Key Government Agencies for Foreigners in Taiwan

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)     

Visa policies, overseas missions, emergency assistance

https://en.mofa.gov.tw

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Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA)

Visa applications, visa extensions, document authentication

https://www.boca.gov.tw/mp-2.html

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National Immigration Agency (NIA)

ARC/APRC applications, residency matters, entry & exit services, foreign resident support

https://www.immigration.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=2

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National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA)

NHI enrollment, health insurance cards, healthcare-related services

https://www.nhi.gov.tw/en

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Ministry of Labor (MOL)

Work permits, labor rights, employment regulations

https://english.mol.gov.tw

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Workforce Development Agency (WDA)

Employment services, work permit information

https://www.wda.gov.tw/en

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Ministry of Education (MOE)

International students, scholarship programs, degree recognition

https://english.moe.gov.tw

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National Taxation Bureau

Income tax filing, tax refunds, tax residency matters

https://www.etax.nat.gov.tw/etwmain/en

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Directorate General of Highways (DMV Equivalent)

Driver's license conversion, driving tests, vehicle registration

https://www.thb.gov.tw/en

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National Police Agency (NPA)

Police assistance, crime reporting, public safety services

https://www.npa.gov.tw/en

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Customs Administration

Customs declarations, import/export regulations, personal belongings clearance

https://web.customs.gov.tw/english

 

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Important English-Speaking Helplines

Foreigners in Taiwan Hotline

1990 (within Taiwan)

From Overseas: +886-800-001990

Services available in:

• English (24/7)

• Japanese

• Vietnamese

• Indonesian

• Thai

• Khmer

You can ask about:

• Visas

• ARC/APRC

• Work permits

• National Health Insurance

• Taxes

• Transportation

• Banking

• Housing

• Legal assistance

• Daily life in Taiwan

 

National Immigration Agency (NIA)

Phone: +886-2-2388-9393

For:

• ARC applications and renewals

• APRC applications

• Residency matters

• Immigration services

 

Police Emergency

110

For:

• Crimes

• Theft

• Traffic accidents

• Emergency police assistance

 

Fire & Ambulance Emergency

119

For:

• Medical emergencies

• Fire emergencies

• Rescue services

 

MOFA Emergency Assistance

+886-800-085-095

For:

• Emergency assistance involving foreign visitors and travelers

 

National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA)

0800-030-598

For:

• NHI enrollment

• Health insurance cards

• Medical coverage inquiries

 

Labor Consultation Hotline

1955

For:

• Labor rights

• Employment disputes

• Work-related consultations

Multilingual support available.

 

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Before Coming to Taiwan

1. MOFA / BOCA

You may need to:

• Apply for a visa

• Authenticate documents

• Confirm entry requirements

• Check visa eligibility

 

2. Ministry of Labor

You may need to:

• Obtain a work permit

• Verify employment eligibility

 

3. Ministry of Education

You may need to:

• Complete school admission procedures

• Apply for scholarships

• Verify academic credentials

 

After Arriving in Taiwan

1. National Immigration Agency (NIA)

You may need to:

• Apply for an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate)

• Update your residential address

• Apply for residency extensions

 

2. National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA)

You may need to:

• Enroll in National Health Insurance

• Apply for an NHI card

• Access healthcare services

 

3. DMV (Directorate General of Highways)

You may need to:

• Convert your foreign driver's license

• Take a scooter or car driving test

• Register a vehicle

 

4. National Taxation Bureau

You may need to:

• Obtain a tax identification number

• File taxes

• Apply for tax refunds

 

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For Long-Term Residents

National Immigration Agency

• ARC renewals

• APRC applications

• Residency updates

 

National Health Insurance Administration

• Add eligible dependents

• Manage healthcare benefits

 

Ministry of Labor

• Employment rights

• Employer changes

• Work permit matters

 

National Taxation Bureau

• Annual tax filing

• Tax residency issues

 

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The One Number Every Foreigner Should Save

1990 — Foreigners in Taiwan Hotline

If you're unsure which government agency to contact, simply call 1990.

The hotline can assist you with:

✓ Visa issues
✓ ARC / APRC applications
✓ Work permits
✓ National Health Insurance
✓ Tax questions
✓ Transportation
✓ Banking services
✓ Housing and rentals
✓ Legal assistance
✓ Daily life in Taiwan

For most newcomers, 1990 is essentially Taiwan's one-stop government support hotline for foreigners.

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If there is any updated information, please feel free to let us know so we can make corrections.

Thank you !

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