The perfect storm - Passport and ARC expiration - How to be as efficient as possible?

Legal Visa & Residency
1

So it appears that I have to get a new passport because it’s out of pages and my country of origin won’t tack on additional ones. I can’t get any additional visas without a new passport.

In four months, my gold card will expire. I will be eligible for APRC after that. Looking at other threads, it appears that I need to apply for an extension first, wait till I complete three years and then apply for my APRC.

All in all, I need to do three things:

  1. Get a new passport
  2. Extend my gold card or apply for a new one?
  3. Apply for APRC

It really seems like the perfect storm… my question to everyone is, what order should I do things in? I want to minimize the amount of “trips” I would need to make to all the government bodies and banks. I’m pretty overwhelmed by this.

Also, will I be issued a new ID number (I’m already on the new format) when I extend my gold card, or when I apply for a new one? What happens to my ID number when I get an APRC, is it a new one again? Aaahhhhhhhhh

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2

My condolences.

This does sound quite unfun.

Guy

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3

Get a temporary extension from the NIA.

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4

Would that allow me to continue working? I think not, and that’s not an option for me :disappointed:

5

Just go ask. I’m always surprised at how lenient they are.

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6

I like this suggestion.

Show up at the NIA with a sad face and all your documents (passport and Gold Card).

Tell them how much you want to keep working in Taiwan, and ask how you should handle this?

Guy

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7

Do it in this order but let them know first, the second 2 will need changing to your new passport number anyway.

with your best sad face

No the new number should stay with you for life in Taiwan. (I say should).

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8

If you want to be safe I’d apply for the gold card extension first (which should take at most one month)

I don’t know if they still check passport on gold card renewal approval if you’re already in Taiwan, maybe they don’t and you can simultaneously apply for your passport renewal since all the documents for gold card renewal can be submitted online. And even if you change passport afterwards I think it’s just an information change request on the gold card website.

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9

how long will it take you to get a new passport ?
i recommend passport first, since gold card and aprc number is linked to your passport, and you risk delaying the process if your passport is abt to expire.

10

If your Gold Card will expire in 4 months it would be best to apply now to extend that. The Gold Card is kinda special in that the passport expiry date doesn’t matter, if you apply for a 3 year Gold Card and your passport expires before that, NIA will still give you 3 years unlike a regular ARC where they would only give it up until your passport expires.
The ARC 6 month extension may be an issue if your passport isn’t renewed by then so best to extend the Gold Card.

If you already have the new format then it will stay the same (speaking from experience as I’ve gone from Gold Card to APRC).

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11

If you get a citizenship, your ID number will change again

I think changing passport number for gold card should be pretty easy to do online. Just submit change for applicant particulars and they should process it all online.

12

If you are eligible for another gold card, then just do that. No need to apply for aprc

13

I think APRC gives some stability feeling if you’re going to buy a house or invest more into Taiwan. Not sure what’ll happen to gold card program once they reach their goal, and you may have to self sponsor or join a company when that happens

Also if you’re working for a local company, another option is to convert your gold card to a 5 year special professional ARC. It should be much faster to do than gold card renewal. May be free if your employer can apply for you.

14

Another aspect to consider: If you manage to get your APRC before October, 31st, you’ll still get the $6000 to offset some of the costs :sweat_smile:

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15

Well then he can just convert it to an APRC after a year.

16

get a new passport while preparing all the documents needed for APRC application, then apply aprc afterwards.
Otherwise, you’ll need to update your APRC (added “trip”) once you get the new passport.

17

He didn’t write the passport was about to expire just that all the pages had been used.

18

You can get a work permit during that time. Some hassle but better than reseting your ARC number.