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Government eases rules on hiring foreign interns

Rules governing internships for foreign students have been eased to cover a wider field of applications and businesses, according to the Council for Economic Planning and Development.

In 2003, when the Guidelines for Application by Sci-Tech Enterprises and Research Institutions for Foreign Students to Come to Taiwan as Interns were first established, foreign students were only allowed to apply for science, technology and research internship positions in the country.

However, officials from the council's Center for Economic Deregulation and Innovation said that several foreign chambers of commerce suggested that other business sectors and industries should be added to the list.

Following a meeting with the Ministry of Economic Affairs in early May, the council then released its Guidelines for Application by Enterprises and Juridical Persons for Students to Come to Taiwan as Interns.

The guidelines allow a variety of businesses in the country to hire foreign interns, including the financial and telecommunications service industries, the officials said.

According to the new guidelines, businesses and organizations that meet certain requirements, corporate bodies under the ministry, and the European, US and Japanese chambers of commerce can invite foreign students to apply for internships in the country.

Domestic and foreign-invested enterprises, as well as local branches of foreign businesses, need to have annual revenues of at least NT$10 million (US$308,985) in order to apply for foreign student interns.

Officials said that under the guidelines, candidates can stay up to six months in the country, but those who need to stay longer can apply for a single extension of up to half a year.

The economics ministry will process the applications that usinesses and organizations file for foreign student interns.

The council is still working on regulations to further expand internship scope and opportunities for foreign student interns, the officials said.
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