Comprehensive Guide to Working and Visa Application in Taiwan

(FWA 2025/12/15)This guide to working and visa application in Taiwan is compiled based on official information from Talent Taiwan (International Talent Taiwan Office) and the latest 2025 draft amendments.

For Filipino professionals, Taiwan offers great proximity and a commitment to becoming a bilingual nation, making your English proficiency a significant advantage in industries like digital nomadism, technology, education, and services. Here are the 5 major legal visa pathways you can apply for:

📂 Category 1: Independent Professionals & Job Seekers

For remote workers, freelancers, or individuals looking for opportunities in Taiwan without a specific local employer:

1. Digital Nomad Visa

Designed for professionals employed by foreign companies (e.g., in the Philippines, US) or freelancers with international clients.

• Eligibility: ✅ Applicable to Filipino nationals.

• How to Apply: Apply at TECO in the Philippines (Manila) if abroad; or at BOCA (Bureau of Consular Affairs) if already in Taiwan.

• Duration: 6 months (3+3 months). Extensions can be applied for at the National Immigration Agency (NIA) without leaving the country, for a total stay of up to 2 years if conditions are met.

• Fee: USD 24 – 50 (Subject to reciprocity and location).

• Processing Time: 10 – 14 working days.

• Key Restriction: Holders cannot work for a Taiwanese employer.

• Qualification (One of the following):

  • Hold a Digital Nomad Visa from another country.

  • Experienced: Over 30 years old with an annual income of USD 40,000 in one of the past two years.

  • Young Nomad: Aged 20-30 with an annual income of USD 20,000 in one of the past two years.

• Core Documents: Visa application form, passport (valid for 6+ months), proof of remote work/contract, proof of income, 6 months of bank statements (avg. monthly balance > USD 1,000), international health insurance.

2. Taiwan Employment Gold Card

A premium scheme for high-level professionals, requiring no employer to apply.

• Nature: A 4-in-1 card combining “Work Permit,” “Resident Visa,” “Alien Resident Certificate (ARC),” and “Re-entry Permit.”

• How to Apply: Online via the “Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform.”

• Fee: NTD 3,100 – 9,790 (Depending on duration and nationality).

• Processing Time: 30 – 60 working days.

• Key Benefits:

  • Open Work Rights: Freely change jobs, work part-time, or start a business.

  • Tax Benefit: 5-year tax reduction for first-time workers in Taiwan with an annual salary over NTD 3 million.

  • Family: Spouses/children can apply for residency; parents can apply for a 1-year visiting visa.

  • Health Insurance: Access to National Health Insurance (NHI).

• Qualification: Must qualify in one of 10 fields (Technology, Economy, Finance, Education, Culture/Arts, Architecture, Digital, Defense, Sports, Law).

• Common Threshold: Monthly salary of NTD 160,000 in the most recent job, or special awards/contributions.

3. Job Seeking Visa

For those who need time to attend interviews and seek opportunities in Taiwan.

• How to Apply: Apply at TECO in the Philippines.

• Function: Provides a 6-month stay to observe the industry and attend interviews.

• Quota: Limited to 1,000 people per year.

• Fee: NTD 1,600 – 6,290.

• Qualification (One of the following):

  • With Experience: Average monthly salary over NTD 47,971 in the last 6 months.

  • Fresh Graduate: Graduated within 1 year from a world top 500 university (QS, Times, or U.S. News).

• Documents: Job seeking plan, proof of funds (NTD 100,000+), police clearance, health insurance.

📂 Category 2: Employed Professionals (With Taiwan Employer)

If you have received a Job Offer from a Taiwanese company:

1. Work Visa / Resident Visa for Employment

The standard work visa for white-collar professionals (e.g., English teachers, engineers, marketing specialists).

• Process: Employer applies for “Work Permit” (MOL) $\rightarrow$ You apply for “Resident Visa” (TECO) $\rightarrow$ Apply for “ARC” (NIA) within 30 days of arrival.

• Validity: Typically 3 years, renewable indefinitely by the employer.

• Fee: NTD 1,600 – 5,920.

• Processing Time: Permit 7-12 days; Visa 3-5 days.

• Thresholds:

  • Salary: Minimum monthly salary of NTD 47,971.

  • Education/Experience: University degree + 2 years experience; Master’s degree (no experience required).

  • ★ Student Exception (Points System): Graduates from Taiwanese universities can use the “Points System” instead of the salary threshold.

• Documents: Application form, passport, photo, Work Permit issued by MOL.

【Appendix: Legal Scope of Specialized or Technical Work (A01-A15)】

To apply for this visa, your job responsibilities must fall under one of the following legal definitions defined by the Ministry of Labor:

2. Short-term Work Visa

• Applicable: Work duration under 6 months (e.g., short-term projects, technical support, conferences).

• Fee: NTD 1,600 – 6,290.

• Code: Visa Type A.

📂 Category 3: Entrepreneurs & Investors

For those wishing to start a business in Taiwan:

1. Entrepreneur Visa

Suitable for startup teams, with a lower threshold than investment immigration.

• Advantage: No need to incorporate a company beforehand. Can apply as an individual or a team (max 3 people).

• Duration: Up to 2 years (renewable).

• Fee: NTD 2,600 – 9,090.

• Processing Time: ~30 working days.

• Qualification (Meet one):

  • Secured NTD 2 million+ in venture capital/funding.

  • Admitted to a government-designated innovation park or incubator.

  • Hold foreign or domestic patent rights.

  • Won awards in representative startup or design competitions.

2. Investment Visa

Traditional investment immigration pathway.

• Threshold: Investment of USD 200,000 or more in a Taiwanese company.

• Quota: USD 200k covers 2 people (e.g., director + manager); every additional USD 500k adds 1 quota (max 7).

• Fee: NTD 2,200 – 10,395.

• Processing Time: 7 working days.

• ⚠️ Important Warning: Individuals currently in Taiwan on Visa-Free/Landing Visa entry or working as Blue-collar Migrant Workers cannot directly convert to this Investment Visa.

📂 Category 4: Special Contribution (Plum Blossom Card)

The highest honor version of the Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).

• Feature: Immediate Permanent Residency (APRC) upon approval, without the requirement of residing in Taiwan for a certain number of years.

• Fee: NTD 10,000.

• Target Audience (Meet one):

  • Senior Professionals: Unique talents or achievements in tech, management, science, or research.

  • Special Contribution: International awards or significant contributions to Taiwan (democracy, culture, finance, etc.).

  • Investment Immigration: Invest NTD 15 million+ in a for-profit business creating jobs, or NTD 30 million+ in government bonds.

• Rights: Open work rights (no permit needed); spouse and minor children can apply for permanent residency.

📂 Category 5: Students & Interns

Internship Visa

Suitable for current students wishing to experience the workplace.

• Target: Current students of foreign universities (or higher).

• Validity: Max 180 days (Visitor Visa only, not Resident Visa).

• Application Process:

  • The Host Company (Employer) must first apply for a permit from the relevant central competent authority (e.g., Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Education, Tourism Administration).

  • Once the permit is issued, the student then applies for the visa.

• Fee: NTD 1,600 – 6,290.

【2025 Regulatory Amendments: Expected Implementation in 2026】

In 2025, the Taiwan government amended laws regarding foreign talent recruitment. The new regulations are expected to be implemented gradually in 2026. Key relaxations include:

1. Work Experience Waiver Relaxed:

• The threshold will be relaxed to include graduates from the Top 1,500 global universities (previously only Top 500), exempting them from the 2-year work experience requirement.

2. Personal Work Permit for Top Graduates:

• Graduates from the Top 200 global universities will be eligible to apply for a “Personal Work Permit,” allowing for freelance work without binding to a single employer.

3. New Labor Pension System:

• Foreign professionals who have not yet obtained Permanent Residency (APRC) will be eligible for the new labor pension system, allowing for the accumulation of seniority even when changing jobs.

🔗 Official Resources & Job Channels

The following are official government-authorized platforms and job channels for verifying regulations, applying for visas, and finding jobs:

• Talent Taiwan (International Talent Taiwan Office)

  • The central portal for foreign professionals in Taiwan.

  • Website: https://talent.nat.gov.tw/

• Official Website | Taiwan Gold Card

  • Single portal for Gold Card application, qualifications, and FAQ.

  • Website: https://goldcard.nat.gov.tw/

• Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines

  • Official representative office in Manila for visa applications and document authentication.

  • Website: https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ph/

• National Immigration Agency, R.O.C. (Taiwan) (NIA)

  • Responsible for Alien Resident Certificates (ARC), entry/exit, and immigration affairs.

  • Website: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/

• EZ Work Taiwan (Ministry of Labor)

  • Official site for work permit applications, regulations, and rights.

  • Website: https://ezworktaiwan.wda.gov.tw/

• 1111 Job Bank | Find Your Ideal Job in Taiwan

  • A leading Taiwanese job bank with a dedicated section for foreign nationals and overseas students.

  • Website: https://www.1111.com.tw/

⚠️ Disclaimer

This guide is compiled based on government public information and draft regulations available at the time of publication and is for reference purposes only. Regulations (especially the 2025 new system details) are subject to change. For specific rules, fees, and application procedures, please refer to the latest official announcements from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Ministry of Labor (MOL), and National Immigration Agency (NIA). This document does not constitute any legal commitment or guarantee.