Foreign nationals may apply for an APRC after a period of at least five years of legal and continuous residence, during which period the foreign national must have resided in Taiwan for more than 183 days each year. A waiver of many of the requirements of the APRC may be granted to foreign nationals who have made special contributions to Taiwan or have acquired high technical knowledge, as well as to qualified investors. Citizenship through naturalization is possible.

To qualify for a multiple entry and exit permit, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Have visited Taiwan before
• Been a Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR permanent resident who holds a passport that is valid for more than six months
• Submit one passport-sized photo, a self-addressed return envelope and both an original copy and photocopy of Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR permanent identity card

The processing time at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Hong Kong) in Hong Kong SAR is approximately two weeks. A Taiwan entry and exit permit that is valid for six months is usually granted for an initial period of stay of three months. Thereafter, renewals are granted for various periods.

The Taiwanese government does not treat Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR citizens as Mainland China nationals or foreign nationals. This special category includes persons who hold permanent identity certificates and passports issued by the governments of Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR, British National (Overseas) passports proven to have been acquired before 1997 or Portuguese passports proven to have been acquired before 1999. Citizens of Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR who visit Taiwan or seek to become residents of Taiwan must apply for entry and exit permits. In Hong Kong SAR, applications can be made at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Hong Kong) and in Macau SAR, applications can be made at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Macau).

Citizens of Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR who were born locally, hold valid entry and exit permits or have previously been admitted to Taiwan, may apply for a 30-day temporary entry and stay certificate upon arrival. This certificate may be extended under certain circumstances.

Since 2005, expedited 30-day temporary entry and stay certificates have been available online through the website of the National Immigration Agency. Approved applications will automatically generate reference numbers that enable applicants to pick up their temporary entry and stay certificates from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Hong Kong) or the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (Macau) in person. The certificate covers a single entry within three months from the date of issue and with a duration of stay of 30 days starting from the next day of arrival. Note that this online application is not applicable to holders of foreign passports, except Hong Kong SAR residents with British National (Overseas) passports proven to have been acquired before 1997 or Macau SAR residents with Portuguese passports proven to have been acquired before 1999.