Taiwan Visa and Work Permit
Types of Taiwan Visas
In terms of Taiwan Statute Governing Issuance of ROC Visas in Foreign Passports, there are four types of visa that may be issued in foreign passports, namely:
1. Visitor’s Visa
There are four main types of visitor visa, namely:
1. two weeks – intended for short stays only, no extension allowed;
2. one month – intended for short stays only, no extension allowed;
3. sixty-days – can be extended for legitimate reasons unless bear the words “No extension will be granted” and
4. ninety-days – can be extended for legitimate reasons.
A maximum of two extensions for 90 and 120 days may be obtained from any city/county police headquarters in Taiwan.
2. Landing VISA
May be issued to the holders of USA passport, Hungary, Poland and Slovak, which the duration is for 30 days starting from the day after arrival and is not extendable nor be converted to visitor or resident Visa.
3. Visa-Exempt Entry
The holders of the following countries are eligible for Visa-Exempt Entry: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Demark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and USA. The duration for such entry is for 30 days starting from the day after arrival and is not extendable nor be converted to visitor or resident Visa.
4. Resident Visa
Resident visa may be issued to persons intended to stay in Taiwan for more than 6 months due to employment, family, personal, business, study or any other legitimate reasons. Any foreigners entered Taiwan with visitor visas, should they become employed, they may change their visa to resident visas. Persons with resident visa must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate and Multiple Entry Certificate at the nearest city or country police headquarters within 15 days after arrival or issue of the resident visa in Taiwan.
Requirements
~ Completed and signed application form (not required for Visa-Exempt Entry)
~ Two Passport-size color photos (not required for Visa-Exempt Entry)
~ Passport (original and copy) which must be valid for more than 6 months
~ Confirmed return ticket, and/or visa/ticket for next designation
~ Documents verifying the purpose of visit, i.e. for business purposes, one must provide evidence of business activities; for tourism purposes, one must provide evidence if fund
~ Other relevant documents, for example permit and health certificate
~ Prescribed payment
Application
The competent authority for Visa Application is Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Visa must be obtained at a Taiwan Representative Office or a Taiwan Embassy. The country which the foreigner originated from will affect the validity of the visa, for example, US citizen shall enjoy 5 years visitor’s visa with multiple entries for stays up to 60 days, while British citizen only enjoys 60 or 90 days visitor’s visa.
Alien Resident Certificate
Alien Resident Certificate is governed by Immigration Law and Regulation Governing Alien visits, Residence and Permanent Residence. As mentioned before, persons with resident visa must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate at the nearest city or county police headquarters within 15 days after arrival or issuing of the resident visa in Taiwan. The application shall take 2 working days to process. Requirement for application thereof are as follows:
1. Application form
2. Passport, Alien Resident Certificate, Resident Visa or Certificate of Re-entry
3. One one-inch photo
4. Other relevant Certificates/documents
5. Prescribed payment
Should the Resident decide to leave the country and return, one must apply for the re-entry permit through the Service Center prior to departure. And Resident must report to the Unit One of the Local Police District between January to March of each year for annual alien census check.
Work Permit
According to Taiwan Law, should the employer wish to hire foreign employee, the employer is required to apply to the Council of Labor Affairs and obtain the work permit first for the employee. This application takes approximately 2 weeks, and once the application is approved, a formal government letter will be forwarded to the employer, which serves as proof of permission for the employee to undertake employment in Taiwan.
Once the permit has been received, one can proceed to apply for resident visa. If the employee has arrived in Taiwan with a Visitor’s Visa, it might be changed without departing by making application to the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The governmental website “Foreign Workers For Special Professions or Technical Assignments” set out the categories which a foreigner may be employed, documentations required, the law and relevant Acts, as well as the things which one needs to know while working in Taiwan.