Working in Taiwan

Job-Seeking Period:

  • After graduation and before your residency expires, please prepare the required documents to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) extension and a change in the purpose of residency.
  • Applicants granted an extension of residency will have their Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) validity extended for 12 months, starting from the month the graduation certificate was issued. If necessary, a second extension may be applied for before the initial extension expires. The total cumulative period for such extensions shall not exceed two years.
  • According to the 2026 revised regulations, graduates holding an ARC for ‘Job-Seeking’ purposes are legally permitted to engage in full-time or part-time work without applying for a work permit. This policy applies exclusively to recent graduates who maintain their original Job-Seeking ARC. Once the ARC is converted to a ‘Work ARC’ (Employment-based Residency), this exemption no longer applies.

Required Documents:

  • Application form
  • Original passport and photocopy
  • One 2-inch ID photo
  • Diploma
  • Previous ARC (must be returned)
  • Proof of accommodation if your residence address has changed
  • Other relevant documents

International graduates seeking professional or technical employment in Taiwan (as listed below) may apply for a work permit based on either “Standard Salary and Experience Requirements” or the “New Scoring System for Overseas Chinese and Foreign Students.” The eligibility criteria are as follows:

Eligibility Criteria: Standard Salary and Work Experience Requirements
1. Professional Qualifications: Obtained a certificate or professional license in accordance with the “Examinations of Professional and Technical Personnel Act” (e.g., Medical Doctors, Lawyers).
2. Academic & Experience: A Bachelor’s degree holder with at least 2 years of relevant work experience, OR a Master’s degree (or higher) holder.
3. Intra-company Transfer: Employed by a multinational enterprise for more than 1 year and assigned to work in Taiwan.
4. Specialized Expertise: At least 5 years of work experience through professional training or self-study, with evidence of creative insight or exceptional performance.

※ Note: Only one of the above criteria must be met. However, the monthly salary or remuneration must not be lower than the amount officially announced by the Ministry of Labor (currently at least NT$47,971 per month).
Eligibility under the New Scoring System for Overseas Chinese and Foreign Students to Work in Taiwan:
Foreign students, Overseas Chinese students, or other students of Chinese descent who have obtained a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a university in Taiwan, or an Associate degree in fields related to Manufacturing, Construction, Agriculture, Long-term Care, or E-commerce, are eligible. Applicants must be reviewed by the Ministry and accumulate a minimum of 70 points to qualify for employment.
List of Items and Scoring Criteria for the Points-based System
Specialized or Technical Works
A01. Construction or Architectural Engineering
A02. Communications and Transportation
A03. Tax and Financial Services
A04. Real Estate Agency
A05. Immigration Services
A06. Legal and Patent Services
A07. Technicians (Professional Engineers)
A08. Social Work and Health Care
A09. Environmental Protection
A10. Culture, Sports, and Recreational Services
A11. Academic Research
A12. Veterinary Medicine
A13. Manufacturing
A14. Wholesale
A15. Other work designated through consultation between the Ministry and relevant Central Competent Authorities

Work Permit Application

After securing employment, you must prepare the required documents and submit an application online via the Ministry of Labor’s “EZ Work Taiwan” (Online Application System for Foreign Professionals to Work in Taiwan). However, this shall not apply to those who have justifiable reasons and have obtained prior consent from the Ministry of Labor.

Required Documents for the Points-based System
1. Original Receipt of Examination Fee:
* NT$500 per application.
* Attachment is not required after the payment details have been entered or logged into the system. However, the Ministry may still request the employer to provide it if deemed necessary for specific cases.
2. Application Form
3. List of Employed Foreigners
4. Scoring Table and supporting documents for each scoring item.
5. Copy of the employed foreigner’s passport or Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
6. Copy of the diploma/graduation certificate for a Bachelor’s degree or higher obtained in Taiwan.
7. Copy or duplicate of the Employment Contract.
8. Copy of the National ID, Passport, or ARC of the person in charge (Employer, Architect, Accountant, or Lawyer): Must be valid at the time of application.
9. Copy of the Registration Certificate or Establishment Registration of the applying entity.
10. Copy of Special Business Licenses: Please attach if required based on the specific job category under Class A.
11. Proof of Sales/Turnover of the applying entity: Please attach if required based on the specific job category under Class A.

Important Notes:
1. If the employed foreigner is a minor, a letter of consent from their legal representative and a copy of the legal representative’s passport must be provided.
2. For paper-based applications, if the aforementioned materials or supporting documents are copies, they must be marked with the words “Certified true copy of the original” and stamped with the seals of the applying entity and the person in charge. (Applicants shall bear legal responsibility if any information or documents provided are found to be false.)

After Securing Employment – Updating Your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)

Those who have secured employment should prepare all required documents and visit a local service center of the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Ministry of the Interior, to apply for a change in their Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) status.

Required Documents:

  • Original Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
  • Original Passport and Entry Visa
  • Supporting Documents for the Purpose of Residency: (Example: An approval letter from the competent authority (Ministry of Labor work permit) and a Certificate of Employment issued within the last month.)
  • 2-inch Color Photo: Front-facing, hatless, and taken within the last 6 months (passport style).
  • Certificate Fee: NT$1,000 (for a one-year permit).

Important Notes

  1. Since universities typically only provide NHI coverage until the end of August, graduates should go to their local District Office or the National Health Insurance Administration to enroll individually starting in September. If you do not enroll manually, your employer will enroll you automatically once your work permit is obtained; however, you will be required to pay back the premiums for the coverage gap (the “window” period).
  2. Failure to secure employment, obtain a work permit, and complete the ARC change process within the prescribed timeframe will result in the requirement to depart the country as per regulations.

Employment Information for Graduating Overseas Chinese and Foreign Students

Legal regulations for working in Taiwan:

International Student Career Platform:

International Student Job Openings Section: