Hi. This is probably a long-shot, but still hoping to post this out there to see if anyone can help or provide some thoughts.
Probably one of those stories you hear about but never really thought happens. Long story short, Father born Taiwanese, born in Taipei back in the 1950s. Things back then were not as organized (or at least that’s what I’ve been told), hence, my dad himself is not even sure if he was given a birth certificate or not. At a very young age, my dad eventually left Taiwan with his parents and siblings to (apparently illegally by boat), Hong Kong. Somehow, someway, Hong Kong authorities back then gathered these Taiwanese illegals and registered them as illegals from China (I suppose back then most were in fact from China during the cultural revolution). They got Hong Kong residency permits. Fast forward 20+ years, my parents moved to Canada during the great migration years in the late 70s, settled, got Canadian citizenship and lastly had us. Fast forward another 40+ years, both my parents are now retired, traveling back and forth from Taipei-Hong Kong-Canada, and enjoying their retired lives.
My brother and I have been back in Taipei for the past few years. Our family has a place (purchased) in Taipei where we reside now, but yet, because we hold Canadian passports, we stay in Taiwan as Canadians under employer-sponsored ARCs. This is getting troublesome now with the annual renewals, but more importantly a “dependency” on our employers, which puts us at a disadvantage in case we become unemployed (will then have to leave Taiwan). Even with a ARPC, there is a minimum stay requirement, otherwise lose that as well.
Asking our friends here, they say we simply need to demonstrate to government authorities that if at least one of our parents were born Taiwanese, we can also apply to regain our citizenship as well (ignore issues regarding giving up Canadian citizenship). Our dad thinks he can find his birth hospital and re-obtain his birth record. Does he have to reapply for an ID number, to be a Taiwanese national first before we can submit our applications for an ID number? Since he was born Taiwanese, assuming he does not need to give up a secondary (Canadian) citizenship. Since we already have a place here too, is that the same as a Household Registry?
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Not even sure if this is possible, or already too late since we have already passed 18 years of age. Or if this is too much of a long-shot, then maybe its not even worth the effort to regain Taiwanese nationality. But it would make life so much more easier. Appreciate any points. Thanks!