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Resident Visas for Religious Work

Created：2017-08-01Data Source：Bureau Of Consular AffairsCounter：13540
Resident Visas for Religious Work
REQUIREMENTS DESCRIPTION
Application form Go to website: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw .  Fill out the application form online and print it out.  Make sure the application form shows a bar code on it.  Sign the application form.
Two color passport-size photos Paste on the application form two color passport-size photos with a white background taken within 6 months.
Passport and one photocopy of the passport The passport must be valid for at least 6 months and there are blank pages left in it.  One photocopy of the passport bio-page including the holder’s picture is required.
Original and one photocopy of health certificate
  1. The health certificate should be issued within 3 months by one of the local hospitals designated by the Centers for Disease Control of  Ministry of Health and Welfare of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or a foreign hospital.  Health certificates issued by foreign hospitals must be authenticated by an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission.
  2. Visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En for health checkup items and the list of designated local hospitals.
One photocopy of the certificate of registration of the   inviting religious organization or corporation

Religious organizations refer to temples, churches or institutes which are legally registered in the R.O.C. (Taiwan).
Original and one photocopy of highest education diploma and transcripts For diplomas and  transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English, a Chinese- or English-translation version is also required.
Original and one photocopy of letter of invitation

The letter of invitation should be issued by the inviting religious organization, with person-in-charge’s signature and the organization’s seal, and contain the following:

  1. proof that the inviting organization is a legally registered, non-profit and properly operational entity;
  2. the reason for inviting the visa applicant;
  3. the visa applicant’s name, nationality, date of birth, religion, intended period of stay as well as religious activities and activity dates in the R.O.C. (Taiwan);
  4. the list of foreign religious personnel who are invited by the same religious organization and still stay in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) as well as the types of visas they hold;
  5. Affidavit pertaining to the content of the letter of invitation.
Original and one photocopy of the applicant’s certificate in religious work
  1. Applicants must posses an official capacity as religious personnel such as Pastor, Father, Brother, Sister, Monk, Nun, Imam, etc.  In the event that according to a religion’s administrative practice, no certificate is issued to its personnel, proof provided by the highest administration where the applicant serves or by the organization to which the applicant belongs is required.
  2. The certificate should contain the applicant’s name, nationality, religion, date of induction, and attests to the applicant’s capacity as a religious worker at the time of visa application.
  3. Buddhism Monks and Nuns are required to present also the original and one photocopy of the certificate of vow.
Original and one photocopy of the applicant’s credentials

The credentials should be issued by the religious organization to which the applicant belongs, signed by the person-in-charge, and contain the following:

  1. the applicant’s name, nationality and religion.
  2. the chronicle of more than 2 years of religious work prior to the time of visa application.
Other supporting documents To be decided on a case-by-case basis.  Applicants who apply for a Resident Visa after having arrived in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) are required to present also one photocopy of the Visitor Visa and the immigration entry stamp.

 

Application Procedure

Applicants outside of the R.O.C. (Taiwan): Apply to an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission located in the applicant’s country, place of permanent residence, or the R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission with consular jurisdiction over the applicant’s country or place of permanent residence.  The religious organization in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) that invites the applicant should submit to the Bureau of Consular Affairs or mail to the Visa Division of the Bureau the following: Visa Application Number provided by the R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission, other required documents, and Notification of Review to the Letter of Guarantee for Visa Application to the R.O.C.  If deemed necessary, an Original Letter of Guarantee for Visa Application to the R.O.C. will be required.

 

Notice

  1. Visa issuance is an act of sovereignty.  According to the “Statute Governing Issuance of R.O.C. Visas in Foreign Passport” and “Enforcement Rules for the Issuance of R.O.C. Visas to Foreign-Passport Holders,” the R.O.C. reserves the right not to issue a visa and is under no obligation to disclose the reason.  Application fee for no-issuance cases is non-refundable.

  2. Original documents are to be returned after review.  Documents produced outside of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) must be authenticated by an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission; if produced in Mainland China must be authenticated by Straits Exchange Foundation.  Documents that are in languages other than Chinese or English must be accompanied by a Chinese- or English-translation version.  The original-language documents and the accompanying Chinese- or English-translation version must be authenticated by an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission or attested by District Court or Notary Public.  Application forms may be downloaded from the website of the Bureau of Consular Affairs or are available at the Bureau, its branch offices in Taiwan, or R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas missions.

  3. For visa application fees, please refer to “Standard Fees for R.O.C. (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports”(pdf file).

  4. Those who enter the R.O.C. (Taiwan) without a visa or with a landing visa and those who enter the R.O.C. (Taiwan) on a Visitor Visa not for the purpose of doing religious work may not apply for a Resident Visa or an extension of duration of stay on the ground of religious work.

  5. Those who enter the R.O.C. (Taiwan) on a Resident Visa or get a Resident Visa after  having arrived in the R.O.C. (Taiwan) must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate and Re-entry Permit at local service centers of National Immigration Agency. The former must apply within 15 days from the next day of arrival, and the latter must apply within 15 days from the Resident Visa issuance date.  Duration of stay is noted on the Alien Resident Certificate.

 

ABBREVIATIONS

  1. BOCA - Bureau of Consular Affairs
  2. R.O.C. - Republic of China
  3. R.O.C. overseas missions- R.O.C. embassies, consulates and representative offices, or other agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the R.O.C.
  4. MOFA -Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 

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