Are you a skilled worker, licensed professional, entrepreneur, or performing artist seeking to work in Taiwan? The country offers several types of visas, depending on your job, qualifications, and nature of work. Likewise, each type of visa comes with differing sets of requirements, for both the employer and the job seeker.
Furthermore, certain industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, have specific regulations. Long-term workers would need an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC), as well. To learn more about getting a Taiwan work visa, it’s important to be familiar with the different work visa categories in the country.
Types of Work Visas in Taiwan
Work visas in Taiwan vary based on purpose, type of job, and nature of work. They also differ in length and validity, with some valid for just a few months, and others valid for up to three years. Let’s get to know more about each type of work visa!
Visitor Visa
As the name says, the Visitor Visa is intended for those who want to visit Taiwan temporarily, engage in short-term employment, or participate in other activities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). This visa is valid for 3 months to 1 year, and it can be single-entry or multiple-entry.
Working Holiday Visa
The Working Holiday Visa is offered to citizens from certain countries who wish to go to Taiwan for short-term work or study. Dubbed as “working holiday,” the primary purpose of this visa is really for vacation, with short-term work or study being incidental. The Working Holiday Visa is valid for up to 12 months.
Blue Collar Work Visa
This visa is for skilled workers, as the term implies. This includes workers in agriculture, construction, or manufacturing industries. The requirements, process, and validity of this visa depends on the type of work involved; it is also based on the person’s job contract.
Resident Visa
This visa applies to all foreign workers who will be staying in the country for more than 6 months. It requires them to apply for an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of arrival in Taiwan. As long as the ARC is valid, they may stay in the country; they can also conduct daily activities without having to carry their passport.
Entrepreneur Visa
Taiwan introduced the Entrepreneur Visa in 2015, with the aim of enhancing greater entrepreneurship and innovation. Candidates are evaluated by the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, particularly in terms of their eligibility, education, funding, or patents. The visa is initially valid for 1 year, and may be extended or renewed if the holder’s business is successful.
Investor Visa
This visa is offered to foreign nationals who would like to invest in Taiwan. Requiring a substantial investment, approved visa holders can manage their own business or work in their own company.
Teaching Visa
The Teaching Visa is given to foreign nationals who are hired to teach at schools, language centers, and other educational institutions in Taiwan.
Specialized Talent Work Visa
Foreign nationals who specialize in research, technology, and other key industries are offered the Specialized Talent Work Visa.
Employment Gold Card
The Employment Gold Card is a special type of visa catering to highly skilled foreign nationals in the fields of architecture, culture and art, economics, education, finance, law, science and technology, and sports. It is also offered to applicants whose salaries are TWD 160,000 (USD 5,600) or more.
Unlike other work visas, the Employment Gold Card does not require the applicant to have a job offer or employment contract. Notably, it is a “4 in 1” card that functions as the holders Work Permit, Resident Visa, ARC, and Re-entry Permit.
General Requirements
As mentioned earlier, each type of work visa has a different set of requirements. Nevertheless, here are some general requirements that are usually part of the list:
- Accomplished Visa Application Form;
- Passport valid for at least 6 more months;
- 2 Passport-sized Photos taken within the last 6 months;
- Health Certificate issued within the last 3 months;
- Employment Contract; and
- Work Permit.
NOTE: Depending on the applicant’s profession, other additional documents may be required. Furthermore, all documents must be in English or Mandarin, translated by an official translator and authenticated by a Taiwan diplomatic mission.
General Procedures
Consequently, the procedures may also vary slightly for the different types of work visas. That being said, there are general procedures for applicants coming from outside Taiwan, and for applicants who are already based in the country.
For Applicants Outside Taiwan
Applicants coming from outside the country generally go through the following steps:
- Securing a Job Offer. In the case of most Filipinos, they are hired through a recruitment agency based in the Philippines.
- Approval of Work Permit. In behalf of the applicant, the Taiwanese employer obtains a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. A copy of the permit is sent to the applicant, since it is needed for his/her visa application.
- Gathering of Documents. The applicant prepares the necessary documents for his/her visa application. These include the filled-up application form, passport, passport-sized photos, copy of work permit, and other documents that may be required.
- Submission of Visa Application. In coordination with the recruitment agency, the applicant submits his/her visa application to the Taiwan Economic and Culture Office (TECO) in Manila.
- Approval of Visa. The applicant is notified by TECO about the approved visa, which is affixed to his/her passport. He/She can then collect the passport and visa from the office.
- Arrival in Taiwan. After arriving in Taiwan, the applicant must apply for an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) at the nearest National Immigration Agency (NIA) office within 15 days.
For Applicants Inside Taiwan
For foreign nationals who are already in Taiwan and would like to take up employment, they can apply for a “change of visa status” from NIA. In coordination with the employer, they need to fill up the visa application form and submit the necessary documents.
NOTE: With regard to the processing time for a work permit or work visa, this could take 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the type of visa. It could be longer if additional documents or clarifications are required.
Renewal of Work Visas
Work visas of foreign nationals in Taiwan are usually valid for one to three years. Again, this is based on the specific type of visa and the holder’s profession. If he/she will continue to work in Taiwan, the visa needs to be renewed. Preferably, he/she must submit a renewal application 1 to 2 months before the current visa expires.
The requirements and procedure for getting a work visa depends mainly on the type of job you’ll be taking up in Taiwan. Whether you’ll be coming from inside or outside the country, it’s important to prepare all the documents and follow the proper procedures.
Speaking of work visa, this generally indicates the length of your work and stay in Taiwan. Remaining in the country beyond the visa’s validity period would mean that you are “overstaying.” Read this guide to learn more about what happens when a person overstays his/her work contract in Taiwan.