Moving to Taiwan
Step-by-step Immigration Guide

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is a captivating country situated in East Asia, renowned for its stunning natural beauty encompassing pristine beaches, majestic mountains, lush valleys, and dormant volcanoes. Taiwan boasts a highly developed market economy, ranking as the 8th largest in Asia. With high living standards and a relatively low cost of living compared to many Western and Asian countries, Taiwan has become an appealing destination for expatriates from around the globe, with over 500,000 foreigners calling it home.
This East Asian gem offers a safe and welcoming environment, making it an ideal choice for those seeking great living and working conditions, especially digital nomads and students.

If you plan to relocate to Taiwan for a period exceeding three months, you will need to obtain a visa to enter the country. Specifically, you must apply for a Taiwan resident visa, which corresponds to long-term stays in Taiwan. The specific type of resident visa you require depends on the purpose of your move to Taiwan.

To legally establish permanent residency in Taiwan, you must apply for a visa that permits an extended stay. This typically involves one of the following reasons:

• Moving to Taiwan for Work.
• Moving to Taiwan for Study.
• Moving to Taiwan for Family Reunification.

After obtaining your visa, you must also apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which functions as a residence permit, allowing you to reside in Taiwan for an extended duration. ARCs can be issued for one, two, or three years, and applications are processed at the local service center of the National Immigration Agency.

Individuals intending to work in Taiwan and who have received a job offer from an employer in Taiwan are required to obtain both a work visa and a work permit to gain entry into the country.
Before applying for a Taiwan work visa, you should complete the following steps:

1. Ensure that your profession aligns with the specific categories outlined by the Workforce Development Agency of the Taiwan Ministry of Labor for work visas.
2. Your prospective employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf before you can proceed with your visa application.

If your profession is eligible for a work visa and your employer secures a work permit, you can proceed to apply for the work visa at a Taiwanese embassy or consulate in your home country.

Foreign nationals aspiring to pursue their studies at a Taiwanese educational institution must acquire a student visa. However, prior to initiating the student visa application process, you must have already been accepted by a Taiwanese university. Taiwan issues various student visas based on specific circumstances:

• Taiwan student visa for full-time foreign students (Ph.D., MA, BA, high school or below).
• Taiwan student visa for international exchange students.
• Taiwan student visa for overseas Chinese students desiring to study in Taiwan.
• Taiwan student visa for foreigners aiming to learn Mandarin Chinese.

Once your student visa is approved, you are permitted to travel to Taiwan. However, since student visas are typically valid for only three months, you must also apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of your arrival in Taiwan.

If you have a family member residing in Taiwan and wish to join them, you can apply for a Taiwan join family visa, intended for long-term stays. However, this type of visa has specific eligibility criteria. You may apply for a join family visa if you are:

• The spouse of a Taiwanese citizen.
• A minor child or grandchild of a Taiwanese citizen.

Applications for family visas should be submitted at Taiwanese diplomatic missions (embassies or consulates) in your home country. Upon your arrival in Taiwan with a family visa, you will need to apply for a residence permit. This permit allows you to work and study in Taiwan while residing with your family member.

Taiwan offers numerous advantages and some challenges:

Taiwan permits the importation of pets, including dogs, cats, and ferrets, either via air cargo or carry-on, provided they meet the necessary import requirements. However, not all countries are eligible for pet importation into Taiwan, and there are restrictions based on the country of origin.

For instance, pets from Bangladesh cannot enter Taiwan or transit through the country.
Before initiating the pet import process, pet owners must apply for an import permit at least 20 days before the pet's planned arrival in Taiwan; failure to do so may result in the pet being denied entry. Once the permit is granted by the Bureau of Foreign Trade, the owner must secure a reservation for post-entry quarantine facilities.

To import pets (dogs, cats, or ferrets) to Taiwan, the following requirements must be met:

• Pets must be at least 90 days old before entering Taiwan.
• Pets must have received inactivated rabies vaccinations.
• Pets must be accompanied by a certificate from a veterinarian confirming rabies vaccination.
• Pets must undergo a rabies titer test, demonstrating a minimum of 0.5 IU/ml of rabies antibodies in the blood, conducted no less than 90 days and no more than one year before arrival.
• A health certificate for the pet is also required.

Taiwan imposes restrictions on specific dog breeds, and the following breeds are banned from entering the country:

• Pit Bull terriers (including American Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier)
• Japanese Tosa
• Neopolitan Mastiff
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Braziliero
• Mastiffs

These regulations aim to ensure the safety and health of both pets and the community.

Here are some of the most sought-after destinations for expats in Taiwan:

New Taipei:

New Taipei, situated in northern Taiwan, is a modern and highly populated city with over 4 million residents. This bustling metropolis is known for its rich cultural heritage, including museums dedicated to tea culture, pottery, and ceramics. New Taipei hosts various cultural events and boasts attractions such as the Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Waterfall, and Jiufen Old Street. It offers excellent public transportation, making it a prime choice for students, workers, and families.

Tainan City:

Located in southern Taiwan, Tainan City is the island's oldest city and holds the title of Taiwan's birthplace. This city is often referred to as the "City of Temples" due to its numerous temples that are prominent throughout the region. Tainan offers a vibrant cultural scene and a colorful atmosphere. Besides its historical and cultural attractions, Tainan features beautiful natural landscapes and a diverse culinary scene. With its lower living costs, safety, and quality of life, Tainan has a thriving expat community, making it an appealing option for those seeking a fresh start.

Taipei City:

Taipei, Taiwan's capital, is a top choice for expats, especially digital nomads and professionals seeking job opportunities. Taipei offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities and boasts an excellent healthcare system accessible to all residents. The city's vibrant atmosphere attracts expats from around the world. However, Taipei's living costs can be relatively high, making it the most expensive place in Taiwan. Monthly living expenses for a single person are estimated at around €800, excluding rent, which can range from €300 to €2200 depending on the apartment's size and location.

Taichung City:

Taichung City, situated in central Taiwan, is a haven for art and culture enthusiasts, with numerous museums, cultural venues, and art installations. It is the second most populous city in Taiwan, offering great living standards, affordable living costs, a lively nightlife, and shopping experiences reminiscent of major global cities. Expats in Taichung often choose to live in the West District or Xitun, where vibrant expat communities thrive. The city boasts a warm subtropical climate and beautiful nearby beaches, perfect for summer getaways.

Taoyuan City:

Taoyuan City is a paradise for food lovers, offering a diverse range of delicious local and traditional dishes. This city is ideal for individuals seeking a relaxed lifestyle with low living costs and good living conditions. Taoyuan has a significant expat community, with residents hailing from Southeast Asia and various parts of the world. English is widely spoken in Taoyuan, simplifying the adaptation process for newcomers. The city features a mild to warm climate, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer avoiding cold weather.

Foreign nationals seeking Taiwanese citizenship must meet specific residency requirements. To be eligible for citizenship by naturalization, individuals must have legally resided in Taiwan for a continuous period of at least five years, or three years if their spouse is a Taiwanese citizen, while spending more than 183 days in the country each year. Meeting this requirement allows applicants to obtain a Taiwan Alien Permanent Certificate (APRC). Citizenship in Taiwan can be acquired through various pathways, including:

1. Citizenship by Birth: Those born to Taiwanese parents, irrespective of their location of birth, are considered Taiwanese citizens by birth.
2. Citizenship by Descent: Individuals with Taiwanese ancestry, even if born outside Taiwan, may be eligible for citizenship.
3. Citizenship by Marriage: Marriage to a Taiwanese citizen may grant eligibility for citizenship, subject to specific conditions.

Taiwan recognizes dual citizenship, but only for individuals born to ethnic Taiwanese and mainland Chinese parents. This means that such individuals can hold both Taiwanese citizenship and citizenship from another country without the need to renounce either one.
However, for those who obtain Taiwanese citizenship through naturalization, they may be required to renounce their current citizenship unless they work in a reserved occupational field.

When bringing personal goods purchased overseas to Taiwan, travelers must go through the Red Channel (Goods to Declare/Customs Service). There is no strict limit on the quantity of goods one can import to Taiwan.

Duty-free importation of personal belongings is allowed in Taiwan. However, if the value of the items exceeds the prescribed duty-free limit, they must be declared upon entry. To qualify for duty-free importation, personal items must be of reasonable quantity and have a total value less than NTD20,000.

Taiwan prohibits the importation of certain items, including alcoholic beverages, ammunition, indecent materials, communist propaganda, drugs (both prescription and non-prescription), military equipment, radioactive materials, and more.