1. The Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement is proof of identity that overseas compatriots may need when they exercise rights and obligations back in the ROC. The Overseas Community Affairs Council issues Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement for overseas compatriots to handle such matters as investment, examinations, departure from Taiwan, military service, etc.
2. An ROC national who resides in a foreign country and meets any of the following criteria may apply for the Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement:
(1) He/she currently resides in a country or region granting permanent residency and meets the following requirements:
A. Has gained permanent residency in such a place of overseas residence;
B. Has lived overseas for a cumulative total of at least four (4) years;
C. Has spent six (6) consecutive months in such a place of overseas residence or spent at least eight (8) months each year in the last two (2) years in such a place of overseas residence.
(2) He/she currently resides in a country or region that does not grant permanent residency, or where it is difficult for foreigners to obtain permanent residency, and meets the following requirements:
A. Has gained temporary residency in such a place of overseas residence for four (4) consecutive years, and is eligible for extension of residency;
B. Has lived overseas for a cumulative total of at least four (4) years;
C. Has spent six (6) consecutive months in such a place of overseas residence or spent at least eight (8) months each year in the last two (2) years in such a place of overseas residence.
(3) He/she departed from Taiwan, has legally stayed in his/her place of overseas residence for ten (10) consecutive years, has been legally employed in such a place of overseas residence for four (4) years or more, and is eligible for further extension of residency.
3. Level of difficulty in gaining a country's permanent residency, as referred to in Subparagraph 2 above, is determined by the OCAC and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who update the list every year online and on the Executive Yuan Gazette.
4. To apply for Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement, applicants who have not completed compulsory military service must meet one of the following situations as well as the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Overseas Compatriot Identity Certification Act (the Act):
(1) The applicant had fulfilled the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Act by December 31st of the year he turned 15. Also, when he applies for the Endorsement, he shall still be a holder of valid residence permit in his country of residence, and his period of residence shall not be interrupted.
(2) The applicant was born overseas or had left ROC before December 31st of the year he turned 15, and had stayed in Taiwan less than 183 days every year during the near-conscription years (age 15~18) before he fulfilled the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Act..
(3) The applicant was born overseas or had left ROC before December 31st of the year he turned 15, had stayed in Taiwan less than 183 days every year during the near-conscription years (age 15~18), and had not entered Taiwan during the conscription years (age 19~36) before he fulfilled the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Act.
Notes:
I.The restrictions of 183 days during near-conscription years and no entry during conscription years, as stated in Subparagraphs 2 and 3, apply to any male national who has not completed compulsory military service, possesses another nationality, and enters or departs from Taiwan using a passport issued by another country.
II.If an applicant meets the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Act but has one of the following situations (certification from the Ministry of the Interior is required), the restrictions stated in Subparagraphs 2 or 3 may not apply. The special situations include:
A. The applicant who had fulfilled the requirements of Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Act by December 31st of the year he turned 15, but for some reason did not apply for the Endorsement, shall still be eligible for applying even if he does not meet the 183-day and no-entry restrictions stated in Subparagraphs 2 and 3.
B. If the applicant had to enter Taiwan because of events outside human control or because of the death or critical situation of a direct relative or spouse, and therefore fails to meet the requirement stated in Subparagraph 3, he shall still be eligible for applying. The entry date must be within a month of the occurrence time of the events mentioned above.