This photo copyright by K. Dickson from LookThroughTheLens.com
This article has been updated as of October 20th, 2025.
Planning your retirement in Taiwan involves navigating a two-part government process:
- applying for your initial Taiwan Resident Visa while abroad and
- managing your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and potential Permanent Residency once in Taiwan.
Key Taiwan Government Departments
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) / Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA): This is the agency that sets the visa policy. You will interact with their representatives for the initial visa application.
- National Immigration Agency (NIA): Once you arrive in Taiwan with a Resident Visa, the NIA takes over. You will apply to them for your ARC (Alien Resident Certificate), which is your main ID card, and any future extensions. After living in Taiwan for a required number of years (generally 5 consecutive years with 183+ days per year), the NIA is where you apply for an APRC (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, sometimes referred to as the Plum Blossom Card).
The “De Facto Embassy” Connection Abroad
Taiwan maintains official diplomatic relations with only a few countries. In most other nations, its diplomatic missions operate under names like the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) or Taipei Representative Office (TRO).
- Initial Step: For your retirement visa application, you must apply to the nearest TECO/TRO in your home country. These offices function as the de facto embassies, handling all visa and consular services.
- Retirement Visa Note: Taiwan does not have a general “retirement visa” for all nationalities. However, there are specialized long-term residency pathways, such as the Employment Gold Card (for high-skilled/high-income individuals) or through investment immigration. For certain countries (e.g., Japan), a specific retiree Visitor Visa may be available.
Action: Your first contact should be your local TECO/TRO to inquire about the specific long-term residency options available to citizens of your country and the supporting documentation required.
Other Helpful Resources in Taiwan
| Resource | Purpose | Contact/Information |
| Foreigner in Taiwan Hotline (NIA) | A multilingual 24-hour service providing assistance on residency, immigration, and general life inquiries. | 0800-024-111 (Toll-free) |
| Counseling and Protection Hotline for Foreign Workers (MOL) | While primarily for foreign workers, the service provides multilingual help for general labor issues or emergency situations. | 1955 (Toll-free, 24/7, Multilingual) |
| Local Government Offices | For neighborhood services like garbage collection, local community classes, and general civic information. | Look up the Civil Affairs Bureau for the city or county where you plan to reside. |
In addition to the visa and residency agencies, there are several other key government agencies that foreign residents, especially retirees, will interact with concerning finance, property, and business.
Here is a summary of these critical departments:
Additional Key Government Agencies
| Agency | Primary Function for Retirees | Contact/Information |
| Ministry of Finance (MOF) / National Taxation Bureau (NTB) | Handles all aspects of your personal income tax, capital gains, and property taxes. Crucial for establishing tax residency (usually 183 days/year). | Local NTB Office: You will deal with the Bureau’s branch in your city (Taipei, Kaohsiung, Central, Northern, or Southern Area). Look up the address nearest your home. |
| Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) / National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA) | Manages the compulsory National Health Insurance (NHI) program, which you are generally eligible for after residing in Taiwan for six continuous months with an ARC. | NHIA Customer Service: 0800-030-598 or (02) 412-8678 (from mobile) |
| Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) / Department of Investment Promotion | Essential if your residency is tied to investment (e.g., Investment Immigration) or if you plan to start a business or seek a Gold Card residency. | InvesTaiwan Service Center (ITSC): +886-2-2311-2031 (Provides one-stop consulting service for foreign investment) |
| Ministry of the Interior (MOI) / Department of Land Administration | The final authority on real estate/property purchases. Foreigners must comply with the “reciprocity principle” (your home country must allow Taiwanese nationals to buy property there). | Local Land Administration Office: All property transfers must be registered at the office in the district where the property is located. |
| Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI) | Manages the Labor Pension (for those who work) and Labor Insurance systems. Even as a retiree, if you have a work history in Taiwan, you may interact with them for pension inquiries. | BLI Information Center: +886-2-2396-1266 |
Summary of Major Concerns by Category
| Category | Agency | Key Action/Topic |
| Residency & Visa | MOFA/BOCA (initial) & NIA (in-country) | Initial Visa, ARC, ARC Extensions, APRC (Permanent Residency) |
| Health | MOHW / NHIA | Enrollment in National Health Insurance (after 6 months), Insurance Card. |
| Finance & Tax | MOF / NTB | Annual Income Tax Filing (mandatory if you have local income), Property Tax. |
| Property & Land | MOI / Land Administration | Property purchase registration, verifying the reciprocity agreement for your country. |
| Investment | MOEA | Business registration, Investment immigration programs, Employment Gold Card processing. |
Essential Hotlines for Foreigners in Taiwan
| Service | Phone Number | Purpose |
| Foreigner in Taiwan Hotline (NIA) | 0800-024-111 (24-hour, toll-free) | Comprehensive assistance for residency, immigration, and general questions. |
| Counseling and Protection Hotline for Foreign Workers (MOL) | 1955 (24-hour, toll-free, multilingual) | Designed for workers but can assist with labor disputes and general emergencies. |
| National Health Insurance Hotline | 0800-030-598 or (02) 412-8678 | Inquiries about coverage, premiums, and NHI services. |