Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Taiwanese citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Taiwan
You can live in Taiwan until the date on your residence card, at your registered address.
A first card for a foreign spouse is usually valid for one year.
Work in Taiwan
If you are married to a Taiwanese citizen listed in Taiwan's household records, you can work without a separate work permit.
Use public healthcare
You can join National Health Insurance after six continuous months in Taiwan, or earlier through a regular employer.
One trip away of fewer than 30 days is allowed if your actual time in Taiwan still totals six months.
Once enrolled, you receive coverage and must pay the applicable premiums and charges for care.
How to apply
From outside TaiwanFrom outside Taiwan
Find your consulate
Find the Taiwanese consulate that handles applications for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Taiwanese consulate covers your city for a resident visa for a foreign spouse?”
Open the visa form
Open the resident visa application form in Taiwan’s online visa system.
Open the formFill in the form
Fill in your resident visa application online.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Taiwan resident visa application for a foreign spouse?”
Submit and print it
Submit the form online, print the bar-coded form and sign it.
Submit the formGather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the visa and residence card applications.
See required documentsHand in your application
Take your signed form and the required original documents and copies to your Taiwanese consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Taiwan resident visa application for a foreign spouse at the Taiwanese consulate for your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate’s decision and attend an interview or provide more documents if asked.
See visa processingSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Taiwan resident visa for a foreign spouse take at a consulate?”
Enter Taiwan
Travel to Taiwan using your resident visa.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Taiwan with a resident visa for a foreign spouse?”
Once in TaiwanOnce in Taiwan
Find your service center
Find the National Immigration Agency service center for the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Taiwan National Immigration Agency service center covers your city for a family reunion ARC?”
Get the ARC form
Get the Application for ARC and Extension of Stay form.
Get the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I download the Taiwan Application for ARC and Extension of Stay form for a family reunion ARC?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign your Application for ARC and Extension of Stay form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Taiwan Application for ARC and Extension of Stay for a family reunion ARC?”
Hand in your application
Within 30 days beginning the day after you entered Taiwan, go with your Taiwanese spouse to your service center and hand in your form and required documents. Pay the ARC fee at the office as directed.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Taiwan family reunion ARC application at the National Immigration Agency service center for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the immigration agency’s decision and attend an interview or provide corrections or more documents if asked.
Track your applicationCollect your ARC
Collect your approved ARC as your service center directs. It lets you live in Taiwan for the period shown on the card.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect an approved Taiwan family reunion ARC from the National Immigration Agency service center for your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificates
Bring proof of your marriage. For a resident visa, bring your marriage certificate or official marriage-registration record; for an ARC, bring proof of registration from Taiwan’s household-registration office, such as your Taiwanese spouse’s household record or identification showing the marriage. If your marriage is not registered in Taiwan, bring your foreign marriage certificate or equivalent official record. This route requires a legally recognised marriage.
Spouse's household record
Bring your Taiwanese spouse’s household-registration record and identification to show their status and registered marriage. For a resident visa, the household-registration certificate must have been issued within the last three months and show the marriage, your name in your native script and your nationality.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permission to return
Before leaving Taiwan, you must get permission to return if you plan to come back during your residence period.
Renewal and record updates
Apply to extend your residence before it expires; you can apply within the three months before expiry.
An extension is not automatic, and overstaying can lead to fines and problems leaving Taiwan.
Update your records when your passport or personal information changes.
Residence can end
Your residence can end when it expires or its family reason ends; some exceptions cover a sponsor's death, domestic-violence divorce, or custody of or contact with a child registered in Taiwan.
It can also be cancelled for false information, fraudulent documents, a qualifying prison sentence or deportation.
It ends if you become a Taiwanese citizen or gain permanent residence.
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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