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FAQ - Residency extension and expiration issues

  • Q1: If an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) holder needs to extend their residency in Taiwan for reasons of force majeure or for some other important reason, how will this be dealt with?

    If a foreigner who entered Taiwan with a resident visa needs to extend their residency in Taiwan, they should apply to the National Immigration Agency, bringing with them the relevant identity documents and other evidences (if the application is rejected, the application fee will not be refunded). Persons falling into the following categories may not have their stay in Taiwan extended:

    1. Persons who entered Taiwan through non-visa entry or with a landing visa.

    2. Persons who have already exceeded their permitted stay in Taiwan.

    3. Persons who have changed their visa category since entering Taiwan. A foreigner holding a 60-day visa that is not stamped "no extension permitted" may apply to the National Immigration Agency to have their visa extended, on presentation of the relevant documents.

  • Q2: If an individual’s passport has expired, how can they extend their Alien Resident Certificate?

    When the individual goes to their Immigration service center to have their Alien Resident Certificate extended, the Immigration service center will issue them with an extension up to the date on which their passport will expire. The individual should then apply as soon as possible to their country's representative office in Taiwan to have their passport renewed or extended. Once the individual's passport has been renewed or extended, they can apply to their Immigration service center for a further Alien Resident Certificate extension.

  • Q3: If an individual fails to extend their Alien Resident Certificate before its expiry, how will this be dealt with?

    I. Authorized authority: The National Immigration Agency

    II. Basis of Laws/Regulations: The Immigration Act and the Enforcement Rules thereof, and the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens, and Penalty Standards for Fine Cases Subject to Immigration Act.

    III. Required Documents: Application should be submitted to the local service center of the National Immigration Agency.

    1. Foreigners who have overstay less than 30 days:

    1) An application form.

    2) The original passport

    3) Original spouse’s ROC Identity Card or original Household Registration Book.

    4) Pay the fine of overstay

    5) Apply a new ARC (NT1,000).

    2. Foreigners who have overstayed less than 90 days: fines can be paid and exit can be processed at the Airport or Port Brigades of the Border Affairs Corps or the local service center of the National Immigration Agency.

    3. Foreigners have overstayed more than 91 days.

    1) Go to the local NIA’s specialized brigade to make a statement of their overstay.

    2) The original passport

    3) Go to the local NIA’s service center to pay the fine and apply for an exit permit.

    IV. Notes:

    1. Standards of fines imposed upon foreigners who overstay are as follows:

    1) Overstay by 10 days and less: a fine of NT$ 2,000

    2) Overstay by 11 ~ 30 days: a fine of NT$ 4,000

    3) Overstay by 31 ~ 60 days: a fine of NT$6,000

    4) Overstay by 61 ~ 90 days: a fine of NT$ 8,000

    5) Over stay by91 days or more: a fine of NT$10,000

    6) For persons less than 18 years of age: 50% of the above fines

  • Q4: If a foreigner suffers an occupational injury while employed in Taiwan and has to undergo medical treatment for a period that will exceed the validity of their ARCS, can an ARC extension be arranged?

    If a foreigner suffers an occupational injury while employed in Taiwan and has to extend their residence, they shall apply to local Immigration service center for an extension within 30 days before their residence expires. An application form, their passports, ARCS, occupational injury certificates, and doctor's certificates(which  must specify the period of time for which the foreigner will need to receive treatment)are needed when they apply for their extension.