Living in Taiwan
A general guide to frequently asked questions about living in Taiwan. More information can be found at the National Immigration Agency's Information for Foreigners website.
Visas
British citizen passport holders who wish to visit Taiwan for either business or tourism for a period of less than 90 days are eligible for a 90-day visa free stay. This visa is given on arrival, and enables you to stay in Taiwan for 90 days starting from midnight after arrival. The initial 90-day stay can then be extended for a further 90 days at Ministry of Foreign Affairs. If you wish to stay for longer than 180 days, you should apply for the appropriate visa at your nearest Taipei Representative Office (TRO) or Embassy before you travel. Details of your nearest TRO can be found at MOFA.
Under Taiwan’s immigration law, foreign nationals wishing to extend their visit or residence in Taiwan should apply for an extension before their visit or residence expires. Foreign nationals failing to extend visit or residence expiration date will face automatic cancellation of ARC, mandatory deportation, a fine up to NT$10,000 and may not be allowed to enter Taiwan for a period of a year or more.
British nationals who are found to have overstayed or worked illegally will be subject to heavy administrative and tax fines.
Naturalised British Citizens
Under the Mainland China and Taiwanese Relation Act, some naturalised British citizens born in the People's Republic of China (PRC) might not be considered to have British nationality by the Taiwanese authorities. Such British citizens should consult their nearest TRO for further information as this could affect their immigration status in Taiwan. Further repercussions could also include being unable to apply for national health insurance.
Extension of visas
British nationals with visas other than landing visa may apply at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for no more than two visa extensions, each for an additional maximum stay of 60 days if they have valid reasons for doing so.
British nationals who enter Taiwan with a visitor visa bearing a restrictive stamp ‘No Extension Will be Granted’ may apply for an extension, under exceptional circumstances at the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Residency/ Alien Resident Certificates (ARCs)
British nationals with Taiwan residency visas are required to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate or ARC within 15 days after their arrival or from when the resident visa was issued (if applied for from within Taiwan). ARC holders are also required to apply for a re-entry permit when they wish to depart and re-enter Taiwan at a later date.
Please refer to the National Immigration Agency for more details.
British nationals who are resident in Taiwan on spouse resident visas may work legally without the need to secure a work permit although some companies may still insist on obtaining one.
Health insurance
ARC holders should consider applying for National Health Insurance (NHI). Your employer should apply for health insurance for you, and an amount should be automatically deducted from your monthly wage to contribution to the NHI. Details and more information can be found at Bureau of National Health Insurance website.
Dental and medical treatment
Taiwan has good health and dental facilities to handle both routine, emergency and outpatient treatment. Some have English speaking staff. Hospitals operate on a "pay as you use" basis so take money with you. You might also be required to produce your passport or ARC. It is worth bearing in mind that unlike the UK, it is not normal practice for a paramedic to accompany an ambulance to an incident.
Tax
ARC holders or visitors who stay in Taiwan for over 90 days within one calendar year and who have legally obtained income during their stay are required to file income tax returns and pay the consolidated income tax (at the rate of 20%) to their local office of the National Tax Administration for all income received in Taiwan. More information can be found from the Taipei National Tax Administration, Ministry of Finance website.
Taipei City Tax Bureau Office
Main Office: 7-2 Bei Ping E Road,
Taipei
Tel: 02 2394 9211
Fax: 02 2394 2476
Driving in Taiwan
International Driving Permit (IDP)
If you wish to drive in Taiwan, you should apply for an IDP in the UK before you travel. UK motor organisations such as the AA or Royal Automobile Club have the authority to issue such permits. Check The AA website or Royal Automobile Club website for further information about obtaining an IDP.
Once in Taiwan, you should bring your IDP, passport, and one passport photograph to the nearest Vehicle Registration Department to apply for a ‘Driver’s Licence Visa’, which will enable you to drive until your IDP expires. This will then be secured in your IDP.
Taiwanese driver’s licence
British nationals who ride scooters of up to 50cc engine size can use their IDPs without taking a driving test. Those wishing to ride bigger motorcycles from 80cc ―150cc, have to pass a motorcycle driver’s licence test which includes a written and practical element. A further test is required for those wishing to ride motorbikes over 150cc.
If you intend to be a long term resident in Taiwan, you should consider taking the Taiwan driving test.
You will need to produce the following documents:
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ARC
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Medical check for driving
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Two passport photographs
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And one of the following driving experiences:
Hold a learners licence for 3 months or complete a driving course at any driving school registered in Taiwan; or
The original and photocopy of your UK driver's licence.
ARC holders are not permitted to apply for a commercial driver’s licence.
Vehicle Registration Department (Northern Area Office)
Address: No 80, Cheng De Rd Sec 5, Taipei
Tel: 02 2831 4155 x 327
Motor Vehicles Office
Address: 21, Section 4, Ba De Road, Taipei
Tel: 02 2763 0155 x 203
Driving safely
It is against Taiwanese law to drink and drive. If you are stopped and record a breath alcohol concentration level of 0.25-0.4 mg/litre, you can expect to be fined NT$15,000; readings from between 0.4-0.55mg/litre can expect a fine of NT$30,000, and readings of 0.55 and above can expect NT$45,000 fines.
In all cases your driver’s licence will be cancelled for at least one year and the vehicle that you were driving will be impounded under police custody immediately following the offence. If you drink and drive and injure a third party, your licence will be cancelled for 2 years. If you are responsible for the serious injury or death of a third party, your licence will be revoked for life.
Standard procedures for dealing with traffic accidents
Transport to airports
There are six bus companies which provide a service between Taoyuan International Airport (formerly CKS Airport) and major cities. Tickets can be bought at ticket counters located in the arrival halls of both terminals. A bus ticket to Taipei typically costs around NT$110-140 one way.
24 hour taxi services are also available. Fares cost from NT$1000-1500 from Taoyuan International airport to Taipei city. An alternative is a luxury car rental service which ranges from NT$1000-2000. More information can be found on the Taoyuan airport website.
Taoyuan International Airport
Tel: 03 398 2790
Domestic Airports
Taipei Sung Shan Airport: 02 8770 3456
Taichung Airport: 04 2425 7302
Tainan Airport: 06 267 5387
Kaohsiung Airport: 07 805 7501
International schools
Taipei European School
No 31 Jian Ye Rd, Taipei
Tel: 02 2862 2920
Fax: 02 2862 1458
Taipei American School
800 Chung Shan N Rd Sec 6, Taipei
Tel: 02 2873 9900
Fax: 02 2873 1641
Morrison Christian Academy (situated in Taichung, Kaohsiung, Taipei, Chiayi)
136-1 Shuinan Rd, Taichung
Tel: 04 2297 3927
Fax: 04 2292 1174
General
If you are looking for more information about Taiwan, you may find some useful tips on the website Forumosa.Com, which is maintained by Taiwan expatriates.
The Community Services Centre is a non-profit foundation which provides outreach to meet the needs of the expatriate community in Taiwan. Every 2 years they also produce a handy publication called "Taipei Living" which contains information on a wide range of topics relevant to the expatriate community. They can be contacted at:
The Community Services Center
Address: 25, Lane 290, Chung Shan N. RD. Sec. 6, Shihlin, Taipei
Tel: 02 28368134
Fax: 02 2835 2530
Gateway is a Taipei based non-profit organisation that serves as an information and services centre. It is directed by community members under the auspices of the Taipei International Church and can be contacted at:
Address: 7F, 248, Chung Shan N. Rd. Sec. 6, Shihlin, Taipei
Tel: 02 2833 7444
Fax: 02 2835 2778
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Address: 3-5F, No 2-2, Jinan Road Sec 2, Taipei
Tel: 02 2343 2888
Telephone
Emergency numbers
Fire/Ambulance: 119
Police: 110
24 Hours English Speaking Police (Foreign Affairs Service Station):
02 2556 6007,
02 2381 3561 ext. 3064 or 3065
Fax: 02 2555 4275
English Directory Assistance: 106
Public phones
Phone cards can be bought at train stations, bus terminals, and convenience stores. The cost is NT$100 per card.
IODC access
For reverse charge or credit calls, dial 008, then the access number of the country.
UK: 008-044-0044
HK: 008-085-2111
USA: 008-010-2880
Tourist Information
Tourism Bureau: 02 2717 3737
Taipei City Government
Consular assistance
If you intend to stay in Taiwan for longer than 4 weeks, before your visit you can register online with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office using the “LOCATE” system. Registering your details with the FCO allows us to pass information to you should there be an emergency. All details are held in strictest confidence and are used for planning and contingency purposes only.
Notice on extension of stay
Registering with us
LOCATE - Online consular registration for British Nationals
Contact us
British Assistance and Services Section
Clare Lear
Tel: 02 8758 2056
Bee-Kim Tan
Tel: 02 8758 2057
Fax: 02 8758 2050
