Work Employment Visa In Taiwan: Complete Guide

Taiwan: a land of opportunity, night markets, and, oh yes, paperwork. Ready to swap your tourist hat for a business suit?

You’ll need a work visa, my friend.

And not to worry, we’re breaking down the ABCs so you don’t get lost in the alphabet soup of regulations.

Working In Taiwan

Taiwan has a relatively high standard of living and good wages. Most of the territory is under tropical and subtropical climates; from June to August, there is a rainy season, and typhoons often occur.

The country has beautiful nature, unique nature reserves, hot springs, and well-maintained beaches.

Taiwanese people are very hospitable and friendly to foreigners. Thai cities are steeped in traditional Chinese culture, characterized by a modern style and developed infrastructure, equal to the prosperous Western countries.

Despite the excellent living conditions, working directly in Taiwan has several difficulties and legal restrictions. Moreover, there are still many problems that still need to be solved in the country.

Taiwan’s population in 2023 is about 23.9 million, with a labor force of about 11.6 million.

The local labor market is dominated by workers from other Asian countries, for whom the language barrier is not as significant.

The official language in Taiwan is Putonghua (Chinese), and some other Chinese dialects are also standard.

Many Taiwanese are fluent in English, especially in business.

Low birth rate and, as a consequence, aging of the population can be specified as significant problems of the country.

Unemployment in Taiwan in 2023 does not exceed 4%, but the figure is more than 12% among young people. Diplomatic isolation and China’s economic slowdown have an impact on the country’s development rate.

How To Find Work In Taiwan?

To be successfully employed in Taiwan, an overseas applicant must meet the primary conditions of local employers:

Higher education
Experience
Skill level (special skills)
English proficiency
Good health

These are the basic requirements for finding a job in Taiwan. For official employment, a foreigner must first obtain a work permit issued by the Taiwan Labor Affairs Council (CLA).

Employment without this document guarantees a hefty fine, deportation, and subsequent prohibition of employment in this country.

The Thai employer usually handles the work permit, so the vacancy must be found before moving to Taiwan.

At the legislative level in Taiwan, there is a list of jobs for which foreigners can count in the first place. In other words, it’s much easier to get a work permit.

Holders of technical professions.
Athletes and sports coaches.
Managers of foreign companies.
Representatives of the religious sphere and artists.
School teachers and foreign language teachers.
Employees of merchant ships.
Some foreign professionals do not need a work permit in Taiwan:
Spouses of a permanent resident or citizen of Taiwan.
Teachers, scholars, and researchers for employment at accredited universities or government institutions in Taiwan.

The maximum validity period of the employment permit is 3 years, after which it can be renewed within 4 months. In the case of a change of workplace, the document is reissued.

After obtaining the work permit, a work visa is obtained from the Taiwanese diplomatic office in your country. Then, the Resident Certificate (ARC), in other words, a residence permit, is applied for in Thai territory.

It would be best to refrain from counting on unskilled labor in Taiwan; more than enough people are willing to find work in this area.

The vast majority of local employers require fluent English, so job search in Taiwan is much higher, especially in large international companies. And this is where foreigners have the best chances for employment.

For many multinational corporations operating in Taiwan, obtaining work permits for foreigners is greatly simplified and sometimes even removes any restrictions.

Jobs in Taiwan in such companies 2023 are primarily related to the high-tech sector. Most of the branches are located in the country’s major cities of Kaohsiung, Taichung, Xinzhu, and Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.

These cities have created unique science parks in the country, grouped into three significant sections. A large proportion of migrant workers with technical professions find jobs in Taiwan in these parks.

Hsinchu Science Park
Southern Taiwan Science Park
Central Taiwan Science Park

The ideal option for a foreigner to find a job in Taiwan is to transfer to a Thai office or branch within the same company, for example, in the case of initial employment in Singapore or if you have experience in Hong Kong.

If this option is not available, you can contact the employer directly through the official website. Examples of large companies in Taiwan include China Steel Corporation, IBM, Anadigics Inc., HBSC, and Taiwan Sugar Corporation.

Visit Taiwan as a tourist. Look around the place, try to make business connections, and at the very least, relax and assess the living conditions in the country. Visit topical forums and social networking groups.

Search for jobs in Taiwan on specialized sites on the Internet, and leave a resume and a concise cover letter. Join a professional social networking site, linkedin.com.

Taiwan Work Visa And Work Permit

If you are a foreign national who wants to work in Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China( (ROC), you must get all three of the following:

Taiwan Work Permit, which authorizes you to work
Taiwan Work Visa, which allows you to travel to Taiwan for employment
Taiwan Residence Permit (Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)), which allows you to live in Taiwan long-term

However, not everyone can move to Taiwan and hope to get a job. The Taiwanese government only issues Taiwan work permits to specific categories of workers.

Additionally, before you can even apply for a Taiwan work visa, you must first have a job offer in Taiwan.

Who Is Eligible For A Work Permit For Taiwan?

According to the Workforce Development Agency of the Taiwan Ministry of Labor, only the following foreign professionals are eligible to work in Taiwan:

Specialized or Technical Workers in one of the following fields:
Civil Engineering or Practice of Architecture
Communications and Transportation
Tax and Financial Services
The practice of Real Estate Agency
Immigration Services
Practice of Attorneys or Patent Attorneys
Practice of Technicians
Health Care
Environmental Protection
Culture, Sports, and Recreation Services
Academic Research
Practice of Veterinarians
Manufacturing
Wholesales
Other fields, as decided by the Central Governing Authority and the Central Competent Authorities
The Director or Manager of a business established or invested by an overseas Chinese national or a foreign national
School Teachers
Foreign Teachers in Cram Schools (full-time)
Sports Coaches or Athletes
Artists and Performing Artists
Contract Worker (construction, sale, technical cooperation, etc.)

In addition, if you find a job in any of the sectors mentioned above of employment, your salary cannot be lower than the average monthly salary determined by the central competent authority.

How To Apply For A Taiwan Work Permit?

Your employer has to get a Taiwan work permit for you. They can apply for your work permit in one of the two following ways:

Online, through the website of the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) of the Ministry of Labor; or
By applying to the reception counter of the Workforce Development Agency of the Ministry of Labor (either in person or by registered mail)

Once your employer obtains a Taiwan work permit on your behalf, then depending on your situation, you may:

Apply for a Taiwan Work Visa (if you are abroad); or
Apply for a Taiwan residence permit (if you are already in Taiwan on a Visitor Visa)

**Work Permit applications for School Teachers have to be obtained at the Taiwan Ministry of Education, not the WDA.

What Are The Requirements For A Taiwan Work Visa?

When submitting a Taiwan work visa application, you must have the following documents:

A completed Work Visa Application Form, printed and signed.

Two passport-size pictures were taken within the past six months. They must have a white background without any patterns. Dimensions must be 35mm by 45mm without a border.

Your passport is valid for at least another six months and has at least three blank pages where the visa can be affixed.

Health Certificate issued in the past three months (original and photocopy).

Before you apply for a Taiwan work visa, you must get a Health Certificate from a hospital appointed by the Centers for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan or a hospital in your home country.

If you receive a health certificate from a non-Taiwanese hospital, you must have it legalized by a Taiwanese diplomatic mission.

The Taiwan Work Permit (original and photocopy) is valid for at least six more months.

Are any additional documents based on your profession?

This is a partial list of documents. The Taiwan authorities may request additional documents they see fit on a case-to-case basis.

All the documents you submit have to be in either English or Chinese. If they are not, they must be translated by an official translator and authenticated by a Taiwan overseas diplomatic mission.

How To Apply For A Taiwan Work Visa?

A Taiwan work visa is one of the Taiwan Resident visas issued for long-stay purposes. You can apply for a Taiwan work visa in one of two ways:

Abroad: at a Taiwanese diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate, etc).
In Taiwan, at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) or any of its offices

Applying For A Taiwan Work Visa At A Taiwan Diplomatic Mission

After your employer obtains a work permit for you, you must apply for a Taiwan work visa at a Taiwan diplomatic mission. The application process is as follows:

Complete the Taiwan Work Visa Application Form online (here). Print it and sign it.
Collect the required documents (see below)
Submit the application form and the documents in person at a Taiwanese diplomatic mission within 30 days of completing the online application.

When you complete the application form, you will have to select which diplomatic mission you will apply to from a dropdown menu.

You may apply for any mission but are advised to apply to the one in your country. If your country has no Taiwanese diplomatic mission, apply to the nearest one.

Wait for the Taiwan work visa to be processed.

The diplomatic mission staff could also request an interview if they think it is necessary.

If they think your application requires additional examination, they will forward it to the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan, who will notify them of what decision to make.

Collect your passport. If your application is approved, your visa will be affixed to your passport.
After entering Taiwan, apply for a Taiwan residence permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days.

Applying For A Work Visa Once You’re Already In Taiwan

Suppose you are already in Taiwan with a Visitor Visa for employment purposes (such as business, investment, or employment-seeking). In that case, you do not have to leave the country to apply for a Resident Visa.

You can apply to turn your Visitor Visa into a Resident Work Visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan.

You must apply for the Taiwan Resident (Work) Visa after your employer obtains your work permit and at least 8 days before your Visitor Visa expires.

Once the BOCA issues your work visa, you must apply for a Taiwan residence permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days.

Taiwan Residence Permit For Foreign Workers

Even though the Taiwan work permit allows you to work and the work visa allows you entry into the country, you can only stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days unless you have a valid residence permit.

The residence permit for Taiwan is called an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and must be obtained from a local service center of the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.

The ARC is renewable and can be issued for one, two, or three years.

How Long Is A Taiwan Work Visa Valid For?

The work visa itself is valid for a maximum of three months. However, if you intend to work longer than that, you must get an ARC issued for one, two, or three years.

Can You Extend A Taiwan Work Visa?

No, you cannot extend the Taiwan work visa itself. However, if you work in Taiwan for longer than three months, you must receive an ARC that may be renewed.

You must apply to renew an ARC at least 30 days before your current one expires at the National Immigration Agency in Taiwan.

How Much Is Taiwan Work Visa Fee?

The visa fees for Taiwan are as follows:

If you apply at a Taiwan diplomatic mission:

Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,103.74
Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,207.10

If you apply in Taiwan:

Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,200
Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,400

In addition to the Taiwan work visa, you must also pay a fee for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). The Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) fees are as follows:

For one-year duration: NT$1,000
For two-year duration: NT$2,000
For a three-year duration: NT$3,000

If you’ve lived in Taiwan with an ARC for at least five years (out of which you must have been in Taiwan for at least 183 days annually), you are eligible to apply for an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).

The APRC does not have an expiry date, and you do not have to renew it.

Can Dependents Of Foreigners Working In Taiwan Come To Taiwan To Live With Them?

Those foreigners who work in Taiwan, their spouses, or children can apply for residency at the National Immigration Agency.

If the spouse and children want to work in Taiwan, they shall apply for work permits according to related regulations of the Employment Service Act. And they can start working after issuance.

Is Taiwan A Good Place To Work In As A Foreigner?

Taiwan is a fantastic country in which to search for new jobs. Multinational foreigners own most companies across industries from around the world, and there are plenty of jobs for engineers and technicians.

Taiwan has a low unemployment rate of 3.6% and presents job opportunities for everyone, whatever their skill set.

The country is the 7th largest economy in Asia, and for expats working in Taiwan, salaries are relatively high compared to the cost of living.

This includes food, transportation, and housing, so you can save as much money as you can while living an adventurous lifestyle.

An intriguing and varied culture is one of the best reasons to work in Taiwan.

As an island in the mountains of East Asia, Taiwan has a wealth of influences from Japan, Korea, and Mainland China, with its unique cultural influences making Taiwan an intriguing country to visit and work.

Taiwan offers the chance to expand your vision of the world by exploring the country’s mountains and pursuing adventurous outdoor activities like hiking and cycling around the island.

If you’re a great lover of good food, Taiwan’s night markets celebrate street food from all cuisines.

It presents some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. The country has an island called ‘Ilha Formosa’, the Portuguese translation for ‘Beautiful Island’ that is well worth visiting.

As the home of mountains, Taiwan is also recognized for its historical temples and national parks. Sometimes an underrated travel destination, Taiwan is a great place to escape and get yourself closer to nature.

Taiwan is a safe place for locals, travelers, and expats, and it is considered the 2nd safest country in the world.

Only beaten by Iceland, Taiwan’s low rates of violence and crime make it an enjoyable and comfortable place to work and one of the best reasons to work in Taiwan.

Last on the list of reasons to work in Taiwan, but by no means the least, is the country’s atmosphere. While Taiwan has a relaxed lifestyle, the country’s cities, particularly Taipei, never sleep.

Taiwan’s people have a reputation for being very friendly to expats and travelers, and they welcome people willing to help others. Discover Taipei and explore the city with cheap transport that can take you all around the city and beyond.

Conclusion

You’ve made it to the end of the Taiwanese work visa obstacle course! With this newfound knowledge, you’re set to chase those career dreams on the island.

May your employment journey be as smooth as Taiwan’s finest oolong tea.

Visa Victory!

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