Foreign Students Working in Taiwan
If foreign students need to work and study in Taiwan, they should apply for work permits in accordance with Articles 43, 50, 68 and 73 of the Employment Service Law and the Regulations Governing the Employment of Foreigners by Employers before they can work and study in Taiwan. If you violate Article 43 of the Employment Service Law and work without a work permit, you will be fined between NT$30,000 and NT$150,000 in accordance with Article 68, Paragraph 1 of the same law.
Regulations for foreign students working in Taiwan
➤ Foreign students should meet the requirements for foreign student status as stipulated in the Regulations for Foreign Students Studying in Taiwan.
➤ According to the "Regulations for the Permission and Administration of Employment of Foreigners by Employers", foreign students who come to Taiwan to study in the formal academic system can apply to the Department of Workforce Development after enrolling in school, but foreign students who come to Taiwan to study language courses must study for at least one year before applying.
➤ The maximum period of work permit is 12 months.
➤ For applicants applying in the first semester, the work permit will be valid until September 30 of the following semester; for applicants applying in the second semester, the work permit will be valid until September 30 of the same year. Work permits for fresh graduates are valid until June 30 of the following year.
➤ The maximum number of hours per week is 20 hours, except for summer and winter vacations.
➤ If a person fails to comply with the preceding provisions, the Labor Development Agency may revoke his or her work permit in accordance with the Employment Service Act.
➤ If a student is employed as a worker without applying for a work permit, he/she shall be punished by a fine of not less than NT$30,000 and not more than NT$150,000 in accordance with the Employment Service Law.
➤ If a student's work permit is still valid, he/she should return the work permit to the International and Cross-Strait Affairs Office.
➤ According to the "Regulations for the Permission and Administration of Employment of Foreigners by Employers", foreign students who come to Taiwan to study in the formal academic system can apply to the Department of Workforce Development after enrolling in school, but foreign students who come to Taiwan to study language courses must study for at least one year before applying.
➤ The maximum period of work permit is 12 months.
➤ For applicants applying in the first semester, the work permit will be valid until September 30 of the following semester; for applicants applying in the second semester, the work permit will be valid until September 30 of the same year. Work permits for fresh graduates are valid until June 30 of the following year.
➤ The maximum number of hours per week is 20 hours, except for summer and winter vacations.
➤ If a person fails to comply with the preceding provisions, the Labor Development Agency may revoke his or her work permit in accordance with the Employment Service Act.
➤ If a student is employed as a worker without applying for a work permit, he/she shall be punished by a fine of not less than NT$30,000 and not more than NT$150,000 in accordance with the Employment Service Law.
➤ If a student's work permit is still valid, he/she should return the work permit to the International and Cross-Strait Affairs Office.
Work Permit Application Process
Step 1: Pick up a payment slip at OIA and download the Affidavit , then go to the post office to make the payment.
Step 2: Follow the online user manual of the "Work Permit Online Application Flow" to complete your application online, and fill out the part-time work questionnaire.
Step 3: Wait for the approval notification. If your application is returned, you must submit supplementary documents.
Step 4: Upon receiving the notification, download the electronic version from the website or collect the physical work permit at OIA.
Foreign Students FAQ about working in Taiwan