Foreword: Please note that this guide is for reference only. The ultimate authority on what documents are required and whether or not your application will be accepted is the immigration bureau. Some of the information in the blog may be inaccurate for your specific situation. For clarifications, please call the foreigner hotline directly (toll-free): 0800-024-111.

This information for this blog was taken from the NIA website and personal experiences such as calls to the immigration office, and in-person visits to the immigration office. Personally, I applied for an APRC as the spouse of a Taiwan national.

My personal experience getting my APRC was a confusing and difficult process. I made many mistakes along the way. I have listed some of the key takeaways from this process as follows. 

• I thought the five years for the APRC could be calculated using different ARC types. That is not true, you have to be on one ARC type for the whole five years.
• I thought the five years were calendar years, starting Jan. 1. But no, the count starts on the first day you were issued an ARC of the type you are still using. Because of this, my first application was rejected and I had to wait another year to apply.
• Double-check when offices are open and make sure you bring your passport everywhere with you just in case. Double and triple check you have all the required documents before you leave the door. 
• I forgot to write my middle name when applying for a Criminal Record Certificate. Luckily I was able to go back and fix it for free.
• I thought I did not have to apply for an open work permit because I have a Taiwanese spouse. That is not the case, even people with dependent ARCs must apply for a work permit after they receive their APRC. 

Now let's start the Q+A.

 

Q: What are the benefits of having an APRC vs. normal work ARC?
A: 

• Openwork permit (no need for an employer)
• Ability to declare yourself unemployed and receive related welfare benefits
• Able to join the new government pension plan, as of 2019 (the old pension plan for foreigners is pretty much worthless because you must work for the same employer for 25 years to receive a payout)
• No need to renew your ARC every few years
• Perhaps some benefits for purchasing phone plans, getting credit cards, or slightly lower interest rates for bank loans, depending on the phone company/bank.
•  

Q: What are the benefits of having an APRC over a foreign spouse/family ARC (JFRV)?
A: 

• No need to renew your ARC every three years
• Perhaps some benefits for purchasing phone plans, getting credit cards, or slightly lower interest rates for bank loans, depending on the phone company/bank.

Q: What are the benefits of having an APRC vs. gold card or special professional visa?
A: 

• Able to join the new government pension plan, as of 2019 (the old pension plan for foreigners is pretty much worthless because you must work for the same employer for 25 years to receive a payout)
• No need to renew your gold card every few years
• Perhaps some benefits for purchasing phone plans, getting credit cards, or slightly lower interest rates for bank loans, depending on the phone company/bank.

What are the dangers/disadvantages of having an APRC?
A:

• If you have a gold card/special professional visa, your related tax benefits will be gone once you get an APRC. 
• If you are a white-collar professional or special professional and leave Taiwan without returning for five years, your APRC will be revoked.
• For other APRC types, if you leave Taiwan for more than a year without staying at least 183 days, and you don't file online, your APRC will be revoked. You must apply for an exemption at the government website here.
• If you commit certain crimes your APRC can be revoked.
• If you had a dependent ARC before, your new APRC will no longer have your spouse or family member printed on the card.
• If you had a dependent ARC or gold card before, now you have to apply for an open work permit. 
• ​An APRC costs 10,000 NT. 

​
Q: What are the basic requirements to qualify for an APRC?
A: The basic requirements for all APRC holders are as follows (these will vary depending on your status:

• Must be age 20 or older
• Must be of decent character (see more details below).
• Must have considerable property, skills, or talents that enable you to make a living on your own (see more details below).
• Must be beneficial to the national interests (see more details below).
• Residential requirements do not count if the field of employment was: marine fishing/netting work, household assistant and nursing work, or workers designated by the Central Competent Authority in response to the national major construction project(s) or economic/social development needs.
• Foreign nationals who possess the nationality of the R.O.C. concurrently shall not be allowed to apply for permanent residency.

As for the specific required documents and residency requirements, see the questions below.

Q: What kinds of APRC are there?
A: The types of APRC are listed below, and full details are covered in this blog:

1. ​Normal foreign worker APRC
2. Gold Card/Special Professional APRC
3. Spouse/Child of Taiwan ROC national APRC (currently holds JFRV, aka "依親 Yiqin" or family-dependent ARC).
4. Dependent on foreign skilled professional APRC holder APRC
5. Investment (Plum Blossom) APRC
6. Missionary APRC

Q: What are the specific requirements to apply for an APRC as a normal foreigner living in Taiwan for employment purposes?
A: If you are a normal foreigner working in Taiwan, are not married to a Taiwanese citizen, and do not have large investments in Taiwan, then in general the requirements are as follows:
1. Pass one of the following residency tests:

• "An alien, who has legally and continuously resided in the State for five (5) years and for more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year...[and meet other requirements below]." Please note the five years start and end on the first day your received your ARC, and the 183 days are counted starting from that day.
• "Aliens who had legally resided in the State for twenty (20) years or over before May 31, 2002, during which period they had resided in the State for over one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year for ten (10) years, and have met [other requirements below] for permanent residency."
• Residential requirements above do not count if the field of employment on the ARC was: marine fishing/netting work, household assistant and nursing work, or workers designated by the Central Competent Authority in response to the national major construction project(s) or economic/social development needs.

2. Proof of financial assets, skills, or talents (one of the below):

• (1) Having an average monthly income in Taiwan in the previous year that is more than twice the Monthly Minimum Wage promulgated by the Council of Labor Affairs;" which is 47,600 NT per month as of 2020.
  (2) Having chattel or real estate in Taiwan with a total value worth more than NT$5,000,000;
  (3) Having a certificate issued by the ROC government that certifies people with specialized professionalism, techniques, or have passed a technical test.
  (4) Other condition(s) recognized by the National Immigration Agency.
• You can prove the above easily by using a  withholding tax certificate from your employer "扣繳憑單 Kòu jiǎo píngdān" from your employer (with company stamp), a tax payment certificate (納稅證明 Nàshuì zhèngmíng), or proof that you have at least 5,000,000 NT in your bank account. I have examples of the former two documents further below.

3. Police Records:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by ROC (Taiwan) (良民證 Liángmín zhèng). (valid within three (3) months)
• (2) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary
• (3) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
• "(4) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for five (5) consecutive years, and exit the R.O.C. (Taiwan) each time for less than three (3) months, may be exempt from submitting satisfactory health examination certificates and the police records issued by applicant’s country of origin."

4. Acceptance of employment (both of the below)

• (1) Approval letter from authorities (work permit approval letter 工作許可函 Gōngzuò xǔkě hán)
• (2) Certificate of employment within one (1) month (letter from your employer 在職證明 Zàizhí zhèngmíng).

5. Required Documents:

• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Proof of financial assets, skills, or talents (see no. 2 above)
• Police criminal record certificates issued by the government of the applicant’s home country in the most recent five years(exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five-year period). See point number 4 above for more info.
• Police criminal record certificates issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) in the most recent five (5) years (良民證 Liángmín zhèng).
• Acceptance of employment documents (see number 5 above).
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.
• Note: the application must be sent within two years after fulfilling the residency requirement.

Q: What are the specific requirements to apply for an APRC as a gold card/special professional visa holder?
A: If you are a gold card or special professional visa holder, then in general the requirements are as follows:
1. Pass the following residency test:

• Professionals who obtain the employment gold card or special professional visa and their qualifying dependents will be eligible to apply for permanent residency after three years of residing in Taiwan for an average of 183 days per year. For those who received a PhD. from a Taiwan university, the eligibility time for permanent residency can be further shortened to two years. 

2. Proof of financial assets, skills, or talents:

• (1) Having an average monthly income in Taiwan in the previous year that is more than twice the Monthly Minimum Wage promulgated by the Council of Labor Affairs;" which is 47,600 NT per month as of 2020.
  (2) Having chattel or real estate in Taiwan with a total value worth more than NT$5,000,000;
  (3) Having a certificate issued by the ROC government that certifies people with specialized professionalism, techniques, or have passed a technical test.
  (4) Other condition(s) recognized by the National Immigration Agency.
• You can prove the above easily by using a  withholding tax certificate from your employer "扣繳憑單 Kòu jiǎo píngdān" from your employer (with company stamp), a tax payment certificate (納稅證明 Nàshuì zhèngmíng), or proof that you have at least 5,000,000 NT in your bank account. I have examples of the former two documents further below.

3. Police Records:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by ROC (Taiwan) (良民證 Liángmín zhèng). (valid within three (3) months)
• (2) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary
• (3) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
• "(4) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for five (5) consecutive years, and exit the R.O.C. (Taiwan) each time for less than three (3) months, may be exempt from submitting satisfactory health examination certificates and the police records issued by applicant’s country of origin."

5. Required Documents:

• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Police criminal record certificates issued by the government of the applicant’s home country in the most recent five years(exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five-year period). See point number 4 above for more info.
• Police criminal record certificates issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) in the most recent five (5) years (良民證 Liángmín zhèng).
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.
• Note: the application must be sent within two years after fulfilling the residency requirement.

Q: What are the specific requirements to apply for an APRC as a foreign spouse or child of a Taiwanese national  (currently has JFRV, aka "依親 Yiqin" or family dependent ARC)?
A: If you are a foreigner married to a Taiwanese citizen or a child of a ROC citizen, and do not have large investments in Taiwan, then the requirements are as follows:
1. Pass one of the following residency tests:

• "An alien, who has legally and continuously resided in the State for five (5) years and for more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year...[and meet other requirements below]." Please note the five years start and end on the first day your received your ARC, and the 183 days are counted starting from that day.
• "Alien spouse and/or children of a ROC(Taiwan) national with registered permanent residence in Taiwan who have legally resided in the State for ten (10) years, during which period they have actually resided in the State for more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year for five (5) years, and also meet the following requirements.
• Residential requirements do not count if the field of employment on the ARC was related to marine fishing/netting work, household assistant and nursing work, or workers designated by the Central Competent Authority in response to the national major construction project(s) or economic/social development needs.

2. Proof of financial assets, skills, or talents (one of the below):

• (1) Having an average monthly income in Taiwan in the previous year that is more than twice the Monthly Minimum Wage promulgated by the Council of Labor Affairs;" which is 47,600 NT per month as of 2020.
  (2) Having chattel or real estate in Taiwan with a total value worth more than NT$5,000,000;
  (3) Having a certificate issued by the ROC government that certifies people with specialized professionalism, techniques, or have passed a technical test.
  (4) Other condition(s) recognized by the National Immigration Agency.
• You can prove the above easily by using a  withholding tax certificate from your employer "扣繳憑單 Kòu jiǎo píngdān" from your employer (with company stamp), a tax payment certificate (納稅證明 Nàshuì zhèngmíng), or proof that you have "chattels and real estate in Taiwan with an estimated total value in excess of five million NT dollars (NT$5,000,000)". I have examples of the former two documents further below.
• If you are dependent or spouse of a gold card or special professional visa holder, proof of assets, skills, or talents is not required. 

3. Police Records:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by ROC (Taiwan) (良民證 Liángmín zhèng). (valid within three (3) months)
• (2) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary
• (3) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
• "(4) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for five (5) consecutive years, and exit the R.O.C. (Taiwan) each time for less than three (3) months, may be exempt from submitting satisfactory health examination certificates and the police records issued by applicant’s country of origin."

4. Required Documents:

• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Proof of financial assets, skills, or talents (see no. 2 above)
• Police criminal record certificates issued by the government of the applicant’s home country in the most recent five years(exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five-year period). See point number 4 above for more info.
• Police criminal record certificates issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) in the most recent five (5) years (良民證 Liángmín zhèng).
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.
• Note: the application must be sent within two years after fulfilling the residency requirement.

Q: How do I apply for permanent residency as a dependent of a permanent residency cardholder?
A: If you are a dependent of a permanent residency cardholder then the requirements are as follows:
1. Pass one of the following requirements:

• "Where a foreign skilled professional applies for permanent residency under the provisions of Article 25 Paragraph 3 Subparagraph 2 of the Immigration Act, said person’s spouse and minor children, and children over twenty years old who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability may apply for permanent residency with said person."
• "After a foreign professional hired to conduct professional work has been approved for permanent residence, h spouse and minor children, and children over twenty years old who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability, and have resided in the State legally and continuously for five years, have stayed in the State for more than 183 days in each of those years, and have behaved properly in compliance with the national interests, may apply for permanent residency."
• The spouse and any minor children of an alien whose application for permanent residency is approved based upon investment immigration (Plum Blossom APRC), may also apply for permanent residency.

2. Required documents:

• Proof of family relationships
• Children over twenty years old who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability shall provide the relevant supporting documents.
• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.

Q: How do I apply for a permanent residency investment visa as an investor/business owner in Taiwan （Also known as APRC Plum Blossom Card)?
A:  If you are an investor/business owner in Taiwan, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Complete one of the following investment requirements:

• Invest over NT 15 million in a for-profit enterprise in Taiwan, and create five or more job opportunities for ROC nationals for three years.
• Invest over NT 30 million in Taiwanese government bonds for over three years.

2. Business registration documents (all of the below):

• Business registration certificate, such as the permit of business registration and business registration copy.
• Shareholders list.
• Company change registration card.
• Letter issued by the Investment Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs for applications within three (3) months.
• Additional supporting documents shall be requested for particular cases.

3. Police record requirements:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by ROC (Taiwan). (valid within three (3) months)
• (2) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• (3) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
• (4) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for five (5) consecutive years, and exit the R.O.C. (Taiwan) each time for less than three (3) months, may be exempt from submitting satisfactory health examination certificates and the police records issued by applicant’s country of origin."

4. Required Documents:

• Business registration documents listed under point 2 above
• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Police criminal record certificates issued by the government of the applicant’s home country in the most recent five years(exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five-year period). See point number 4 above for more info.
• Police criminal record certificates issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) in the most recent five (5) years (良民證 Liángmín zhèng).
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.

Q: How do I apply for permanent residency as a missionary in Taiwan?
A: If you are a missionary in Taiwan, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Pass one of the following residency tests:

• "An alien, who has legally and continuously resided in the State for five (5) years and more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year...[and meet other requirements below]." Please note the five years start and end on the first day your received your ARC, and the 183 days are counted starting from that day.
• "Aliens who had legally resided in the State for twenty (20) years or over before May 31, 2002, during which period they had resided in the State for over one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year for ten (10) years, and have met [other requirements below] for permanent residency."

​2: Documents from your religious organization (all of the following)

• Letter of guarantee issued by the religious organization. A. This letter shall indicate that the foreigner will perform unpaid, full-time work. B. This letter shall provide assurance that the related organization will be responsible for the livelihood of the foreigner after obtaining permanent residency.
• Permit of the religious organization issued by the Ministry of the Interior or registration of legal entities of the religious organization.
• Certificate of employment issued by the religious organization.

​3. Police record requirements:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by ROC (Taiwan). (valid within three (3) months)
• (2) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary
• ​(3) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."
• (4) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for five (5) consecutive years, and exit the R.O.C. (Taiwan) each time for less than three (3) months, may be exempt from submitting satisfactory health examination certificates and the police records issued by applicant’s country of origin."

4. Required documents

• Documents from your religious organization are listed under point 2 above
• APRC application form.
• 1 color photo
• Originals and copies of current and past passports
• Original and copy of current ARC card
• Health exam at an approved hospital (exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five year period)
• Police criminal record certificates issued by the government of the applicant’s home country in the most recent five years(exempt if you did not leave for more than three months in the five-year period). See point number 4 above for more info.
• Police criminal record certificates issued by R.O.C. (Taiwan) in the most recent five (5) years (良民證 Liángmín zhèng).
• Other relevant identification documents
• 10,000 NT fee
• Letter of authorization (Power of attorney, POA) if you will ask someone else to complete the application on your behalf.
• Any foreign documents must be authorized by the MOFA or Taiwan Rep Office overseas.

​
Q: What are the residency requirements to get an APRC?
A: If you are a foreign professional, spouse/child of a ROC national, or a missionary, then the residency requirements are one of the following:

• "An alien, who has legally and continuously resided in the State for five (5) years and for more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year...[and meet other requirements below]." Please note the five years start and end on the first day your received your ARC, and the 183 days are counted starting from that day. (Please note this is also applicable to foreign spouses).
• "Alien spouse and/or children of a ROC(Taiwan) national with registered permanent residence in Taiwan who have legally resided in the State for ten (10) years, during which period they have actually resided in the State for more than one hundred and eighty-three (183) days each year for five (5) years, and also meet other requirements.

The five or ten years for fulfilling the residency requirement start and ends on the first day you received your ARC and the 183 days are counted starting from that day.

For example: 

If I first received my work ARC on August 20th, 2016, I would have to wait until August 20th, 2021 to be eligible to apply for an APRC.
If I left for more than 183 days between August 20th, 2016 and August 20th, 2017, or between August 20th, 2017 and August 20th, 2018, etc. I would not be able to apply for an APRC.

Note 1: If you leave for more than 90 days in this period you will have to get a health check and obtain a criminal record from your home country. 
Note 2: The time toward your APRC residence test does not count if your ARC was a student ARC or related to marine fishing/netting work, household assistant and nursing work, or workers designated by the Central Competent Authority in response to the national major construction project(s) or economic/social development needs.
Note 3: If the nature of your ARC changes from missionary to professional worker or vice versa, then the count starts over.

Q: Does my student visa count toward the five years?

A: No.

Q: Is there an electronic copy of the APRC application that I can fill out on my computer first?

A: Yes, you can download the file below and fill it out first using Microsoft Word.  

A: Applying for a Taiwan ROC police criminal record (良民證 Liángmín zhèng) is pretty easy. You can go in person first or online here to apply. If you apply online, you will have to fill out the form shown below:

(Source: National Police Agency, the minister of interior)

After about three days, your criminal record will be ready for pickup. They will not notify you, so you need to call if you want to make sure it is ready. 

The cost for this document is 100 NT.

Required documents:

To pick up your criminal record certificate you need to bring the following:

• Original ARC or passport
• 100 NT
• Power of attorney letter if someone else will perform this for you. 

Please note that your ROC criminal record should have been obtained in the past three months before your APRC application. 
List of police stations that offer criminal records:

Only a few police stations around Taiwan offer this service. Here is the full list:

(Taipei City) 臺北市政府警察局
Address: 臺北市中正區延平南路96號 hours: 08:30-17:00 周三至20時 phone: 02-23817494

(New Taipei City) 新北市政府警察局
Address: 新北市板橋區府中路32號 hours: 08:30-17:00 周三至20時 phone: 02-80725454 轉4095或4096

(Taoyuan) 桃園市政府警察局
Address: 桃園市桃園區縣府路3號 hours: 08:00-17:00 周三至20時 phone: 03-3335107

(Taichung) 臺中市政府警察局
Address: 臺中市潭子區豐興路一段500號 hours: 08:00-17:00 phone: 04-23273875

(Tainan) 臺南市政府警察局
Address: 臺南市新營區中正路3號 hours: 08:00-17:30 phone: 06-6354531

(Kaohsiung) 高雄市政府警察局
Address: 高雄市前金區中正四路260號 hours: 08:00-17:30 phone: 07-2215796

(Keelung) 基隆市警察局
Address: 基隆市信二路205號 phone: 02-24252787; hours: 08:30-17:30

(Hsinchu City) 新竹市警察局
Address: 新竹市中山路1號 phone: 03-5242103; hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:00-17:00

(Hsinchu County) 新竹縣政府警察局
Address: 新竹縣竹北市光明六路12號 phone: 03-5557953; hours: 08:00-17:00

(Chiayi City) 嘉義市政府警察局
Address: 嘉義市中山路195號 phone: 05-2220772; hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:30-17:30

(Chiayi County) 嘉義縣警察局
Address: 嘉義縣太保市祥和一路東段3號 hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:00-17:00 phone: 05-3620220

(Miaoli) 苗栗縣警察局
Address: 苗栗縣苗栗市府前路2號 phone: 037-356950; hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:00-17:00

(Changhua) 彰化縣警察局
Address: 彰化縣彰化市中正路2段778號; phone: 04-7615463; hours: 08:00-17:30  

(Nantou) 南投縣政府警察局
Address: 南投縣南投市南崗二路133號 hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:30-17:30 phone: 049-2234302

(Yunlin) 雲林縣警察局
Address: 雲林縣斗六市大學路3段100號 hours: 08:00-13:00; 13:30-17:30 phone: 05-5329033

(Pingtung) 屏東縣政府警察局
Address: 屏東縣屏東市中正路119號 hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:30-17:30 phone: 08-7336283

(Yilan) 宜蘭縣政府警察局
Address: 宜蘭縣宜蘭市中山路2段167號 Hours: 08:00-17:00 Phone: 039-353921

(Hualien) 花蓮縣警察局
Address: 花蓮縣花蓮市府前路21號 Hours: 08:00-17:00 Phone: 03-8224023

(Taitung) 臺東縣警察局
Address: 臺東縣臺東市中山路268號 hours: 08:00-12:00 13:00-17:00 phone: 089-334756

(Penghu) 澎湖縣政府警察局
澎湖縣馬公市治平路36號 hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:30-17:30 phone: 06-9278466

(Kinmen) 金門縣警察局
Address: 金門縣金城鎮金山路15號 hours: 08:00-12:00;13:30-17:30; phone: 0823-25653

(Matsu) 連江縣警察局
Address: 連江縣南竿鄉介壽村260號 hours: 08:00-12:00; 13:30-17:30 Phone: 0836-25859轉2102

A: The requirements are as follows:

• (1) The original copy of the police records of the past five(5) years issued by the applicant’s country of origin (valid within six (6) months) (including the Chinese translation of the certificate), with any of the following procedures to be completed:
• 1. The original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin and the Chinese translation which are verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for re-verification).
• 2. Where only the original certificate of the police records issued by the applicant’s country of origin which is verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' overseas embassies. (the certificate may be for re-verification), the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C.(Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary.
• 3. Where the police records issued by the embassy or agency of the applicant’s country of origin in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) in a foreign language, the original certificate shall be re-verified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Chinese translation of the certificate must be notarized by the court in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or certified by a local public notary
• (2) The police criminal records issued by the applicant’s country of origin shall be the national record of the applicant’s home country. For example, the police records of U.S. citizens must be issued by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)."

For a guide on how to obtain this permit from the USA, see the "criminal record check" section of this blog here.

Q: How long does it take to receive my APRC?

A: After applying for an APRC, it will go through two stages of review. It usually takes 3 weeks to two months to receive your APRC.

Q: What is the minimum salary requirement to get an APRC?

A: 47,600 NT per month as of 2020.
"Having an average monthly income in Taiwan in the previous year that is more than twice of the Monthly Minimum Wage promulgated by the Council of Labor Affairs;" 

Q: Where do I get a withholding tax certificate (扣繳憑單 Kòu jiǎo píngdān)?

​A: You can only receive a withholding tax certificate "扣繳憑單 Kòu jiǎo píngdān" from your employer. Please note the certificate must have your company’s stamp on it. or proof that you have "chattels and real estate in Taiwan with an estimated total value in excess of five million NT dollars (NT$5,000,000)"​.​​

A: You must get a certificate of employment within one (1) month of applying from your employer, who should have a business entity in Taiwan. The certificate should have the company stamp on the document.

A: Just show your most recent work permit.

 

Q: Can I apply for an APRC based on my time as a tourist, student, migrant fisherman, or caretaker?
A: No.

Q: How do I know when my APRC has been approved, and how can I pick it up?
A: After your APRC application has been approved, you will receive an official letter in Chinese like the one below. 

 

 

If you are a spouse/child of a ROC national: Yes! As per Article 51 of the Employment Service Act, you still need to apply for an open work permit because it says everyone with permanent residence needs to apply for one.
In other words, every APRC holder needs to apply for a work permit if they plan to work in Taiwan. If not, technically you can be fined for working without proper authority. 

Q: How do I apply for my open working permit?
A: You should apply at the nearest Ministry of Labor office. In Taipei, there is only one office you can go to on Zhonghua Road Sec. 1, No 39, 10F. 
You will need to bring:

• Application form AF-042 (see below) and declaration statement (they will provide the statement)
• 1 APRC copy of both sides
• 2 passport copies
• ​A 1-inch photo
• 100 NT

​Processing time takes about an hour if you go in person. They are open from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. You can also send in the application via mail, but you will need to pay via the post office and it will take 12 working days.

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Q: How long does it take to receive the work permit?
A: If you go in person, it takes an hour for them to process. After applying I had to sit there for an hour, while it seemed the labor office was literally not doing anything. I was the only person there.
If you process by mail, it takes 12 working days. 

(Source: Foreigners in Taiwan) After an hour of waiting, I finally received my open work permit. 

Q: What is the requirement to keep my APRC if I need to leave Taiwan for a few years?
A: For white-collar professionals and special professionals: All you have to do is come back to Taiwan once every five years. For everyone else (missionaries, dependents, foreign spouse/child): You must apply for an exemption at the government website here, otherwise, if you do not your APRC will be canceled.
You can apply multiple times in a row (two years per application).
Legal reference:
Article 18 Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals:
Where a foreign professional, after having obtained approval for permanent residence from the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, leaves the State for more than five years without re-entering, the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, may revoke said person’s permanent residence permit and cancel said person’s Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, and the provisions of Article 33 Paragraph 1 Subparagraph 4 of the Immigration Act do not apply.
​Also please note that you should end your health insurance and also the tax rate will go to 18% if you stay over 90 days but less than 183 days in a year.

Q: Do I need to apply in advance if I plan to leave Taiwan for a few years?
A: No if you are a white-collar professional or dependent. Yes if you have another APRC type. You must apply for an exemption at the government website here.
Also please note that you should end your health insurance and also the tax rate will go to 18% if you stay over 90 days but less than 183 days in a year.

Q: Does my student ARC count toward the APRC residency total?
A: No.

Q: Does my time on a missionary ARC count toward my professional/foreign child spouse ARC for the APRC total?
A: No. Each ARC type must be valid over 5 consecutive years (or ten consecutive years for spouse/child ARC). If you changed the nature of your ARC from a missionary to something else, the timing starts over.

Q: Does my time on a white-collar professional ARC count toward APRC time after my spouse's ARC?
A: Yes.

Q: Do I still require a health check/police report from my home country if I am using the 10-year residency test for spouses/children of ROC nationals?
A: If you left Taiwan for longer than three months in that period, then yes you still need these two things. If you did not leave Taiwan for more than 90 days, then no.

Q: If I am a working professional (white-collar worker) with an APRC, can my dependents and minor children receive their APRC immediately without having to wait 5 years?
A: Yes.

Q:  What happens when my dependent with an APRC turns 21?
A: Their APRC will be canceled and they must find another form of ARC/APRC to stay in Taiwan.

Q: When must I update my address/passport no./name etc. on my APRC?
A: Within 15 days of the change, otherwise you will be fined at least 2000 NT. 

Q: What are the qualifications for Taiwan's employment gold card?
A: Check out our employment gold card FAQ here.

Q: Is there a Facebook group for general APRC questions?
A: Yes, check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TaiwanAPRC/
I would recommend only asking general questions about the process and about others' experiences. For specific questions about APRC required documents and whether or not you meet requirements, contact the immigration agency directly. 

Q: If I have specific questions about my APRC application, who should I ask?
A: Ask the immigration agency closest to you, or call the foreigner hotline in Taiwan toll-free at 0800-024-111.

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This article first appeared in Foreigners in Taiwan and was originally published in March 2022. It is republished here with permission from the publisher. The article is based on the author’s own personal experience, his situation may be different than others. If you have any questions, please contact Taiwan's immigration office directly.