1. Processing Unit:

National Immigration Agency service centers in various counties and cities.

2. Required Documents:

(1) Foreign Nationals:

For those who have entered Taiwan:

• One application form.
• Original and photocopy of the passport (the original will be returned after verification).
• If applying through an authorized representative (not required for personal applications):
  • One authorization letter (or fill in the “Authorization Statement” on the application form).
  • Identification document of the authorized representative (e.g., ID card, residence permit, or passport).

For those who have not yet entered Taiwan:

• One application form.
• One photocopy of the passport (must be verified by an overseas ROC (Taiwan) representative office).
• Original authorization letter verified by an overseas ROC (Taiwan) representative office, specifying the purpose of applying for a Unified ID Number. The signature on the authorization letter must match the one on the passport.
• Identification document of the authorized representative (e.g., ID card, residence permit, or passport).

(2) Nationals without Household Registration in Taiwan, Mainland Chinese Residents, and Hong Kong/Macau Residents:

For those who have entered Taiwan:

• One application form (Overseas Chinese students applying through their school do not need to fill out the form).
• Original and photocopy of the relevant identity documents (the original will be returned after verification):
  • Nationals without household registration in Taiwan: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA or ROC passport with a special entry/exit permit.
  • Mainland Chinese residents: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA.
  • Hong Kong/Macau residents: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA (holders of a “Temporary Entry Stay Notice” must also bring a photo ID).
• If applying through an authorized representative (not required for personal applications):
  • One authorization letter (or fill in the “Authorization Statement” on the application form).
  • Identification document of the authorized representative (e.g., ID card, residence permit, or passport).
• Note: Hong Kong and Macau residents entering Taiwan for the first time with a “Temporary Entry Stay Notice” cannot obtain a Unified ID Number on the day of entry and must apply starting the next day.

For those who have not yet entered Taiwan:

• One application form.
• Original authorization letter verified by an overseas ROC (Taiwan) representative office, specifying the purpose of applying for a Unified ID Number.
• Verified photocopy of the relevant identity documents (must be verified by an overseas ROC (Taiwan) representative office):
  • Nationals without household registration in Taiwan: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA or ROC passport with a special entry/exit permit.
  • Mainland Chinese residents: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA or Mainland Chinese resident ID card.
  • Hong Kong/Macau residents: Entry/exit permit issued by the NIA or permanent resident ID card from Hong Kong or Macau.
• Identification document of the authorized representative (e.g., ID card, residence permit, or passport).

Online Application:

• Those who have entered Taiwan (must wait at least four hours after entry) can apply online for a Unified ID Number and print the verification form upon approval.

3. Processing Time:

• One hour for in-person applications (half a day for those who have never entered Taiwan).

4. Fees:

• Free of charge.

5. Important Notes:

(1) Eligible Applicants:

• Those who have never been assigned a Unified ID Number but require one for opening a bank account, tax filing, National Health Insurance (NHI) application, or obtaining an ROC driver’s license.
• Those who previously held a Taiwan Area Residence Permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), or Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC) but no longer have a valid document to verify their number or hold a non-10-digit ID number.

(2) Purpose of the Unified ID Number:

• This number serves as a permanent personal identification number for registration purposes in Taiwan and remains valid for life.

(3) Issued Document Name:

• Upon approval, the applicant will receive a “Republic of China (Taiwan) Unified ID Number Verification Form.”

(4) Usage:

• The Unified ID Number is already integrated into NHI IC cards and driver’s licenses.
• Since 2004, foreign nationals opening a bank account in Taiwan must present a Unified ID Number verification document (such as an ARC, APRC, or the Unified ID Number Verification Form).
• Since 2004, foreign nationals working in Taiwan must provide their Unified ID Number for tax withholding and annual income tax filing.
  • However, foreign nationals working in Taiwan for short periods and not residing in Taiwan for more than 183 days in a year can use an alternative tax ID number instead of a Unified ID Number.
  • This tax ID consists of 10 characters: the first eight characters correspond to the individual’s birthdate in YYYYMMDD format, and the last two characters are the first two letters of their English name from their passport.
  • Example: A foreigner named Robert W. Davison, born on July 12, 1942, would have the tax ID “19420712RO.”

(5) Preventing Fraudulent Applications:

• If an applicant has not entered Taiwan and is applying through an authorized representative, they must provide an authorization letter and identification documents notarized by an overseas ROC (Taiwan) representative office to prevent fraudulent applications.

(6) Limitation of the Unified ID Number Verification Form:

• This form only certifies the applicant’s registration of a Unified ID Number in Taiwan and does not serve as an identity document. Applicants must present a valid identification document when using the number.

Additional Notes for Foreign Nationals Applying for Work Permits at Taipei Medical University (TMU):

• Foreign nationals without an ARC number who need a contract for work permit application:
  • Since the current system requires an ARC number for employment processing, those without an ARC should contact the Office of HR  (Ext. 2022) for assistance in obtaining a paper contract for completion.

Work Permit Application for Foreign Professionals at TMU:

• Application Form for Foreign Professionals (Full-time Research Assistants/Postdoctoral Fellows)
• Application Form for Foreign Faculty Members

Work Permit Application for Foreign Students at TMU:

• Applications should be submitted to the Office of Global Engagement.
• Application Form for Foreign Student Work Permit

Relevant Websites:

• Taiwan Foreigners’ Service Portal
• Workforce Development Agency
• Taiwan Foreigners’ Work Service Website

Announcements:

• Ministry of Labor Announcement: Employers hiring foreign workers under Article 46, Paragraph 1, Items 3-6 of the Employment Service Act can now apply online.
• Ministry of the Interior Immigration Agency Notice: Guidelines for applying for the “Natural Person Certificate for Foreign Nationals” (available in both Chinese and English).