Eligibility quiz
Are you married to someone, and is your marriage recognized in Taiwan?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Taiwan
You can live in Taiwan while your residence card is valid, rent a home and open accounts.
A card normally lasts no more than three years; the first card for a foreign spouse normally lasts one year.
Extensions may be granted for up to three years while your reason for residence continues.
Study in Taiwan
You can study in Taiwan if a school accepts you under its education rules.
Minors living with a parent can generally attend school.
Work in Taiwan
If your spouse is a Taiwanese citizen with household registration, you can work without the usual work permit.
Other holders normally need a work permit or another exemption before working.
Travel in and out
You can leave and enter Taiwan with a valid passport and residence card, and permission to re-enter when required.
Use public healthcare
You can join National Health Insurance after six months of residence.
One departure of no more than 30 days can count under the residence rules.
If you have a regular employer, you are enrolled through your employer from the start of employment.
How to apply
From outside TaiwanFrom outside Taiwan
Find your consulate
Find the Taiwan consulate or representative office that serves the place where you are applying.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Taiwan consulate or representative office serves your city for a family reunion resident visa?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate and the immigration office.
See required documentsFill in the visa application
Complete the resident visa application online, then print and sign it.
Fill in the applicationBook an appointment
Book an appointment to hand in your visa application if your consulate requires one.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for a Taiwan family reunion resident visa at the consulate serving your city?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed visa application and required documents to the consulate. Pay the visa fee there and ask how to pay it.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Taiwan family reunion resident visa application at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate to decide your resident visa application, and provide any extra information it asks for.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Taiwan family reunion resident visa application take?”
Travel to Taiwan
After your resident visa is issued, enter Taiwan with it. You must apply for your ARC within 30 days, counting from the day after you enter.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Taiwan with a family reunion resident visa?”
Once in TaiwanOnce in Taiwan
Find your immigration office
Find the immigration service station that serves the place where you live in Taiwan.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Taiwan immigration service station serves your city for a family reunion ARC application?”
Download the application form
Download the Foreigners’ Residence/Stay Application form.
Download the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Taiwan Foreigners’ Residence/Stay Application form for a family reunion ARC?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the residence application form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Taiwan Foreigners’ Residence/Stay Application form for a family reunion ARC?”
Hand in your application
Bring your signed form and required documents to the immigration service station, or send an authorised representative where permitted. Pay the ARC fee when you apply and ask the office how to pay it.
Find submission informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Taiwan family reunion ARC application at an immigration service station?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration office to decide your application and provide any extra information it asks for.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Taiwan family reunion ARC application take?”
Collect your ARC
Collect your ARC when the immigration office notifies you. It is your residence card for your stay in Taiwan.
Find collection informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Taiwan family reunion ARC after approval?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Get your marriage certificate from the office that registered your marriage. This route requires a marriage recognised for immigration in Taiwan; an unmarried partner does not qualify.
Spouse's residence record
Bring your spouse's ARC, permanent ARC, residence certificate or residence permit. Your spouse can obtain their residence record from the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Renewal and reporting
You must apply to extend your residence before it expires; you can apply during the three months before expiry.
Report a change of address or employment to immigration within 30 days.
Long absences can affect an extension.
Health insurance payments
Once you meet the conditions, health insurance is compulsory.
You must pay premiums and some costs when you receive care.
Residence can end
Your residence can end when it expires or its reason ends, or because of false information, unauthorized work, serious violations or other legal grounds.
Exceptions may allow you to stay after a sponsor’s death, domestic-violence divorce, or contact or rights concerning a Taiwanese minor child.
Other exceptions include serious hardship, some labor disputes, work injuries and help in criminal cases.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Foreigners For Taiwan Immigration, legal issues
English Facebook group for people living in Taiwan interested in Taiwanese visas
Join on FacebookForeigners 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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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