How to Get a Work Visa in Taiwan: An Employer’s Guide

Taiwan, an island of over 23 million people with approximately 851 thousand foreign residents, has become a prime spot for global businesses and professionals. Located in the Asia-Pacific region, Taiwan is home to some of the world’s largest manufacturers and tech giants, attracting diverse talent worldwide. Many foreign professionals and companies are eager to take advantage of Taiwan’s skilled workforce and business-friendly infrastructure.

However, hiring or relocating employees to Taiwan can be challenging, particularly when obtaining the correct work permits and visas. Taiwan enforces strict immigration rules to ensure compliance with its labour laws, making it essential for employers to stay on top of the current legal requirements.

If you’re looking to:

• Employ a foreign national in Taiwan
• Hire a candidate in Taiwan without setting up a local entity
• Relocate an existing employee to Taiwan

You must ensure your employees have the proper legal status to work in the country. Without the correct permits and visas, your company could face serious penalties for non-compliance, so it’s essential to be prepared. The government has ramped up enforcement to ensure everyone working in the country is doing so legally. This means your employees need the proper paperwork from day one, especially as Taiwan requires local and foreign residents to contribute to social security and tax systems.

In this guide, we’ll explain how to get a work visa in Taiwan, explore the different long-stay visa options available, and explain how partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) like NES Fircroft can simplify the process. By partnering with an EOR, you can leave all the paperwork to the experts, saving you time and ensuring your business stays compliant every step of the way.

Taiwan’s Work Visa System: What Employers Need to Know

When hiring expat workers in Taiwan, employers must secure both a work permit and a work visa for prospective employees or workers they wish to relocate. These are regulated by the Ministry of Interior and the National Immigration Agency.

Three key things to know:

1. The EZ work permit allows your employee to work in Taiwan legally
2. The work visa allows them to reside in Taiwan while they work legally
3. The national residence permit, also known as the Alien Residence Certificate (ARC), serves as an ID card proving an individual's residence status, allowing foreign nationals to live in Taiwan for more than 180 days.

Taiwan also offers an Employment Gold Card for high–level professionals, which we’ll cover in more detail later. This card simplifies the process, but most foreign hires will go through the standard work permit and visa application process.

What is the EZ Work Permit?

Taiwan’s EZ work permit allows foreign nationals to work in the country and is sponsored by the employer. The employer must take full responsibility for the permit.  It’s important to note that Taiwan also only gives out work permits to professionals in the following industries:

• Civil Engineering or Architecture
• Communications and Transportation
• Tax and Financial Services
• Real Estate
• Immigration Services
• Practice of Attorneys or Patent Attorneys
• Technicians
• Healthcare
• Environmental Protection
• Culture, Sports, and Recreation Services
• Academic Research
• Veterinarians
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale
• Other jobs designated as per the joint consultation of the central governing authority and the central competent authorities
• Spouses of foreign professionals taking partly-hours specialised or technical works
• For more details, please visit the Ministry of Labor's Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

Your foreign employee needs the right qualifications, usually a bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience in the industries above, to be eligible. Employers must also prove that a local candidate cannot fill the role, so be prepared to justify the need for foreign expertise. Additionally, prospective candidates must have work experience in the relevant field for a minimum of 5 years to be considered for a permit and have a current salary that meets the minimum salary requirements.

How to Apply for a Work Permit and Visa

1. Register as a foreign hiring employer

Before hiring internationally, your company must register with Taiwan’s Workforce Development Agency (WDA). This step shows that your business complies with Taiwan’s labour laws, such as offering fair wages and good working conditions.

2. Submit the work permit application

Once registered, you can submit a work permit application online via WDA on behalf of your employee. The required documents for the application include:

• A complete application form
• Copy of the company’s registration certificate
• Copy of the employee’s passport
• Employment contract or offer letter
• Copy of individual income tax statement
• Proof of your employee’s qualifications (e.g., degree certificates)

Applications can also be submitted in person or by registered mail; approval usually takes 14-20 working days. The work permit is valid for six months but can be extended up to 3 years.

3. Applying for the work visa

Once the work permit is approved, your employee can submit their work visa application. For employees already in Taiwan, this needs to be submitted to the Taiwanese Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) or at the nearest Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). Employees looking to enter the country must visit their Taiwanese embassy or consulate in their home country. The work visa is valid from 3 months to one year and allows foreign nationals to enter the country for employment. The required documentation includes:

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport (with at least six months validity)
• Two recent passport-sized photographs
• Approved Taiwan work permit
• Proof of health (conducted within the past three months) and hospitalisation insurance
• Proof of sufficient funds, at least NT$100,000 or equivalent
• Certificate of good conduct
• Other proof required by BOCA

4. Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)

Upon arrival in Taiwan, your employee must obtain an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days, as despite having a work permit and visa, individuals can’t stay in the country for more than 90 days without a residence permit. This can be done at a local National Immigration Agency (NIA) service centre. The ARC is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to 3 years for extended residency. You must keep an eye on the expiration date stamped on the ARC and apply for renewal one month before it expires. Please note that application fees apply to each year of renewal – NT$1,000 for one year, NT$2,000 for two, and NT$3,000 for three.

5. Employer responsibilities

As the employer, you have several responsibilities throughout the process:

• Capital Requirements: Ensure your company meets the specific capital requirements for hiring foreign workers.
• Entrance Report: Apply for an entrance report at the local Department of City Government within three days of your employee’s arrival.
• National Health Insurance: Enrol your employee in the National Health Insurance scheme within three days of their ARC issuance.

Taiwan’s ‘Employment Gold Card’

Taiwan’s Employment Gold Card is an excellent option if you're looking to hire high-level professionals. Launched in 2018, this card is part of Taiwan’s effort to attract top global talent. It essentially bundles a work permit, visa, and residency permit into one. The card is available for highly skilled professionals in industries such as technology, finance, and healthcare, provided they meet the specific criteria, including a monthly salary of approximately NT$160,000.

The Gold Card is valid for 1-3 years and allows holders to work for any Taiwanese company or start their own business, meaning they are not tied to a specific employer. You can apply for the card online.

Staying Compliant: What You Must Do

Hiring expat workers comes with a few legal obligations. To stay compliant, make sure you’re following these rules:

• Minimum Salary: As of 2023, the minimum salary for white-collar foreign employees is NT$47,971. Keep in mind that this figure is subject to change.
• Worker Rights: Foreign workers are entitled to the same rights as locals under Taiwan’s Labour Standards Act. This includes things like paid leave, insurance, and working hours.
• Fines for Non-compliance: Failing to secure proper permits or breaching labour laws can result in fines between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 and could prevent you from hiring international talent in the future.

Consider Working with an Employer of Record (EOR)

Taiwan’s visa and immigration process can be complex for businesses that might not have the time or the most well-versed teams in local regulations. Partnering with an EOR like NES Fircroft allows firms to outsource all aspects of foreign workforce management, from visa applications to employment contracts, payroll, and compliance.

An EOR assumes legal responsibility for the employment relationship, ensuring your business complies with all relevant labour laws and immigration requirements. This approach is advantageous for companies expanding into new markets or managing a global workforce without a local entity.

NES Fircroft has over 85 global offices, positioning us perfectly to handle your international talent with local, on-the-ground support. Our expert consultants have a deep knowledge of various industries, including Oil & Gas, Renewables, Chemicals, Life Sciences, Construction, and Mining, ensuring you remain compliant with both industry standards and specific regional laws.

Contact us today for more information on global workforce management and visa solutions!