Working Legally in Taiwan
It is necessary for expats to obtain a work permit in order to work legally in Taiwan. The work permit must be obtained before starting work in Taiwan.
Who Must Make the Application?
The expat’s employer must make the application for a work permit on behalf of the expat. The employer is responsible for providing the required documents and completing the necessary procedures to obtain the work permit
there are some exemptions for expats who are not required to obtain a work permit in Taiwan. These include:
- Diplomats and their staff
- Representatives of foreign news media
- Individuals coming to Taiwan for a short-term business trip
- Individuals coming to Taiwan for study or research purposes
Types of Work Permits for Expats in Taiwan
There are several types of work permits for expats in Taiwan, including:
Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC): This type of work permit is for expats who have lived in Taiwan for at least five consecutive years and have obtained permanent residency. The APRC allows expats to live and work in Taiwan indefinitely.
Alien Resident Certificate (ARC): This type of work permit is for expats who have been offered a job in Taiwan and have been approved for a work permit. The ARC is valid for the duration of the expat’s employment and can be renewed.
Temporary Employment Permit: This type of work permit is for expats who are coming to Taiwan for a short-term job, such as a consultant or a lecturer. The Temporary Employment Permit is valid for the duration of the expat’s employment and cannot be renewed.
Work Permit Application Process in Taiwan
The procedure to apply for a work permit in Taiwan is as follows:
The expat’s employer must first apply for a work permit by submitting the required documents to the Taiwan Employment Services Office.
The Taiwan Employment Services Office will review the application and the required documents. If everything is in order, the office will issue an approval letter.
The expat must then take the approval letter and other required documents to the Taiwan Representative Office in their home country to apply for a visa.
Once the visa has been issued, the expat can enter Taiwan and apply for an ARC at the local immigration office.
The entire process can take several weeks or even months, depending on the individual circumstances of the expat and the complexity of the application.
Work Permit Documents in Taiwan
If you are a foreigner who wishes to work in Taiwan, you will need to obtain a work permit before you can legally work in the country. To apply for a work permit, you will need to provide the following documents:
Passport – A valid passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining.
Application Form – You will need to fill out an application form provided by the National Immigration Agency.
Employment Contract – You will need to provide a copy of your employment contract or a letter of intent from your employer.
Degree or Diploma – You will need to provide a copy of your degree or diploma and have it authenticated by a Taiwanese embassy or consulate.
Criminal Background Check – You will need to provide a criminal background check from your home country, which must be authenticated by a Taiwanese embassy or consulate.
Health Certificate – You will need to provide a health certificate issued by a hospital or clinic approved by the Taiwanese embassy or consulate.
Work Visa – You will need to obtain a work visa from a Taiwanese embassy or consulate.
Costs Involved in Applying for a Work Permit in Taiwan
The costs involved in applying for a work permit in Taiwan include:
Application fee – NT$1,000 (approximately US$35).
Health certificate fee – The cost of a health certificate varies depending on the hospital or clinic where you obtain it.
Authentication fees – The fees for authenticating documents, such as your degree or criminal background check, vary depending on the Taiwanese embassy or consulate.
Where to Find Information on Working Legally in Taiwan
For reliable information on working legally in Taiwan, expats can refer to the following websites:
National Immigration Agency – The National Immigration Agency provides information on visa and work permit applications, as well as other immigration-related matters. Their website is http://www.immigration.gov.tw.
Bureau of Consular Affairs – The Bureau of Consular Affairs provides information on authenticating documents and obtaining a visa for entry into Taiwan. Their website is https://www.boca.gov.tw.
Taiwan External Trade Development Council – The Taiwan External Trade Development Council provides information on working in Taiwan and business opportunities in the country. Their website is https://www.taiwantrade.com.
