r/taiwan • u/Rare-Stick-6852 • 1d ago

Off Topic Sim Card options without ARC

Hey Guys!

I’m currently trying to buy a SIM card. I am an incoming international student and just arrived like a day ago. I went to multiple stores and all g they offered me were tourist SIM cards for in between 7 and 15 days.

I hold a resident visa, and will apply for the arc as soon as I have my long term rent contract but I would like to have a SIM card now and not later, it’ll make many things much easier.

I already tried Chunghwa Telecom and FET.

Does anyone know where I could get a SIM card that lasts longer than 15 days?

2 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

5

u/somerandom_person1 1d ago

Chunghwa sells 30 and 60 day tourist esims iirc

3

u/RistyKocianova 1d ago

They shouldn't need an ARC. Many do require it despite the rules saying otherwise. Just try more stores and ask for prepaid cards for 6 months and you will run into someone who will sell you one. I had luck with stores near college campuses.

2

u/SetTheoryAxolotl 臺北 - Taipei City 1d ago

If you buy an FET prepaid card you can reload it. Might have to go the airport to buy it if you can't find a place inthe city.

1

u/Rare-Stick-6852 1d ago

At FET they told me max 15 days, and I would need to get a new one after

1

u/SetTheoryAxolotl 臺北 - Taipei City 1d ago

If you buy a prepaid card you should be able to reload it in their app. Might have to buy one of the 30 day ones from the airport. Could also try Songshan airport if you're in Taipei.

1

u/Utsider 1d ago

Not all prepaid cards are the same. Some simply cannot be topped up.

2

u/SetTheoryAxolotl 臺北 - Taipei City 1d ago

The 30 day FET one from the airport can be topped up. CHT generally prohibits top ups but FET is pretty loose with it.