Taiwan: Mandatory Online Filing of Work Permit Applications Forthcoming

• Wider adoption of online applications. Currently, online submissions are mandatory for certain applications only. For example, applicants from Mainland China must submit their Exit Entry Permit applications online through the National Immigration Agency website and paper applications are not accepted.
• Early account creation. The Taiwanese government recommends that employers create their accounts prior to the August 2, 2022 launch of the new system to avoid delays in work permit applications.
• Required information. Taiwanese sponsor entities must provide information such as the registered address of the company, contact number and email, username, identification number, etc. to create an account. The Fragomen Taiwan inbound team will provide additional information to clients for the creation of sub-accounts that will be required for the submission of work permits.

Work permit applicants will benefit from a streamlined application process which will result in a faster processing time of five to seven business days, down from the usual 10-12 business days for in-person applications.

• Continued adoption of online applications. Countries in the APAC region have developed and expanded systems that allow applicants to submit applications online, such as China, Singapore and Japan.
• Attracting foreign national workers. The new rules are in line with the Taiwanese government’s goal of building a better infrastructure for recruiting foreign national workers in Taiwan. Together with the previous relaxation of its immigration rules for foreign nationals, the Taiwanese government is seeking to attract high-end foreign talent to jump-start its economic recovery following the pandemic.

It is highly likely that other immigration applications and procedures will be moved online as well as the Taiwanese government continues its streamlining efforts to attract foreign talent to work in the country.