The Legislative Yuan yesterday passed amendments aimed at boosting Taiwan’s appeal to foreign professionals by easing pathways to permanent residency, extending stays for digital nomads, and strengthening labor and social rights guarantees.
The amendments to the Act Governing Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及雇用法) broaden the scope of eligibility, while expanding government support for foreign workers.
One key change allows graduates from the world’s top 1,500 universities — up from the current top 500 — to work in Taiwan and would exempt them from the requirement of two years of previous work experience.
Photo: George Tsorng, Taipei Times
Lawmakers went further than the Executive Yuan’s initial proposal, which had suggested raising the threshold to the top 1,000 schools.
Foreign professionals who obtained a degree in Taiwan can now count part of their studies toward the residency requirement: One year for a bachelor’s or associate’s degree, two years for a master’s degree and three years for a doctorate.
The degrees cannot overlap.
In addition, foreigners who earned a bachelor’s degree within the past five years from one of the world’s top 200 universities, as designated by the Ministry of Education, can apply to the Ministry of Labor for professional work in Taiwan.
Visas obtained under these provisions are limited to two years, cannot be renewed and can only be applied for once.
Graduates of associate’s degree programs or higher from Taiwanese institutions can remain in the country to work after applying to extend their stay as new graduates, without the need to obtain a separate work permit.
Spouses of foreigners entering Taiwan under the Gold Card program would be eligible to apply for work permits through the Ministry of Labor, although the duration of such permits cannot exceed the validity of their dependent status, according to the amendment.
Professionals working remotely who do not work for domestic employers, but meet requirements set by the authorities, can apply for a six-month, multiple-entry visa through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or its overseas missions. The provision also covers spouses, minor children and dependent adult children.
Digital nomads would be able to extend their visa with the National Immigration Agency for up to two years in total, the amendment said.
The amendment also eases income requirements for Gold Card holders seeking permanent residency, allowing foreigners who earn at least NT$6 million (US$196,046) annually to apply after just one year of residence.
Foreigners would no longer need permanent residency to qualify for benefits under the revamped labor pension system, while those who do obtain permanent residency would also become eligible for employment insurance, it said.
The National Development Council said that its Talent Taiwan program is targeting recruitment for the Six Core Strategic Industries as well as the nation’s 10 key artificial intelligence infrastructure projects.
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