🇹🇼 Taiwan · Work Visa
Work permit categories, eligibility, sponsorship, application steps, and processing times.
Quick answer
Skilled foreign professionals can use the Employment Gold Card, a combined work permit, resident visa and residence permit; otherwise the employer applies for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and you obtain a resident visa and an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
Work permits are issued by the Ministry of Labor, with residence handled by the National Immigration Agency. The Employment Gold Card offers a combined work-and-residence permit for skilled professionals.
- Most foreign employees need an employer-applied work permit from the Ministry of Labor.
- The Employment Gold Card combines a work permit, visa and residence permit.
- Residence matters are handled by the National Immigration Agency.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose the route
Choose the Employment Gold Card (self-applied, for qualifying professionals) or the standard employer-sponsored work permit.
- 2
Apply for the Gold Card or get a job offer
Apply for the Gold Card online, or secure a job with a Taiwanese employer for the standard route.
- 3
Employer obtains the work permit (standard route)
For the standard route, the employer applies for the work permit from the Ministry of Labor.
- 4
Get the resident visa
Apply for a resident visa at a Taiwan mission (the Gold Card includes this).
- 5
Enter and get an ARC
Enter Taiwan and apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at the National Immigration Agency.
- 6
Renew and consider permanent residence
Renew before expiry; after five continuous years you may apply for permanent residence (APRC).
Checklist
- Route chosen (Employment Gold Card or standard work permit)
- Gold Card application, or job offer + Ministry of Labor work permit
- Resident visa (included in the Gold Card)
- Entry into Taiwan
- Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
- Unified ID / tax registration
- Renewals tracked
- Permanent residence (APRC, 5 years) considered
Official authorities
- Ministry of Labor
Work permits and labour.
- Taiwan Employment Gold Card
Combined work-and-residence permit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Employment Gold Card?
It is a four-in-one card combining a work permit, resident visa, ARC and re-entry permit for qualifying professionals, who can apply themselves.
What is an ARC?
The Alien Resident Certificate is the residence card issued by the National Immigration Agency to foreign residents.
Can it lead to permanent residence?
Yes — generally after five continuous years of residence you can apply for an APRC.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.