Moving Guide

Remarkably easy for a visa process. The entire application is done online at goldcard.nat.gov.tw — upload documents (income proof, passport), pay NT$7,155 (~$225), wait 30 days. No in-person embassy visit required. The website has an English interface. The main complexity is gathering the right income documentation (tax returns showing $50K+/year, or an employment letter). The Gold Card community on goldencard.io has detailed guides for every document combination.

Taiwan is one of Asia's most foreigner-navigable countries. The MRT system in Taipei has bilingual English/Mandarin signage and announcements. Google Maps works perfectly in Taiwan and translates routes. 7-Eleven and FamilyMart staff can handle basic English. Major restaurants have picture menus. For taxis, apps (Uber, TaxiGo) allow English-typed destinations. After 2–3 weeks, most expats figure out a comfortable navigation system for daily life without Mandarin.

Personal effects (household goods, clothing, books) imported within 6 months of first arrival are generally duty-free with proof of residency. Electronics for personal use: duty-free up to reasonable quantities. Vehicles: high import duty (17.5% + commodity tax 25–35%) — buying locally is far more cost-effective. Working with a licensed customs broker (報關行) is strongly recommended for shipping containers. Items requiring additional permits: firearms, certain medications, live animals.

Scooters (機車) are the dominant local transport outside Taipei. To get a Taiwanese scooter license: visit a DMV (監理站) with your ARC and passport. Most holders of a foreign car license only need a written test (no road test). Written test is available in English. Processing: 1 day. License fee: NTD ~$250. International Driving Permits cover driving for 30 days only — a local license is needed for longer stays. Renting or buying a scooter requires the local license.

For stays under 90 days: most Western passports get visa-free entry. For longer stays: apply for a Resident Visa at a Taiwan TECO office in your home country before arrival. Within 15 days of arriving, register for an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) at the National Immigration Agency (NIA). Required: passport, visa, passport photos, proof of address. ARC fee: NTD $1,000 ($32). ARC is essential for banking, health insurance, and signing leases.

For stays beyond 90 days: apply for a Resident Visa at a Taiwan TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) in your home country. Within 15 days of arrival, register for an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) at the National Immigration Agency (NIA). Required: passport, visa, passport photos, proof of address. ARC fee: NTD 1,000 ($32). ARC is essential for opening bank accounts, getting NHI, signing leases, and all official transactions.

Scooters (機車) dominate local transport outside Taipei. To get a Taiwanese scooter license: visit a DMV (監理站) with your ARC and passport. Holders of a foreign car license typically only need to pass a written test (no road test). Written test is available in English. Processing: 1 day. License fee: NTD ~$250. International Driving Permits cover driving for 30 days only — a local license is needed for stays longer than a month.

Personal effects (household goods, clothing, books) imported within 6 months of first arrival are generally duty-free with proof of residency. Electronics for personal use: duty-free up to reasonable quantities. Vehicles: high import duty (17.5% + commodity tax 25-35%) — buying locally is far more cost-effective. Working with a licensed customs broker (報關行) is strongly recommended for container shipments. Live animals require health certificates and quarantine.