Taiwan asks skilled foreign workers to apply

Taiwan’s national Bureau of Consular Affairs, BOCA, said on 12 February that applications from foreign nationals will be accepted for a new category visa for working in this country in skilled jobs, after a law was implemented on 8 February to attract skilled people from abroad.

The quota for this job seekers visa is 2,000 in its first year, allowing overseas nationals to stay in Taiwan for a duration not exceeding six months while hunting for jobs.

BOCA was quoted by the Central News Agency as saying that this special job-seeking visa will only be given to foreigners who have been earning at least $1,648 per month on an average in their most recent job for the last six months.

On the other hand, newbies should have graduated from one of the world’s top 500 ranked universities, as recognized by the Ministry of Education (MOE) of Taiwan.

BOCA told the news agency that the MOE has not yet come out with its list of 500 universities. Once that happens, they will be published online.

Experienced people will need to provide documents of their average monthly salary in their six months of employment in their most recent jobs. Fresh applicants, meanwhile, should submit their educational certificates from one the top 500 schools, according to BOCA.

Additionally, all applicants need to prove they have funds of minimum $3,412 to subsist for six months in the Republic of China.

The other necessary supporting documents are a police certificate, a plan for securing a job and evidence of health insurance to cover the applicant during his/her stay in Taiwan.

The application forms have been made available on the BOCA website, from which they can be downloaded. After filling them, they need to be submitted to Embassies and Consulates of Taiwan abroad. They may be asked to appear for an interview, BOCA said.

The application fee for US passport holders is approximately $160 and $50 for nationals of all other countries.

BOCA had devised the new visa after the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals was passed on 31 October.

According to the act, the rules for the visa, job and residence for overseas professionals in Taiwan have been relaxed and better incentives are being offered in terms of taxes, insurance and pensions.

For more information, aspiring applicants can visit the BOCA website, https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/.

If you are looking to work in Taiwan, talk to Y-Axis, the world’s no.1 immigration and visa company, to apply for a work permit.