TAIWAN: New Foreign Recruitment Law Takes Effect

February 21, 2018


The Act Governing Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (see our previous alert here) came into effect on 8th February 2018.

Employment-Seeking Visa

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is now issuing employment-seeking visas, valid for three months, for stays of up to six months, and for multiple entries, to qualifying applicants.

To qualify, applicants must be able to demonstrate:

  • Employment experience, with an average monthly salary over the past six months of at least TWD 47,971, OR graduation within the past year from one of the world’s top 500 universities; and
  • Proof of sufficient funds (at least TWD 100,000 – about USD 3400); and
  • Health insurance, a certificate of good conduct and a plan for seeking employment

Employment Gold Card

Effective 8th February 2018, the National Immigration Agency has launched a bilingual online platform to enable the Employment Gold Card application procedure.

Foreign special professionals are now able to apply for a four-in-one Employment Gold Card, valid for between one and three years (non-extendable), that incorporates a work visa that allows them to transition between jobs without legal restrictions, a resident visa, an Alien Resident Certificate and a re-entry permit.

Qualifying applicants can apply for the card on their own without the approval of their employer.

A foreign special professional must possess special expertise required by Taiwan, in one of seven fields (science and technology, economics, education, culture, sports, finance and legal and architectural design) as identified by the relevant government authorities.

Qualifying family members of a Gold Card holder may obtain a multiple-entry visitor visa valid for one year for stays of up to six months, extendable once for an additional six months.

Our Advice

Foreign national professionals in Taiwan, and their employers, should consult their Newland Chase immigration specialist to ascertain how they may benefit from these changes.

For advice and information on immigration to Taiwan in general, please email us at [email protected]