APRC--leaving for 5 years?

[iago88]

Hello folks I saw a thread from a few years back regarding the APRC and how long one could and could not leave Taiwan for once it was obtained. I was wondering if anyone had more up to date information / knew where to find it?

Kind regards.

[rooftopclown]

IIRC it depends on whether you get it via work or marriage. If you obtain it via work, you can stay away for just under 5 years.

Let’s see if anyone can find the original thread and confirm or contradict my statement.

[olm]

APRC Info

Under Part 7 Notes:

(10) An APRC will be revoked if the holder fails to reside in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) for at least 183 days each year starting from the year following the issuance of the APRC.

However, this does not apply to those who have gained approval from the competent authority

or those to whom the provisions of Article 19 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals apply.

(The calculation of a “year” for this purpose shall commence from January 1 of the following year after the APRC is issued.)

Article 19 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals says:

Article 19

Where a foreign professional, foreign special professional, or foreign senior professional, or their spouse, minor child, or child over the age of majority who is unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability, after having obtained approval for permanent residence from the NIA, leaves the State for more than five years without re-entering, the NIA may revoke their permanent residence permit and cancel their Alien Permanent Resident Certificate.

So my understanding is you can stay outside Taiwan for…

APRC as Spouse of Taiwanese < 0.5 years

APRC as “Foreign Professional” or Spouse thereof (I guess this means white collar worker according to link) < 5 years

APRC as “Foreign Special Professional” (Gold Card) or Spouse thereof < 5 years link

[irish91]

@olm

APRC Spouse < 0.5 years

To be more specific:

APRC Spouse of a Taiwan National < 0.5 years
(applied for APRC on the basis of Article 25 in the Immigration Act)

APRC Spouse of a Foreign Professional (all types) < 5 years
(applied for APRC on the basis of Article 16 in the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals)

[topofan]

Is applying for this easy or just a formality to do before leaving? I think as I understand you need to apply once before leaving (reapply every year?.

[projectmaximus]

I believe for the APRC spouse < .5 years you can get an exemption of up to 2 years if you apply with a “legitimate reason”

Obviously the Foreign Professional route (including spouse) is preferable.