Taiwan (Republic of China) · residence general · Leads to settlement
Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC)
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 11 official citations reconfirmed 13 September 2026
Permanent residence for foreign nationals who have legally resided in Taiwan continuously for five years, granted by the National Immigration Agency under the Immigration Act.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. Applications are reviewed by the National Immigration Agency; check current timelines on the official NIA page.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. A government fee applies for the permanent residence application and certificate; refer to the official NIA page for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Permanent, subject to maintaining the rolling presence requirement; re-entry and the certificate are maintained per NIA rules.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC) for Taiwan (Republic of China) is an unsponsored Taiwan immigration route. Sources: official Taiwan (Republic of China) government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/taiwan/permanent-residence-aprc#answer
What is the Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC) in Taiwan (Republic of China)?
Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC) is an unsponsored Taiwan route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. A government fee applies for the permanent residence application and certificate; refer to the official NIA page for current amounts; indicative processing time is Indicative only. Applications are reviewed by the National Immigration Agency; check current timelines on the official NIA page; typical duration is Permanent, subject to maintaining the rolling presence requirement; re-entry and the certificate are maintained per NIA rules. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC) is Taiwan permanent residence status, granted by the National Immigration Agency under Article 25 of the Immigration Act. The general route requires five years of continuous legal residence with presence in Taiwan of at least 183 days in each of those years, alongside age, conduct, and means-of-support conditions. Once granted, an APRC remains valid indefinitely unless the holder fails to maintain an average of at least 183 days of residence per year over a rolling five-year window, or other disqualifying circumstances arise. Holders of Gold Cards and work permits accrue qualifying residence toward this status.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Have resided legally and continuously in Taiwan for five years, with presence of at least 183 days in each of those years (under Article 25 of the Immigration Act).National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Be of legal age and meet the conduct and good-character conditions set out in the Immigration Act.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Demonstrate sufficient means of support or financial capability as required.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Apply to the National Immigration Agency for the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
Common blockers
- !Breaks in residence or years with fewer than 183 days of presence, which interrupt the qualifying count.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- !Failure to meet the conduct, character or means-of-support conditions in the Immigration Act.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- !After grant, failing to maintain an average of at least 183 days per year over a rolling five-year period, which can lead to cancellation.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Residence records (ARC history) evidencing five years of continuous legal residence and presence days.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Proof of means of support or financial capability.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Valid passport and current Alien Resident Certificate.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Police or character documentation as required by the NIA.National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) ↗
Application pathway
Accumulate qualifying residence
Maintain five years of continuous legal residence with at least 183 days of presence in Taiwan each year.
Assemble the evidence
Gather residence records, proof of means of support, and any character documentation required by the NIA.
Apply to the NIA
Submit the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate application to the National Immigration Agency.
Maintain permanent residence
After grant, keep the rolling 183-days-per-year average to retain the APRC, which otherwise remains valid indefinitely.
After approval: prepare for your next step
For Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC), use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.
- 1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
- 2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
- 3. Confirm what you may do. Check whether employment, self-employment, remote work or study is permitted under the status granted. Do not infer unrestricted work rights from the absence of an employer sponsor.
- 4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
- 5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC) route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC).
National Immigration Agency (Taiwan) · verified
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The standard employer-sponsored route for foreign professionals: the employer obtains a work permit from the Workforce Development Agency, then the worker applies for a resident visa and Alien Resident Certificate.
Foreign Special Professional Work Permit
An enhanced work-permit route under the Foreign Professionals Act for designated special professionals, allowing employment permits of up to five years and additional incentives.
Frequently asked questions
How many years does it take to get permanent residence in Taiwan?+
The general requirement is five years of continuous legal residence, with at least 183 days of presence in Taiwan in each of those years, plus age, conduct and means-of-support conditions under Article 25 of the Immigration Act. Some categories have different rules, so confirm the current requirements with the National Immigration Agency.
Can an APRC be lost once granted?+
Yes. An Alien Permanent Resident Certificate remains valid indefinitely in normal circumstances, but it can be revoked or cancelled if the holder does not maintain an average of at least 183 days of residence per year over a rolling five-year period, or if other disqualifying circumstances arise.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in TaiwanHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: National Immigration Agency (Taiwan)
Last checked: 1 June 2026