New Immigrants Escaping Domestic Violence Are Not Alone: A Look at Taiwan's Support Network
This article provides comprehensive information on Taiwan's support network for new immigrants encountering domestic violence, ensuring they are not isolated. Various resources, including residency rights, shelters, multilingual helplines, legal aid, and employment training, are available to help DV victims rebuild their lives.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 15:51
- 🔍 Collected: May 9, 2026 at 16:01 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 9, 2026 at 19:27 (3h 26m after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Shih Hsiu-chuan, Taipei, May 9th) Many foreign new immigrants who marry and settle in Taiwan often hesitate and feel isolated when encountering domestic violence, making it difficult for them to get timely assistance due to worries about being repatriated after divorce and separated from their children, coupled with language barriers and insufficient information.
The current laws and social safety nets already provide basic protection, including ensuring residency rights, shelters, multilingual helplines, employment training, and legal aid resources, to help victims rebuild their lives. The following is a compilation of relevant information:
Q: Will I be repatriated if I divorce due to domestic violence?
A: Li Ming-fang, a specialist at the National Immigration Agency, said that foreign domestic violence victims can still reside in Taiwan after divorce, without other conditions.
According to Article 31 of the "Immigration Act" implemented in 2024, victims applying to change their residency reason from "dependent" to "other" after divorce must provide police report records. Before the amendment, foreign new immigrants had to be divorced by court order and have minor children registered in Taiwan to stay in Taiwan; otherwise, their cases would be individually reviewed.
Q: How can domestic violence victims extend their residency in Taiwan?
A: During divorce proceedings, one can apply for an extension of the ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) with marriage certificates (such as household registration transcripts or protection orders); if documents cannot be provided, the National Immigration Agency can confirm identity based on internal data to assist with legal continued residency.
After divorce, one can change the residency reason on the ARC with records of reporting domestic violence to the police. The ARC is usually valid for one year and can be extended indefinitely. Subsequently, the residency reason can be adjusted based on circumstances such as work or remarriage.
Chinese and other foreign nationals must apply for an extension 3 months before their ARC expires, while Hong Kong and Macao residents must apply at least 30 days in advance. After residing legally for 5 full years, one can apply for permanent residency, and does not need to meet the general financial threshold.
Q: How to report domestic violence cases? How are they handled after reporting?
A: Guo Cai-rong, Director of the Protection Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that in emergency situations, call 110 for the police; for non-emergency situations, call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "113 Protection Hotline." After receiving the call, the hotline will refer the case to the local government for handling. The local government will assign a social worker as the contact person for the case and provide necessary assistance according to the victim's needs.
The "113 Protection Hotline" provides 24/7 multilingual services, including English, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Japanese, and supports SMS reporting via mobile phones and online text chat.
In addition to victims reporting themselves, medical personnel, social workers, police, teachers, and immigration officers, if they discover suspected domestic violence cases while performing their duties, must also report them within 24 hours.
Q: What assistance can domestic violence victims receive?
A: Local governments establish domestic violence prevention centers in accordance with the "Domestic Violence Prevention Act" and cooperate with civil organizations to provide emergency relief, interpretation, shelter and placement, legal assistance, psychological counseling, and employment training services.
The services provided vary among different counties and cities, and local governments adjust relevant programs based on budget size and cost of living. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare states that local governments must still operate according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's regulations and supervision. For example, short-term emergency shelters can usually accommodate for 3 months, while medium to long-term shelters can accommodate for up to 2 years; if shelter facilities are insufficient, local governments may also assist with rent subsidies.
Q: How do domestic violence victims obtain an injury certificate?
A: Domestic violence victims need to go to hospitals capable of issuing injury certificates; small clinics may lack sufficient equipment. Both public and private hospitals can provide injury certification services. Medical receipts can be used to apply for subsidies not covered by health insurance from the local government.
Even if the health insurance card is suspended, medical treatment can still be sought. Du Ying-chiu, Executive Director of the Awakening Foundation, urged victims to actively inform medical personnel about the domestic violence situation when seeking medical treatment, so that medical personnel can assess injuries, report cases, and provide necessary assistance.
Q: What should be noted when filing for divorce and custody lawsuits?
A: Yan Yi-hua, a lawyer from the Legal Aid Foundation, said that if court mediation fails, the case will proceed to trial. One court level usually takes about a year, and if appealed, it will take longer. Victims should preserve LINE messages, photos, and mobile phone recordings, as these are often adopted as evidence by the court.
In custody cases, judges mainly base their decisions on the "best interests of the child," including the child's wishes, primary care environment, and physical and mental condition, rather than solely on financial ability.
Before divorce, custody of children is shared by both spouses. If one is coerced or misled into signing an agreement to waive custody, they can apply to the court to revoke it.
As for whether one can receive assistance from a pro bono lawyer from the Legal Aid Foundation, it requires passing a financial review.
Q: What is a protection order? How does it work?
A: A protection order is a legal order issued by the court to protect domestic violence victims. A protection order restricts the perpetrator from contacting or harassing the victim, and violating it may lead to legal penalties, thus having a deterrent effect.
There are three types of protection orders: if the situation is urgent, the court can issue an "emergency protection order" within 4 hours. A "regular protection order" requires a court hearing and is valid for 2 years. A "temporary protection order" provides temporary protective relief before a protection order is issued.
Q: What are some common websites and helplines that provide support for domestic violence victims?
Care e-Connect: Social Safety Net https://ecare.mohw.gov.tw/
113 Online Consultation https://113.mohw.gov.tw/113/WebChattingCtrl?func=getChattingBoardByClient
The National Immigration Agency website (English version) provides assistance for foreigners, including information on Immigration Agency service stations, the 1990 consultation hotline, and living adaptation resources.
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/
Foreigners in Taiwan Consultation Hotline 1990 provides multilingual services: Chinese, English, Japanese 24 hours; Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Cambodian from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM (excluding national holidays).
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/204896/204917/cp_news
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Centers in various counties and cities (Chinese)
https://dep.mohw.go
(Central News Agency reporter Shih Hsiu-chuan, Taipei, May 9th) Many foreign new immigrants who marry and settle in Taiwan often hesitate and feel isolated when encountering domestic violence, making it difficult for them to get timely assistance due to worries about being repatriated after divorce and separated from their children, coupled with language barriers and insufficient information.
The current laws and social safety nets already provide basic protection, including ensuring residency rights, shelters, multilingual helplines, employment training, and legal aid resources, to help victims rebuild their lives. The following is a compilation of relevant information:
Q: Will I be repatriated if I divorce due to domestic violence?
A: Li Ming-fang, a specialist at the National Immigration Agency, said that foreign domestic violence victims can still reside in Taiwan after divorce, without other conditions.
According to Article 31 of the "Immigration Act" implemented in 2024, victims applying to change their residency reason from "dependent" to "other" after divorce must provide police report records. Before the amendment, foreign new immigrants had to be divorced by court order and have minor children registered in Taiwan to stay in Taiwan; otherwise, their cases would be individually reviewed.
Q: How can domestic violence victims extend their residency in Taiwan?
A: During divorce proceedings, one can apply for an extension of the ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) with marriage certificates (such as household registration transcripts or protection orders); if documents cannot be provided, the National Immigration Agency can confirm identity based on internal data to assist with legal continued residency.
After divorce, one can change the residency reason on the ARC with records of reporting domestic violence to the police. The ARC is usually valid for one year and can be extended indefinitely. Subsequently, the residency reason can be adjusted based on circumstances such as work or remarriage.
Chinese and other foreign nationals must apply for an extension 3 months before their ARC expires, while Hong Kong and Macao residents must apply at least 30 days in advance. After residing legally for 5 full years, one can apply for permanent residency, and does not need to meet the general financial threshold.
Q: How to report domestic violence cases? How are they handled after reporting?
A: Guo Cai-rong, Director of the Protection Services Division of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said that in emergency situations, call 110 for the police; for non-emergency situations, call the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "113 Protection Hotline." After receiving the call, the hotline will refer the case to the local government for handling. The local government will assign a social worker as the contact person for the case and provide necessary assistance according to the victim's needs.
The "113 Protection Hotline" provides 24/7 multilingual services, including English, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, and Japanese, and supports SMS reporting via mobile phones and online text chat.
In addition to victims reporting themselves, medical personnel, social workers, police, teachers, and immigration officers, if they discover suspected domestic violence cases while performing their duties, must also report them within 24 hours.
Q: What assistance can domestic violence victims receive?
A: Local governments establish domestic violence prevention centers in accordance with the "Domestic Violence Prevention Act" and cooperate with civil organizations to provide emergency relief, interpretation, shelter and placement, legal assistance, psychological counseling, and employment training services.
The services provided vary among different counties and cities, and local governments adjust relevant programs based on budget size and cost of living. However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare states that local governments must still operate according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's regulations and supervision. For example, short-term emergency shelters can usually accommodate for 3 months, while medium to long-term shelters can accommodate for up to 2 years; if shelter facilities are insufficient, local governments may also assist with rent subsidies.
Q: How do domestic violence victims obtain an injury certificate?
A: Domestic violence victims need to go to hospitals capable of issuing injury certificates; small clinics may lack sufficient equipment. Both public and private hospitals can provide injury certification services. Medical receipts can be used to apply for subsidies not covered by health insurance from the local government.
Even if the health insurance card is suspended, medical treatment can still be sought. Du Ying-chiu, Executive Director of the Awakening Foundation, urged victims to actively inform medical personnel about the domestic violence situation when seeking medical treatment, so that medical personnel can assess injuries, report cases, and provide necessary assistance.
Q: What should be noted when filing for divorce and custody lawsuits?
A: Yan Yi-hua, a lawyer from the Legal Aid Foundation, said that if court mediation fails, the case will proceed to trial. One court level usually takes about a year, and if appealed, it will take longer. Victims should preserve LINE messages, photos, and mobile phone recordings, as these are often adopted as evidence by the court.
In custody cases, judges mainly base their decisions on the "best interests of the child," including the child's wishes, primary care environment, and physical and mental condition, rather than solely on financial ability.
Before divorce, custody of children is shared by both spouses. If one is coerced or misled into signing an agreement to waive custody, they can apply to the court to revoke it.
As for whether one can receive assistance from a pro bono lawyer from the Legal Aid Foundation, it requires passing a financial review.
Q: What is a protection order? How does it work?
A: A protection order is a legal order issued by the court to protect domestic violence victims. A protection order restricts the perpetrator from contacting or harassing the victim, and violating it may lead to legal penalties, thus having a deterrent effect.
There are three types of protection orders: if the situation is urgent, the court can issue an "emergency protection order" within 4 hours. A "regular protection order" requires a court hearing and is valid for 2 years. A "temporary protection order" provides temporary protective relief before a protection order is issued.
Q: What are some common websites and helplines that provide support for domestic violence victims?
Care e-Connect: Social Safety Net https://ecare.mohw.gov.tw/
113 Online Consultation https://113.mohw.gov.tw/113/WebChattingCtrl?func=getChattingBoardByClient
The National Immigration Agency website (English version) provides assistance for foreigners, including information on Immigration Agency service stations, the 1990 consultation hotline, and living adaptation resources.
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/
Foreigners in Taiwan Consultation Hotline 1990 provides multilingual services: Chinese, English, Japanese 24 hours; Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Cambodian from Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM (excluding national holidays).
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/204896/204917/cp_news
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Centers in various counties and cities (Chinese)
https://dep.mohw.go