ocac.gov.tw Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate Taiwan : Community Affairs Council

Organization : Overseas Community Affairs Council
Type of Facility : Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate
Country: Taiwan

Website : http://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/Eng/FAQ/List.aspx?nodeid=455#

Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate :

An overseas Chinese principally uses an Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate as a basis for exercise of various rights and interests upon his return to Taiwan.

Related : Bureau of Consular Affairs Apply For & Renew Passport Taiwan : www.statusin.org/11809.html

The OCAC issues Overseas Chinese Identity Certificates primarily to facilitate overseas Chinese in regard to investments, business registrations, disposals of real estate, inheritances, opening of bank accounts, taxation, examinations, residence in Taiwan, and passport procedures at foreign representative Office.

A ROC national residing overseas may apply for an Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate if he/she satisfies any of the following criteria:
(1) He/she currently resides in a country or region with a permanent residency system, and satisfies the following requirements:
a. has gained permanent residency in such a place of overseas residence;
b. has lived overseas for a cumulative minimum four years;
c. has lived continuously in such a place of overseas residence for six months, or has spent at least eight months of each year in the preceding two years in such a place of overseas residence.

(2) He/she is currently residing in a country or region where there is no permanent residency system, or where there is a system of permanent residency but it is difficulty to obtain such permanent residency, and satisfies the following requirements:
a. has gained temporary residency in such a place of overseas residence for four consecutive years, and is eligible for further extensions of residency;
b. has lived overseas for a cumulative minimum four years;
c. has lived continuously in such a place of overseas residence for six months, or has spent at least eight months of each year in the preceding two years in such a place of overseas residence.

3. He/she having departed from Taiwan, has lived legally overseas for ten consecutive years, is legally employed in such a place of overseas residence for four years or more, and is eligible for further extensions of residency.

The definition of countries or regions where it is difficult to obtain permanent residency as referred to above, as well as recognition of residency qualifications shall be publicly announced regularly each year by the OCAC upon consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Application Requirements:

1.Overseas Chinese Identity Certification Act and Its Enforcement Rules(Overseas Chinese Affairs Council)
2.Enforcement Roles of the Passport Act Enforcement Regulations(Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
3.Regulations for Exit of Draftees(Conscription Agency, Ministry of the Interior)
4.Exit Review Procedures for Man Near Conscription Age(Conscription Agency, Ministry of Interior)
5.Conscription Rgulations for Naturalized aliens and Returning Overseas Chinese(Concription Agency, Ministry of the Interior)

Application Form Download : http://www.ocac.gov.tw/OCAC/Eng/Pages/VDetail.aspx?nodeid=339&pid=4236#

Procedural Flowchart by which Certification Section Processes Applications:
** Service Counter (request for application forms and informations)
** Fill out application forms And prepare required documents (please follow the examples)
** Form Submission Counter (submit application forms)
** Form Submission Counter (submit additional documents)
** Collect the receipt (or additional submission notice)
** Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate (including conscription purpose) Requires 1/2 day
** Overseas Chinese Identity Endorsement Proof document to show original status as overseas Chinese in Hong Kong or Macao Requires 2 days
** Fees & Certificates Issuance Counter (Make payment and collect the certificates according to the receipt)

Is there any restriction on who can apply for an Overseas Chinese Identity Certificate?:
Overseas Chinese Identity Certificates are issued pursuant to the Overseas Chinese Identity Certification Act which applies to Republic of China nationals residing overseas. However, this does not apply to persons with Mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau residency status, or persons holding passports issued by Mainland China.