa-free travel or a visa on arrival in certain countries, with conditions and lengths of stay set by each destination.
Citizens whose household is registered in Taiwan can also get a national ID card.
Live in Taiwan for life
Taiwanese citizenship has no normal expiry date and does not need to be renewed.
Citizens with a registered household have an enduring right to live in Taiwan.
Citizens without household registration may need to complete an entry and residence process before they can register a household and get the full domestic ID-card package.
Taiwanese citizens can enter and leave Taiwan as citizens, rather than as immigrants with a residence permit.
Study in Taiwan
Taiwanese citizens can study in Taiwan without a foreign student visa or residence card.
Admission to a university depends on its education rules.
Work in Taiwan
Taiwanese citizens can work in Taiwan without a foreign-worker permit or residence card.
Citizenship does not guarantee a job.
Get help abroad
Taiwanese citizens can receive help from Taiwan's overseas offices, including emergency assistance and passport services.
Vote and run for office
Taiwanese citizens can vote from age 20 if they meet the residence and registration rules.
These generally require four months for local public-office elections and six months for presidential and vice-presidential elections.
Citizens also have rights to take part in removing elected officials, proposing measures and voting on public questions, with separate age and residence rules for public votes.
Citizens can in principle take public examinations and hold public office, subject to the relevant qualifications.
Use public healthcare
Taiwanese citizens can use National Health Insurance when they meet its eligibility rules.
A citizen with household registration generally joins after six months' residence, but someone employed in Taiwan does not have to wait.
A Taiwanese citizen baby born in Taiwan is covered from birth.
Insurance payments and charges for care apply.
Get social support
Taiwanese citizens can use social insurance and assistance on the same basis as other eligible citizens, including the National Pension and certain welfare payments.
Eligibility often depends on household registration, age, work, income, disability, family status and residence.
How to apply
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find an office
Choose a household registration office in Taiwan where you can apply for a nationality certificate. You can use any household registration office.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Taiwan household registration office near your city for a nationality certificate application?”
Pick up the form
Get a nationality certificate application form from the household registration office.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get a Taiwan nationality certificate application form from a household registration office?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the form, and choose the certificate language and version you want. If you are applying for a child, complete it as the child's legal representative.
See form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in a Taiwan nationality certificate application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the household registration office.
See required documentsBook an appointment
If you want an appointment, book one through the household registration appointment system. Available services vary by office.
Book an appointmentHand in your application
Bring the signed form and required documents to the household registration office; a child's legal representative attends for the child. Pay NT$1,000 per certificate by postal money order payable to the Ministry of the Interior or by an allowed online payment method.
Find submission detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit and pay for a Taiwan nationality certificate application at a household registration office?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application online and respond to any request to correct it by the stated deadline. The office forwards your application to the Ministry of the Interior.
Track your applicationCollect your certificate
Once notified of approval, collect the certificate from the receiving office and bring the originals needed to confirm your identity. You can use the certificate as proof of your Taiwan nationality.
Find collection detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a Taiwan nationality certificate from a household registration office?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Provide your birth certificate to show your birth in Taiwan if you use your birth and your parents’ status to prove your citizenship. If you are under 18, provide proof of your relationship to your legal representative, such as your birth certificate; a household record or court decision may also show the relationship.
* Only if you use birth records to prove your citizenship or your relationship to your legal representative.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParent's citizenship records *
Provide evidence that your Taiwanese parent was a citizen when you were born. If you were born after your parent died, provide evidence that they were a citizen when they died.
* Only if you use your Taiwanese parent's citizenship to prove your own.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationParents' status records *
Provide records showing that both your parents are unknown or that both are stateless. For stateless parents, evidence can include travel documents stating they are stateless, qualifying stateless residence cards or other evidence accepted by Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior.
* Only if you use your birth in Taiwan and your parents' status to prove your citizenship.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Household registration abroad
After two years abroad, your household registration can be moved out of Taiwan.
This can affect voting, health insurance, the National Pension and other benefits, but it does not end your citizenship.
You may need to return and restore your registration to regain access.
Military service for men
Men of military service age may have to serve in the military, depending on household registration, overseas status and time spent in Taiwan.
A man who becomes a citizen through naturalization becomes subject to service one year after the day following his first household registration.
A man with overseas status can become subject after the specified 183-day return or registration threshold.
Women are not generally required to serve.
Limits on public office
A person who becomes a citizen through naturalization cannot hold certain senior or elected offices for 10 years after becoming a citizen.
A citizen who also holds another citizenship generally cannot hold public offices with nationality restrictions unless they give up that other citizenship as required.
Citizenship can be revoked
Approval of naturalization can be taken back if the requirements were not met.
It must also be taken back if required proof of giving up the original citizenship is not supplied within the legal period, unless an exception applies.
There is normally a time limit for correcting or taking back approval.
That limit does not protect a person when a final court finding says a marriage or adoption was faked to obtain naturalization.
Giving up citizenship
An adult who voluntarily acquires another citizenship can apply to give up Taiwanese citizenship, but needs permission from the Ministry of the Interior.
Permission is barred in certain cases, including an unfulfilled military duty, active military service, public office, unresolved legal proceedings or enforcement, and unpaid taxes.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigners in Taipei&Taiwan/外國人在台北&台灣《生活Live&Life/資訊Information/工作Jobs》
Facebook group for people living in Taiwan interested in Taiwanese local life (English & Chinese)
Join on FacebookForeigners In Taiwan
Facebook group for people living in Taiwan interested in Taiwanese local life (English & Chinese)
Join on Facebook外國人在台北&台灣/Foreigners in Taipei&Taiwan《生活Live&Life/資訊Information/工作Jobs》
Facebook group for people living in Taiwan interested in Taiwanese local life (English & Chinese)
Join on FacebookConsultation
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