萬國法律事務所

The “Measures for Attracting Outstanding Foreign Personnel to Taiwan,” formulated by the Council for Economic Planning and Development and recently approved by the Executive Yuan, is expected to help attract foreign professionals and enhance Taiwan’s international competitiveness by simplifying the procedures for work permits, visas, and residence applications for certain foreign professionals.  The new measures will also relax related regulations and boost the establishment of a friendly environment with the aim of heightening the willingness of foreigners to live and work in Taiwan.

The new measures were made referring to the laws and systems of several well-developed countries and neighboring countries.  For instance, the Taiwanese authorities looked at the Green Card issued by the United States, the Blue Card of the European Union, and the IT Card, Gold Card and Science Card of South Korea, which regards foreign business persons as high-level professionals.

Under the new measures, three types of cards or visas are to be issued to make entry and residence in Taiwan easier for important persons, high-level professionals, and investors from overseas:

(1) Academic and Business Travel Card

This card will permit multiple entries for three years, with three months for each entry, and allow express immigration services at airports to foreign persons with outstanding credentials (such as Nobel laureates and important business people who are recommended by foreign chambers of commerce in Taiwan or who are granted special approvals) whose purpose in visiting Taiwan is not primarily to work.

(2) Employment Visa Card

High-level foreign professionals who come to Taiwan primarily for purpose of employment under government special recruitment or subsidy programs will be granted “Employment Visa Cards” rather than the original work permit letters, alien resident certificates, and re-entry permits.  These cards will allow foreign nationals to enter Taiwan, and to switch jobs in Taiwan multiple times within a three-year period.  Those whose employment is not extended when their three-year term has expired will be given an extra three-month grace period to find other employment, and those who are employed continuously for three years will be allowed to apply for an “Alien Permanent Resident Certificate.”

(3) Permanent Resident Cards

In line with the revised Immigration Law that was implemented last year, the government will map out plans for the issuance of “Permanent Resident Cards” to professionals and immigrant investors.  The Ministry of the Interior expects to complete the related implementation rules soon, and to establish an inter-ministerial examination mechanism for professionals and investor immigrants.

Other liberalization measures will include an extension of the period of stay in Taiwan from 14 to 30 days for foreign nationals who come to Taiwan for the purpose of carrying out contracts or to present speeches.  Such persons’ visas will be considered the same as work permits with the same period of validity; permission for foreign professionals who enter Taiwan visa-free or with landing visas will be permitted to switch directly to resident visas in Taiwan, without having to leave and then re-enter the island; permission will be granted for the unmarried children of foreign investors and special-skilled immigrants, and representatives and managers of foreign-invested enterprises to reside with their parents in Taiwan; and the two-year work experience requirement for foreign holders of bachelor’s degrees who are employed in Taiwan will be abolished.