View source for Resident certificate

{{Redirect-acronym|Alien Resident Certificate|[[Alien registration in Japan]]}}
{{Infobox identity document
| document_name       = ROC (Taiwan) Resident Certificate<br>{{nobold|{{lang|zh-tw|中華民國居留證}}<br>{{small|Zhōnghuámínguó Jūliúzhèng ([[Taiwanese Mandarin|Mandarin]])<br>Tiong-hôa-bîn-kok Ki-liû-chèng ([[Taiwanese Hokkien|Taiwanese]])<br>Chûng-fà-mìn-koet Kî-liù-chṳn ([[Taiwanese Hakka|Hakka]])}}}}
| image               = 
| image_width         = 
| image_caption       = 
| date_first_issued   = 
| using_jurisdiction  = [[National Immigration Agency]]
| valid_jurisdictions = {{flagicon|ROC}} [[Free area of the Republic of China]]
| document_type       = [[Identity document]]
| purpose             = 
| eligibility         = Foreign residents, unregistered nationals
| expiration          = 1–3 years
| cost                = [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]1,000 per year
}}
[[File:ROC_(Taiwan)_Resident_Certificate_obverse.jpg | thumb | right | R.O.C. (Taiwan) Resident Certificate, obverse]]
A '''Resident Certificate''' ({{zh|t={{linktext|居留證}}|p=jū liú zhèng<ref name="revised">{{cite web|url=http://dict.revised.moe.edu.tw/cgi-bin/cbdic/gsweb.cgi?o=dcbdic&searchid=Z00000096581|language=zh-tw|script-title=zh:教育部重編國語辭典修訂本|accessdate=31 August 2019|quote=字詞 【居留證】 注音 ㄐㄩ ㄌㄧㄡˊ ㄓㄥˋ 漢語拼音 jū liú zhèng}}</ref>|poj=Ki-liû-chèng}}) is the [[identity document]] issued to long-term or permanent residents of the [[Free area of the Republic of China|Taiwan area]] of the [[Taiwan|Republic of China]] who do not have [[Household registration in Taiwan]]. In [[Law of Taiwan|Taiwanese laws]], all [[Taiwanese nationality law|nationals]] with [[Household registration in Taiwan|household registration]] are issued a [[National Identification Card (Republic of China)|National Identification Card]]. The Resident Certificate is issued by the [[National Immigration Agency]]. Currently, there are several types of Resident Certificate that reflect the bearer's immigration status.

The '''Alien Resident Certificate''' ({{zh|t=外僑居留證|p=Wàiqiáo Jūliúzhèng|poj=Gōa-kiâu Ki-liû-chèng}}), or '''ARC''', is given to foreign residents in Taiwan, while the nearly identical '''[[Free area of the Republic of China|Taiwan Area]] Resident Certificate''' ({{zh|t=台灣地區居留證|p=Táiwān Dìqū jūliú zhèng|poj=Tâi-oân Tē-khu Ki-liû-chèng}}), or '''TARC''', is given to [[national without household registration]] including qualified [[overseas Taiwanese]], qualified [[overseas Chinese]], and recently [[naturalization|naturalized]] nationals. [[Chinese nationality law|Nationals of the People's Republic of China]] (including [[mainland China]], [[Hong Kong]], and [[Macau]]) are given Taiwan Area resident certificates with special annotations.

==Alien Resident Certificate==
There are various methods of qualifying for an ARC, including undertaking sanctioned employment with a [[work permit]], joining family members (including parents, children and spouses) who are themselves legal residents in the Republic of China, undertaking [[missionary]] work, investing in a local business, or studying at an approved institution. The relevant authorities may also choose to grant an ARC to foreigners who fit none of the above categories on an ad hoc basis.  The ARC is issued by the [[National Immigration Agency]].<ref name=iffarc>{{cite web|url=http://iff.immigration.gov.tw/enfront/life.php?tr_id=2&id=228|title=Information for Foreigners-ARC|publisher=National Immigration Agency}}</ref>

The document itself is a plastic [[credit card]]-sized card with an embedded [[integrated circuit]] containing confidential personal data,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS55460+04-Jun-2008+BW20080604|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909174614/http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS55460+04-Jun-2008+BW20080604|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 9, 2012|title=Gemalto Delivers Electronic Alien Resident Cards to Taiwan|publisher=Reuters | date=June 4, 2008}}</ref> and costs the applicant [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]1,000 per year.<ref name=TT>{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/06/24/2003366606|publisher=[[Taipei Times]]|title=NIA introduces new IC alien resident certificate|date=24 June 2007 }}</ref> The electronic ARC cards replaced a paper version in 2007–8, and were intended to "not only bring new convenience to foreigners but would also contribute to the government's anti-forgery and anti-terrorism drives."<ref name=TT/> As of October 2009 around 60,000 foreign residents have yet to exchange their old paper ARCs for a new IC card. The paper cards were phased out on 1 February 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/national/national-news/2009/10/16/228834/60000-foreigners.htm|publisher=China Post|title=60,000 foreigners have yet to obtain IC cards|date=2009-10-16}}</ref> A multiple entry permit is now included on the card, whereas previously it was stamped separately in the holder's passport. The applicant may apply for a maximum of three years validity for the ARC, with some categories (for example missionary work or study) being limited to a maximum of one year at a time. Some types of ARC (Joining Family or Teaching) require a medical examination conducted at an approved hospital.<ref name=iffarc/> Besides entitling the bearer to remain in Taiwan for the duration of the certificate's validity, the ARC is also needed to apply for a [[driving license in Taiwan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ait.org.tw/en/uscitizens/driving.asp|title=Driving in Taiwan|publisher=American Institute in Taiwan}}</ref>

There is also an '''Alien Permanent Resident Certificate''' ({{zh|t=外僑永久居留證|p=Wàiqiáo Yǒngjiǔ Jūliú Zhèng|poj=Gōa-kiâu Éng-kiú Ki-liû-chèng}}), or '''APRC''' available.  To obtain the APRC, residence (classed as 183 days or more in a year) must have been maintained for five years. Other conditions apply, including meeting minimum salary or assets requirements, and a criminal record check carried out in the applicant's home country.<ref name=iffaprc>{{cite web|url=http://iff.immigration.gov.tw/enfront/life.php?tr_id=2&id=283|title=Information for Foreigners-APRC|publisher=National Immigration Agency}}</ref> The fee for an APRC is [[New Taiwan dollar|NT$]]10,000. 

If the holder became eligible for an APRC through marriage to a Taiwanese national, the holder must either remain in the country for 183 days per year or else arrange an exemption with the National Immigration Agency in order to maintain permanent residency. If the holder became eligible for an APRC through work, the holder must return to Taiwan at least once in a five-year period. 

The APRC card itself does not carry an expiration date and thus renewals are not required.<ref name=iffaprc/> The law permitting permanent residency was established in 1999, and the first APRCs were issued in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.winklerpartners.com/files/topics0500permresidence.pdf|publisher=Winkler Partners|title=Permanent Residency Status: Is It Worth It?}}</ref>

==Taiwan Area Resident Certificate==
The TARC is issued to [[national without household registration]] who reside in [[Taiwan]]. These people are qualified as nationals ({{lang|zh-tw|國民}}) under [[Taiwanese nationality law]], but do not have valid [[household registration in Taiwan]]. Establishing [[household registration in Taiwan]] is required for a national over 14 years of age to possess a National Identification Card. In [[Law of Taiwan|Taiwanese laws]], [[Household registration in Taiwan|household registration]] has close ties to exercise civil and political rights like a citizen ({{lang|zh-tw|公民}}). The [[Law of Taiwan|Taiwanese laws]] makes a distinction between "registered nationals" ({{lang|zh-tw|有戶籍國民}}) and "unregistered nationals" ({{lang|zh-tw|無戶籍國民}}), with the former having the [[right of abode]], [[right to vote]], and other benefits of citizenship, while the latter are subject to deportation from Taiwan and need an entry permit to visit Taiwan. While "registered nationals" are entitled to hold the National Identification Card, "unregistered nationals" may only hold the TARC. Both groups are eligible to hold the [[Taiwan passport]].

For adult "unregistered nationals" to become "registered nationals", and thus eligible for an ID Card, they must reside in Taiwan for a certain period of time, during which they will hold a TARC instead of an ID Card. Currently, for "unregistered nationals" who have direct lineal relatives who are "registered nationals" (e.g. overseas-born Taiwanese) and foreigners who have naturalized as ROC nationals, this period is (1) continuously for one year, (2) 270 days per year for two years, or (3) 183 days per year for five years.

==Academic and Business Travel Card==
With the stated aim of attracting exceptional foreign professionals to Taiwan, the government established an Academic and Business Travel Card ({{zh|t=學術與商務旅行卡|poj=Ha̍k-su̍t í Siong-bū Lú-hêng-khah}}) in 2009. The card is valid for three years and entitles the bearer to stay in the country for 30 days at a time, with multiple entry permission and priority queueing at immigration when entering and leaving the country. While in Taiwan, the holder can conduct academic or business affairs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.immigration.gov.tw//immig_eng/aspcode/card_a.asp|title=Card Application for Outstanding Foreign Talents|publisher=National Immigration Agency}}</ref>

==Card Number Format==
Starting Jan 2, 2021, the current number format will be replaced with that aligning with that of the [[National identification card (Taiwan)|national ID card]]. Unfortunately this is causing a lot of confusion in Taiwan since it means most official and commercial websites in Taiwan are not able to accept the new format since it isn't actually the same as the format used for locals. Specifically, without recoding every website, no website will accept a card with an "8" or a "9" in the second place.

The old number format consists of two English letters followed by eight digits. The previous format has hindered foreign nationals from carrying out such matters as online shopping, ticket booking, hospital registration, and so on. The European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan (ECCT) has repeatedly drawn this situation to the attention of government agencies in its annual Position Papers.<ref>[https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/7445/238440/243278/243280/243320/] New UI No. Format for Foreign Nationals – Policy Explanation</ref>

The new format consists of one English letter followed by nine digits.

(a) English letter: Area code, indicating the place of application, corresponding to the area code in citizens’ ID card numbers.

(b) First digit: Indicates gender, 8 for male and 9 for female.

(c) Last digit: [[checksum]]

==See also==
*[[Alien's passport]]
*[[National Identification Card (Republic of China)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/ National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan)]

{{Taiwan Travel Documents}}
{{Permanent residency by country}}

[[Category:Identity documents]]
[[Category:Immigration to Taiwan]]
[[Category:Government of Taiwan]]