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The Department of State assists U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas and works to ensure their fair and humane treatment.
International Parental Child Abduction
On April 12, 2019, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States (TECRO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation on International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA). The MOU provides that AIT and TECRO will facilitate communication on this critical issue, through and in coordination with their designated representative organizations, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs and the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW).
The Department of State helps U.S. citizens who are victims of crime overseas. We connect crime victims with police and other services and provide information and resources to assist with physical, emotional, and/or financial injuries from crime.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) can assist U.S. citizens abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances.
U.S. citizens in need of emergency financial assistance while abroad should first attempt to contact their family, friends, banking institution, or employer. Our American Citizen Services unit can assist in this effort, if necessary.
Use a commercial money transfer service, such as Western Union or MoneyGram., to wire money overseas. Money transfer cost comparison tools online can help you identify the best option. The person receiving the money will need to present proof of identity such as a passport.
Sending Money through the U.S. Department of State
When the commercial options listed above are not available or feasible, family or friends may send funds via the U.S. Department of State for delivery to a destitute U.S. citizen abroad at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. The U.S. Department of State assesses a $30 fee to establish an account and transfer funds.
Destitute U.S. citizens may be eligible for a loan from the U.S. government to travel to the United States. Repatriation loans must eventually be paid back to the U.S. government. Your U.S. passports will be limited at the time the loan is issued and in most cases you will not be issued a new passport until the loan is paid in full. Contact us for more information.
General Information About A Death Abroad
When an U.S. citizen dies abroad, the Bureau of Consular Affairs assists the family and friends. The Bureau of Consular Affairs attempts to locate and inform the next-of-kin of the U.S. citizen’s death. The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on how to make arrangements for local burial or return of the remains to the United States. The disposition of remains is subject to U.S. and local (foreign) law, U.S. and foreign customs requirements, and the foreign country facilities, which are often vastly different from those in the United States.
Report the Death of a U.S. Citizen Abroad
How to apply for a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA).
Consular Affairs (CA) is the public face of the Department of State for millions of people around the world. We provide many services, and the most common are listed below.
U.S. Citizens overseas can renew passports, replace passports, or apply for new passports.
If you are a U.S. citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (green card holder), you are responsible for filing U.S. federal income tax returns while abroad. You will find useful information on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website, such as Frequently Asked Questions about taxes or how to apply for an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
If you are a U.S. dual citizen or U.S. citizen living outside of the United States, you can register with the Selective Service System.
Effective October 1, 2017, AIT no longer provides support services for the Social Security Administration. If you reside in Taiwan and have questions regarding services provided by the Social Security Administration (SSA), you must contact the SSA Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) located in the Philippines. For more information on their services and how to contact them, please click here to visit their web page. For comprehensive information on SSA’s services abroad, please visit SSA’s web page Service Around the World. If you are already receiving SSA benefits payments, there will be no change in the method of distribution of those payments. For latest information please check travel.state.gov – Federal Benefits and Obligations Abroad. For information on SSN application, please click on this link.
U.S. service members, veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) may also be able to help veterans and beneficiaries with questions about benefits and services.
Depending on where you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) here. Print, sign, and return the FPCA to your local U.S. election office. Include your email address so election officials can reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you will receive your blank ballot 45 days before general and mid-term elections and generally 30 days before special, primary, and run-off elections for federal offices. We recommend completing a new FPCA each January, or when you move.
The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the entities or individuals whose names appear on the following lists. Inclusion on this list is in no way an endorsement by the Department or the U.S. government. Names are listed alphabetically, and the order in which they appear has no other significance. The information on the list is provided directly by the local service providers; the Department is not in a position to vouch for such information.
Medical Assistance Judicial Assistance Attorneys in Northern Taiwan Attorneys in Southern Taiwan Driving In TaiwanMedical treatment is not provided free of charge to visitors to Taiwan. Visitors to Taiwan do not qualify for treatment under that National Health Insurance.
During your first 30 days in Taiwan, you may drive using a valid International Driving Permit (IDP). The IDP is available through the American Automobile Association (AAA), and application information is available on the Internet through their website.
In January 2013, the Taiwan Social and Family Affairs Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (Formerly known as Child Welfare Bureau) issued an administrative order requiring all adoption cases filed after April 1, 2013 on behalf of U.S. prospective adoptive parents to undergo a Pre-Adoption Immigration Review (PAIR).
If you have a child outside the United States the child may have acquired U.S. citizenship at birth if the requirements under the Immigration and Nationality Act have been met as of the time of your child’s birth. To determine whether your child acquired U.S. citizenship at birth and to document that, you can apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) for your child. You may also choose to just apply for a U.S. passport for your child, although one benefit of a CRBA is that, unlike the U.S. passport, it does not expire and may be used as proof of acquisition of U.S. citizenship at birth. A full validity, unexpired U.S. passport is also proof of U.S. citizenship.
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages. Depending on the local law, civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. If your marriage overseas was performed in accordance with local law, it is valid in the country where it took place. Whether your marriage is recognized elsewhere depends on the laws of that place.
Please call: +886(0)2-2162-2000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +886(0)2-2162-2000
Outside of Taiwan: 1-888-407-4747
Emergency Contact – All Locations Get Travel Alerts International Parental Child Abduction Arrest of a U.S. Citizen Death of a U.S. Citizen Victims of Crime Emergency Financial Assistance
