Previously, skilled foreign workers in Taiwan were allowed to stay in the country for up to 12 years only, while caregivers (or caretakers) could stay for up to 14 years. Recently, however, the government approved a law enabling them to stay for a longer period of time!
Last April 2025, the “Long-Term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program” was officially enacted. This law allows mid-level skilled workers and qualified international students to stay longer in the country. It also provides them with the opportunity to apply for permanent residency and bring their families to Taiwan!
What is the Long-Term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program?
Currently, there are almost 900,000 foreign workers in Taiwan, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). Many of them work in the agriculture, caregiving, construction, fisheries, and manufacturing industries. However, because of a previous law, they could only stay in the country for up to 12 or 14 years.
Meanwhile, neighboring countries have also been recruiting skilled workers. Because of this, and as a result of the old law, there has been a growing shortage of mid-level skilled labor in Taiwan.
To address the shortage of mid-level skilled labor, the Taiwanese government introduced the “Long-Term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program.” It enables qualified migrant workers, along with outstanding international students, to stay in the country for a longer period, with the possibility of becoming permanent residents.
Today, the program benefits everyone, as it provides foreign workers with greater job opportunities, while helping Taiwan address its mid-level skilled labor shortage. Notably, the program aims to hire at least 80,000 senior-level migrant workers and 80,000 international students by the year 2030!
Program’s Key Points
The Long-Term Retention of Skilled Foreign Workers Program focuses on two key points: (a) enabling qualified workers and overseas students to stay longer in the country; and (b) providing them with the opportunity to apply for permanent residency.
Longer Stay in the Country
The program allows mid-level or “intermediate” skilled workers in certain industries (i.e. manufacturing, caregiving, agriculture, fisheries, construction) to stay longer in Taiwan, provided that they meet the required length of service, salary, skill level, and other criteria. It also applies to international students who have completed an associate degree or higher in the country.
Possibility of Permanent Residency
Foreign workers and international students who have been employed as mid-level skilled workers for at least five (5) years in Taiwan may apply for permanent residency, as long as they meet the salary requirement and have the necessary certificate.
Program Benefits
As mentioned earlier, the program benefits everyone: the employer, the employee, and the country as a whole.
For Employers
The program allows employers to retain skilled workers beyond the initial limit that was previously followed. At the same time, it enables them to hire new workers to replace those who have been designated as intermediate or mid-level skilled foreign workers.
For Workers
The program offers plenty of benefits for skilled workers. First of all, it allows them to stay and work in the country beyond the previous limit of 12 years. What’s more, the higher level of skills means higher salary and greater benefits, as well.
Secondly, after five (5) years of service as a mid-level skilled worker, an employee can apply for permanent residency in Taiwan, with the possibility of bringing his/her family to the country.
Program Qualifications
To qualify for the program and become a mid-level skilled worker, a foreign worker must meet these criteria, based on their length of service, monthly salary, education, and language proficiency:
Length of Service
In terms of length of service, a foreign worker must have:
- Worked in Taiwan continuously for six (6) years or more;
- Worked for the same employer in Taiwan for at least six (6) years;
- Worked in Taiwan for at least six (6) years, left the country, went back and worked until their length of service reaches 11.5 years; OR
- Accumulated 11.5 years of service in Taiwan, left the country, and got rehired by one of their former employers.
Those who qualify for the program may be hired and get new job contracts, to be renewed every three (3) years, without limit!
Monthly Salary
With regard to salary, foreign workers must be earning a monthly salary of:
- TWD 33,000 or above (for industry migrant workers);
- TWD 29,000 or above (for institutional caregivers); OR
- TWD 24,000 or above (for live-in caregivers).
Education and Language Proficiency
Meanwhile, here are the educational or technical requirements:
- Professional license, training course, or practical skills accreditation (for industry migrant workers); OR
- Pass the national language proficiency test and complete continuing education or additional training course (for caregivers).
Notably, the technical requirement may be waived if the migrant workers are earning at least: TWD 35,000 per month (for industry migrant workers); TWD 31,000 per month (for institutional caregivers); or TWD 26,000 per month (for live-in caregivers).
Meanwhile, international students who have completed an associate degree or higher in Taiwan may directly get hired for mid-level skilled worker positions or higher-level professional jobs.
Once a mid-level skilled worker has stayed in Taiwan for at least five (5) years, he/she may apply for permanent residency, provided that: (a) his/her monthly salary has reached twice the basic wage, or (b) he/she has obtained a Class B Professional Skill Certificate.
Employer’s Recommendation
Finally, to qualify for the program, migrant workers must be recommended by their employers. In fact, it is the employer who will apply on their behalf; this means that they would like to retain their employees because of their good service. Hence, there must be a good working relationship between the employer and employee!
Application Process
Once again, the application itself must be submitted by the employer, be it directly or through an agency. They need to prepare and accomplish the following: application form, passport, recruitment’s certification, technical requirements, health check report, and proof of no violations of labor laws. The application shall be filed through the “Online Application System for Foreign Nationals” of the Ministry of Labor (MOL).
Contact Information: Long-term Retention of Migrant Workers Service Center
If you (or your employer) have any questions about the program, you can get in touch with the Long-term Retention of Migrant Workers Service Center through the contact details below. The center’s schedule is Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.
Address: 1F, No. 195, Gaotie 8th Rd., Zhubei City, Hsinchu County
Telephone: 1955 Toll-Free Hotline / (03)659-1996
Website: https://lrsc.wda.gov.tw/En/QA
Google Map:
Earlier, we discussed education and training as factors that could contribute to a longer and more fruitful stay in Taiwan. Learn more by reading this article on studying while working in the country.