Taiwan chooses Gemalto for Alien Resident Card Solution

In 2008, Gemalto was named sole supplier of electronic Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) cards to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) in Taiwan. The new Sealys microprocessor cards are personalized using Gemalto’s Coesys system and will replace existing paper documents and boost security by preventing forgery and counterfeiting.

To-date, Gemalto has delivered some 300,000 ARC cards, which are unique in that they are the first eID documents built using ePassport technology. The credit card-sized documents allow the bearer to remain in Taiwan throughout the validity period, and allow them to open a local currency bank account, own vehicles and apply for a driver license.

Compliant with ICAO standards, sensitive personal information is securely stored on the chip. To make counterfeit reproduction even more difficult, the card includes sophisticated printing techniques. The NIA plans to replace all remaining paper cards by 2009.

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