The Legislative Yuan passed Oct. 31 the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, designed to relax regulations on visas, work permits, residency, health insurance, tax and pensions so as to attract leading talents to Taiwan.
 
According to the Cabinet-level National Development Council, the bill not only paves the way for friendlier work and living environments for foreign professionals, but will also help enhance Taiwan’s global competitiveness as well as expand economic and trade relations. The council added that the passage of the act marks an important milestone in the government’s efforts to attract and retain international talent.
 
Under the act, work and residency permits for qualified foreign professionals will be extended from the current maximum of three years to five, while extensions of up to five years can also be granted upon expiration.
 
Foreign professionals will also be able to apply for a four-in-one Employment Gold Card, which comprises a work permit, resident visa, Alien Resident Certificate and re-entry permit and is valid for a duration of one to three years. This will give foreign nationals greater freedom as they will not have to depend on their employers to apply for work permits, according to the NDC.
 
The act will also remove the requirement that foreigners must reside within the country 183 days per year to maintain their ARC status or permanent residence permit. In addition, foreign professionals who work as artists can apply directly to the Ministry of Labor for a permit instead of through an employer.
 
Regarding dependents, foreign professionals’ spouses and children who are minors will immediately be eligible for coverage under the National Health Insurance program. The new law also stipulates that dependents including spouses, underage children as well as disabled children of foreign professionals will be able to apply for permanent residency in Taiwan.
 
Under the law, employed foreign professionals who have also obtained permanent residence in Taiwan can be included in the national pension system under the Labor Pension Act.
 
The council said it will actively collaborate with related government agencies to promote the initiative as well as enhance the act’s effectiveness. The NDC added that the law is expected to be promulgated by President Tsai Ing-wen before the 2018 Lunar New Year. (KWS-E)