Companies growing into Taiwan may find it challenging to obtain work visas, as Taiwan’s permitted industries and occupations have specific regulations for everything from the oceanic fishing industry to manufacturing. Plus, employees need both a work visa and an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) to legally live in Taiwan during their employment.
Types of work visas in Taiwan
Taiwan offers several types of visas, including:
- Visitor Visa: A Visitor Visa is meant for international travelers who want to enter Taiwan temporarily as well as for short-term employment or to engage in other activities approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). It can be single-entry or multiple-entry and is valid for 3 months to 1 year.
- Working Holiday Visa: This arrangement gives nationals from certain countries the ability to vacation in Taiwan with the possibility to pursue short-term work or study. Applicants must prove to the ROC Embassy, Consulate, and overseas missions issuing the visas that their primary intention is to vacation, with employment being an incidental rather than a primary reason for the visit. The visa is valid for 12 months and allows the person to reside in the country for 180 days.
- Resident Visa: International citizens looking to live in Taiwan for more than 6 months need a resident visa. Resident visa holders are required to apply for the Alien Resident Certificate and Re-entry Permit at local service centers of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days upon their arrival. They may stay in the ROC as long as the Alien Resident Certificate remains valid.
- Entrepreneur Visa: To foster more innovation and entrepreneurship, Taiwan added this visa in 2015. The Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs will examine the candidate’s eligibility, funding, education, or patents.
Requirements to obtain Taiwan work visas
When applying for a work visa in Taiwan, there are certain required documents, including:
- Completed and signed application form
- 2 passport-sized photos taken within the past 6 months
- A passport valid for at least 6 more months with no fewer than 3 blank pages
- A health certificate issued in the past 3 months
- Any additional documents based on profession
- A work permit. Every employee must obtain a work permit before they can get a visa.
Keep in mind that Taiwan’s authorities may ask for more documents on a case-by-case basis. All records should be in English or Mandarin Chinese, and they must be translated by an official translator and authenticated by one of Taiwan’s diplomatic missions.
Application process
Employees have 2 different processes to obtain a Taiwan work visa — at a diplomatic mission if they’re in another country or at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) if they’re currently living in Taiwan. After companies obtain a work permit on behalf of the employee, the next step is to apply for their work visa. Keep in mind that it’s more complicated to apply for a work visa from outside Taiwan, as the process includes these steps:
- Completing the application form
- Turning in all required documents
- Submitting everything in person at the diplomatic mission within 30 days of completing the online application
- Waiting for processing, then collecting the passport
- Applying for a residence permit at a local National Immigration Agency service center within 15 days of arrival in Taiwan
If the employee is already in Taiwan under a visitor visa for employment purposes, they can apply to convert the visitor visa into a resident work visa. They must apply at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taiwan after they obtain a work permit and at least 8 days before the visitor visa expires. Once the employee gets their visa, they need to apply for a Taiwan residence permit within 15 days.
As of August 2022, all work permit applications are required to be submitted online through the government’s Workforce Development Agency portal.
Other important considerations
Employers are also required to put together certain documents for the application process. A copy of the company’s most recent income tax return and representative’s identification documents, such as a passport, are necessary to sponsor a work permit. Other required documents include copies of:
- Registration certificate, business registration, and other permits
- A letter of Foreign Investment Approval (FIA) from the Investment Commission (IC)
- Employment contract
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At this moment, G-P does not offer support in the processing of work visas or permits in this particular location. For any other inquiries, contact us today.