# MoI changed the ID Number format **URL:** \ **Category:** Visa & Residency\ **Created:** [October 28, 2018, 10:18am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901 "2018-10-28T10:18:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![fifieldt](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/fifieldt/32/176346_2.png) [@fifieldt](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/fifieldt)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 10:18am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/1 "2018-10-28T10:18:26Z")
[https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1354897&ctNode=29710&mp=1](https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1354897&ctNode=29710&mp=1) Early news, but this is as definitive a statement as I’ve seen that TW gov is changing the ID number format used on ARCs to match the format used by citizens. > the government has decided to change the coding format of the [ARC Number] to be in accordance with the coding format of the National Identity Card ---
**Author:** ![11173](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/11173/32/191308_2.png) [@11173](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/11173)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 10:38am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/2 "2018-10-28T10:38:42Z")
Assuming this means ARC numbers will be compatible with all online forms on Taiwanese websites that require the ID number? That’s serious progress! ---
**Author:** ![Belgian\_Pie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@Belgian\_Pie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Belgian_Pie)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 10:40am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/3 "2018-10-28T10:40:45Z")
Wow! But yet another trip to the middle of nowhere if you live in NTC! ---
**Author:** ![fifieldt](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/fifieldt/32/176346_2.png) [@fifieldt](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/fifieldt)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 10:41am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/4 "2018-10-28T10:41:28Z")
> [@11173](#): > > ARC numbers will be compatible with all online forms on Taiwanese websites that require the ID number That’s what it says. 1 letter, 9 digits, instead of 2 letters, 8 digits. _raises hopes_ ---
**Author:** ![greves](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/greves/32/75775_2.png) [@greves](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/greves)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 11:01am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/5 "2018-10-28T11:01:41Z")
The second letter has always been totally pointless anyway. Male/Female and China/Other (A, B, C, or D) are duplication of info already on the ARC. ---
**Author:** ![Brianjones](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@Brianjones](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Brianjones)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 11:17am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/6 "2018-10-28T11:17:31Z")
awesome ---
**Author:** ![11173](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/11173/32/191308_2.png) [@11173](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/11173)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:16pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/7 "2018-10-28T12:16:56Z")
4 STR 4 STAM leather belt level of awesome 😮 ---
**Author:** ![SunWuKong](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/sunwukong/32/125743_2.png) [@SunWuKong](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/SunWuKong)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:20pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/8 "2018-10-28T12:20:22Z")
> [@11173](#): > > Assuming this means ARC numbers will be compatible with all online forms on Taiwanese websites that require the ID number? That’s serious progress! Not necessarily. It depends on how the website checks the ID. Taiwanese ID card numbers are based on several factors. One being gender, giving a 1 or 2, another being the region you were born in, with several numbers, and there are other factors as well. There is a simple algorithm that takes the first numbers and determines the last two. Some websites reject a number if it the numbers don’t fit the correct pattern. Since few ARC holders were born in Taiwan, and some of those other variables may not apply, the numbers may not calculate in the same way. ---
**Author:** ![11173](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/11173/32/191308_2.png) [@11173](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/11173)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:21pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/9 "2018-10-28T12:21:54Z")
So what’s the point? ---
**Author:** ![Belgian\_Pie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@Belgian\_Pie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Belgian_Pie)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/10 "2018-10-28T12:24:27Z")
> [@11173](#): > > So what’s the point? They ‘did’ something about it! ---
**Author:** ![SunWuKong](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/sunwukong/32/125743_2.png) [@SunWuKong](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/SunWuKong)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:25pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/11 "2018-10-28T12:25:47Z")
I’m guessing the current system causes problems for banks, etc, though one would think it would have the same algorithm check. Assuming they’ve thought it through, they will code the numbers in a way that conforms to the checking system. Like maybe give a number based on the region where we apply for the ARC. There’s information on Wiki for what each number means. It’s not complicated. Fingers crossed they’ll get it right. ---
**Author:** ![dan2006](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/d/ea666f/32.png) [@dan2006](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/dan2006)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 12:58pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/12 "2018-10-28T12:58:18Z")
I think that’s exactly what going to happen. The number will be random for foreigners and not pass the checksum. Then the issue is the same with banks, telecoms and websites. I’d like the system they have in Japan when you apply for credit you only need your drivers license and health card, the law says you cannot insist on an arc for ID that way foreigners in Japan can get credit easier from what I read online. With Taiwan they see a foreign face and demand an ARC I’d like to be proven wrong though for once ---
**Author:** ![afterspivak](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/ccd318/32.png) [@afterspivak](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/afterspivak)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2018, 1:06pm UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/13 "2018-10-28T13:06:37Z")
Wow! If this indeed goes forward, that would be awesome. Guy ---
**Author:** ![fifieldt](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/fifieldt/32/176346_2.png) [@fifieldt](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/fifieldt)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/14 "2018-10-29T00:03:27Z")
Here’s an English news article for y’all: > **[ARC number format to be in line with national IDs - Taipei Times](https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/10/29/2003703235)** > > The format of Alien Residency Certificate (ARC) numbers is to be changed to bring them in line with the Republic of China identification card format, the Ministry of the Interior said yesterday. > The measure is part of the government’s ongoing effort... ---
**Author:** ![brasd](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/user_avatar/tw.forumosa.com/brasd/32/18709_2.png) [@brasd](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/brasd)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 1:11am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/15 "2018-10-29T01:11:10Z")
> [@fifieldt](#): > > Here’s an English news article for y’all: > > [ARC number format to be in line with national IDs - Taipei Times](http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2018/10/29/2003703235) thank you to the DPP ---
**Author:** ![gnaij](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@gnaij](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/gnaij)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 1:36am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/16 "2018-10-29T01:36:29Z")
current format is first letter = where you applied for the ARC (this already matches the codes used for NID cards) second letter = C for male aliens, D for female aliens, A for male nationals, B for female nationals if all they will do is to change C or A to 1 and D or B to 2 the checksum won’t work under the current formula [http://ryanny-gogogo.blogspot.com/2017/05/blog-post.html?m=1](http://ryanny-gogogo.blogspot.com/2017/05/blog-post.html?m=1) What they should really do is to make the look and feel of ARCs to be the same as ID cards all but in wording when they roll out the new ID card design in a couple years. Hong Kong has been doing this for many years. The current design is cartoonish. ---
**Author:** ![gavmasterflash](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/g/e19b73/32.png) [@gavmasterflash](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/gavmasterflash)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 2:25am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/17 "2018-10-29T02:25:27Z")
Does this mean those of us who already have the two letter ARC/APRC that we will have to apply for a new ID number? ---
**Author:** ![Brianjones](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/eada6e/32.png) [@Brianjones](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Brianjones)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/18 "2018-10-29T02:44:31Z")
Probably they will issue the new number upon renewal. They can link them all together. ---
**Author:** ![Belgian\_Pie](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/8dc957/32.png) [@Belgian\_Pie](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Belgian_Pie)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 3:56am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/19 "2018-10-29T03:56:08Z")
> [@Brianjones](#): > > Probably they will issue the new number upon renewal. They can link them all together. In about 10 years? ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://forumosa-12829.kxcdn.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/958977/32.png) [@Chris](https://tw.forumosa.com/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 6:20am UTC](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901/20 "2018-10-29T06:20:39Z")
Or the banks could add a few lines of code to their systems to solve the problem. [Next page](https://tw.forumosa.com/t/moi-changed-the-id-number-format/173901.md?page=2)