Alien permanent residence — general five-year route

0903 Guidelines for Foreign Nationals Applying for Permanent Residency

(1) Article 25 of the Immigration Act (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”).

Aliens applying for permanent residency shall submit to the NIA the following documents and a photograph; an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate shall be issued upon approval:

(1) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the Republic of China (R.O.C. (Taiwan), hereinafter referred to as “the State”) for five (5) consecutive years, with a residence of at least 183 days per year, or have household registration in the Taiwan Area and their foreign spouse or children have legally resided in the State for more than ten (10) years, with at least 183 days of residence per year for five (5) years, and meet the following requirements:

(1) The period of residence (stay) in the State for applicants listed in the paragraphs under Point 3 shall not be counted for the following reasons:

a. For those who are studying or those who are extending their residency in accordance with Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23, Subparagraphs 1 and 2 of Article 26, Subparagraphs 5 to 8 of Paragraph 4 of Article 31 of the Act, and Article 11 of the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens.

b. Residency shall not be counted for individuals authorized by the central competent labor authority to work in the State under Subparagraphs 8 to 10 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 of the Employment Service Act, and for those extending their residency in accordance with Subparagraph 5 of Paragraph 4 of Article 31 of the Act.

c. Those approved for residence as dependents according to the preceding two subparagraphs.

(1) Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the Republic of China (R.O.C. (Taiwan), hereinafter referred to as “the State”) for five (5) consecutive years, with a residence of at least 183 days per year,

a. Aged eighteen (18) or above. b. Have good conduct without any criminal record verified by a police criminal record certificate. c. Possess sufficient assets or skills to be self-supporting. However, this requirement does not apply to spouses who have household registration in the Taiwan Area. d. Serve the national interests of the State.

(3) Foreign nationals who also possess R.O.C. (Taiwan) citizenship are not eligible to apply for permanent residency.

2. Application Procedure: Apply at the service station of the National Immigration Agency (hereinafter referred to as "the NIA") located in the place of residence.

(2) According to Paragraphs 1 to 4, 7, and 8 of Point 3, applicants for permanent residency should apply within two (2) years after the expiration of their residence and stay period.

5. Processing Time: Fourteen (14) days. (1) This period does not include the administrative processes for acceptance of applications by service centers of municipalities or counties (cities) under the regional administration corps, data entry, mailing, supplementary submissions, card production, interviews, or consultations with relevant authorities.

6. Fees: NTD 10,000.

(4) During the period of permanent residency, if the average annual residence does not reach 183 days in the most recent five (5) years, the approval of permanent residency permit may be revoked or invalidated, and the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate will be canceled. However, this provision does not apply to individuals stipulated in Article 21 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals or those authorized by the NIA. The calculation of "year" begins from January 1 of the year following the issuance of the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate.