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Hiring Overseas Chinese and Foreign Students | Employment Approaches

Since July 2014, Taiwan has implemented a new employment system for overseas Chinese and foreign students. In addition to considering wages and work experience, these students can now apply for jobs using the New Scoring Crieria. To qualify, applicants must attain at least 70 points and have their applications successfully reviewed by the Ministry of Labor. This system provides an alternative pathway for graduates seeking employment in Taiwan. This article provides information on two key employment approaches.

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Employment via Wages and Work Experience

Taiwan allows foreign employees to work under six different categories, each governed by distinct regulations. (For details, refer to Foreign Professionals to Work in Taiwan). Foreigners engaged in specialized or technical work must meet specific criteria related to wages, education levels, and work experience.

Foreign employees must fulfill at least one of the following qualifications before undertaking specialized or technical work:

  1. Obtain professional certifications or operational qualifications, such as those required for doctors or lawyers, through procedures outlined in the Examinations of Specific Profession and Technician Guidelines.
  2. Hold a Master’s degree or higher from a university in Taiwan or abroad, or possess a Bachelor’s degree with at least two years of relevant work experience.
  3. Have worked for a multinational company for over a year before being assigned to Taiwan.
  4. Demonstrate outstanding professional expertise by either undergoing specialized training or being self-taught, with more than five years of experience in related fields.

Note: The Ministry of Labor has established a consultation process that allows expatriates in professional and skilled roles to be exempted from the five-year work experience requirement. Additionally, startups with recognized innovative capabilities are not subject to work experience limitations.

If no additional regulations apply, the minimum monthly salary for foreign employees must be at least NT$47,971. If foreign or overseas Chinese graduates meet the relevant requirements, employers may apply on their behalf to obtain work and residency permits in Taiwan.

Employment via the New Scoring Criteria

Foreign professionals applying for employment must work in one of the following approved Specialized or Technical Work categories:

1. Eligible Job Categories

  • A01. Civil Engineering or Architecture
  • A02. Communications and Transportation
  • A03. Tax and Financial Services
  • A04. Real Estate Agency
  • A05. Immigration Services
  • A06. Attorneys or Patent Attorneys
  • A07. Technicians
  • A08. Healthcare
  • A09. Environmental Protection
  • A10. Culture, Sports, and Recreation Services
  • A11. Academic Research
  • A12. Veterinary Practice
  • A13. Manufacturing
  • A14. Wholesale
  • A15. Other work designated through joint consultation by relevant authorities
  • ASO. Spouses of foreign professionals engaging in part-time specialized or technical work

2. Eligibility Criteria

(1) Foreign Applicants

Foreign and overseas Chinese students must meet one of the following requirements:

  • Hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher from a university in Taiwan.
  • Graduate from a university in Taiwan with a minor or major in manufacturing, civil engineering, agriculture, long-term care, or e-commerce.

Applicants who score at least 70 points will receive an employment permit from the Ministry of Labor.

(2) Employers

Employers seeking to hire foreigners in specialized or technical roles must meet specific criteria, such as holding professional licenses, meeting capital thresholds, achieving specific business turnover levels, and satisfying other relevant conditions outlined in the Specialized or Technical Work section.

For detailed qualification criteria for foreigners, refer to:

Definitions

Overseas Chinese Students

An “Overseas Chinese student” is an individual born and residing abroad at the time of application or someone who has lived overseas for six consecutive years with a permanent or long-term residence certificate. The term “overseas” applies to locations excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau. This status must be verified by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC).

Foreign Students

According to the Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan, an individual qualifies as a foreign student if they meet any of the following conditions:

(1) They hold foreign nationality and have never acquired Republic of China (ROC) nationality.

  • They have never studied in Taiwan as an overseas Chinese student.
  • They have not received university admission via the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students in the current academic year.

(2) They hold both foreign and ROC nationality but meet the following conditions:

  • They have never studied in Taiwan as an overseas Chinese student.
  • They formerly held ROC nationality but renounced it at least eight years before applying.

(3) They hold foreign nationality and permanent residence status in Hong Kong or Macau.

(4) They were originally Mainland Chinese nationals but later obtained foreign nationality.

Additionally, individuals in categories (2) to (4) must fulfill the following requirements:

  • Have never had household registration in Taiwan.
  • Have resided overseas continuously for at least six years at the time of application (eight years for those applying to medical, dental, or Chinese medicine programs).

References