ACRO Police Certificate for Taiwan APRC and ARC: Express Apostille & TRO London Authentication

Need an ACRO Police Certificate for Taiwan APRC or an ARC-related application? Ginkgo Advisory manages the UK document process: ACRO application assistance, express 2-working-day FCDO paper apostille, TRO London authentication and DHL delivery to Taiwan.

Whether you are already living in Taiwan or preparing to relocate, we can coordinate each UK stage through one point of contact. You can ask us to handle the ACRO application or apply yourself and arrange for the certificate to be delivered directly to us.

For applicants who need an authenticated UK police certificate, the process is:

Original ACRO Police Certificate → FCDO paper apostille → Taipei Representative Office authentication → delivery to Taiwan.

The two-working-day service applies to the apostille stage. ACRO processing, TRO authentication, document transfers and international delivery take additional time.

Do you need an ACRO Police Certificate for a Taiwan APRC or ARC application?

An APRC is an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate. An ARC is an Alien Resident Certificate. Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) administers residence and permanent residence applications, but the supporting documents depend on your application category.

For APRC applications, the NIA’s general guidance requires a national criminal record certificate from the applicant’s home country, subject to exemptions. Check whether your residence and travel history qualify you for an exemption before ordering a certificate. NIA permanent residence guidance.

For ARC and associated resident-visa applications, police certificate requirements vary by route. Confirm your checklist with the NIA or the authority handling your visa. A UK police certificate is not a universal requirement for every ARC application. NIA ARC guidance.

Where a UK police certificate is required for a resident visa, TRO London specifies a certificate issued by the ACRO Criminal Records Office. A DBS check should not be substituted for the required ACRO certificate. TRO London document authentication guidance.

Step 1: Apply for your ACRO Police Certificate

Our ACRO Police Certificate service supports applicants who want help preparing the application and coordinating the legalisation stages that follow.

With your written authorisation, we can review your information, prepare and submit the application, liaise with ACRO and receive the original certificate in the UK.

We guide you through the required identity documents, photographs, previous names and residential address history. Checking these details early can help avoid follow-up requests. Include temporary accommodation when completing your address history, and check that dates are consistent.

Already applied for ACRO yourself? We can still handle the FCDO apostille, TRO London authentication and delivery. Contact us before arranging delivery to our address so we can identify your certificate and confirm the next steps.

ACRO determines its own processing time. We confirm the applicable estimate when preparing your application.

Step 2: Express FCDO paper apostille in 2 working days

Once the original ACRO Police Certificate is available, Ginkgo Advisory offers an express 2-working-day paper apostille service through in-person FCDO submission.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) checks the relevant signature, seal or stamp and attaches the apostille. The original ACRO certificate can normally proceed directly to this stage without separate solicitor certification of the certificate.

A paper apostille is essential for this route. TRO London accepts paper-based apostilles for document authentication. Separately, GOV.UK lists ACRO police certificates among documents that cannot receive an e-Apostille. FCDO legalisation guidance.

Our express turnaround is normally two working days from submission, once we have the original certificate and everything required to proceed. Additional FCDO checks or operational delays can affect completion.

Step 3: TRO London authentication

After the paper apostille, we arrange authentication through the Taipei Representative Office in the UK, London. For this Taiwan document route, the apostille and TRO authentication are separate stages.

Our service includes preparing the application pack, guiding you through the official authorisation letter, arranging solicitor witnessing and certification of your signature, and coordinating submission and return.

TRO London’s express service provides for collection or dispatch on the fifth working day, counted from receipt of all required documents and payment. Postal and courier time is additional. TRO London authentication requirements and processing times.

We check the document’s issuing jurisdiction before submission, as London and Edinburgh have different territorial responsibilities.

Applying from Taiwan: authorisation and remote solicitor witnessing

You can instruct Ginkgo Advisory while living in Taiwan. We arrange a remote meeting with our solicitor, normally by Zoom, and provide instructions for identity checks and signing.

TRO London requires its prescribed authorisation letter, with the applicant’s signature certified as genuine by an accepted professional or ROC overseas office. The original authorisation letter must accompany the agent’s application.

We review your forms before signing and explain which originals to courier to London. Clear passport copies should show both your photograph and signature, including the separate signature page where applicable.

Preparing the authorisation paperwork while your ACRO application is being processed can help reduce avoidable delays later.

How long does ACRO apostille and TRO authentication take?

Stage	Expected timing
ACRO Police Certificate application	ACRO’s applicable processing time, confirmed when applying
Ginkgo express FCDO paper apostille	Normally 2 working days from submission
TRO London express authentication	Approximately 5 working days once the complete application and payment are received
DHL delivery to Taiwan	Delivery estimate confirmed at dispatch

Allow separately for sending original forms, transfers between stages, weekends and public holidays. The apostille and TRO stages have separate processing periods; these should not be treated as a guaranteed overall delivery date.

If you have an NIA submission deadline, tell us when you first enquire so we can assess the available timetable.

Chinese translation and certificate validity for APRC applications

The NIA’s general APRC guidance states that the home-country criminal record certificate is valid for one year from its issue date. It also provides for a Chinese translation. One accepted route is an authenticated original certificate followed by notarisation of the Chinese translation by a court or private notary in Taiwan. Confirm the requirements for your particular category before submission. NIA APRC document requirements.

Plan any translation arrangements alongside the UK legalisation work. Translation and the residence application itself are separate from the ACRO, apostille and TRO services described here.

Practical experience with Taiwan APRC document legalisation

For a recent Taiwan-based APRC applicant, Ginkgo Advisory handled the ACRO application, reviewed the supporting information, received the original certificate, coordinated the FCDO apostille and managed TRO London authentication. We also guided the applicant through the authorisation paperwork and remote signature verification. A scanned copy of the completed legalised certificate was provided before arranging DHL return delivery.

This coordinated approach helps applicants manage the UK paperwork while remaining in Taiwan.

Frequently asked questions

Can Ginkgo handle all three stages?

Yes. We can assist with the ACRO application, express FCDO paper apostille and TRO London authentication, then arrange DHL delivery to Taiwan. You can also instruct us only for the stages you still need.

Is an apostille alone enough for this Taiwan application route?

For the TRO authentication route described here, the ACRO certificate needs the FCDO paper apostille first and TRO authentication afterwards. Complete any translation requirements specified for your NIA application as well.

Can you help if my ACRO certificate is already in Taiwan?

Yes. Send us a scan for an initial review. We will confirm the arrangements for sending the original certificate to the UK for the required legalisation stages.

Does the ACRO certificate itself need solicitor witnessing?

The original ACRO certificate normally proceeds directly to the FCDO. The solicitor witnessing and signature certification in our TRO service concern your authorisation paperwork.

Does the express apostille service include ACRO processing?

The two-working-day turnaround covers the FCDO apostille stage after your original certificate is ready for submission. ACRO issuance, TRO authentication and delivery have their own timescales.

Arrange your ACRO, apostille and TRO London service

Preparing an ACRO Police Certificate for Taiwan APRC, or an ARC-related application that requires UK police clearance? Contact Ginkgo Advisory for coordinated support with your ACRO application, express 2-working-day apostille, TRO London authentication and DHL delivery.

Tell us whether you have already applied for ACRO, where the original certificate is located, your application category and any deadline given by the NIA or your representative.