I plan to contact the local TECO office tomorrow to inform them. I’m 99% sure I know the correct “B” number I was assigned. And Yes, I know not having a copy of it is stupid. But I’m known for stupidity.
My Q is: At the EVA Air check-in counter should I explain to them my situation and then request a Visitor Visa so that I can at least enter Taiwan? I am able to use E-gate at TPE with my Passport.
Or…?
Any knowledge one can shed on my predicament will be most appreciated. Thanks
EVA Air doesn’t issue visas, they just check you meet the border requirements of the country you are flying too.
You could try to contact NIA and have them issued a paper style certificate, print it out and show the airline.
Another option is sometimes the airline can have you sign a document that if border control refuse you entry then you are responsible for funding your flight out. That will remove the risk for them if there isn’t anything solid for them to verify your a resident.
The airline might also be able to ring immigration and verify your ID number with them.
Last resort is you buy a flight back out of Taiwan and the airline will pass you under the visa-exempt rules (if your a national of a country that Taiwan allows visa-exempt entry).
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If you can’t get anything from TECO to prove you have an APRC, and you are from a country with visa free access to Taiwan, you just gotta convince the airline to let you fly (e.g. get a return ticket out of Taiwan that is refundable). Once you get to Taiwan immigration, tell them you have an APRC but you lost it and they can confirm you are a resident from your passport using their system. Then once in Taiwan you can get a new APRC from NIA.
Can check-in as visa visitor with onward ticket, depending on country passport and visa requirements.
In Taiwan, my passport gets me through the egate (my APRC quit working for some reason maybe because old style).
I second that.
Also you can use this site to get a temporary ticket to show if asked
You cannot enter Taiwan on a visitor visa if you hold and ARC.
I lost my ARC in Spain (actually found it months later in a crevice in my suitcase). Even in 2007, it was in their IT system at CKS/Taoyuan airport. Didn’t need it.
Maybe not, but you can board a plane with a visitor visa. Then explain at Taiwan immigration if necessary and can’t process though egate with passport.
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Your passport is linked in the system
You guys got me to check, Taiwan seems to be a country that implements Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) and Advance Passenger Processing (APP).
The airlines probably send your passport info to Taipei before you board so you may get lucky if Taiwan’s APP clears you for boarding without the APRC since your passport is already in the system.
I can’t find the manual on Taiwan’s APP system though so I don’t know the details:
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/141457/141990/368624/
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The OP cannot even hold a visitor visa. So your claim they can board a planne with a visitor visa is wrong. Visa free entry as you would now claim is not a visitor visa. I use five year visitor visa’s for the USA. I do not use the ESTA system. A clear difference.
Use your passport like most people. If you’re a visa free citizen it’s easy as pie.
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Get a police report saying you lost your APRC.
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TECO might not be able to issue a new APRC, only NIA can do that, but they can authenticate the above mentioned report which can be handy not only to get a new card here in Taiwan but also on the plane.
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Call NIA in Taiwan - Skype is handy, or any other cheaper alternative, not landline- and inform them of your situation.
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/141465/141808/141970/
Previous cases:
https://www.reddit.com/r/taiwan/comments/18a2dcj/lost_arc_in_foreign_country/?rdt=41043
Thanks everyone. You’ve been very helpful.