How to Get Your Taiwan ARC, Work Permit & NHI

Selamat Datang! Preparing to leave Indonesia for your dream degree in Taiwan? Along with packing your favorite snacks and comforts from home, getting your legal documents sorted is your #1 priority.

Think of your ARC, Health Insurance (NHI), and Work Permit as your ultimate Taiwan Survival Kit. They guarantee your legal stay, give you access to affordable healthcare when you’re sick, and allow you to work legally up to 20 hours a week to support your student life.

Here is the step-by-step breakdown on how to process them stress-free:

1. Visitor Visa to Resident Visa (簽證）
2. Resident Visa to ARC (居留證)
3. How to make Work Permit
4. How to get National Health Insurance

These all should be completed as soon as possible depending on requirements and timeline.

Check your Taiwan Visa 簽證

• 1st scenario :

If your visa remark is “FS” (Visitor Visa for studying purposes), many universities say FS holders can apparedirectly for an ARC online, without changing to a resident visa first. 

In that case, follow your university’s ARC guide (you may not need visa change!)

• 2nd scenario

If your visa is an ordinary visitor visa (tourist / short stay, no study remark), time to change it to a resident visa before you can get an ARC

In that case, usually the student association will help you out by giving you the newest visa update, even accompany you to immigration place. For member of the workforce, the agency usually lends help too!

Change visitor visa → resident visa (for study)

Remember to ask for the newest information of document update. But here are the basics they usually ask for : 

• Passport (original + copy)
• Completed Multiple-Purpose Application Form for Foreign Residents
• 2 color ID photos (2×2 inch)
• University admission letter
• Certificate of enrollment / registration proof (if already registered)
• Proof of tuition payment (and sometimes dorm payment)
• Other documents your university / immigration asks for

Take all your documents go to National Immigration Agency (REMEMBER THEY CLOSE AT 5PM SHARP)

After being reviewed completely, the application fee is up to about NT$3,000 for Indonesian.

Then wait to be issued, usually within 15 days. When approved with email confirmation for pick up, go back to the National Immigration Agency again and congrats! The resident visa will be stamped in your passport.

Important:

• Do this before your visitor visa expires; many guides say you must apply around 10–15 days before expiry to avoid overstay or problems.

Get your identity card / ARC / 居留證 secured

During our studies and work in Taiwan, it is required to have an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). The ARC is similar to an ID card for foreign national to secure your self information, such as age, household registered in Taiwan, and residence card number. In Taiwan people need to check ARC to make sure the identity is real and accurate as filled when applying, registering, or entering certain places.

To apply for ARC is within 14 days of arriving in Taiwan, don’t be late! If you apply after 14 days, you will be fined NT$2,000–10,000.

Website to apply for ARC : https://coa.immigration.gov.tw

ARC Notes : 

• The fee is NT$1,000 for foreign students (外籍生) and NT$500 for overseas Chinese students (僑生).
• The ARC must be renewed once every year.
• Before applying for the ARC, tuition fees must be fully paid.
• Apply online first and then take it offlime

Documents Required for ARC Application (Online Upload) :

1. Overseas Chinese Student (僑生)
   • Color passport photo
   • Passport
   • Resident visa
   • Proof of dormitory residence / 住宿證明 (ask the 住宿組)
   • 僑生分發通知書 (LOA)
   • Proof of enrollment (在學證明) → The 在學證明 can also be downloaded from own university website. 
   • If you have not received your student ID card yet, you may use proof of tuition payment and proof of admission to NTU.
2. International Student (外籍生)
   • Color passport photo
   • Passport
   • Resident visa
   • Proof of dormitory residence / 住宿證明 (ask the 住宿組)
   • Admission letter and certificate of enrollment
   • Proof of enrollment at NTU (在學證明) → The 在學證明 can also be downloaded from own university website. 
   • If you have not received your student ID card yet, you may use proof of tuition payment and proof of admission to NTU.
   • Scholarship certificate (for scholarship recipients only)

How to extend ARC

1. Check ARC expiry date on the card
2. NIA guideline: You should submit ARC extension applications within 3 months before expiry
   • rules : immigration.gov
3. Go to NIA website: https://www.immigration.gov.tw, immigration.gov
4. “Online Application System” for foreign/overseas Chinese students (ARC).
5. Log in / register and fill your passport number, ARC number, personal info.
6. Choose Application type by selecting “ARC extension” / “extension of residency” 
7. Fill out online form and Upload documents again
8. Review and submit application.
9. Pay the ARC fee within about 5 working days through ATM, post office, cash through convenience store, others
   • 1‑year ARC: NT$1,000
   • 2‑year ARC: NT$2,000
   • 3‑year ARC: NT$3,000
10. After approval + payment, system sends an email:
11. Log into the online system:
    • Go to “Download section”.
    • Download e‑residence permit and receipt.
12. Go to your local NIA service station (e.g. Taipei city service center):
    • Bring the e‑receipt.
    • Exchange it for the physical IC ARC card.

Part time starter— get your Work Permit done

“I want to do part time”, “I found a good full-time job”, “I am interested in an internship in Taiwan”… all of these are POSSIBLE! But.. we need to have a Work Permit first to work officially and avoid illegal workforce.

• Validity usually 6 months; applications in 1st semester valid until March 31, 2nd semester until September 30.
• Max work: 20 hours per week, except summer/winter break.
• Working without permit: fine NT$30,000–150,000.

How to apply for Work Permit : 

1. Search “ez wp” on google and click the first link https://ezwp.wda.gov.tw/wcfonline/wSite/Control?function=IndexPage 
2. Choose upper right “Work Permit for Foreign Students, Overseas Chinese Students and Ethnic Chinese Students” 僑外生工讀申請
3. On the page, click “Apply for an account”.
4. Read the statement → click “Apply”.
5. Fill in the registration form and confirm
6. Go back to the EZ Work website and enter your account ID and password → “Sign in”
7. Click “New Application Management”.
8. Click “260_Student Application Management”.
9. Click “Add application”.
10. Choose “Work permit” → click “Add”

You will see several sections (usually 6 parts) and fill it correctly and completely

• Personal Information
  • Fill in name, gender, date of birth, passport number, etc.
• School Information
  • Fill in the university name (National Taiwan University), department, student number, etc.
• Work permit application info
  • Choose type (student work permit).
  • Fill any required details (semester, period of permit, etc.).
• Upload files (very important)
  • Upload passport (valid) to the folder: “Photocopy of Passport”.
  • Upload student ID card front and certificate of enrollment to: “Photocopy of student ID card”.
  • Upload ARC (front and back) to the folder: “Front and back photocopy of the resident certificate”.
  • Make sure all files are clear and valid (PDF/JPG/PNG).
• Examination fee 
  • The work permit fee is NT$100, can be paid through ATM, post office, cash through convenience store, others
• When all files are uploaded and complete filling in, click “Submit” to make sure that a newly created application must be submitted within 7 days or the system will delete your data.

After that?

1. Check your application status in EZ Work regularly:
   • If status shows “withdrawn” or “corrections needed”, read the reason, fix the problem, and submit again.
2. If you selected “pickup in person”:
   • You will pick up the permit yourself.
3. If you did not select “pickup in person”:
   • The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) sends your permit to the school.
   • When your school office gets it, they will email you to pick it up.

How to extend Work Permit :

• Go to https://ezwp.wda.gov.tw/, log in with your existing account ID and password.
• SAME AS APPLYING : 

1. In the menu, click “New Application Management”.
2. Click “260_Student Application Management”.
3. Click “Add application”.
4. Choose “Work permit” → “Add” (same as first time).

Even though it is an “extension”, the system treats it as new application for another work permit period.

• Fill form again and upload updated documents (example: address, 2nd semester, etc)
• Upload files again 
• Submit the application → make sure you submit within 7 days.
• After school reviews pay NT$100 again 
• Check status often in EZ Work (fix any “corrections” and resubmit)
• After approved pick up in person or wait until school office emails you to pick up in school

Get your student privilege: National Health Insurance 健保卡

5. Get your student privilege: National Health Insurance 健保卡

NHI is really important for our medical and treatment needs to make it very cheap and affordable for students. This application part please refer to own university requirements and timeline, usually broadcasted through university orientation and students organizations.

After successfully applying, we will get a National Health Insurance card. Yay! Now don’t worry if you got sick in Taiwan, 健保卡 is here!

Follow and remember all of these 5 parts and you get all your personal identity secured. Finally you can enjoy studying, working, and living in Taiwan, good luck! Stay safe!