Open a Bank Account in Taiwan

Documents required

To open a bank account in Taiwan, you must appear in person

Institution Age Requirement Required Documents Remarks
Hualien Guo-An Post Office For individuals aged 18 and above
  1. ARC
  2. Passport
  3. Identity card from home country
  4. Personal Wooden Seal
  5. Deposit NT$100
  6. Student ID (Stamped)
 Advantage: The account opening process is simple.

  • Opening a bank account at the post office takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes per person.
  • Operating hours: 08:30-10:30 a.m. & 14:30-17:30 p.m.
  • A maximum of three people can be processed per time slot, allowing up to six people per day.

Note: There is no handling fee when withdrawing money from a post office ATM. However, if you use ATMs at FamilyMart or 7-11 with a post office account, a fee will be charged.
For individuals aged under 18
  1. ARC
  2. Passport
  3. Identity card from home country
  4. Personal Wooden Seal
  5. Deposit NT$100
  6. Student ID (Stamped)
Hualien Second Credit Cooperative For individuals aged 18 and above
  1. ARC
  2. Passport
  3. Identity card from home country
  4. Personal Wooden Seal
  5. Deposit NT$1,000
  6. Student ID(Stamped)
 Advantage: You can withdraw money from the ATM located near the school gate.

  • Operating hours: 09:00-15:30
    (services are available during lunch hours).
  • After graduation, you must close the account in person by bringing your ID, bank passbook, and personal wooden seal.
  • There is no need to update the bank annually when extending your ARC.
  • Proof of enrollment is not required to open an account.
Cathay Bank

 

 For individuals aged 18 and above
  1. ARC
  2. Passport
  3. Identity card from home country
  4. Personal Wooden Seal
  5. Deposit NT$1,000
  6. Student ID (Stamped)

 
  • The most complex and time-consuming account opening process, but you can withdraw cash at FamilyMart near Jianguo Campus without a handling fee.
  • An online appointment and approval are required prior to opening an account:
    https://www.cathaybk.com.tw/eservice/appointment/IdCheckS1
  • Opening an account takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours per person, services are unavailable during lunch hours.
  • You must provide the school’s phone number:
    03-856530122221 or 31353
  • Required to update your bank records if your ARC is extended.
  • To close your account when leaving Taiwan after graduation, bring your ARC, passport, identity card from home country, personal wooden seal, and passbook in person.

NOTE: To open a bank account, a personal seal is required. Please have one made at a seal engraving shop. The cheapest wooden seal costs around NT$50.

  • The nearest seal shop to Jianguo Campus and Jieren Campus is located at:
    219, Section 2, Jianguo Road
  • For the Main Campus, the closest shops are located at:
    811, Zhongshan Road, or
    No. 144-2, Section 1, Jianguo Road

 

Banks/Post Office near the Central Campus

CTBC Bank                                                          Mega International Commercial Bank

No. 167, Guolian 1st Road, Hualien City No.         26, Gongyuan Road, Hualien City

(03)834566                                                               (03)8350191

 

Post Office                                                             Taiwan Cooperative Bank

No. 52, Fuguo Road, Hualien City                          No. 371, Zhongshan Road, Hualien City

(03)857-7820                                                           (03)835-0151

 

Banks/Post Office near the Jianguo/Jieren Campus

Post office

No. 35, Sec. 1, Ji'an Rd., Ji'an Township, Hualien County

(03)856-8217

 

Foreign Currency Exchange

Foreign currency can be exchanged at most banks at reasonable rates.

Apply for a Bank Card (ATM Card)

Your financial institution will issue you a bank card upon request. There are different types of bank cards. If it is a Cirrus or Plus card, you can use it to withdraw cash in countries other than Taiwan.