I. MOFA Identification (ID) Card
The issuance of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Identification Cards (hereinafter referred to as “MOFA ID Cards”) for staff members of Diplomatic Missions and Foreign Offices (DMFOs) in Taiwan shall be governed in accordance with rules set forth in applicable laws, regulations and the principle of reciprocity.
Types of MOFA ID Card
1. Staff Members refer to any personnel of an embassy, consulate, foreign office, or international organization who enjoys diplomatic privilege. Depending on their posting, they are issued a Diplomatic Mission ID Card, Foreign Office ID Card, or an International Organization ID Card, which also covers their eligible family members.
2. Family Members refer to members forming part of the households of the staff members of DMFOs, including the spouses and minor children (generally under the age of 18 in most countries), and where reciprocal treatment is granted, their parents. Eligible family members are issued MOFA ID Cards corresponding to the ID category of the sponsoring staff member.
3. Private Servants (or Foreign Attendants) refers to personnel assigned by the sending state to serve and assist the heads of DMFOs and who share the same nationality as the sending state. They are issued a Diplomatic Mission Private Servant ID Card or a Foreign Office Private Servant ID Card, depending on which head they serve.
Please note:
Foreign domestic workers who are not citizens or permanent residents of Taiwan and are locally hired to provide domestic services for staff members of the DMFOs are not eligible to register for MOFA ID Cards. Their applications for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) should instead be submitted directly to the National Immigration Agency. For more information, please refer to the “4-2 Hiring of Private Servant and Foreign Domestic Worker” section.
II. Business Tax Exemption (BTE) Card
Business Tax Exemption (BTE) Cards are issued to provide Value-Added Tax (VAT) exemption when purchasing goods or services. Only reciprocal DMFOs and their staff members are eligible to apply. Eligible DMFOs may also apply for BTE Cards for official use.