How to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)? 收藏
大學問編輯部 2022-06-24 Global
To read more: Entry Visa (Resident Visa) for Overseas Chinese Students
As mentioned in the article above, if you are an overseas Chinese student, a resident visa can allow you to enter Taiwan. You must apply for an ARC, which serves as an identification card for you to stay in Taiwan. Application should be made through the "Students Online Application System” of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days after arriving in Taiwan.
Two pathways to apply for an ARC
After being admitted by a Taiwanese university or college, apart from receiving a “notification of admission” or “admission permit”, you will receive a “notification for new students” sent by the admitting university or college, and you will be requested to complete the registration process within a certain period of time. If your date of entry falls into the university registration period, you can go to the university to complete the registration first, and then go online to apply for an ARC. This ARC will be in the form of an IC card with 1- year validity. However, if you enter Taiwan far before the registration period, you will need to apply for an ARC before completing the registration process. Yet, this ARC is an electronic one and only valid for 6 months. You will need to extend your ARC and replace it with an ARC IC card.
To read more: The next step for being admitted by UECOCS - Notification of Admission
Application procedure
1. Fill in the online application form.2. Scan the required documents as shown below and upload to the application system.
3. The reviewing period is normally 5 working days. Once the application is approved, settle the application fee of NTD500 online or at any convenience store (1-year validity is usually granted unless for scholarship recipients).
4. ARC collection –
For those who have not yet completed university registration:
a. Download the electronic ARC (valid for 6 months);
b. Apply for ARC extension after completing school enrollment but before the electronic ARC expires.
For those who have completed university registration:
Download the payment receipt; and collect the ARC ID card at the chosen National Immigration Agency service counter with the payment receipt 3 days after approval.
Extension or Reissuance of ARC
If an electronic ARC is granted, you will need to extend your ARC and replace it with an ARC IC card after completing school registration. Or if you need to extend your stay due to academic requirements, or have any changes in your personal information, e.g. change in residential address or attending school, or in case of loss or damage, you are required to extend or re-issue your ARC. In any cases, the extension should be made within 30 days before your current ARC expires, or within 15 days if you have any updates in your personal information or need to re-issue your ARC.Procedure
1. Go to the "Students Online Application System” of the National Immigration Agency and fill in the required information.
2. Scan the required documents as shown below and upload to the application system.
3. The reviewing period is normally 5 working days. Once the application is approved, settle the application fee of NTD500 online (for extension or reissuance due to damage or loss, or change in Chinese name, date of birth, sex or photo) or at any convenience store. Information updates such as change in residential address or attending school is free of charge.
4. Download the payment receipt and collect the new ARC at the chosen National Immigration Agency service center 3 days after approval. You will need to present the payment receipt and return the old ARC.
★ To note：
If you fail to apply for an ARC within 15 days after arriving in Taiwan, or fail to update your personal information like change of residential address or attending school, you may be posed to a fine of NTD2,000 – 10,000. If you fail to apply for ARC extension within 30 days before its expiration, in addition to the penalty, you may be required to leave Taiwan and re-apply for a resident visa to enter again.
★ For details about ARC, please visit National Immigration Agency.
