As a part of the naturalization process, the Taiwan government expects you to understand basic Chinese and civil duties. If you can read Traditional Chinese the naturalization questionnaire is faster than having to spend 72 hours (or more) at a certified school in Taiwan. However even for Taiwanese people the questions can be confusing as they touch all sorts of topics in daily life (including having to tell specific fine amounts for violations such as riding a scooter without helmet).
Here is a complete summary based on everything that is covered in the test. You can find the original questionnaire (or “”Test question bank for Identification of Basic Language Abilities and Common Sense of National Rights and Duties of Naturalized ROC Citizens”” in Chinese) on several government websites such as Nite.Taipei .
You can practice to answer these questions with this unofficial training app – Click here to launch it. Note that it takes a moment to load.
Disclaimer: The following references/answers are according to the test responses. Actual legal, real situations may make these answers or rules different.
Government & Political Rights 🏛️
Head of State: The head of state is the President, who is directly elected by all citizens of the free area of the Republic of China.
Term Lengths: Both the President and Legislators serve four-year terms.
Government Structure: The central government has five branches (Yuan). Key branches include the Executive Yuan (highest administrative body) and the Legislative Yuan (highest legislative body). Academia Sinica is a research institution, not one of the five branches.
Local Government: The primary levels of local self-government are special municipalities and counties/cities. Their heads are also elected by the people for four-year terms. Local legislative bodies are the county/city councils.
Voting Rights: Citizens gain the right to vote at 20 years old. After naturalization and household registration, you can vote for local magistrates after living in the area for four months. Referendums are a form of political participation that is not a vote for a person.
Running for Office: Naturalized citizens must wait 10 years before they can run for a legislator position. They are not eligible to run for President or Vice President.
National Flag: The national flag has a red field with a white sun in a blue canton. Respecting the flag is considered respecting the country.
Legal & Civic Duties ⚖️
Fundamental Law: The Constitution is the fundamental law of the land, guaranteeing basic rights like equality and freedom of person. It establishes that sovereignty belongs to all citizens.
Age of Adulthood: Legal adulthood is reached at 18 years old.
Legal Representation: Parents are the legal representatives for their minor children during their marriage.
Crime & Safety:
Trafficking Category 1 narcotics (heroin, cocaine) carries a maximum penalty of the death penalty.
Publicly insulting someone with terms like “idiot” can be considered the crime of public insult.
It is illegal to privately own firearms.
Report extortion to the police.
If you find lost property, turn it in to a police station.
Inheritance: Under the Civil Code, daughters and sons have equal inheritance rights.
Military Service: Naturalized males under 36 are required to perform military service one year after establishing household registration. Women are not obligated to serve.
Taxes: Paying taxes is a citizen’s duty. Personal work income is subject to individual income tax, filed annually between May 1st and May 31st. When shopping, always ask for a uniform invoice to prevent tax evasion.
Immigration, Residency & Naturalization 🛂
Key Agencies:
National Immigration Agency (NIA): Manages all national immigration affairs. This is where you apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and report a lost passport.
Household Registration Office: Where you apply for naturalization, a National ID card, and perform identity verification for a first-time passport.
Visas & Residency:
To stay over 180 days, you need a Resident Visa.
A foreign passport must be valid for at least six months to apply for a visa.
Foreigners on a visitor (tourist) visa are not allowed to work.
After receiving a resident visa, you must apply for an ARC within 15 days. ARCs should be renewed within the 30 days before expiration.
Overstaying your residence permit can result in fines and deportation, but not imprisonment.
Naturalization Requirements:
A foreign spouse of a citizen must reside in Taiwan for at least three years (with 183+ days per year). Other foreigners generally require five years.
Applicants must demonstrate basic language ability and civic knowledge, which can be met by passing a test with a score of 60 or more or completing 72 hours of approved courses.
After naturalization is approved by the Ministry of the Interior, you have one year to submit proof of renouncing your original nationality.
Household, Family & Social Welfare 👨👩👧👦
Household Registration:
A National ID card is required at age 14.
A child’s birth must be registered within 60 days. The parents can agree in writing on the child’s surname (either father’s or mother’s).
The head of the household is responsible for applying for a replacement household registration book.
Child Welfare:
It is illegal to leave a child under 6 years old alone.
The “113” hotline is for reporting suspected child abuse or domestic violence.
Social Insurance:
National Health Insurance (NHI): Enrollment is mandatory for eligible citizens. Unemployed foreigners with a residence certificate must enroll after residing in Taiwan for six months.
National Pension: For citizens aged 25-65. You cannot be enrolled in both Labor Insurance and the National Pension at the same time.
Domestic Violence: Victims of domestic violence can apply to the court for a protection order. An ex-spouse can also apply for one if harassment continues after divorce.
Employment & Consumer Protection 💼
Work Rights:
A foreign spouse with an ARC or APRC does not need a separate work permit.
Employers cannot withhold your documents or charge a security deposit.
For workplaces covered by the Labor Standards Act, employers must contribute at least 6% of a worker’s monthly wage to their pension. A minimum wage is guaranteed.
For labor disputes, contact the local Department of Labor. The “1955” hotline is for labor law inquiries and complaints.
Consumer Rights:
The Consumer Protection Act is the primary law protecting consumers.
For items bought via distance sales (e.g., online), you have a 7-day “cool-off” period to return the item for any reason.
For consumer disputes, call the “1950” hotline.
Daily Life & Safety 🚦
Transportation:
Riding a motorcycle without a helmet results in a 500 NTD fine for the driver.
The minimum age to get a car or motorcycle license is 18.
It is illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol. This applies to cars, motorcycles, and electric micro-vehicles.
Do not use the road shoulder to overtake, and do not make U-turns on highways.
Emergency Numbers:
110: Police
119: Fire and Ambulance
112: Emergency number for when you have no signal
165: Anti-fraud hotline
Environment:
To prevent dengue fever, eliminate outdoor sources of standing water.
Motorcycles over 5 years old must undergo an annual emissions inspection.
When disposing of waste, separate general garbage, food waste, and recyclables.
Animal Welfare: It is illegal to kill dogs or eat dog meat in Taiwan. You cannot abandon pets.
Biosecurity: It is illegal to bring pork, other meat products, or fresh fruits and vegetables into Taiwan from abroad without proper inspection and declaration.
Culture & Environment 🌳
Geography: Taiwan is in Asia. Its highest peak is Yushan (Mt. Jade), and its longest range is the Central Mountain Range.
Indigenous Peoples: The earliest inhabitants are Taiwan’s indigenous peoples. The Amis are the largest group by population. Their languages belong to the Austronesian language family.
Festivals:
Dragon Boat Festival: Zongzi (rice dumplings) and dragon boat races.
Mid-Autumn Festival: Mooncakes and pomelos.
Lunar New Year: Reunion dinners, red envelopes, and spring couplets.
Qingming Festival: Tomb-sweeping.
Lantern Festival: Lanterns and tangyuan (sweet rice balls).
National Holidays:
National Day: October 10th.
Labor Day: May 1st.
Children’s Day: April 4th.