(FWA 2025/12/26)The National Immigration Agency’s (NIA) New Taipei City Specialized Operation Brigade recently received intelligence regarding a Thai national, Ms. W, who was smuggling illegal workers under guise of tourism. She recruited compatriots to come to Taiwan ostensibly for sightseeing but actually to engage in illegal labor. Collaborating with the Taitung County Specialized Operation Brigade under the direction of the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office, investigators identified 61 Thai nationals introduced by Ms. W. In November 2025, the Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office indicted Ms. W for violating the Employment Service Act by mediating foreigners to work illegally for profit.
The specialized task force’s investigation revealed that since April 2024, Ms. W frequently traveled between Thailand and Taiwan, leading several Thai nationals into the country each time. Notably, she often took these individuals who intended to work in Taiwan to visit future workplaces, distribution centers, and dormitories, incorporating these locations into their travel itinerary. This operation effectively functioned as an “illegal worker tour group.”
Investigators uncovered a complete illegal brokerage model. Ms. W charged each illegal job seeker an agency fee of approximately 39,000 Thai Baht. She personally escorted them to Taiwan for “sightseeing,” utilizing Taoyuan International Airport as the entry point, and accompanied the illegal workers on public transport to nearby train stations.
During the process, Ms. W assisted in assigning jobs across Taiwan, including Taoyuan, Taichung, Nantou, Taipei, and Pingtung. Regardless of whether it was orchards, tea plantations, construction sites, or the cleaning industry, the footprints of these Thai nationals working illegally could be found everywhere.
The New Taipei City Specialized Operation Brigade task force tracked Ms. W’s flight and successfully ambushed her upon arrival as she led another group into the country. The arrest of the main illegal agent, Ms. W, effectively cut off the pipeline of Thai nationals intending to engage in activities inconsistent with their permitted purpose of visit.
The NIA has recently intensified efforts to sweep out foreigners engaging in illegal activities and is actively targeting the masterminds behind illegal brokerage groups to maintain social order and public safety. NIA Director-General Lin Hung-en has instructed his subordinates to uphold the principle of protecting legal activities while banning illegal ones, striking at the source to “sever the black hand and cut off the root of illegality,” showing zero tolerance for illegal brokers who harm society.
Huang Yi-kang, Captain of the New Taipei City Specialized Operation Brigade, stated that the NIA will continue to collaborate with national security and law enforcement units to target cross-border illegal brokerage and employer chains. He urged foreigners not to trust “job agency” advertisements on social media platforms or from unknown sources to avoid falling into the trap of illegal employment.
Domestic employers who hire foreigners without permission face fines ranging from NT$150,000 to NT$750,000. Repeat offenders within five years may face up to three years in prison. The public is urged not to defy the law for petty gain, as the loss outweighs the gain.
According to the Employment Service Act, foreigners are prohibited from working in Taiwan without an employer’s permit. Foreigners found working illegally will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 and ordered to leave the country immediately. Additionally, under immigration regulations, foreigners who have worked illegally in Taiwan are banned from re-entering for three years.
