Living in Taiwan
How to access the essential information you need when living in Taiwan as a British national.
Disclaimer
This information is provided as a general guide and is based upon information provided to the British Office Taipei by the relevant local authorities and may be subject to change at any time with little or no notice. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and the British Office Taipei will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information. British nationals wishing to obtain any further information must contact the relevant local authority.
Introduction
This guide sets out useful information for British nationals residing in Taiwan. We are unable to provide any guidance on general lifestyle enquiries apart from the information and links listed below. This information supplements the travel advice for Taiwan, which should also be read. See also UK help and services in Taiwan.
COVID-19
You should follow the advice of the Taiwan government and your local authority. You can also read Taiwan travel advice for our latest guidance.
Visas and residency
Check the entry requirements for Taiwan in our travel advice page.
Youth Mobility Scheme Visas
British nationals in Taiwan who hold a Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) visa are able to apply to switch in Taiwan to a working visa or a visa to study a degree course at undergraduate level or higher.
All applications should be submitted to the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) for consideration. You will then be able to apply for an Alien Resident Card at your local National Immigration Agency (NIA) Service Center once your application has been approved. You should contact the Bureau of Consular Affairs or National Immigration Agency for further information.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Taiwan.
Check the Taiwan travel advice for passport validity requirements.
Getting married in Taiwan
If you are considering marrying in Taiwan, please read this guide in its entirety.
Marriage in Taiwan key points
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British nationals are able to marry in Taiwan
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both same-sex and opposite-sex marriage is recognised in Taiwan
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it is not possible to have a civil partnership ceremony in Taiwan
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in order to marry in Taiwan, a British national will need to obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) from the UK. This document must be obtained from the UK
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the British Office Taipei is unable to issue a Certificate of No Impediment, or produce any other document or statement in relation to marriage in Taiwan
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the British Office Taipei is unable to conduct marriage or civil partnership ceremonies
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a Certificate of No Impediment for use in Taiwan cannot be obtained from another British diplomatic mission in the region. If you wish to marry in Taiwan, you should obtain the Certificate of No Impediment from the UK and follow the procedures outlined below
Same sex marriage
In May 2019, Taiwan’s parliament passed a law to recognise same-sex marriage. The rights of married same-sex couples are the same as those of heterosexual couples, except that same-sex couples cannot adopt, other than to adopt the children of one of the parties to the marriage. You may only marry a same-sex partner from a country or legal jurisdiction that also recognises same-sex marriage.
This guidance applies to both opposite-sex and same-sex couples seeking to marry in Taiwan.
How to Obtain a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI)
To obtain a Certificate of No Impediment, you should contact your local registry office in the UK and request a Certificate of No Impediment be issued to you. The staff will be able to provide you with a complete list of requirements you will need to meet, including a public notice period, before the document can be issued.
Once you have the document it will need to be legalised by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London.
In order to have the document authenticated, you will then need to make an appointment with the Taipei Representative Office (TRO) in London, 50 Grosvenor Gardens, London, SW1W 0EB, telephone: 020 7881 2650 or in Edinburgh, 1 Melville Street, Edinburgh EH3 7PE, telephone: 01312 206886.
You will need to obtain a translation of the legalised and authenticated Certificate of No Impediment. After this, the document can be presented to the Household Registration Bureau in Taiwan. Unless the document has been both legalised by the FCDO and then authenticated by the TRO, it will not be valid for use in Taiwan.
Alternatives to marrying in Taiwan
Some British nationals choose to marry in Hong Kong, which does not require a Certificate of No Impediment in order to marry.
If you are considering this option you should conduct your own research into the relevant requirements for Hong Kong and Taiwan.
It is not currently possible for same sex couples to marry in Hong Kong.
Using alternatives to a Certificate of No Impediment
British nationals should not attempt to submit a search of the historical marriage indexes from the General Register Office in the UK in lieu of a Certificate of No Impediment. This is not a valid document for the purpose of marriage in Taiwan.
Marriage records only become available to the General Register Office 18 months after the marriage is registered, and this fact is stated on the letter issued in relation to such an application. Because the 18 month period preceding the application is not covered by the search, a letter or certificate from the General Register Office stating that there is no record of marriage does not meet the requirements for a British national who wishes to marry in Taiwan.
If you submit this document in Taiwan, even if it initially appears to be accepted, you could face complications or legal issues at a later stage. If you wish to marry in Taiwan, you should obtain a Certificate of No Impediment.
Further Information
If you have any further questions regarding marriage in Taiwan you should contact the Household Registration Department. The Department can also be contacted via the Ministry of Interior Helpline. Dial 1996 then select option 9 to be connected to the call centre operator. The Household Registration Department has offices throughout Taiwan, including Taipei.
Importing personal medication from the UK
Most medications and treatments are available in Taiwan, however, some British nationals who live in Taiwan may require medications from the UK. In Taiwan, the import of medication for personal use is regulated and controlled by the Food and Drug Administration (TFDA).
The basic process to import medication for personal use is:
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register your details at the relevant TFDA website. Please note that the website is only available in Chinese
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complete the online application form for importing medication for personal use (個人自用藥品專案進口申請) and provide any supporting documents requested. You would usually be asked for; the prescription for the medication, a photocopy/picture of the box cover of the medication, and a medical certificate or diagnosis from a doctor
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the authorities will notify you by email once the importation certificate has been issued (usually within 14-30 days of application)
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you will need to pick the medication up from customs in person and present your importation certificate. Your ID documents much match those on your medication
The British Office Taipei is unable to offer any assistance or personalised advice about importing medication from the UK. If you have any further questions about how to import personal medication from the UK, you should contact the TFDA and ensure you understand the rules and regulations before proceeding.
Exchanging UK driving licence for Taiwan driving licence
About the licence exchange agreement
The UK and Taiwan have entered into an arrangement that will enable the exchange of driving licences issued by the respective Licensing Authorities. This means holders of a valid UK driving licence who are currently resident in Taiwan will be able to exchange their licence for a Taiwan one, and vice versa for holders of Taiwan driving licences in the UK. The arrangement will come into effect from 1 January 2022, when applications will open.
An exchanged Taiwan driving licence will last for 6 years from the date of issue. In line with the standard requirements of UK legislation your existing UK licence must be returned to the DVLA by Taiwanese authorities to enable the exchange of licences. You will be able to drive in the UK for up to 12 months each time you enter the UK as a visitor, using your exchanged Taiwan licence. If you return to the UK more permanently you may apply to the DVLA to exchange your Taiwan licence back for your UK licence.
The new arrangement provides you with another option whereby you can drive in Taiwan, in addition to the existing options of obtaining an International Driving Permit (IDP) in the UK and getting that endorsed locally, or of taking a local driving test to obtain a Taiwan driving licence. You may wish to compare each option to decide which route is more appropriate to your personal needs and circumstances (please see further guidance below).
Full details of the Licence Exchange Arrangement are detailed in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that underpins this arrangement.
Eligibility
Foreign nationals in Taiwan with a valid UK driving licence and a permit issued by Taiwanese authorities to stay or reside in Taiwan for more than 6 months, e.g. an ARC. An application can only be submitted after you have entered Taiwan.
How to apply
- Application submission: you, or someone applying on your behalf, should visit a local Motor Vehicles Office in Taiwan to submit the following required documents for the licence exchange. Any person applying on your behalf will need to bring their own ID.
- NT$200 application fee
- passport (original and photocopy)
- valid UK driving licence issued by the DVLA (original and photocopy of both sides)
- if the driving licence has been lost, stolen or damaged, please provide instead a “Certificate of Entitlement” issued by the DVLA within six months prior to the date of application
- permit by Taiwanese authorities to stay or reside in Taiwan for more than 6 months, e.g. Alien Resident Certificate or Alien Permanent Resident Certificate
- 3x one-inch passport-style ID photos in colour with a plain background, showing clear facial features and no headgear, taken within the past two years
- “Check Code” issued by the DVLA via GOV.UK (please generate a check code yourself using our online service, and print out the licence information summary which includes the check code. You will need to enter your driving licence number, National Insurance number and registered postcode. The process will take about 5 minutes to complete.)
- health certificate for driving licence issued by a Taiwan public hospital, after performing a simple physical health check (Note: Motor Vehicle Offices are typically close to hospitals that offer walk-in health checks for this purpose.)
- Taiwan Certificate of Entry and Exit Dates (see guidance on National Immigration Agency)
2. Verification process: the Motor Vehicles Office will send your UK driving licence, supporting documentation and DVLA “check code” to Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways (DGH), who will liaise with the Taipei Representative Office in the UK (TRO) to verify the validity of the UK driving licence. The verification process typically takes at least 5-7 working days, but it may take significantly longer in the first months of this arrangement going live, as the Taiwanese authorities deal with high initial demand.
3. Collection: once the documentation has been verified, the local Motor Vehicles Office will inform you of the result and issue a Taiwan driving licence for collection. Your UK licence will be returned to the DVLA for you as required by UK legislation.
Note: you can still drive in the UK for up to 12 months whenever you return to the UK as a visitor, using your exchanged Taiwan driving licence. The 12 month period starts each time you enter the UK.
Help and support
For further information on the application process, please speak to staff at the local Motor Vehicles Office, consult Taiwan’s Directorate General of Highways website, or see the additional guidance below.
We are aware that the Taiwanese authorities have received a very high volume of applications since the scheme was launched on 1 January 2022, so your application may take longer than usual to process.
To enquire about the status of your application after you have submitted your documents for verification, please contact your local Motor Vehicles Office in the first instance.
Note: Motor Vehicles Offices in Taiwan are responsible for processing applications on behalf of the Directorate General of Highways. British Office Taipei will not be able to provide support or advice on individual applications.
For those in the UK with a Taiwan driving licence who wish to exchange theirs for a UK driving licence, please contact Taipei Representative Office in the UK.
Further guidance
Options for driving in Taiwan: There are three key options for holders of a UK driving licence to drive in Taiwan. You may wish to compare each option to decide which route is more appropriate to your personal needs and circumstances.
The first option is to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) in the UK from a UK Post Office. You will not be able to buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel. Once in Taiwan, you will need to take your passport, IDP and a passport photograph to a local Motor Vehicles Office to get your IDP validated. This option has the shortest and simplest procedure and can be completed on the same day. Your validated IDP will only last up to 12 months, and a new IDP needs to be obtained and validated thereafter to continue driving in Taiwan. This option is recommended for UK travellers and short term residents in Taiwan, such as temporary workers and students.
The second, new option, is to exchange your UK driving licence for a Taiwan one at your local Motor Vehicles Office using this Licence Exchange Arrangement. Your Taiwan licence will expire 6 years from the date of issue. You will need to provide more supporting documents during the application process, and in line with the standard requirements of UK legislation your existing UK licence must be returned to the DVLA by Taiwanese authorities. But you will still be able to drive in the UK using your Taiwan licence as a visitor for up to 12 months, each time you enter the UK. If you plan to return to the UK to live, you will be able to exchange your Taiwan licence back for your UK one. This arrangement offers significant benefits to long-term UK residents in Taiwan.
The third option is to take a local driving test to obtain a Taiwan driving licence, while retaining your existing UK licence. This option requires more time commitment, but long-term UK residents in Taiwan may also wish to consider this option.
Duration of exchanged Taiwan driving licence: your exchanged Taiwan licence will last 6 years regardless of the expiration date of your UK driving licence or ARC.
Renewing your exchanged Taiwan driving licence: you will be able to renew your exchanged Taiwan driving licence by presenting a valid ARC to any local Motor Vehicles Office.
Applying on your behalf: anyone can apply to exchange your UK licence on your behalf as long as they present their own ID and provide the required documentation. They will not/not need a separate letter of authorisation from you.
Delays to your application: the application process typically takes 5-7 days. Please speak to your the local Motor Vehicles Office about the status of your application. If it is approaching two weeks and you still have not heard back, then please contact Mr. LIN Chia-Min at the Directorate General of Highways by calling 02-2307-0123 #2511 or emailing license@thb.gov.tw. Please note: British Office Taipei will not be able to provide support on individual applications.
Returning your UK licence: In line with the standard requirements of UK legislation your existing UK licence must be returned to the DVLA by Taiwanese authorities to enable the exchange of licences. The Motor Vehicles Office will do so on your behalf after your application is successful.
Driving in the UK as a visitor: If you need to drive in the UK during short term visits, your Taiwan licence will allow you to drive the categories of vehicle on your licence in the UK for up to 12 months from the date you arrive in the UK. The 12 month period starts each time you enter the UK.
If you are returning to the UK permanently or for longer than 12 months, you may exchange your Taiwan licence back for your UK licence before the 12 month period is over. Your Taiwan licence will then be returned to Taiwanese authorities by DVLA. If you return to Taiwan again in future, you may follow the same licence exchange procedure to re-obtain your Taiwan licence.
Re-applying to get your UK driving licence back: see step-by-step instructions.
Emergencies
You can contact the emergency services by calling 110 (police), 119 (ambulance and fire) and 113 (the domestic abuse and sexual assault hotline).
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British office, embassy, consulate or high commission.
Returning to the UK
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Last updated 29 December 2022 + show all updates
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Added 4 new sections - visa and residency, passports and travel, emergencies and returning to the UK
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Added new section explaining how to exchange UK driving licence for Taiwan driving licence.
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Coronavirus section added with a link to guidance on vaccines.
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Added section 'Importing Personal Medication from the UK’
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Added link to Post Office for applying for International Driving Permit (IDP).
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minor change
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to correct the typo
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correct typo
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to update the failure link
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Change the format based on the guidance
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First published.