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How to Get a Taiwan ID Number Without an ARC

How to Get a Taiwan ID Number Without an ARC
How to Get a Taiwan ID Number Without an ARC: A Step by Step Guide

Morry Travels Asian-American Solo Travel Blog INTRODUCTION

After being in Taiwan for a few months now, I have finally encountered the inconvenience of not having a Taiwan ID Number. In this guide, I will take you on a step-by-step process on getting a Taiwanese ID number.

Morry Travels Asian-American Solo Travel Blog Why a Taiwan ID Number?

As a foreigner staying in Taiwan long-term, simple tasks can become an issue when you start dealing with certain entities. For example:

Whatever your reason may be, there is a simple way to get a Taiwan ID Number, and it is FREE!

Update: If you want to use a Taiwan ID Number to open an account, please check with the company if they accept a non-ARC ID Number first. Companies can reject the ID Number at their own discretion.

Morry Travels Asian-American Solo Travel Blog Requirements

There are no strict requirements to getting a Taiwan ID Number. As long as you have a valid passport from your own country, you can easily apply and obtain a Taiwan ID Number.

Already have an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)?

If you already have an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), then your ARC number is your ID Number. The following guide is for foreigners who are residing in Taiwan long-term, typically over 1-2 months at a time. You might not need one if you reside for longer, but having one just makes life so much easier.

Morry Travels Asian-American Solo Travel Blog The Process

STEP 1: Copy the ID Page of Your Passport

Other websites state that you also need a copy of the stamp page, but the worker who processed my application said it was not required.

You can make copies at most 7-11’s. Just ask the clerk to help you if you cannot read Chinese. They are more than willing to help.

STEP 2: Head to the Nearest National Immigration Agency.

The one I went to is located at: No. 15, Guangzhou Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100.

It is a few mins walk from the Green Line’s Xiao Nan Men (小南門) MRT Station.

Taiwan ID Number
The National Immigration Agency building is hard to miss.

STEP 3: The Application

Once you arrive, get a number and fill out the application. It is pretty straight-forward, and there is English on the form.

Taiwan ID Number
Taiwan ID Number Application

Wait for your number to be called. It should not take more than thirty mins, and when your number is called, hand them your passport, photocopy, and application. If you forgot to make a copy of your passport, they have a copier there as well.

Morry Travels Asian-American Solo Travel Blog The Official Taiwan ID Number Document

After you have completed the above process, you will get this piece of stamped paper with your Taiwan ID Number on it.

Taiwan ID Number
Your New Taiwan ID Number

Once you obtain a Taiwan ID Number, it is permanent and lasts forever. If you lose the original document that was issued to you, you will need to reapply for a new one.

I advise you to get this laminated.

There is a photo store 2 mins down the street, next to Louisa Coffee, and it costs $NT40 to get this done.

And that’s it! It’s simple, costs nothing, and makes your life so much easier.

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Tags : Alien Resident CertificateARCID Number
Morison

The author Morison

Writer @ Morry Travels

14 Comments

  1. Thanks for this because not many people know that as a foreigner you can get an ID number !!! It took me literally 5 minutes when I got the ID document from the guy at the immigration office…no waiting required I handed a copy of my passport with the document you have to fill in…he printed it out and stamped it and thats it…its really an annoying huge a4 size paper so indeed laminate it…btw the woman of the photo store charged me 100 NT for 1 a4 size laminated paper and 1 tiny pocket size copy of it so guess I paid more than you……what I did is went back to 7 eleven and shrink the size to 40% so that the ID document can fit within my wallet…it is readable and the ID number shows well….you still probably want to bring your passport or copy of it with you at all times…and perhaps copy of the a4 size document how annoying it may be…many places and people do not know about this AR ID document and only know about the ARC so definitely be persistent and tell them it is 100% legal…the main issue is that your photo is not on the paper…its really a temporary solution until you get your ARC or not…for me I come to Taiwan to invest so I would need an investment visa and ARC at some point….but for now I just want to get my banking started and the ID number will do that….I went to Costco the same day and got a membership card no problem…only the problem with Costco Taiwan is that they accept only cash or Costco VISA card which goes through Cathay Bank…for that you first need a bank account…but with some charm and persistency they also accepted my ID number despite it is not an official ARC…hence the letter C stance for certificate and gives 100% legal status within Taiwan…the ID AC number they give you has limitations for sure what exactly I am not sure yet besides not able to work of course. Btw the Costco VISA card is free and is just used as a debit visa. But you first need to sign up with any bank…in my case HSBC or Citi…later when I have my business running I will use a local bank. Anyway thanks so much for this tip Morison !

    1. I am glad this was useful to you! Yes, the ID number definitely has some limitations and can’t be compared to the ARC, but it is useful getting some things done like opening bank accounts. I agree, not many people know about it from my experience, but like you said, you just have to be persistent. 🙂

  2. its nice for you to actually include this information as I was really searching throughout on this information – needs to open a bank account.

  3. Nice hint – but just wondering what else you can do with the ID. Using the scanner at the airport e.g.?

  4. Hello! I followed your instructions and wanted to let you know that it’s absolutely spot on. Thanks 🙂

    1. Hi Tom,

      Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Taichung or the insurance. You can talk to the insurance companies to see if they will accept it. Sorry I cannot help much further.

  5. Followed these instructions to get my Taiwan ID. Even got it laminated at the same place however it’s now 70nt unless the lady ripped me off.

    1. Hi Earl,

      This is not a Taiwan passport number. It’s only an ID number given to you by registering your own country’s passport with the Taiwan government. This is different than the ARC and does not provide you the same benefits as you would with an ARC. It does, however, let you open certain accounts that require a Taiwan ID number.

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