Taiwan: Relaxed Deadlines for Foreign National Residents and Overstay Fines Implemented

Effective January 1, 2024, the Taiwanese government will relax certain deadlines for foreign national residents. For example, a foreign national who enters Taiwan with a resident visa will be able to apply for an Alien Resident Card (ARC) within 30 calendar days after entering Taiwan, up from the current 15 calendar days, or be subject to a fine. Additionally, when a foreign national changes their residential address or employer during their residency, they will be able to file an application reflecting this change within 30 calendar days, up from the current 15 calendar days, or be subject to a fine. Moreover, foreign nationals seeking to extend their residence will be able to do so up to three months prior to when their current ARC expires, up from the current one month. This will allow the applicant to apply for an ARC extension immediately after their work permit renewal is approved. Additionally, beginning March 1, 2024, the penalty for overstaying their ARC will increase to NTD 10,000 to NTD 50,000, depending on the length of overstay, whereas fines currently range from NTD 2,000 to NTD 10,000.