Experiences with Overseas Residence Permit Application: Essential Details and Reminders for Parents

For many Taiwanese families living overseas, when planning their children's return to Taiwan for further education, they often return under the "Overseas Chinese Student" status. To obtain this status, proof of long-term overseas residency is required. Using an "Overseas Chinese Residence Permit" as supplementary proof often makes it easier to get recognized when applying for Overseas Chinese Student status later.

While it's easier to get approved, it's important to note that "overseas Chinese residency endorsement" is not the same as "overseas Chinese student status." The table below summarizes the differences between the two:

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for residency visa in advance. Based on my experience applying in Vietnam, I have compiled the key points to note during the process for parents who are also working abroad and planning their children's education.

Tips for the application process

1. The dates on the residence permit must be consecutive.

This is generally considered one of the most crucial conditions for applying for a residency visa extension. Taking Vietnam's long-term residency as an example, if the first temporary residence permit (the blue card) is valid from May 19, 2019 to May 18, 2021, then the next one must, in principle, start on May 19, 2021 or earlier, without any gaps. In other words, the start and end dates of the blue card must be consecutive; otherwise, it may affect the review process. This is based on observations from actual application experience; the Taiwan Affairs Office usually checks this carefully upon receiving applications. However, due to potential differences between different offices or staff, it is still recommended to adhere to the latest operating standards of the Taiwan Affairs Office and confirm with the relevant window before submitting the application.

👉Tip : Many parents don't realize they need to keep a copy of the old residence permit when renewing their child's residence permit. This can be quite troublesome when they need to submit additional documents, as they will have to apply for a certificate of historical temporary residence from the Vietnamese immigration authorities. So remember to take a photo and keep it on file each time you renew your permit , as you will definitely need it in the future.

2. Check passport validity

If your passport is about to expire, it is recommended to renew it first before applying for the residency visa. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the visa transfer later, which will be an extra procedure.

3. Proof of entry and exit dates should be prepared in advance.

This document is crucial because it proves that the child's residency time in Taiwan meets the criteria for long-term overseas residency (accumulated residence abroad for more than 4 years, with continuous residence in the country of residence for at least 6 months; or accumulated residence in the country of residence for at least 8 months each year for the past two years). While overseas, you can submit the application to the Taiwan Affairs Office, but please note that the Taiwan Affairs Office only collects the documents; the actual issuing authority is the National Immigration Agency of Taiwan, so the processing time will be relatively long.

👉Tip : The Taiwan Affairs Office's mail receiving hours vary depending on the shift of the staff at the window responsible for receiving mail. Call ahead to confirm before you leave home. Otherwise, you might make a long trip only to find the window is closed, forcing you to make another trip.

👉Another tip : When parents apply on behalf of their children, they also need to attach the household registration book or household registration transcript, along with a power of attorney and the agent's ID.

Here's a practical tip to share when submitting your application for residency visa processing:

When applying for a "Certificate of Entry/Exit Date," please confirm the expected issuance date. On the day you go to collect the document, you can prepare other required documents at the same time (such as the child's original passport, household registration transcript, power of attorney, and the agent's identification document) to complete the overseas residency visa application in one go. This way, you won't have to make a special trip for the visa application, saving a lot of time and energy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can a short-term visa (tourist or business) be considered a residence permit?

👉 No, the residency visa application requires "long-term legal residency", so only permanent residency, long-term residency cards, work visas or student visas are eligible.

Q2: Do I have to go back to Taiwan to get the Certificate of Entry/Exit Date?

👉 No need. You can submit the application through the Taiwan Affairs Office while you are overseas, but the final approval is still issued by the Immigration Agency, so you need to allow more time.

Q3: When is the best time to apply?

👉 It is recommended to apply when the dates on your residence permit are consecutively over four years and your passport has sufficient validity.

Important reminder :

• The residency endorsement is not a qualification for overseas Chinese students , but it is an official endorsement that makes the review of overseas Chinese student qualifications more acceptable.
• If you plan to send your child back to Taiwan for further education, it is recommended to apply for an overseas residency visa when your residency documents are fully connected, and at the same time continue to accumulate a complete six-year residency record.