The short version
Apply to the National Immigration Agency (NIA, 內政部移民署) for your ARC within 30 days, counted from the day after you enter Taiwan. Students apply online. The fee is NT$1,000 for each year the card is valid. Missing the deadline can bring a fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000. When you move, register your new address within 30 days.
The deadline
- Apply within 30 days, counted from the day after you enter Taiwan (Immigration Act, art. 22).
- If you are late A fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 (Immigration Act, art. 85).
Who uses the student route
The NIA's guideline for students covers, among others:
- Students admitted by schools approved to take international students.
- Overseas compatriot students (僑生).
- Students who have studied at least four months at an MOE-accredited university Mandarin center and stay registered for more than three more months.
- Students first resident for Mandarin study who are then admitted to a degree program.
Documents
Everyone: your passport, and a recent 2-inch color half-body photo without head covering, taken in the last two years (the same specifications as a national ID photo).
Degree and overseas compatriot students also need:
- A resident visa, or a visitor visa for study.
- Your admission permit, or proof of enrollment issued in the last month.
- Proof of your address in Taiwan.
- If you came on a visitor visa: a health examination certificate issued in the last three months.
Mandarin students on the 4 month route also need:
- A resident visa, or a visitor visa for Mandarin study.
- Proof of enrollment and registration showing at least four months studied and at least three months of continuous registration, at least 15 hours a week Monday to Friday, and absences (including leave) of no more than a quarter.
- Proof of your address in Taiwan.
- If you came on a visitor visa: a health certificate.
A health examination done in Taiwan must be at a hospital designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. One done overseas must be verified by a Taiwan (ROC) mission. Documents made overseas need a Chinese translation authenticated by the overseas mission, or a translation notarized in Taiwan.
Applying online
- Students apply through the NIA's online system for students: coa.immigration.gov.tw.
- Uploaded files must be color images of no more than 512KB, as JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP or PDF.
- Processing takes five working days. If the NIA asks for a missing document, you have 15 days to supply it (three months if you apply from overseas).
- After approval, pay within five working days, by online ATM, virtual account or e-Bill.
- You can then download and print an electronic ARC, valid for six months or less, or collect a smart-chip ARC at the NIA service center you chose, three working days after payment.
Fees
- ARC NT$1,000 for each year of validity.
- Entered on a visitor visa An extra NT$2,200.
- Overseas compatriot students 50% off.
- Replacement or changes NT$500 to reissue a damaged or lost card, or to change details such as name, date of birth, gender or photo.
How long it lasts and extending it
- An ARC is valid from the day after approval, for no more than three years (Immigration Act, art. 22).
- Apply to extend within the three months before your residence ends. You need your ARC and proof of enrollment issued in the last month. Mandarin students also submit attendance for the most recent semester.
- When you extend, the new validity follows your proof of enrollment.
- An ARC for Mandarin study lasts one year at most, and total stay and residence for Mandarin study is in principle no more than two years.
- If you overstay by less than 30 days and your reason for being here still holds, you can apply again after paying a fine. If you overstay by 30 days or more, you must leave and apply for a visa again.
Moving house
Register a new address with the NIA within 30 days, counted from the day after you move (Immigration Act, art. 31). Not registering it can bring a fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000.
When you graduate
If you don't extend your residence for another purpose after graduating, such as looking for work, you return the ARC at an NIA service center and complete departure procedures. → Staying to work after graduation