Working in Taiwan as an Expat

First, can foreigners work in Taiwan?

Of course. In fact, Taiwan was home to more than 850,000 foreign nationals in 2023 as per Statista. The report said that most immigrants came from South East Asian nations like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

This post will tackle working in Taiwan as an expat:

• How to get work permit in Taiwan
• Average expat salary in Taiwan
• Is it easy to get a job in Taiwan?
• Jobs in Taiwan for expats

If you are looking to invest as an expat or high-net-worth individual, which is what I specialize in, you can email me (advice@adamfayed.com) or WhatsApp (+44-7393-450-837).

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Some of the facts might change from the time of writing, and nothing written here is formal advice.

For updated guidance, please contact me.

Working in Taiwan as a foreigner

A work permit granted by the Ministry of Labor is required for foreigners to work lawfully in the country.

An offer of employment from a Taiwanese employer agreeing to sponsor the work authorization application must be obtained by foreigners prior to filing for a work visa.

Usually, the application is submitted by the employer on behalf of the foreign employee.

The requirements for a work permit differ based on the nature of the job.

Foreign professionals who possess particular skills or qualifications that are in high demand in Taiwan are generally qualified.

These individuals include specialized or technical workers in fields such as engineering, healthcare, and education; school teachers, including foreign teachers in cram schools; athletes and sports coaches; artists and performing artists; managers or directors of businesses established by foreign nationals.

The foreign national must next apply for a Taiwan Work Visa, which permits admission into the country for the purpose of working, after receiving a work permit. The normal validity of this visa is three months, so if the job requires you to stay longer than that, you must apply for a resident permit.

Additionally, Taiwan provides an Employment Gold Card, which combines the benefits of:

• re-entry permit
• resident visa
• work permit
• alien resident certificate (ARC)

This is an attempt to draw in highly qualified individuals from industries such as finance, research, and tech.

How to get work permit in Taiwan

The Labor Ministry’s Workforce Development Agency requires the employer to apply for the work permit on behalf of the foreign employee. This application can be sent by registered mail, in person at the WDA office, or online.

The employer must satisfy specific criteria in order to be suitable, such as having an OK from the government for R&D centers or operational headquarters, having sufficient capital according to the length of operations, and generating revenue worth at least 400,000 USD from import/export activities in the year before.

A letter of approval for a foreign investment, an employment contract, the employee’s verified educational credentials, a medical report, business registration, relevant permits, corporate and individual income tax returns, identification documents for the employee and the company representative, and any applicable fees must all be submitted by the employer with the application.

The approval process for a work permit usually takes up to two weeks. It is good for a half year after it is granted, and it can be renewed for a maximum of three years.

Average expat salary in Taiwan

The sector, level of expertise, and type of work all have a big impact on an expat’s typical wage in Taiwan.

When compared to local workers, the extensive compensation packages that many expatriates receive can greatly increase their overall wages. This can cover housing, transportation, and other benefits.

For perspective, the general average monthly net salary in Taiwan is roughly 52,617 New Taiwan dollars (1,623 USD).

In fact, a previous report from Business Insider had put the average at 30,000 USD per year. 

Expats usually get more than that.

Is it easy to get a job in Taiwan?

Getting a job in Taiwan as a foreigner sometimes calls for a willingness to study Mandarin in addition to hard work and appropriate credentials.

Being able to communicate in Mandarin can greatly improve employment opportunities. For positions outside of the English teaching field, in particular, many businesses choose applicants who are fluent in Mandarin.

When applying for jobs that don’t require specialized abilities, local candidates are intense competition to expatriates.

Generally speaking, employers are looking for applicants that possess talents that are in high demand in the community.

Internal transfers are a common way for foreign workers to find employment as well.

Taiwan is seeing reduced joblessness and rising wages as its economy continues to thrive.

Jobs in Taiwan for expats

Given the strong need for English teachers in both public and private cram schools, careers frequently involve teaching the language. Additionally, the country is a center for the electronics sector.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is a major player that offers many prospects to qualified workers.

Additionally, Taipei jobs for expats include roles like sales representatives, particularly in the medical and IT sectors.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters, with over 760.2 million answer views on Quora.com, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.