On August 29, 2025, the Legislative Yuan officially passed the third reading of the Amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (commonly known as the Foreign Professionals Act). Initiated by the National Development Council (NDC) in collaboration with various ministries, the amendments relax work and residency regulations for international professionals, overseas Chinese and foreign students, second-generation overseas Taiwanese, and digital nomads, while also strengthening social security measures. NDC Minister Paul Liu (劉鏡清) emphasized that this reform is not merely an institutional adjustment but rather an “upgraded” talent policy aimed at building a more competitive international talent environment in Taiwan.
Written by 104 Foreigners
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Why the Amendments?
With global competition for talent intensifying, Taiwan must adapt to better meet practical needs in order to attract and retain international professionals. In the past, foreign talent in Taiwan often faced the following challenges:
- Overly narrow recognition of professional fields, excluding many qualified individuals.
- Overseas Chinese and international students who completed their studies in Taiwan still faced restrictions on work permits and residency.
- The rise of digital nomads clashed with Taiwan’s short visa durations, making it difficult for them to stay.
- Incomplete labor and social security systems for foreign professionals discouraged long-term development.
This round of amendments aims to provide comprehensive solutions to these issues.
Four Key Highlights of the Amendments
1. Broader Coverage of Professional Talent — Stronger Incentives to Work in Taiwan
- Expanded professional fields: “Environment”, “Biotechnology” and “Sports” (in line with the new Ministry of Sports) added to the scope of designated foreign professionals.
- Education flexibility: Bilingual schools (K–12, public and private) may hire foreign teachers for arts, performance, and event-related subjects.
- Open freelance work: Eligible groups include overseas Chinese and foreign graduates from Taiwan, graduates of the world’s top 200 universities, and spouses of designated foreign professionals.
- Relaxed academic requirements: Graduates of the world’s top 1,500 universities no longer need two years of work experience to work in Taiwan (previously limited to top 500).
- Extended Digital Nomad Visa: Maximum duration extended from 6 months to 2 years, significantly increasing Taiwan’s attractiveness to digital nomads.
For companies: Faster access to diverse international talent
For overseas and international students: Smooth transition to employment after graduation with fewer administrative hurdles
2. Relaxed Permanent Residency Rules — Encouraging Long-Term Roots
- Fast-track for high-income talent: Designated foreign professionals earning over NT$6 million annually may apply for permanent residency after just one year of residence.
- Residency credits for overseas students: Overseas Chinese and international students with an associate degree or higher from Taiwan can deduct 1 to 3 years from the continuous residency requirement, speeding up their path to permanent residency.
For top professionals: Stronger pull to Taiwan, especially in key industries like semiconductors, AI, and green energy
For overseas and international students: Staying is no longer out of reach, with greater security for long-term planning
3. Strengthened Labor and Social Protection — Building a More Talent-Friendly Environment
- Expanded pension coverage: Foreign professionals can join Taiwan’s labor pension system without needing permanent residency.
- Employment insurance included: Foreign professionals with approved permanent residency are eligible for employment insurance.
- Broader social services: Permanent resident foreign professionals and their dependents who have lived in Taiwan for at least 10 years may access certain disability and long-term care services.
These measures not only safeguard labor rights but also give foreign professionals greater peace of mind to live and build families in Taiwan.
4. More Benefits for Digital Nomads
The amendments introduce special conveniences for digital nomads: visa stays are now extended to a maximum of two years. This means more remote workers can choose Taiwan as a medium- to long-term base, bringing new vitality to the local economy.
What’s Next After the Amendments?
The Foreign Professionals Act revisions are not just about easing regulations — they send a clear message:
Taiwan is ready and willing to welcome global talent.
Whether you are a business, an international student, or a digital nomad, these amendments provide greater flexibility and more opportunities to make Taiwan your home.
