Fill out the OWP application. Take your passport and a copy with you and also a picture for the application. Go before lunch, drop off the application, go for lunch, come back and pick it up in the afternoon.
So do I need to update my OWP if I changed ID number (and address) on APRC?
Depending on how you got your APRC then applying for the Open-Work Permit isn’t legally necessary since October 2021. I would say since it isn’t required to have one then updating it would also not be required. Though need to be aware the exemption doesn’t apply to all APRC holders.
NIA now print at the bottom right of the APRC in red text “持有該證書無需申請工作許可證即可工作” translation: “Holders of the certificate do not need to apply for a work permit to work”.
I’ve confirmed this is printed on a Foreign Professional based APRC. If others who have recently gone to an APRC (or updated it) that is not covered under the Foreign Talent Act if they could share if any changes have been made to the card then that would be interesting to know.
Hello. Not sure where to ask this but instead of starting a new thread, I’ll just put it here.
So, I got my APRC over ten years ago, at which time I also applied for and received an Open Work Permit (this was a formality).
I’ve been asked to show my OWP maybe a dozen times over the ten years – I’m guessing some clients have overzealous financial departments or accountants?
The OWP has my old APRC number, old passport number, pretty much old everything. I am OK renewing it but I don’t want it to be like NIA when you go in to do a change of information application and they’re like “you need to come in within 30 days, so the fine is XXXXX NT Dollars.” Screw that.
Should I just leave well enough alone and continue to use my old OWP or do I go to the Labor Bureau (or wherever it is) and see if I can get the info current? There’s no expiry date on it. It’s the former, right?
TIA.
Probably best to have at least one number corresponding with your current number of passport or ID ?
Maybe just simply apply for a new one for 100NT ?
Yeah, probably good to have that, although the old APRC number is on the back.
I just don’t want this to turn into a case of “trying to do the right thing” and it ends up biting me in the backside! Thanks for the reply.
It’s a snap. $100 NTD. Drop the application in before lunch, then pick up after lunch. Super easy. Or you can do it by mail. No late fees or fines, etc. Easy peasy Japaneasy.
Current passport number matching your current APRC number matching your current OWP. All good things.
But, I recently heard that some of the APRCs are now getting the red printing on the front like the JFRV ARCs that state that the holder has open work rights and doesn’t need a separate OWP.
I don’t know which APRCs that this corresponds to though.
I wouldn’t be surprised though if some employers still insisted on seeing the OWP because that’s what their process says 
OK thanks I just don’t want to get fined for not updating it for 10 years.
Yeah, it must be in some checklists for required documentation so I always show them my old one which seems to suffice.
I visited the office this week to apply for an an open work permit. The information bolded above is outdated.
a. You don’t need to take along a filled out application form - they’ll give you one and help you fill it out the Chinese parts.
c. You need 2 copies of your passport.
f. You no longer need a photo to apply for an OWP.
g. I took my chop but they didn’t want to use it. Instead they asked for my English signature.
thx for this, good to have update infos.
Do you actually have to take your physical passport or are the copies sufficient?
Not sure. I took my passport but I don’t remember if they actually checked it.
You could call them - the staff that handled OWP applications could speak good English.
Does the APRC no longer require an additional open work permit? I’ve been told that a recent development is the open work permit has been combined with the APRC. By recently, I mean several weeks
If it ain’t written on the back of the card, then just go and get it for peace of mind
This is very strange. I have nothing written on the back of my card saying I have open work rights. I went to the NIA today and they said there is no need to apply for open work rights. I think something has changed.
NIA has no authority on work permits, that’s WDA. Like asking to the household office about driving licence, not their job. I would go to ask to WDA, knowing TW bureaucracy, no one knows shit
https://law.moj.gov.tw/ENG/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?pcode=A0030295
Article 7
A foreign professional, foreign specialist professional or foreign senior professional who meets one of the following circumstances is not required to apply for a permit to engage in professional work in the State:
- To be employed as a consultant or researcher by any level of government or its subordinate academic research agencies (institutes).
- To be employed by public or registered private colleges / universities for lecturing or academic research as approved by the Ministry of Education.
A foreign professional, foreign specialist professional, or foreign senior professional, their spouse, minor children, or children having reached the age of majority or above who lack self-care ability due to physical or mental disability, having obtained permanent residency, is not required to apply to the Ministry of Labor or Ministry of Education for a permit to engage in work in the State.
- According to Article 7, Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, A foreign professional, foreign special professional, or foreign senior professional, their spouse, child under the age of majority, and child over the age of majority who is unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability, having obtained permanent residency, need not apply to the Ministry of Labor or Ministry of Education for a permit to engage in work in the State. Because the said Act is a special law, if foreigners meet the said qualification do not need to apply open work permit as stipulated in Article 51 of the Employment Service Act.
It depends on the route you go through to get the APRC it seems.
If your APRC has been issued since the end of last year then you can check the front for the red text stating “持證人工作不須申請工作許可” as NIA updated the APRC design for people that qualify for the exemption under the Foreign Talent Act.
Here is a WDA FAQ on the subject also, the red text was just added by NIA as many people where still unsure if they needed to apply even though the law has been effective for some time now and it also allows employers to easily check the work permission of the holder.
