(FWA 2026/3/30)Taiwan launched the “long-term retention of migrant workers program” in 2022, allowing senior migrant workers to transition into “intermediate skilled workers” without work year limits. From January 1, 2026, the ministry of labor has renamed this category to “foreign skilled workers”. Because the salary for foreign skilled workers in Taiwan goes up in 2026, minimum salary thresholds have increased across all sectors, and the new rules also allow for 100% retention in manufacturing. The following is a summary of information we provide for frequently asked questions.
● Have salary thresholds for foreign skilled workers (formerly intermediate skilled workers) increased this year? By how much?
Yes, they have increased by NT$2,000 across the board. Starting January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly regular salary thresholds are:
Industrial sector: NT$35,000 (with technical skills) / NT$37,000 (without technical skills).
Live-in caregiving skilled work: NT$26,000 (with technical skills) / NT$28,000 (without technical skills).
Institutional caregiving skilled work: NT$31,000 (technical skills are mandatory; salary increases cannot waive this requirement).
● I am already an intermediate skilled worker (caregiver). Why hasn’t my employer given me a raise yet?
This depends on your contract status and identity:
Current contract not expired: If you have already obtained an employment permit, the original salary can be maintained during the contract’s validity.
Pending applications: If the application date was before January 1, 2026, it will still be reviewed under the old salary standards.
Institutional caregiving exception: Even if the contract has not expired, the salary for institutional caregivers must not be lower than the 2026 statutory minimum wage of NT$29,500.
● If my current contract expires, must the employer increase the salary for the next contract?
Yes. If an employer submits an application for an “extension of employment permit” (renewal) on or after January 1, 2026, they must comply with the new adjusted salary thresholds.
● My friends work in factories. Does their boss also need to raise their salary?
Yes. The rules are the same as above. When a “foreign skilled worker” in a factory renews their contract, the salary must be adjusted to at least NT$35,000.
● What other regulations have changed besides the salary increase?
Health exam relaxation: After 3 years in Taiwan, exams are only required at the time of permit application (though live-in caregivers still require a check-up every 3 years).
● Can domestic helpers become foreign skilled workers (intermediate skilled workers)?
Currently, no. According to current regulations, the categories eligible for foreign skilled workers do not include domestic helpers.
Tataas ang sahod ng mga foreign skilled worker sa Taiwan sa 2026—makaaapekto ba ito sa akin?
Inilunsad ng Taiwan ang “long-term retention of migrant workers program” noong 2022, na nagpapahintulot sa mga senior migrant worker na maging “intermediate skilled worker” nang walang limitasyon sa taon ng pagtatrabaho. Mula Enero 1, 2026, pinalitan ng ministry of labor ang kategoryang ito bilang “foreign skilled worker”. Dahil tataas ang sahod ng mga foreign skilled worker sa Taiwan sa 2026, ang pinakamababang threshold ng sahod ay tumaas sa lahat ng sektor, at pinapayagan din ng mga bagong panuntunan ang 100% retention sa manufacturing. Ang sumusunod ay isang buod ng impormasyong ibinibigay namin para sa mga madalas itanong.
● Tumaas ba ang threshold ng sahod para sa mga foreign skilled worker (dating intermediate skilled worker) ngayong taon? Magkano ang itinaas?
Oo, tumaas ito ng NT$2,000 sa lahat ng sektor. Simula Enero 1, 2026, ang pinakamababang buwanang regular na threshold ng sahod ay:
Industrial sector: NT$35,000 (may technical skills) / NT$37,000 (walang technical skills).
Live-in caregiving skilled work: NT$26,000 (may technical skills) / NT$28,000 (walang technical skills).
Institutional caregiving skilled work: NT$31,000 (kinakailangan ang technical skills; hindi ito mapapalitan ng pagtaas ng sahod).
● Isa na akong intermediate skilled worker (caregiver). Bakit hindi pa rin dinadagdagan ng employer ko ang sahod ko?
Nakadepende ito sa status ng iyong kontrata at pagkakakilanlan:
Hindi pa paso ang kasalukuyang kontrata: Kung nakakuha ka na ng employment permit bago ang Enero 1, 2026, maaaring panatilihin ang orihinal na sahod habang may bisa pa ang kontrata.
Mga nakabinbing aplikasyon (pending applications): Kung ang petsa ng aplikasyon ay bago ang Enero 1, 2026, susuriin pa rin ito sa ilalim ng lumang pamantayan ng sahod.
Eksepsiyon sa institutional caregiving: Kahit hindi pa paso ang kontrata, ang sahod para sa mga institutional caregiver ay hindi dapat bumaba sa 2026 statutory minimum wage na NT$29,500.
● Kung mapaso na ang kasalukuyan kong kontrata, kailangan bang itaas ng employer ang sahod ko para sa susunod na kontrata?
Oo. Kung magsusumite ang employer ng aplikasyon para sa “extension of employment permit” (renewal) sa o pagkatapos ng Enero 1, 2026, dapat silang sumunod sa mga bagong inayos na threshold ng sahod.
● Nagtatrabaho sa pabrika ang mga kaibigan ko. Kailangan din bang itaas ng boss nila ang sahod nila?
Oo. Pareho lang ang mga panuntunan sa itaas. Kapag nag-renew ng kontrata ang isang “foreign skilled worker” sa pabrika, dapat i-adjust ang sahod sa hindi bababa sa NT$35,000.
● Bukod sa pagtaas ng sahod, ano pang mga regulasyon ang nagbago?
Pagpapaluwag sa health exam: Pagkatapos ng 3 taon sa Taiwan, kakailanganin na lang ang health exam sa oras ng aplikasyon ng permit (bagama’t kailangan pa rin ng mga live-in caregiver ng check-up tuwing 3 taon).
● Maaari bang maging foreign skilled worker (intermediate skilled worker) ang mga domestic helper?
Sa kasalukuyan, hindi. Ayon sa mga kasalukuyang regulasyon, ang mga kategoryang kwalipikado para sa mga foreign skilled worker ay hindi kasama ang mga domestic helper.
