Opening a Bank Account

A foreign national wishing to open an account with a Taiwanese bank must visit the bank in person, taking with them two different identity documents (see Table below). Minors must also submit a letter of permission from their guardian in Taiwan.

Applying for a Credit Card, and Points to Note Regarding Credit Card Use

1. Application: A foreign national wishing to apply for a credit card must submit tax withholding certificates or other evidence of financial status, a photocopy of their passport, and a photocopy of a valid Alien Resident Certificate etc., and must submit their application according to the rules laid down by the individual card-issuing institution. The card-issuing institution has the right to refuse to issue a card to any applicant, at its own discretion.
2. Dealing with a lost credit card: If a foreign resident loses a credit card, they can report the loss and stop payment using the card by calling the issuing bank’s 24-hour card loss hotline. The cardholder may also be required to pay a card loss charge; for more details, please contact the individual card-issuing institution in question.
3. Dispute resolution, revolving credit interest rates, fees, cardholder’s rights, and preferential service: The individual card-issuing institution will notify the applicant regarding these matters in writing or by e-mail; for more information, please contact the individual card-issuing institution in question.

Applying for and Using an ATM card

1. After opening a bank account with a Taiwanese bank, a foreign national can apply for an ATM card at the same branch where they opened the account on presentation of a valid foreign passport, the bankbook, and the same personal seal (chop) that they used when opening the account.ATM cards can be used for domestic deposits, withdrawals and bank transfers.
2. Restrictions on withdrawals: The restrictions on a single withdrawal depends on banks’ risk tolerance (NT$20,000 in the case of inter-bank withdrawals). The total amount of withdrawals made within a single day may not exceed NT$100,000. The maximum limit shall be determined by each individual bank.
3. Restrictions on bank transfers: Bank transfers for which arrangements have not been made in advance are limited to a maximum of NT$30,000 per day. To make a bank transfer that will exceed this limit, the account-holder should contact the branch where they opened their account in advance; where a bank transfer has been agreed in advance in this way, the maximum size of the bank transfer is limited to NT$2,000,000. The maximum limit shall be determined by each individual bank.
4. Dealing with a lost ATM card: If a foreign resident loses an ATM card, they can report the loss and stop payments using the card by calling the issuing bank's 24-hour card loss hotline. They should also go to the bank branch where they opened their account as soon as possible to fill out the necessary forms for reporting the loss and stopping payment.
5. Fee for replacement of a lost or stolen ATM card: Banks are entitled to charge a fee for replacement of a lost or stolen ATM card; for more details, please contact the individual bank in question.

Foreign exchange services

When making foreign exchange transactions, foreign nationals should present their passport or ARC to the designated foreign exchange banks. Each bank may charge handling fees and cable fees for transactions based on the rates announced by the bank.

Foreign currency deposits

When in need of opening foreign currency deposit bank accounts, the aforementioned procedures of opening a bank account is applicable.
The rules for foreign currency transactions are the same as explained for foreign exchange service.

Traveler's Check

Many Taiwan's local stores do not receive Traveler's Check, therefore travelers who have Traveler's Check, please exchange for NT dollars.

Online Banking

If, after opening a bank account, a foreign national wishes to apply to use online banking services, they should submit their application at the bank branch where they opened the account, bringing with them a valid foreign passport, Alien Resident Certificate, and the personal seal (chop) or signature sample that they used when opening the account.