Working Holiday Visa for Taiwan

A Working Holiday visa for Taiwan allows international travelers between 18 to 35 to explore this Asian nation. It also allows them to work in Taiwan for a short time. Working Holiday visa enables youth exchange between Taiwan and other countries. It is a means of strengthening and promoting partnerships between nations. Some nations, such as the United Kingdom and Canada, also call it a Youth Mobility Program.

What is a Working Holiday Visa

A working holiday visa is a residence permit that enables travelers to work and occasionally study in the nation that issues such a visa. Many young people discover that having a working holiday visa allows them to experience living abroad without having to incur the customary high costs of looking for job sponsorship in advance. It also saves them from pursuing costly academic exchange programs.

Eligibility Criteria for the Working Holiday Visa

To promote travel and intercultural interchange among its inhabitants, many nations, including Taiwan, issue working holiday visas as part of reciprocal arrangements.

The eligibility criteria for Taiwan’s working holiday visa are as follows:

1. Applicants should be between 18 and 30 or 35 because working holiday visas are designed for young travelers.
2. There are typically restrictions on the kind of work accepted or the number of hours the traveler can work on this visa.

International travelers are recommended to review the agreement’s terms that apply to their home country. Working Holiday visa holders will have to adhere to Taiwan’s laws and regulations because agreements may differ with regard to the participant quota, age limitations, and maximum duration of stay. 

Nations Eligible for Taiwan’s Working Holiday Visa

Nationals of specified countries who are eligible and currently residing in their homeland can apply for the Taiwan Working Holiday Program. These countries are as follows:

• The U.K.
• Ireland
• Korea
• Canada
• Australia
• Poland
• France
• Japan
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Hungary
• New Zealand
• Slovakia
• Austria
• Netherlands
• Austria
• Luxembourg
• Korea

All About Taiwan’s Working Holiday Visa

Once the application for Taiwan’s Working Holiday visa is approved, nationals from the countries mentioned above, excluding the United Kingdom, receive a one hundred- and eighty-days valid visa. Applicants should note that it is a multiple-entry visitor visa. It is valid for entry within a year from its issuance date. This visa can be extended for another one hundred and eighty days (about six months).

The visa allows a stay of up to one hundred and eighty days (about six months). Before the stay’s expiration, 15 days prior, to be exact, visa holders can approach the National Immigration Agency service center in their city or county of residence in Taiwan to apply for an extension of up to another one hundred and eighty days. The total duration of stay from the initial entry date should not exceed one year, with no further extensions or visa-type changes permitted.

Visa holders under this Working Holiday Program for Taiwan are not eligible for National Health Insurance. However, if employed by an enterprise with more than five employees, they must have a labor insurance policy during their employment period. If the enterprise has fewer than five employees, they may voluntarily get hold of labor insurance.

Taiwan’s Youth Mobility Program for the UK Nationals

Nationals of the United Kingdom selected for Taiwan’s Youth Mobility Program (Working Holiday Program) are issued a single-entry residence visa. It is valid for entry within three months from the date of issuance. For the Alien Resident Certificate application, visa holders from the United Kingdom should visit the National Immigration Agency service center in their Taiwan residence’s city or county within 15 days of arrival. They can apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (A.R.C.), valid for one year, and a re-entry permit.

Under the Youth Mobility Scheme (Y.M.S.) bilateral agreements between Taiwan and the United Kingdom, British nationals with a YMS ARC can apply for a work visa or a student visa (undergraduate and above) in Taiwan before their A.R.C. expires. Unlike others, U.K. nationals are eligible for National Health Insurance. As with other nations, those employed by an enterprise with more than five employees must have a labor insurance policy during their employment period. Those with fewer than five employees may voluntarily hold labor insurance.

According to Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers, visas granted to foreign nationals under the Working Holiday Scheme of Taiwan are seen as employment permits. It thereby negates the need for a separate employment permit application. Foreign nationals employed under the working holiday scheme in Taiwan will have their income taxed per Article 88 of the Income Tax Act.

Required Documentation for the Visa Application

Foreigners who satisfy the requirements for Taiwan’s Working Holiday Visa are required to provide the following documents:

1. The Youth Mobility Program R.O.C. (Taiwan) Visa Application Form must be filled and signed by the applicant.
2. The applicant’s curriculum vitae and a detailed plan of their mobility program in Taiwan.
3. A passport must be valid for at least one year from the application date.
4. Two colored passport-size photographs taken within the past six months on a white background must be provided. Hair should not cover the eyes, and features such as eyebrows, scars, moles, or birthmarks should not be obscured.
5. Evidence of comprehensive travel health insurance covering the entire duration of the planned stay in Taiwan (R.O.C.) needs to be submitted.
6. A health certificate.

Remember, applicants are not required to apply in person. Additionally, all Taiwan’s working holiday visa applications should be submitted to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO).

Financial Requirements for the Taiwan Working Holiday Visa

The working holiday visa holder must have enough money to support themselves while looking for work in Taiwan. They should be able to produce the following documents:

1. Confirmation of sufficient funds to purchase a ticket to depart Taiwan. Applicants can also submit a return ticket if they plan to stay for a short while.
2. Proof of financial resources, such as traveler’s checks or bank deposits.
3. The requisite visa fee must be paid for a Working Holiday visa to Taiwan.

Validity and Length of the Taiwan Working Holiday Visa

The Youth Mobility Visa for Taiwan, popularly known as a working holiday visa, is valid for multiple entries and a year. Taiwan is open to visitors with valid working holiday visas from the time they are issued until the time they expire.

The initial length of stay is one hundred and eighty days (about six months). An extension of up to one hundred and eighty days may be requested at the National Immigration Agency service centers in the city or county of residency in Taiwan no later than 15 days before expiration. After then, no additional visa extensions or modifications are accepted. Travelers should only make finalized travel arrangements after receiving their Working Holiday visa for Taiwan. If they have no intention to enter Taiwan within three months, they shouldn’t apply for Taiwan’s Youth Mobility Program.

Employment Opportunities in Taiwan Under the Working Holiday Program

Visitors can work if they have a temporary job. Additionally, applicants can choose to intern or study for a short duration. Hotel management and the food and beverage industries are top choices for those on working holiday visas in Taiwan and looking for temporary employment. Even professions in the fast-growing Taiwan tourism sector, such as waitressing in the food and beverage business and services like working in beach towns, are available for applicants.

As a Working Holiday visa holder in Taiwan, it will be quite simple for an individual to accept a temporary job in such positions, given the country’s labor crisis. It would be great if applicants brushed up their Mandarin for local jobs.

Working Holiday visa applicants can also work as tour operators in Taiwan. It enables applicants to transfer their knowledge of Taiwan into accessible packages for other foreign travelers. However, applicants should be aware that before a Youth Mobility Program visa holder can begin working as a tour guide in Taiwan, they must obtain a license.

It is ideal to start applying for a working holiday visa during the summer months of June to August. This is due to the fact that there are more seasonal jobs available, particularly at popular tourist destinations that draw large numbers of visitors in the summer.

The positions held by prior applicants under the Youth Mobility Program of Taiwan include hotel receptionist, English teacher, administrative assistant, waiter, photo studio assistant, scuba diving coach, etc. Additionally, securing the work position first before applying for Taiwan’s Working Holiday visa program for highly specialized jobs is advised.

Accommodation In Taiwan

Finding lodging and accommodation in Taiwan is an essential component of planning to visit the country on a Working Holiday visa. It is highly recommended that applicants come prepared and make arrangements to stay in advance to feel secure and have a place to relax when they exit the airport.

Health Insurance and Medical Assistance for Visa Holders

The Working Holiday visa holder should obtain travel or health insurance for their stay in Taiwan. For a Working Holiday visa holder, the application requires the submission of medical and comprehensive hospitalization insurance proof that covers the entire duration of the proposed stay in Taiwan, along with other required documents. These should be submitted to the Taiwan (R.O.C.) foreign mission overseeing their country of citizenship.

The Bureau of National Health Insurance oversees running Taiwan’s healthcare system. This social insurance program, which was established in 1995, intends to provide traditional Chinese medicine, outpatient care, hospitalization, and dental care to the whole Taiwanese community. The system becomes necessary the day an applicant gets an Alien Residency Card, as it collects all medical information that benefits both domestic and foreign residents.

The level of treatment offered in the major cities is comparable to that in Europe. In general, medical facilities and equipment are of a high caliber. However, the quality of care is relatively low outside of major towns and rural areas. There, health facilities lack the necessary equipment and are congested. Taiwan has a private sector as well, which provides exclusive medical facilities. The level of care is of good quality, and the medical staff frequently speaks English. Most of them have received training in the United States, which is uncommon in the public sector.

Modern medical technology is used in private hospitals and clinics. There are virtually few private facilities outside of Taipei, and the level of treatment there is subpar. Applicants should avoid using public ambulances. Private emergency services and ambulances are excellent, but admission is fee-based. Individuals should use a private ambulance if there is a medical emergency.

Cultural and Recreational Activities to Enjoy in Taiwan

Working Holiday Visa holders can enjoy visiting national parks, mountain climbing, vacationing, visiting tourist destinations, and exploring Taiwan’s major towns and cities.

Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Working Holiday Visa Holders in Taiwan

A Working Holiday visa in Taiwan allows applicants to engage in legal employment without needing a work permit. It is only valid for a maximum of six months with one company. Similarly, under the Youth Mobility Visa arrangement, students may study for up to four months without being required to take Mandarin language classes.

Extending or Changing the Taiwan Working Holiday Visa

The maximum duration of Taiwan’s working holiday visa is twelve months (it may differ for nationals of some countries). The visa entitles the holder to 180 days (about six months) of stay in Taiwan, which may be followed by an additional one hundred and eighty days. The Taiwanese National Immigration Agency’s regional offices should receive the application for an extension of the working holiday visa.

Conclusion: Making the Most of a Working Holiday in Taiwan

Taiwan’s Working Holiday Visa offers an extraordinary chance to applicants to connect with other travelers. Due to the modest size of the tourist spots, working holiday visa holders frequently congregate at popular locations to pursue mutual interests. The Youth Mobility Program of Taiwan allows applicants to experience a new culture while working there for about six months to a year (depending on nationality). Apart from this, applicants can explore hot springs in Taiwan and witness some breathtaking scenery. Taiwan has an incredibly rich cultural and spiritual legacy, and Working Holiday visa holders get to experience this beautiful nation.