When I first landed in Taoyuan, I thought getting my work permit was the finish line. A month later, a sore throat taught me otherwise. I discovered a whole network of government services that protect our health, income, and long‑term plans—if we sign up on time. Keep on reading to learn more and be smart about your stay in Taiwan by getting started on these.
Quick View of Essential Services
| Service | Why It Matters | Where to Register | Typical Cost or Share* | Who Should Prioritize |
| NHI | Cuts hospital bills | Employer files at NHI office | ~NT$450/month | All workers, especially new arrivals |
| Labor Insurance | Wage protection | Employer registers with BLI | ~NT$650/month | Those in physical jobs or with dependents |
| 1955 Hotline | Free help in Tagalog | Dial 1955 | Free | Anyone facing abuse or wage issues |
| Migrant Centers | Help with job transfers | City/county labor offices | Free | Those changing employers |
| E-Filing | Fast tax refunds | Tax Bureau portal | Free | All workers during tax season |
| Pension | Builds retirement savings | Bureau of Labor Insurance | Salary-based | Long-term workers |
| MyData & eGate | Easy record access & airport exit | Online & airport | Free | Frequent travelers or those needing documents |
*Figures reflect 2025 minimum‑wage levels and may rise with salary.
Step by Step: How to Sign Up for These Services
Get Your ARC First
Bring your passport, work permit, contract, two photos, and the ARC form to the National Immigration Agency within fifteen days of arrival.
Confirm NHI Enrollment
Your employer must add you within three days of your ARC issuance. Check your first pay slip for the premium deduction. Keep a photo of your NHI card on your phone.
Verify Labor Insurance
Ask for a copy of your Labor Insurance enrollment or log in to the BLI app after forty‑eight hours to confirm your record.
Save the 1955 Hotline
Store the number in your contacts before problems arise. Operators speak Tagalog and English.
Visit a Migrant Worker or Employment Service Center
Bring your ARC and contract. Staff can help with job‑transfer rules, translation, or filing a complaint.
File Taxes Online
Once you stay 183 days in a tax year, download the e‑Filing software, plug in your ARC and salary data, and submit. Refunds arrive in four to six weeks.
Consider Pension Enrollment
If you plan to stay long or aim for permanent residency, ask the BLI desk about joining the National Pension. Your contributions earn interest and are partially subsidized.
Activate Digital Shortcuts
• MyData: Link your ARC to download tax slips and health records.
• eGate: Enroll at the airport with your ARC and passport so you can scan out in under two minutes on future trips.
What Each Service Gives You
National Health Insurance (NHI)
The NHI card unlocks subsidized doctor visits, emergency care, and prescription drugs. Keep receipts; high costs in one year may trigger extra subsidies.
Labor Insurance and Accident Insurance
Covers up to seventy percent of wages during approved sick leave and offers lump‑sum payments for permanent injury. Deduction codes appear on monthly pay slips, so check for accuracy.
1955 Hotline
Operators can arrange shelter, mediate unpaid wages, or guide you through legal steps. I once called for a friend whose employer withheld overtime pay; a labor officer visited within a week.
Migrant Worker and Employment Service Centers
Free workshops teach contract renewal, skill‑training programs, and Mandarin basics. Bring a note of questions; translators are available on certain days.
Income Tax E‑Filing
The English portal auto‑fills your salary once your employer submits year‑end data. Upload a local bank account for speedier refunds.
National and Labor Pension Programs
Voluntary for most OFWs. Contributions grow tax‑free and can be claimed when you leave Taiwan for good, subject to withdrawal rules.
Digital Tools
MyData consolidates health, tax, and education records in one portal. eGate reduces airport queues; you enroll once at the kiosk and use your fingerprints for every exit or entry after that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NHI enrollment optional if I have private insurance?
No. All legal workers must join NHI. Private plans supplement, not replace, NHI coverage.
Can I stop paying Labor Insurance if I resign?
The employer cancels coverage automatically when you leave, and your deductions stop on the final pay day.
What happens if my employer ignores NHI or Labor Insurance rules?
Call 1955. Inspectors can fine employers and order back payments.
Do I need to file taxes if my stay is shorter than 183 days?
Yes, but you use a different rate. Short‑stay workers pay a flat eighteen percent and do not qualify for refunds.
OFW Story: “Shiao Ya’s Map” — A Story of Misunderstanding and Connection
Shiao Ya had only been in Taiwan for a few weeks. As a household caretaker from the Philippines, her days were spent quietly tending to her patient. She rarely ventured outside—partly because she didn’t know the area, and partly because she didn’t know anyone.
One afternoon, her employer handed her a hand-drawn map and asked her to buy food for the patient. Shiao Ya nodded, trying to hide her nervousness. The streets blurred together, and what should’ve been a quick errand turned into a one-hour maze of wrong turns and anxious steps.
When she returned, her employer was upset. He thought she had gone out to play, leaving the patient unattended. Shiao Ya wanted to explain, but the words wouldn’t come. Her grasp of Mandarin wasn’t strong enough, and the frustration on both sides was growing.
Then she remembered something from the airport seminar: “If you ever need help communicating, call the 1955 Hotline.”
She dialed the number. Within minutes, a hotline staff member was interpreting her story to the employer. The misunderstanding melted away. The employer apologized and offered to personally show her the route next time. He even saved the hotline number for future use. (WDA)
Final Thoughts
Taiwan’s government systems look complex until you line them up in the right order. Start with your ARC, track each enrollment, and keep digital copies of every card and slip. With these basics sorted, you will spend less time in queues and more time enjoying night‑market dinners or weekend hikes.