Taiwan announces new visa rules to attract foreign talent

台灣宣布新簽證規定以吸引外國人才

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The National Development Council said Wednesday that amendments to the Foreign Professionals Act aim to attract and retain more than 10,000 foreign professionals annually.

NDC Director Hsieh Chia-yi (謝佳宜) said relaxing work and residency rules will boost Taiwan’s global competitiveness and strengthen its social security system, per UDN. Related regulations are now under revision, with the act expected to take effect as early as January 2026.

Hsieh outlined six major changes. First, overseas Taiwanese and foreign students may stay and work freely in Taiwan for up to two years after graduation.

Second, graduates from the world’s top 1,500 universities will be exempt from the two-year work experience requirement. Third, the digital nomad visa will be extended from six months to two years.

Fourth, overseas Taiwanese and foreign graduates with an associate’s degree or above from Taiwanese institutions may count one to three years of study toward permanent residency. Foreign professionals who meet certain criteria, including earning NT$6 million (US$198,000) annually, may qualify for permanent residency after one year, or immediately if they obtain a master’s or PhD in Taiwan.

Fifth, foreign professionals with permanent residency will become eligible for employment insurance, covering unemployment benefits, vocational training allowances, and parental leave. Those without permanent residency will also be included in Taiwan’s new labor pension scheme.

Sixth, foreign professionals with permanent residency who have lived in Taiwan for over 10 years and are 65 or older, or have a disability, may access long-term and disability care services. This allows long-term residents to enjoy the same support as citizens while easing the burden on families.

Hsieh said the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Education are expediting supporting regulations to ensure the act is implemented by early 2026, with some provisions rolled out sooner. Over the past four years, Taiwan has issued an average of 6,577 new valid foreign professional work permits annually.

Once the amendment is in force, the NDC expects to recruit 6,700 professionals in the first year, with the long-term goal of surpassing 10,000 annually.