Is the criminal background check needed for all ARCs? If so, will a properly-authenticated document from the authorities of the jurisdiction in which I have resided for the last five years be enough, or do I need to get documentation for previous places of residence (of which there are many)?
I’ve been unable to find an answer (although I have found postings that have raised the question). The gist of the (many) postings I’ve looked at lead me to wonder if it’s only necessary for APRC or for residency based on marriage. Such a certification doesn’t seem to be mentioned on the Taiwanese Government websites, yet the local TECO office says I will need one to apply for the ARC, but the representative I spoke to seemed a little vague on the whole ARC process.
If I do need this document, it would be a lot easier for me to get it here before relocating to Taipei, so I’d like to get this figured out before I travel.
Here are some specifics about my situation that may have a bearing on your answers: Relocating to Taipei from USA about end of this month, US passport holder, resident more than five years in same city, no criminal record anywhere, will take up employment as university faculty (which I think makes me a “professional” for certain immigration purposes), and there is no spouse or dependant(s).
Thanks for your help,
clh
PS: Is there any way to conduct a search of this forum using Boolean connectors?
You definitely don’t need a criminal record check for a student ARC. To the best of my knowledge you don’t need one for a regular working ARC either - when I was at Hess I was told that it used to be required but was changed four years ago or so (though Hess continue to ask for it for their own purposes).
In general you shouldn’t believe anything told to you at a TECO. Or on an online forum, for that matter
Why not get the check done anyway, since it isn’t a particularly difficult process?
As for searching, from the “options” link next to the search box: “You can use AND to define words which must be in the results, OR to define words which may be in the result and NOT to define words which should not be in the result. Use * as a wildcard for partial matches”
You need a criminal record check in the following cases:
Applying for a Joining Family Resident Visa & ARC, whether your family is a citizen or ARC holder.
Applying for a Permanent ARC.
Applying for citizenship.
The requirement is to get one for covering the last five years, but I’ve never heard of someone being required to show each place they’ve lived in that time or to provide more than one. At least for western applicants it seems that anything saying you have no criminal record from a government law enforcement agency will be sufficient. If you’ve lived continuously in Taiwan for at least five years then you can apply for one in Taiwan. (This was previously handled by the foreign affairs police; I’m not sure who would handle it with the new National Immigration Agency.)
[quote=“jlick”]You need a criminal record check in the following cases:
Applying for a Joining Family Resident Visa & ARC, whether your family is a citizen or ARC holder.
[/quote]
Is this a new thing? My wife didn’t need one as a foreigner joining a foreign spouse here. Presumably this is only if the sponsor spouse is an ROC citizen?
