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Please note: All individuals over the age of two coming to AIT for consular services are required to wear protective masks. You will not be allowed entry without a mask.
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). (See details in AIT Press Release # PR-1913) Click here for more information on International Parental Child Abduction. Other Resources National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: www.missingkids.com (NCMEC)
One of the highest priorities of the Department of State and U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The Department of State is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for U.S. citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority in accordance with international, domestic, and foreign law. More information available at Travel.State.gov.
When a U.S. citizen is the victim of a crime overseas, he or she may suffer from physical, emotional or financial injuries. It can be more difficult because the victim may be in unfamiliar surroundings, and may not know the local language or customs.
Emergency Financial Assistance
The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) can assist U.S. citizens abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances.
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.
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.
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.
Service members, Veterans, and their beneficiaries can apply for benefits services on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website at www.va.gov. The Federal Benefits Unit (FBU) can also be of assistance if Veterans and beneficiaries have questions about benefits and services.
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. government employee working overseas, you cannot claim the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion. For additional information, visit the IRS website.
U.S. embassies and consulates overseas assist the Selective Service System with its registration program abroad.
Now all U.S. citizens can receive their blank ballots electronically. Depending on the state in which you are eligible to vote, you may get your ballot by email, fax, or internet download. To start, go to www.FVAP.gov to complete a new Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), print and sign the form then return it to your local election office in the United States. We recommend overseas U.S. citizens get in the habit of completing FPCAs each January. You should include your email address on the form so it’s easier for your election officials to reach you if there is a problem. If your state delivers ballots electronically by fax only, be sure to include your fax number. If you request electronic delivery and include your email address or fax number, you’ll 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.
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).
Congratulations on your child’s birth! Your new baby needs a first passport and Consular Report of Birth Abroad. On this page we’ll tell you what you need to do to get all two items. A child born outside the United States to a U.S. citizen parent or parents is eligible for U.S. citizenship if the parent(s) meets the requirements for transmitting U.S. citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act. U.S. citizens eligible to transmit citizenship are required to file for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA).
U.S. embassy and consulate personnel cannot perform marriages in foreign countries. Depending on the law of the foreign country, local civil or religious officials generally perform marriages. Marriages performed overseas are considered valid in the country where they take place if they are entered into in accordance with local law. Recognition of the validity of marriages performed abroad depends on the laws of the place in which the marriage is to be recognized.
Please call: +886(0)2-2162-2000
Outside of Office Hours, contact: +886(0)2-2162-2000
Outside of Taiwan: 1-888-407-4747
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