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Japan 🇯🇵 and Taiwan 🇹🇼 megapost!
Conscription policy changes, visa requirement changes, and more!
Michael Wu
September 30, 2025
Too many interesting updates happened this last month that I have to break my promise to write about Japanese hotel and minpaku licensing, along with company structures for real estate investing. Instead, there’s a ton of updates on visa policies for Taiwan and Japan, as well as other life tips.
Table of Contents
🇨🇳🔋 China Travel Tip: Power Banks and the New Air Travel Rule
I just came back from a brief trip to Xinjiang, China 🇨🇳 that was quite interesting! The food was great, people were nice, the desert and mountain scenery was amazing, and I experienced rich culture from the Eurasian and Islamic influence. I would totally go back to explore the rest of the region. I’ll write more in the future, but one quick and important tip for travelers: as of mid-2025, all power banks on domestic flights in China must carry a CCC (China Compulsory Certification, or “3C”) mark. Security checks are strict, and if your charger doesn’t have this mark printed clearly on it, there’s a good chance it will be confiscated. Travelers have reported losing perfectly good power banks at checkpoints, even on short domestic hops or when connecting out of the country. Here’s a full write-up if you want the details: China Air Travel Power Bank Rule Explained.
Here’s what you need to know:
Look for a visible CCC mark on your power bank — don’t confuse it with CE or other symbols.
Enforcement is focused on power banks; laptops and camera batteries aren’t being checked the same way.
Even though the rules officially apply only to domestic flights, there have been reports of enforcement when boarding international flights as well.
Power banks must go in your carry-on, never checked luggage.
Airlines also apply the usual battery size rule (under ~100 Wh is safest).
If you’re unsure, it’s easy to pick up a compliant one locally in China at electronics shops or even airport stores.
In short: double-check your gear before flying, or be ready to watch your favorite charger end up in the disposal bin.
⚠️ New rules for overseas Taiwanese military aged males 🇹🇼🪖
The rules in Taiwan around conscription and getting an exit permit for military aged overseas Taiwanese males changed as of September 8, 2025. If you intend to travel to Taiwan, you should know this before making any travel plans. Fortunately I turned 37 this year so I should be exempt, but this is very relevant to anyone younger than that. There’s a lot of good information in this Reddit thread. One of the more surprising changes is that if you enter from a country that is NOT your “permanent residence country”, you will need to prove that you were in your "permanent residence country” sometime in the last 4 months, otherwise it will be difficult to get an exit permit to leave Taiwan! Please do your own research and don’t solely rely on the information here; this is what I best gathered.
Reduced Residency Requirement in Taiwan for Conscription Risk
Taiwanese males living overseas (or returning) now may be required to serve if they stay in Taiwan 183 consecutive days (instead of the previous longer periods or more ambiguous rules).
Overseas Compatriot Identity Certificate for Military Service Purpose
To leave Taiwan (or maybe return) without becoming subject immediately to conscription, certain documents are now required, including this certificate (役政用華僑身分證明書, yì zhèng yòng huáqiáo shēnfèn zhèngmíng shū).
Proof of Overseas Residence Required
Applicants now must show documentation proving residence in a foreign country (“overseas residence”) for 4 cumulative years, plus additional recent residence timing (e.g. 6 consecutive months abroad, or spending 8 months/year over 2 years in that country) depending on whether the place grants permanent residency or it’s difficult for foreigners to get one.
“183 days” Rule for Near‑Conscription / Returning Overseas Taiwanese
If you enter Taiwan, and then reside for 183 days in a row, conscription obligations may kick in.
Old rules applied if you were in Taiwan before Sept 8, 2025. Once you leave and re‑enter under the new system, the “count” starts fresh. (This was significant in user reports but seems to align with official changes.)
✅ What Must You Do / Bring?
If you’re a male Taiwanese dual citizen or have household registration and have not completed military service and plan to enter/exit Taiwan:
Valid Overseas Compatriot Identity Certificate for Military Service Purpose.
Passport(s): Taiwan passport, foreign passport (or permanent / long‑term residence permit for your overseas country).
Proof of residence overseas for the recent past (for 4 months before returning) and meeting one of the overseas residence criteria (e.g. permanent resident status, cumulative overseas years, months/year etc.).
⚠️ What’s Still Unclear or Based on User Reports
Whether proof of residence can be from any foreign country you live in, or must be from your “permanent residence country” / the country tied to your Overseas Chinese Identity status. (Some people report being told they must return to their “home/permanent residence country” first.)
Whether the Overseas Chinese Identity Endorsement (僑居身分加簽, qiáojū shēnfèn jiā qiān) stamp alone is still accepted — some reports say it is no longer sufficient.
🇹🇼🛂 Major Changes to Taiwan’s Visa policies for professionals
Taiwan has recently passed new laws making it easier for skilled foreigners, students, and digital nomads to live and work in the country long-term.
✅ Gold Card (就業金卡, jiùyè jīnkǎ) Improvements
Spouses can now get work permits from the Ministry of Labor. The permit is valid as long as their dependent status is active.
Permanent residency (APRC, 永久居留證, yǒngjiǔ jūliú zhèng) is now available after just 1 year for those earning NT$6 million/year (≈US$196,000).
Labor benefits expanded: Gold Card Holders no longer need APRC to qualify for Taiwan’s labor pension system. Those who do get APRC will also be eligible for employment insurance (就業保險, jiùyè bǎoxiǎn).
🌏 Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
Foreigners working remotely (not for Taiwan employers) can apply for a 6-month multiple-entry visa, extendable up to 2 years.
This visa also allows you to bring spouses, minor children, and dependent adult children.
🎓 Easier Work Path for Graduates
Taiwan is streamlining the path for both foreign graduates of Taiwanese universities and international grads from top schools abroad:
🏫 Foreign Graduates from Taiwanese Universities
You can now count part of your study period toward the APRC (永久居留證, yǒngjiǔ jūliú zhèng, permanent residency) residence requirement:
1 year credit for associate’s or bachelor’s degree
2 years credit for master’s
3 years credit for PhD
(Note: only one degree can be counted—no stacking.)
After graduation, you can now stay and work without applying for a separate work permit, under the existing “new graduate” provision (應屆畢業生工作延長, yìngjiè bìyèshēng gōngzuò yáncháng).
🌍 International Graduates from Overseas Universities
Two tiers based on your university’s ranking:
Top 200 globally:
You can apply for a 2-year, non-renewable professional visa.
No job offer, no work experience, no salary threshold required.
One-time use only.
Top 1,500 globally (up from 500):
You’re exempt from the 2-year work experience requirement.
But you still need a job offer in a specialized or technical field (專業或技術性工作, zhuānyè huò jìshùxìng gōngzuò).
Other standard work permit conditions still apply.
This update significantly broadens access for young professionals and recent grads who want to get a foothold in Taiwan’s job market, especially in high-demand fields like AI, biotech, and engineering.
📝 Getting an FBI Background Check for Taiwan (Household Registration, APRC, or Visa)
If you’re a U.S. citizen applying for household registration（戶籍, hùjí), APRC (永久居留證, yǒngjiǔ jūliú zhèng), or certain Taiwan visas (e.g. spouse-based), you’ll likely need an FBI criminal background check authenticated by TECO (駐美代表處, zhù měi dàibiǎo chù）.
🧾 If you’re in the U.S.
Step 1: Go to https://www.edo.cjis.gov to apply online
Fee: $18 to the FBI
Select: “Channeler/Third Party” for fastest processing (otherwise you must mail everything yourself).
Step 2: Schedule fingerprinting at a participating USPS office or authorized channeler
USPS is a good option as the fingerprints are Fee: $50
Sent electronically to FBI
Step 3: Once you receive the emailed result, forward the original FBI email to TECO ([email protected]) with the PIN code
Authentication by TECO:
Fee: $15 per document (+$7.50 for expedited, optional)
You can apply by mail or in person
Include copies of your passport(s), self-addressed envelope, and shipping label if you want it sent back
Processing time: 7 business days (or 3 if expedited)
🧾 If you’re in Taiwan
FBI requires FD-1164 fingerprint form
Go to a local NIA service center to get fingerprints taken (for a fee)
Mail the completed form and payment to FBI by following https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks
Once you receive the result, you must send it to TECO in the U.S. for authentication — AIT cannot help with fingerprinting or authentication
📞🪪 Taiwan Mobile Prepaid Number — ID Verification Follow-up
This is a follow-up to the ID verification message I received from Taiwan Mobile (台灣大哥大, Táiwān dàgēdà) back in May. It turns out most carriers are now doing this verification regularly for foreign residents on ARCs (居留證, jūliú zhèng, Alien Resident Certificate).
Unfortunately, I had already left Taiwan and wasn’t able to verify my documents by the deadline. After that, I could no longer log in to my online account to top up my prepaid SIM, which was due to expire in September before I got back. The normal validity of prepaid cards that can be topped up is 6 months after the last top-up. Not knowing what to do, I tried contacting customer service — I couldn’t find a LINE customer service account, and I didn’t know if their customer service form would reply fast enough. Fortunately, I was still able to call 188 or 867 using Wi-Fi calling from abroad (both free).
Per the representative, there wasn’t a way to top up online or unlock my account due to the verification issue. However, they suggested an easy workaround to extend the validity of the number: I could have a friend in Taiwan physically go to a Taiwan Mobile store (台灣大哥大門市, Táiwān Dàgēdà ménshì) and add some credit. Even $100 NTD was enough. There’s no ID verification required just to add value to a prepaid card, so anyone can do this in person.
When I finally got back to Taiwan, I went into a store myself. Unfortunately, they were still unable to unlock the account because my Gold Card (就業金卡, Jiùyè Jīnkǎ, Employment Gold Card) had less than six months of validity left. Since I plan to get my Taiwan ID (身分證, shēnfèn zhèng, National ID Card) later this year, there wasn’t much point in renewing the Gold Card. The representative suggested another option: transfer the number temporarily to someone else — either another ARC holder with enough validity left, or a Taiwanese citizen. In the latter case, the person would just need to accompany me to the store with their National ID card (身分證, shēnfèn zhèng) and National Health Insurance card (健保卡, jiànbǎokǎ). Once I get my own National ID, we could move the number back into my name.
In the meantime for my data needs, I realized I can get much cheaper data than Taiwan Mobile’s prepaid options by using eSIMDB. I picked up a 10 GB / 30-day eSIM for just $4.40 USD, which is far cheaper than anything available from local carriers. For now, that will get me data access while I sort out the locked number issue.
This Pushback to changes to Japan’s Business Manager Visa 🇯🇵👨💼
It was reported last month that Japan is seriously considering tightening the requirements for the Business Manager visa (my earlier write-up here).
Recently, both the Keidanren (経団連, Keidanren) — Japan’s largest business federation — and the Japan Venture Capital Association (JVCA) released opinions urging the government to hold back on some of the proposed changes, especially in cases where applicants are building startups or conducting business activities that clearly benefit Japan’s economy.
In particular, they propose that programs like J-FIND (for recent graduates) and the Startup Visa be exempt from the stricter new requirements.
This is still a developing situation, so if you would be directly affected, I recommend keeping an eye on the latest updates.
Points Back for Furusato Nōzei (ふるさと納税) ends October 2025
If you’re living in Japan, you’ve probably heard about ふるさと納税 (furusato nōzei, hometown tax donation). The system allows taxpayers to donate money to municipalities anywhere in Japan — not just where you live — and in return receive income and resident‑tax deductions, plus “thank you” gifts from those towns. It’s intended to help spread tax revenue and support rural or less wealthy areas.
However starting October 2025, the government will ban reward‑points incentives offered by intermediary websites such as Rakuten and LINE when you make furusato nōzei donations as local governments felt these were distorting the system.
Rakuten has filed a lawsuit challenging the ban, arguing that the regulation is excessive. Currently the various sites are offering promotions before the ban takes effect, so if you were considering donating via the system, I would do so soon.
Conclusions
This is a big post on various visa and life issues for Japan and Taiwan! I hope everyone found the tips here helpful. You can always reach out at [email protected] for comments or questions! Remember, you can also support this publication by becoming a paid subscriber or a Patreon!
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