Taiwan (Republic of China) visas
Taiwan manages immigration through the National Immigration Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of the Interior, with work authorisation governed by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and entry visas issued by the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA). The headline routes for skilled foreigners are the Employment Gold Card, which bundles a visa, residence and open work permit for designated specialist fields, and the employer-sponsored work permit plus Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). After five years of continuous residence, many foreign professionals can apply for an Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC).
6 routes · 4 without a sponsor · 5 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
National Immigration Agency ↗ · National Immigration Agency (Taiwan)
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Taiwan Bar Association (TBA) — Self-regulatory body for licensed attorneys in Taiwan; immigration matters are commonly handled by attorneys or by the government agencies directly.
Visa routes (6)
Taiwan Employment Gold Card
A combined open work permit, resident visa, ARC and re-entry permit for foreign special professionals in designated fields, not tied to any single employer.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Work Permit for Specialized or Technical Work + ARC
The standard employer-sponsored route for foreign professionals: the employer obtains a work permit from the Workforce Development Agency, then the worker applies for a resident visa and Alien Resident Certificate.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Foreign Special Professional Work Permit
An enhanced work-permit route under the Foreign Professionals Act for designated special professionals, allowing employment permits of up to five years and additional incentives.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
A resident visa for foreign entrepreneurs starting or running an innovative business in Taiwan, reviewed against the Entrepreneur visa qualification directions.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Visitor Visa for Employment-Seeking Purpose
A visitor visa allowing qualifying professionals and recent top-university graduates to enter Taiwan to look for professional work before securing a work permit.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC)
Permanent residence for foreign nationals who have legally resided in Taiwan continuously for five years, granted by the National Immigration Agency under the Immigration Act.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 9 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Taiwan (Republic of China) have?+
We cover 6 Taiwan (Republic of China) visa routes in these categories: unsponsored work, sponsored work, entrepreneur, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Taiwan (Republic of China) visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
4 of the 6 Taiwan (Republic of China) routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 2 are employer-sponsored.
Which Taiwan (Republic of China) visas lead to permanent residence?+
5 of the 6 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
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