Working Holiday-FAQs

MoblieMenu

search

Search

Advanced Search

Keywords

TopLink

FooterLink

:::

Working holidays in Taiwan

:::

Q1.

What is the working holiday program?

A1.

In order to encourage international engagement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has actively promoted the signing of working holiday agreements with other countries. While taking a holiday shall be the primary purpose of working holidaymakers, they may also engage in temporary work to supplement their travel funds and better experience life in another culture. The working holiday program is not meant for foreign nationals who seek to take up full-time jobs, study, or stay in Taiwan for extended periods of time for other purposes.

Q2.

Who is eligible for a working holiday visa?

A2.

In accordance with the working holiday agreements signed between Taiwan and other countries, foreign nationals must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a working holiday visa:

Nationality: Applicants shall be citizens of one of the countries with which Taiwan has signed a working holiday agreement, and shall not have previously received a Taiwan working holiday visa.
Purpose: Applicants must demonstrate to the ROC embassy, consulate, or other overseas mission issuing the working holiday visa that the primary purpose for their stay in Taiwan is to take a holiday―with employment being a secondary reason for the visit―and that they intend to leave Taiwan before the visa expires.
Age: Applicants shall be aged between 18 and 35 at the time of application.

(Age restrictions for applicants may vary; please refer to https://www.youthtaiwan.net/WorkingHolidayen/cp.aspx?n=724F0F21A25489A0&s=FCE654B9A9575A97)

Dependents: A working holiday visa does not allow the holder to take dependents when traveling to Taiwan.
Passport validity: The applicant’s passport shall have remaining validity of at least 12 months as of the expected date of arrival in Taiwan.
Return flight ticket: Applicants must hold a round trip flight ticket, or be able to demonstrate that they possess sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.
Living expenses: Applicants shall possess at least €2,000, or an equivalent amount of other currency, to pay for living expenses during their stay in Taiwan.
Medical insurance: Applicants shall have full medical and hospitalization insurance for the entire duration of their stay in Taiwan.

Q3.

What is the difference between a working holiday visa and a work visa?

A3.

Taking a holiday is the primary purpose of working holidaymakers. To supplement their funds and to better experience the local culture, they may also engage in temporary employment. As such, the working holiday scheme does not apply to those foreign nationals who seek to take on full-time jobs, study, or stay in Taiwan for extended periods for other purposes. The visas of foreign nationals coming to Taiwan as part of the working holiday program are marked with “WH,” except for those of UK nationals which are marked with “YM.”

Q4.	Are there restrictions concerning the number of times I can apply for a working holiday work visa?
A4.	Yes. Applicants shall not have previously received a Taiwan working holiday visa.

Q5.	What are the age restrictions for participants in the working holiday program?
A5.	In general, participants shall be aged between 18 and 35. However, different age restrictions may apply for nationals of certain countries. Please refer to the working holiday agreement between Taiwan and your home country for related information, or see the table under List of partner countries.

Q6.	Can I apply for a working holiday visa while not residing in my home country?
A6.	No. The applicant must reside in his or her home country when applying for a working holiday visa.

Q7.	I am currently in Taiwan and hold a working holiday visa. Can I change to another visa?
A7.	According to relevant regulations, working holiday visas cannot be changed to other visa types.

Q8.	Can I apply for a working holiday visa when married?
A8.	Yes. You can apply for a working holiday visa when married. However, the working holiday visa does not allow holders to bring family members with them to Taiwan, unless these family members possess other valid visas for Taiwan.

Q9.	Do I need to apply for a working holiday visa in person?
A9.	Yes. You have to submit the working holiday visa application form in person. Mail, telex, and online applications, as well as applications made through third parties, are not accepted.

Q10.	Do I need to be interviewed as part of the application process?
A10.	You will be interviewed if deemed necessary.

Q11.	How long will it take to process my application?
A11.	Applications are processed as quickly as possible. Processing time depends for a large part on whether you provide accurate and complete documentation when submitting the application.

Q12.	Is there a limit on the number of applicants?
A12.	Yes. In each working holiday agreement signed between Taiwan and other countries, an annual quota of applicants is specified.

Q13.	Does the employer of a foreign national who is staying in Taiwan on a working holiday visa need to apply for a separate work permit for the foreign national with the Ministry of the Labor?
A13.	In accordance with Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers, working holiday visas are deemed work permits. Therefore, employers of holders of such visa do not need to apply for a work permit with the Ministry of Labor.

Q14.

How do I apply for a visa extension when the original period of stay expires? What is the duration of a visa extension? Where do I apply for an extension?

A14.

If needed, visa holders may apply for a 180-day extension 15 days prior to the expiration of the original duration of stay. The total duration of stay for working holiday visa holders, including an extension, shall be no more than one year from the date of entry into Taiwan. Applications for an extension shall be made with the National Immigration Agency service center in the city or county where you reside.

Q15.	Does the ROC government offer assistance to working holiday visa holders in finding work?
A15.	No. Working holidaymakers must find work opportunities themselves. The government plays no role in this process.

Q16.	Are there any restrictions on the type of work working holidaymakers are allowed to do?
A16.	Generally, there are no restrictions on the type of work. However, working holidaymakers shall not work in places of ill repute.

Q1.

Am I able to join Taiwan’s National Health Insurance?

A1.

Foreign youth participating in the working holiday program in Taiwan shall purchase sufficient commercial health insurance to cover their medical expenses during their stay in Taiwan. Nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, and Slovakia are not eligible to join Taiwan’s National Health Insurance with a working holiday visa.

UK nationals participating in Taiwan’s working holiday program may apply for an Alien Resident Certificate, with which they become eligible to enroll in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance. Employees should be registered with the NHI by the employer on the first day of employment. Unemployed persons should enroll in the NHI through local government offices after having resided in Taiwan for six consecutive months. Details on insurance eligibility and benefits can be found in the Handbook of Taiwan’s National Health Insurance, which is available in six languages, i.e., Chinese, English, Japanese, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese.

Q1.

Am I allowed to drive in Taiwan?

A1.

Foreign nationals who want to drive in Taiwan must meet the requirements of Taiwan’s driving regulations. In addition, if you are from a country that has signed a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan on exchanging driver’s licenses without tests, you can drive in Taiwan either with an international driver’s license or by exchanging your original driver’s license for a Taiwanese license, depending on the stipulations of the agreement between Taiwan and your country.

Q2.

Can I drive in Taiwan with my international driver’s license?

A2.

Foreign nationals holding a valid international driver’s license issued by a nation that has signed a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan on exchanging driver’s licenses without tests may lawfully drive vehicles in the first 30 days of their stay in Taiwan. There is no need to apply for another driver’s license. Those planning to drive after the initial 30-day period must fill in an International Driving License Permit Application and go to a Motor Vehicle Office to obtain an extension for their driving privileges in Taiwan. The maximum extension time is one year.

Q3.

Can I drive in Taiwan with my international driver’s license?

A3.

Yes. In fact, foreign nationals who intend to drive in Taiwan for a longer period of time must exchange their original driver’s license for a Taiwanese license, or take the written test and road test in order to acquire a Taiwanese license. Whether foreign nationals can directly exchange the original driver’s license issued in their home country depends on if that particular country has signed a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan on exchanging driver’s licenses without tests.

To convert a driver’s license issued by another country or territory into a Taiwanese license, the holder must, before arriving in Taiwan, apply for verification at an overseas ROC embassy, representative office, or, after arriving in Taiwan, at a foreign embassy or representative office in Taiwan.

Q4.	How do I obtain a new Taiwanese driver’s license?
A4.	To obtain a new Taiwanese driver’s license, a driver must apply for a driver’s license test at a Motor Vehicle Office. For the convenience of foreigners, a computerized written test item bank is provided in seven languages: Chinese, English, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian.

Q5.

What about driving motorcycles?

A5.

Motorcycles in Taiwan are divided into light motorcycles, ordinary heavy motorcycles and large heavy motorcycles. Motorcycles with engines 550 cc or larger are now allowed on all of Taiwan’s expressways (but not freeways). Headlights must be turned on at all times, and drivers and passengers must wear full-face safety helmets

Foreign nationals may ride motorcycles in Taiwan. Applications for motorcycle driver’s licenses must be submitted to Motor Vehicle Offices. The motorcycle driver’s license will be issued only after the applicant passes both the written test on traffic regulations and the road test.

Those who have a valid Taiwanese car driver’s license can ride a light motorcycle of 50 cc or lower. Those with a valid car driver’s license or light motorcycle driver’s license who apply for an ordinary heavy motorcycle (between 51 cc and 250 cc) driver’s license are exempted from the written test.

Those who want to take the test for large, heavy motorcycle (above 250 cc) driver’s license must be aged 20 or above, have held an ordinary heavy motorcycle driver’s license for more than one year, have completed a training course at a registered driver’s education school, and have passed a comprehensive physical examination.

Q1.

How does a foreign national working in Taiwan file his or her income tax?

A1.

(1) Any individual earning income from sources in Taiwan (including income derived outside Taiwan for services rendered in Taiwan when staying in Taiwan for over 90 days within a single taxable year) is required to pay income tax in accordance with Article 2 of the Income Tax Act. The income tax liability of an individual depends on his or her residence status (i.e., resident or nonresident) without consideration of the individual’s nationality.

i. Residents

A resident is taxed progressively on the basis of net consolidated income (gross consolidated income including income derived outside Taiwan for services rendered in Taiwan, minus exemptions and deductions) at rates from five percent to 45 percent. Residents shall file an annual income tax return in the month of May following the year in which the income was earned. Residents leaving Taiwan before the end of a year in which income was earned from sources in Taiwan shall file an income tax return for that year prior to departure.

ii. Nonresidents

A nonresident who earns income that is subject to withholding tax in accordance to Article 88 of the Income Tax Act is not required to file an income tax return. However, such an individual shall be subject to the withholding tax, and the tax shall be withheld upon payment of the income at a rate prescribed by relevant regulations. Currently, the withholding tax rate on wages or salaries is 18 percent, unless the wages or salaries are below 1.5 times the monthly basic salary as prescribed by the Executive Yuan (i.e., NT$31,514 in 2017), in which case the rate is six percent. For other categories of income, the withholding rate is 20 percent in most cases. However, a nonresident who earns income that is not subject to withholding tax―e.g., earnings from property transactions―shall file an income tax return at a rate prescribed by relevant regulations. Furthermore, with regard to nonresidents who stay in Taiwan for more than 90 days within one taxable year and derive income from sources outside Taiwan for services rendered in Taiwan, such income shall be declared and taxed at a rate of 18 percent.

(2) A foreign national who resides in Taiwan for less than 183 days in a taxable year shall be considered a nonresident. As mentioned above, his or her employer in Taiwan shall withhold tax upon payment of wages and salaries at a rate of six or 18 percent.

(3) For more information on tax issues pertaining to foreign nationals working in Taiwan, please visit the eTax Portal of the Ministry of Finance at https://www.etax.nat.gov.tw/etwmain/, or call (02) 2311-3711 ext. 1116 or 1118.

Q2.	What are the definitions of resident and nonresident in accordance with the Income Tax Act?
A2.	(1) The term resident refers to any R.O.C. national who has registered residence in the Household Registration Office and resides in Taiwan for 31 days or more in a taxable year, or any other individual who stays in Taiwan for 183 days or more in a taxable year. (2) The term nonresident refers to individuals who do not meet the aforementioned definition of resident.

Q1.

How do I open a bank account in Taiwan?

A1.

Foreign nationals who wish to open a bank account in Taiwan must present two different identification documents. Applicants under the age of 18 must also present an authorization letter from their guardian in Taiwan.

	Identification document 1	Identification document 2
Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) holders	ARC	Other identification document such as National Health Insurance card, passport, driver’s license or student card
Persons without an ARC (without a place of residence in Taiwan)	Passport with valid entry visa (or stamp); or overseas compatriot identification certificate issued by the Overseas Community Affairs Council	Record of Taiwan ID number

Q1.	Do foreigners coming to Taiwan on a working holiday need to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor?
A1.	No, there is no need to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. The working holiday visa issued by ROC embassies or missions is deemed to be a work permit; thus, the visa holder may enter the country and be recruited to work.

Q2.

What standards apply to foreigners on a working holiday?

A2.

As stipulated in Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers, an entry visa held by a foreign worker is deemed as a work permit, as long as the visa has been granted on the basis of an international written agreement which specifies the work permit, the number of workers, and the period of residence (stay) but whose primary purpose does not concern work in Taiwan. The period granted as a work permit shall not exceed one year.

Q3.

Do youth working holidaymakers need to comply with Article 46 of the Employment Services Act, which specifies that a foreign worker may only be employed to engage in certain activities within Taiwan?

A3.

In line with the policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Labor does not limit the type of work that the youth may engage in during the working holiday in Taiwan, although the work may still be limited by other provisions. Any relevant bilateral agreements between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and a foreign working holidaymaker’s country should be reviewed for other applicable limitations or restrictions, while provisions stipulated by other competent authorities may also apply. For instance, the Ministry of Education stipulates provisions governing those working in cram schools, and specifying that medical staff should be qualified for practice, and that guides in the tourism industry should be qualified, licensed or registered as tour leaders.

Q4.

How do foreign workers apply for labor insurance coverage?

A4.

The employer (“insured unit”) who hires the foreign worker (“insured persons”) should be responsible for the labor insurance coverage. The employer should complete an insurance application form and submit it to the Bureau of Labor Insurance together with copies of the laborer’s work permit and associated documents as approved by the central competent authority or other relevant competent authority. For the enrollment documents required for the labor insurance scheme, please see the Bureau of Labor Insurance website at http://www.bli.gov.tw/en/sub.aspx?a=etXW4E8nTI4%3d.

Q5.

Why is the labor insurance premium categorized into two types: ordinary insurance and occupational accident insurance? How much do employers and employees each have to pay?

A5.

To improve health and safety in the workplace, reduce the occurrence of occupational accidents and ensure that employers act responsibly, the Labor Insurance Act specifically categorizes labor insurance coverage into two types, ordinary insurance and occupational accident insurance. For the premium of the ordinary insurance, individuals (those working for a specific employer, employers actually engaged in work and trainees at occupational training institutions) pay 20 percent of the total, the insured unit pays 70 percent and the government 10 percent. The premium of occupational accident insurance shall be paid entirely by the insured unit.

Q6.	How is insured salary determined for foreigners coming to Taiwan on a working holiday?
A6.	Insured salary is determined by the total monthly salary. The insured unit should report an insured person’s monthly salary in accordance with the Table of Grades of Insurance Salary: http://www.bli.gov.tw/en/sub.aspx?a=ElgXn8JyGf4%3d.

Q7.

How should employers insure employees or withdraw such insurance?

A7.

Labor insurance adopts a reporting system; employers should complete an insurance enrollment or withdrawal form based on an employee’s start date or resignation date and submit it to the Bureau of Labor Insurance for processing. Such insurance becomes effective starting from midnight (00:00) of the day the insured unit sent or posted the enrollment form to the Bureau, and is withdrawn from midnight (24:00) of the date the insured unit sent or posted the withdrawal form to the Bureau. If sent via post, the day the form was posted shall be based on the postmark of the sending post office.

Q8.	I have not claimed any labor insurance benefits. Can I apply for a refund of the labor insurance premium that I have previously paid?
A8.	Insured persons benefit from the protection rendered by labor insurance during the coverage period. The premium has been paid and cannot be refunded.

Q9.

What kind of labor insurance benefits can foreign working holidaymakers apply for?

A9.

Foreign working holidaymakers shall participate in the labor insurance scheme as required by the law, after which if any contingency occurs as covered by the insurance during the coverage period, an insured person or beneficiary may claim insurance payments in accordance with the provisions of the law. Ordinary insurance provides five kinds of benefits payable in cash: maternity benefits; injury or sickness benefits; permanent disability benefits; old-age benefits; and survivor benefits. Occupational accident insurance provides injury or sickness benefits, permanent disability benefits, survivor benefits (including an allowance for persons declared missing) and medical benefits. For further information please visit the Bureau of Labor Insurance website at: http://www.bli.gov.tw/en/sub.aspx?a=cHVoa5l2xNw%3d.

Working HolidayWorking Holiday

FAQs