Moving to Taiwan

Applicant must qualify under one of twelve professional fields — Architecture, Biotechnology, Culture and Arts, Digital, Economy, Education, Environment, Finance, Law, National Defense, Science and Technology, Sports — each assessed by its own competent ministry against published criteria such as senior roles at recognised firms, patents, publications, awards or professional licences. The most commonly used fallback is the Ministry of Economic Affairs Economy-field salary criterion: a monthly salary of at least NT$160,000 (approx. EUR 55,000 per year) in any of the previous three years. Holders choose a validity of 1, 2 or 3 years at application; overseas application fees are NT$3,700, NT$4,700 and NT$5,700 respectively (roughly EUR 105 to 165). No local employer is needed — the holder may work for any Taiwanese or foreign employer, or for themselves. High earners receive a 50 percent income-tax deduction on salary above NT$3,000,000. Spouses and minor children obtain dependent ARCs, and under the 2026 amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals a spouse may hold an open work permit; parents and grandparents may visit for up to a year at a time. Permanent residence (APRC) after 3 consecutive years holding the card with an average of 183+ days per year in Taiwan — reduced to 1 year for those earning over NT$6,000,000 a year or holding a Taiwanese PhD. Citizenship is a different matter: Taiwan's Nationality Act requires naturalising foreigners to surrender their original nationality within one year, with an exception only for high-level professionals and those making special contributions, so citizenship is not a realistic plan for most holders.

The Taiwanese employer applies to the Ministry of Labor for the work permit and must meet company-level thresholds on paid-in capital or turnover. The foreign professional needs a bachelor's degree plus 2 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree with none, and must be paid at least the statutory minimum for foreign professionals — around NT$47,971 to NT$58,000 per month depending on category (roughly EUR 16,000 to 20,000 per year). The permit is tied to the sponsoring employer; changing jobs requires a new permit. Work permits run up to 3 years and are renewable. Spouse and minor children obtain dependent ARCs. Permanent residence (APRC) requires 5 years of continuous residence with at least 183 days present in each year, plus proof of income at roughly twice the basic wage or equivalent assets. Naturalisation requires renouncing the original nationality within one year of approval unless the applicant qualifies as a high-level professional or has made a special contribution to Taiwan, so citizenship is not a realistic outcome for most.

Applicant must satisfy at least one innovation criterion: having secured investment of at least NT$2,000,000 (approx. EUR 57,000) from a qualified investor or government start-up fund; having been accepted into a government-recognised incubator, accelerator or innovation park; holding a patent or exclusive licence; having won a designated domestic or international start-up competition; or having established a business in Taiwan with paid-in capital of at least NT$5,000,000 (approx. EUR 143,000). Initial residence of one year, extendable in two-year increments provided the venture continues to meet the criteria on capital, revenue or employment. Team members can apply alongside the lead founder, and spouses and minor children obtain dependent status. Successful founders commonly transfer to the Employment Gold Card, which carries better terms. Permanent residence after 5 years of continuous residence, or 3 years via the Gold Card. Naturalisation requires surrendering the original nationality within one year unless the applicant is recognised as a high-level professional, so citizenship is not a realistic plan.

Requires an admission letter from an accredited university or a recognised Mandarin training centre, financial evidence covering tuition and living costs, and health screening. Mandarin-centre students receive a visitor visa first and convert to a resident visa after a period of continuous study; degree students receive a resident visa and ARC directly. Part-time work is permitted up to 20 hours per week during term with a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. Taiwanese graduates benefit from a dedicated points-based evaluation for post-study work permits, and a Taiwanese master's or PhD accelerates the APRC clock — a PhD holder can reach permanent residence after 1 year and a master's holder after 2 years, versus the standard 5. Naturalisation requires renouncing the original nationality within a year of approval unless the applicant qualifies as a high-level professional, so citizenship is not a realistic assumption.

Requires a marriage registered in Taiwan, an interview at the overseas mission or the National Immigration Agency to establish that the marriage is genuine, and health screening. The foreign spouse receives a Joining Family resident visa and ARC, renewable, with open work rights — a Taiwanese spouse's foreign partner does not need a separate work permit. Permanent residence (APRC) after 3 years of continuous residence with at least 183 days present in each year, shortened from the standard 5. Naturalisation is available after 3 years of continuous residence for a spouse of an ROC national, but the Nationality Act requires the applicant to provide a certificate of loss of their original nationality within one year of approval, plus a basic Mandarin language and civics test — Taiwan does not permit dual citizenship for naturalising foreigners other than recognised high-level professionals, so this is a real but expensive trade.