學務處

Taiwan is entering a transformative era for international recruitment. With the latest amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (Foreign Professional Act)  that took effect from January 1st, 2026, the National Development Council of Taiwan continues to remove barriers to residency and employment of international professionals in Taiwan.

If you are an overseas student in Taiwan preparing to graduate, a local business owner looking to scale, or a professional overseas seeking a fresh start, here is what you need to know about Taiwan’s new talent era.

Note: This article will be updated as more details are available.

1. For International Students in Taiwan: From Graduation to Residency

The "2-Year Transition" is perhaps the most significant update for the tens of thousands of international students (including Overseas Compatriot students) currently in Taiwan. Previously, the leap from a student visa to a work permit was restricted by salary thresholds and employer sponsorship hurdles.

-The 2-Year Open Work Window: Graduates with an Associate degree or higher can now apply to extend their residency in Taiwan for 1 year post-graduation. This extension can be renewed for a second year, allowing a total residency extension of 2 years . More importantly, you no longer need a specific work permit during this time; you have open work rights , meaning you can intern, freelance, work part-time or full-time while you find your ideal career path.

- A Faster Path to Permanent Residency (APRC): Your time spent studying now officially counts toward your future. Depending on your degree, you can "deduct" 1 to 3 years from the standard 5-year residency requirement for an APRC. For example, a Master’s graduate only needs 3 additional years of professional residency to apply for permanent status.

- Reminder, This is a Transition Period: After 2 years, you will still need to obtain formal employment under the regulations for Foreign Professionals in either one of these two pathways:

• The new Scoring System for Overseas Compatriot students and international students
  
• Application under the regulations for Foreign Professionals engaging in Specialized or Technical Work
  
  
  

2. For Taiwanese Companies: Hiring Without the Red Tape

To remain a global leader in AI and semiconductors, Taiwanese firms need access to a wider pool of tech talent without the administrative friction of the past.

• Global Talent at Your Fingertips: Companies can now hire graduates from the * World’s Top 1,500 universities without the previous "2-year work experience" requirement. If they are from a * Top 200 University , they can even apply for an individual work permit themselves, allowing you to hire them as easily as any local resident.
  
  
• The Labor Pension Advantage: Starting in 2026, Foreign Professionals will be included in the new Labor Pension System without needing to wait for permanent residency. This means employers will contribute 6% to a portable pension account, making employee compensation packages globally competitive and significantly aiding in long-term employee retention.

* According to Global University rankings as published by the QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, or US News & World Report.

3. For Professionals Abroad and in Taiwan: The Gold Card Is Now Even Better

Taiwan’s top resident and work visa, The Employment Gold Card—already a "four-in-one" visa—has become even more attractive for high-level experts and "Global Elites.” Those that qualify as Foreign Specialist Professionals can enjoy these new benefits:

• The 1-Year Fast Track: "Global Elites" (professionals earning over NTD 6 million annually) can now apply for Permanent Residency after just 1 year of living in Taiwan. If you obtain a PhD in Taiwan, the wait for an APRC could also be reduced to just 1 year.
  
  
• Spouses Can Now Work Freely: Besides being able to stay in Taiwan for up to 3 years at a time, spouses of Foreign Specialist Professionals (including Gold Card holders) and Foreign Senior Professionals are eligible to apply for their own individual permit , without employer sponsorship.
  
  
• Comprehensive Social Security Through Permanent Residency: Before permanent residency, labor pension accounts and accrued contributions will remain intact even if you change employers. Permanent residency could previously be applied for after 3 years, but it can now be obtained in as little as 1 year.  Also, spouse and children applications no longer need for spouse/children to provide proof of financial assets. After 10 years of residency, eligible residents will have full access to Taiwan’s long-term care and disability services —the same benefits enjoyed by Taiwanese citizens and ensuring long-term peace of mind for those making Taiwan their second home.
  
  

The Verdict: Why Taiwan, Why Now?

The message from the 2026 amendments is clear: Taiwan is no longer just looking for "workers"—it is looking for residents . By aligning retirement benefits, shortening the path to permanent residency, and giving students the freedom to explore the market, Taiwan is positioning itself as the most talent-friendly destination in the region.

Your next steps:

• International students studying in Taiwan (including Overseas Compatriots): Contact the International Talent Taiwan Office to learn about the new 2-year extension transition period.
  
  
• Taiwan companies looking to hire or currently hiring Foreign Professionals: Update your HR policy to reflect the new Labor Pension contributions.
  
  
• Global Professionals in Taiwan, or those looking to move to Taiwan: Visit the Taiwan Employment Gold Card website and apply to join the ranks of the world's most elite tech and creative community.
  
  
• Spouses of Gold Card holders / Foreign Specialist Professionals:
  Apply for your open work permit through the Workforce Development Agency .

For one-on-one consultation and support, reach out to the Talent Taiwan Help Desk .

📘 Glossary

• Foreign Professionals - Foreign nationals who are qualified to work in a specialized field in Taiwan based on their education and work experience.
  
  
• Foreign Specialist Professionals - A more advanced group of foreign professionals with specialist expertise in a field that is in high demand in Taiwan. They are a highly sought-after group the government aims to attract.
  
  
• Overseas Compatriot Student - a student of Chinese/Taiwanese descent who has come to Taiwan to study, who was born and lived overseas until the present time, or who has been living overseas for six or more consecutive years in the immediate past and obtained permanent or long-term residency status overseas.

For the full legal definitions of “Foreign Professionals” and “Foreign Special Professionals,” please refer to this official source .

📄 Key Amendments at a Glance | Download the Executive Summary

For a quick overview of the latest updates to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals , please refer to the PDF file available at the end of this article . This slide-based summary outlines the 2026 core amendments and target groups—including international students, foreign professionals, Gold Card holders, and employers in Taiwan. Featuring key charts and practical scenarios, this guide is designed to help you better understand the practical impacts and opportunities brought by the new system.

Download the summaries:

• Overseas & International Students
• Foreign Professionals
• Taiwan Employers