What is the difference between a residence permit and a national identity card in Taiwan?

The residence permit is an identity document used by the Taiwanese government to prove the legal residence of Hong Kong and Macao residents, foreigners, people from the mainland, or nationals without registration in Taiwan. It is issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of the Interior.

The National Identity Card is the identity certificate of a national registered in Taiwan and issued by the Ministry of the Interior. The residence permit and national identity card also have the right to universal health insurance, further education and employment, investment in a company, application for a monthly phone card, bank account opening, and property sale.

However, the residence permit committee does not have some national rights and obligations, such as no Taiwan passport, no social benefits, no voting rights, no ability to serve as a civil servant, no obligation to military service, etc. The residence permit cannot be passed to the next generation.