Taiwan Adoption

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Many children in Taiwan are now waiting for a permanent, loving family.

In Taiwan, children waiting for permanent, loving families are younger with moderate medical or developmental special needs. Most are in nurturing foster families and receive exceptional in-country care while they wait to join their families. Families open to a child on Holt’s waiting child photolisting or a child over the age of 5 may have more flexible eligibility criteria and a shorter wait time for a referral. Throughout your adoption from Taiwan, our team will work closely with you to ensure you feel informed and prepared every step of the way.

Children in Taiwan Who Need Families

Children have varying levels of special needs, and all children have some level of developmental delay and/or a complicated birth family history. Learn more about Disabilities & Medical Conditions in Special Needs Adoption.
Some children may have documented abuse or neglect histories.
Children are typically ages 2-15 at the time of referral.
Sibling groups are common.
In many cases, children are cared for in foster families while they wait to join adoptive families.

Meet the children waiting for a family

To preserve children’s confidentiality, you will be asked to log in or sign up before you access the waiting child photolisting.

Waiting Child Photolisting

Eligibility Requirements & Fees

Eligibility Requirements to Adopt from Taiwan

Parent’s Age

In general, both parents must be at least 25 years of age and no older than 48.
Parents can be up to 55 years of age when adopting an older child (age 5+ but possibly younger on a case-by-case basis).

Length of Marriage

Couples must be married a minimum of three years at the time of application.
If either spouse was previously divorced, the couple must be married for five years at the time of application.

Divorce

No more than two divorces between the couple.

Children in Family

For families adopting young children, no more than two young children may currently reside in the home. Please contact the program if you have children who are 12 and up.
For families adopting waiting children, no more than five children may currently reside in the home.
Taiwan prefers to maintain birth order and many children being referred are 6 and older. Please contact Holt if you have younger children in your home. [email protected]

Single Applicant

Single applicants are accepted on a case-by-case basis for children on our waiting child photolisting.
Single parents are not eligible to adopt sibling groups.
No more than two children may already live in the home, and no more than one if the child you wish to adopt is 4 years old or younger.
No more than one divorce.
Other eligibility requirements are the same as for two-parent households.

Travel

At least one parent is required to travel to Taiwan for the placement trip, although travel by both parents is strongly encouraged.
The shortest trip length is 7 days. The number of days in Taiwan is determined by the Taiwan agency you are working with for your match.
A second trip is required in some cases and both parents will be required to travel.
Solo spouse travelers and single applicant travelers are strongly recommended to have a traveling companion.

How Long It Takes

Families open to a child over the age of 6 may have a shorter wait time for a referral.
For a waiting child who is older or has more involved special needs, the process takes about 1 1/2-2 1/2+ years from application to placement (unless you already have an approved Taiwan homestudy).
For younger children with manageable/correctable conditions, most families are currently completing the process in about 3-4 years.
Families who are as flexible as possible in terms of age, gender and special needs often receive a referral in a shorter period of time.

Waiting Child Program

Parental eligibility is flexible for children on Holt’s waiting child photolisting and families are considered on a case-by-case basis by Holt’s partner agencies in Taiwan. Please contact us for more information.
Families may request files for waiting children, but they may not be matched until they have an approved homestudy.

Additional Information

Minimum of a high school diploma or GED is required for both parents.
Same sex couples may apply.
If applicants are currently or in the past have been receiving counseling or taking medication for anxiety, depression or other mental health concerns. Please contact Holt before applying at [email protected].
If applicants have health concerns or a BMI is between 36 and 40, please contact Holt before applying.
Applicants must have no criminal history.
Applicants must be open to possible birth parent contact.
Applicants must earn a minimum annual income of approximately $50,000.
Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $100,000, at least $10,000 of which must be in checking and savings accounts.
Applicants must select guardians to care for the child(ren) if something happens to them. The guardians must be a married couple, ideally have been married for at least 3 years, and under 50 years of age.
Applicants must have a bedroom with a window and closet for the adoptee at time of home study. Please contact the Taiwan team before applying if your home does not meet this standard.
When adopting a child on Holt’s waiting child photolisting, eligibility criteria may be more flexible and is considered on a case-by-case basis by Holt’s partner agencies in Taiwan. Please contact us for more information.

Note

Taiwan looks at a family holistically. If you do not meet all eligibility criteria, please contact us before applying so that we can provide you with a pre-app and medical conditions checklist to complete for consideration.

Fees for Taiwan Adoption

We are open and transparent about our fees and want you to be aware of all potential costs involved in an adoption, including third-party costs and travel.

Holt is a Christian, private, nonprofit, licensed and accredited child welfare and family service organization. Our adoption work is entirely financed through adoption fees and donations. It is not government subsidized. We believe that children are the highest priority, and we want as many children as possible to have families. To that end, we strive to keep our fees within a reasonable range. All fees are subject to change and are charged at the rate that is current at time of billing. Holt may increase fees if adoption expenses in the foreign country increase substantially after time of application. Families will be notified in writing of any fee increase. Holt International accepts the following for adoption fees: check, cashier’s check or money order. If you would like to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% convenience fee added to your total. Fees due upon invoice.

download taiwan fees pdf

Financial Assistance for Adoption

Holt believes finances should not stop a child from having a loving family. Although many resources exist to help adoptive families offset the cost of adoption, it’s not always clear where to start looking or what opportunities are best suited for your family. To help you consider all your options, Holt provides an outline of financial assistance, as well as a list of resources categorized by type.

Financing Your Adoption

couple sitting at home viewing virtual adoption financing webinar on their laptop

Need help funding your adoption?

Families adopting through Holt receive free, professional guidance and support from a one-on-one finance coach throughout their adoption process. Even if you’re just considering adoption, email us to set up your first consultation today!

email [email protected]

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Taiwan Adoption FAQs

Are there any special considerations for birth parents in Taiwan?

Can families request a gender?

What does “special needs” mean?

This is an often misunderstood term in adoption because it doesn’t necessarily indicate that a child has physical or developmental disabilities. Many children with special needs are either older than 6, part of a sibling group or have minor or moderate physical, developmental or emotional health needs. Most children who need families through international adoption also come from complicated or difficult birth family circumstances.

How long does it take to adopt from Taiwan?

Families open to a child over the age of 6 years may have a shorter wait time for a referral. There are many variables that influence how long the process takes. For a waiting child who is older or has more involved special needs, the process takes about 1 1/2-2 1/2 years from application to placement. Families wait longer if their criteria for a match — in terms of age or special needs — is more restrictive. Once your match has been approved in Taiwan, it is typically over a year before you bring your child to the U.S.

SEE HOW THE PROCESS OF INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION WORKS

Vietnam children in orphanage waiting to be adopted

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Whether you are considering adoption or are ready to apply to adopt, we have many free ways for you to explore our programs or get started.

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Holt International is a Hague-accredited agency with adoption programs in these locations: