Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals

Q1: Can a foreign professional who only holds an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) apply for these services?
A1: No. Applicants must first obtain an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC) and have legally resided in Taiwan for ten years, staying for at least 183 days in each of those years before they are eligible to apply for the services.
 
Q2: Are adult children of foreign nationals also eligible?
A2: Yes. If you are a foreign professional (including foreign specialist professionals and foreign senior professionals) and your adult child is unable to care for themselves due to their physical or mental disability, that child may apply for a disability evaluation and needs assessment provided that they hold an APRC and meet the residency requirement (i.e., legally residing in Taiwan for ten years and staying for at least 183 days in each of those years).
 
Q3: How can I determine whether my immigration status and length of residence meet the eligibility requirements?
A3: The receiving authority will verify each applicant’s eligibility by checking the APRC number provided and confirming the relevant information with the National Immigration Agency (NIA) through its system. Because this program is intended for foreign professionals (including foreign specialist professionals and foreign senior professionals), dependents of foreign professionals must include supporting documents establishing the dependent relationship (e.g., the foreign professional’s ARC or APRC, marriage certificate, or birth certificate). The receiving authority will also verify this information with the NIA through the system.
 
Q4: Is the Disability Eligibility Certificate issued to foreign professionals and their dependents permanently valid?
A4: Not necessarily. A Disability Eligibility Certificate is valid for a maximum of five years. However, where the nature of the disability is such that it meets the standards of disability that cannot be mitigated or recovered and is free from re-evaluation, the municipal and county (city) competent authorities shall issue disability identification without an expiration date and initiate a needs re-assessment every five years.
Q5: Can I use the Disability Eligibility Certificate to apply for a disability parking permit?
A5: No. Holders of a Disability Eligibility Certificate for Foreign Professionals and their Dependents are entitled only to the services specified in Articles 50 and 51 of the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act. These services include personal care services (e.g., daily living reconstruction, psychological reconstruction, residence in community (group home), marital and reproductive health counseling, day care and residential care services, home-based care services, after-school care services, independent living support services, and rehabilitation bus services) and family caregiver services (e.g., temporary/respite and short-term care services, caregiver support services, caregiver training and workshops, and home visits and support services). The certificate does not offer eligibility for other disability-related welfare benefits, services, and/or subsidies provided under the People with Disabilities Rights Protection Act, including disability parking permits.