A Complete Guide to Jobs in Taiwan for Foreigners: Work Permits, Visas, Where & How to Find Jobs, and More

Situated in the West Pacific between Japan and the Philippines, Taiwan is known for its beautiful scenery, traditional food, and friendly locals. It has a population of over 23 million and a steadily growing economy. Although Taiwan's landmass is tiny, its GDP has grown yearly since the global recession in 2008, attracting many expats to Taiwan to work.

If you're a foreigner planning to come and start your career here, this article is for you. Continue to read to learn everything about working in Taiwan.

Why Taiwan—Top 5 Reasons to Work in Taiwan

1) Taiwan's Economy and High-Tech Sector

Many foreigners choose Taiwan due to its economic stability and vibrant job market. The island is well-known for its high-tech sector, which plays a significant role in the global technology landscape.

Not to mention, Taiwan is a leading player in the semiconductor industry, with companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) or ASML producing most of the world’s computer chips; in fact, Taiwan manufactured 63.8% of the world's semiconductors in 2022, to be precise. This dominance in semiconductor manufacturing attracts professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Taiwan’s innovation in electronics, information technology, and biotechnology also creates many job opportunities for skilled expatriates.

Moreover, the Taiwanese government is actively striving to recruit foreign talents in the digital field for the upcoming decades. Whether you are an engineer, a researcher, or a tech entrepreneur, Taiwan offers a dynamic environment to advance your career.

2) No.1 on the Healthcare Index

Did you know Taiwan is among the top 10 best places for foreigners to live in 2023?

According to Numbeo, Taiwan is currently ranked first in the Health Care Index 2024 due to its well-developed, accessible, and affordable healthcare system. Both residents and foreigners can access high-quality medical care. You can easily access this system when needed since there is a large and comprehensive network of modern hospitals and public and private clinics.

For more details on Taiwan's Healthcare System, read more here.

3) A Highly Safe Place to Stay

Taiwan has a very low crime rate, with exceptionally rare violent crime. Petty crime is also uncommon, and it's normal for people to leave bags or phones unattended in public without fear of theft. Expats and foreigners with children are especially drawn to Taiwan due to these reasons.

4) Convenient Transportation

Another reason to consider working in Taiwan is its accessible and comprehensive transportation system. Taiwan has many major airports and a massive public rail system. For instance, you can easily travel from the Taoyuan airport to the Taipei Main Station via its metro system. Using the Metro or bus system, you can also get around pretty conveniently within Taipei. Check out the map to get around Taipei City here.

If you're staying in Taipei for more than 1 month, you can consider TPASS, a monthly pass that costs 1,200TWD to travel using metro and bus in Taipei, New Taipei, Keelung City, and Taoyuan City. If you're traveling or living in other major cities like Tainan or Taichung, they also have their own metro system; look up their own monthly pass here.

The ease of getting around is another reason expats seek job opportunities in Taiwan.

5) Common English Usage

One major appeal for working in Taiwan is the widespread use of English. In fact, the government aims to make Taiwanese bilingual by 2030 to aid the economy.

Although it might be a challenge to communicate with the older generation in English (especially if you rent a house, note that most landlords cannot speak in English. Hence, we recommend you learn some basic vocabulary or sentences to communicate with your landlords or renters, aka "房東" /fángdōng/); you can definitely talk with (most) Taiwanese young people. Also, most signs and announcements in Taiwan are bilingual, so don't worry about getting lost in the city as foreigners.

Because English is becoming mainstream now, there is a high demand for English teaching jobs in Taiwan for foreigners, both in public schools and cram schools. You can also explore a bunch of jobs for foreigners in Taiwan with Cake.

Jobs in Taiwan for Foreigners: Types of Jobs, Average Salaries, and Common Requirements

1) Teaching Jobs

Teaching is one of the most common fields for expats looking for work in Taiwan. Teaching salaries for foreigners are relatively high, with average monthly salaries ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$70,000 (approximately USD 2,000 to USD 2,300). Many schools, both public and private, offer positions for foreign teachers.

Outside of teaching English, foreigners with degrees in education can find positions at international schools and universities in Taiwan. Most teaching jobs are in Taipei, with prominent international schools like Morrison Academy and Taipei American School.

2) English

Teaching English is particularly popular for English-speaking expats in Taiwan. Native speakers are in high demand, and jobs are available in major cities like Taipei, Kaohsiung, and Taichung, as well as in smaller towns. The high salaries and abundance of opportunities attract many to this profession.

English as a second language is taught in both public and private schools, although their requirements for teachers can vary. Some schools require a TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate, while others accept any native English speakers. Popular schools for expats include HESS, Shane English School, and American Eagle Institute.

The salary ranges can vary. For example, if you're teaching at private schools, the salary can be around NT$50,000 to NT$60,000, while teaching at international schools will be around NT$80,000 to NT$200,000 per month, according to Teast.

3) IT

The IT sector offers numerous jobs to foreigners, including system analysts, managers, system support engineers, and quality assurance specialists. Average salaries for IT professionals range from NT$70,000 to NT$150,000 (USD 2,300 to USD 5,000) per month, depending on the position and level of experience.

4) Semiconductor

Taiwan plays a major role in global telecommunications, and they are a leader in the semiconductor industry. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) takes the lion’s share of the market, and they are always looking for experienced engineers in roles like design, research and development, and manufacturing.

The salary range in semiconductor manufacturing is relatively high, but it varies based on the job title. For example, IC design engineers can earn an average of nearly NT$100,000 monthly.

5) Electronics and microelectronics

Prominent Taiwanese electronics companies like ACER, HTC, and Asus hire foreigners for various departments. Salaries in this sector can range from NT$60,000 to NT$120,000 (USD 2,000 to USD 4,000) monthly.

6) Biotech and pharmaceuticals

Because of Taiwan’s robust healthcare system, there is a high demand for jobs in life sciences. Job roles include research, clinical trials, development, and quality assurance. Companies such as PRA Health Sciences and Amgen offer opportunities with salaries ranging from NT$29,366 to NT$84,127 per month.

7) Finance

With a stable and growing economy, Taiwan offers many finance jobs for foreigners. Roles such as financial analysts, finance managers, and accountants are common, with average monthly salaries ranging from NT$53,000 to NT$267,000.

8) Real Estate

Taiwan’s housing market has been growing steadily, with increases in both office lease space and residential properties. Many investors are foreign, so this industry presents a unique opportunity for an expat looking for work in Taiwan. 

9) Chemistry

A substantial portion of Taiwan’s exports is in chemical products like petrochemicals, resin, and plastic. There are many jobs in Taiwan for foreigners with the right experience in chemical manufacturing. 

10) Renewable energy

Taiwan’s energy needs have expanded in the last decade and the government is looking to move away from nuclear energy. Taiwan plans to produce 20% of its energy needs with renewable energy, especially offshore wind. A skilled foreign worker could find work in Taiwan as an engineer, technician, supervisor, or manager. 

11) Artificial Intelligence

Taiwan is looking to further develop its AI industry, and several government-backed initiatives are guiding companies. For example, Google is expanding its research and development branch on the island, so you may find important Taiwan jobs at Google in AI. 

12) Agriculture and forestry

Taiwan’s agriculture industry is experiencing growth, and many companies are utilizing both Smart and Precision Agriculture. There are also jobs in Taiwan for expats with forestry research experience. 

Several sectors in Taiwan face a shortage of skilled labor, with the country experiencing the third highest labor shortage in the world. Here are a couple of industries actively seeking foreign talent.

13) Sales representatives

Sales representatives are in short supply across many different industries in Taiwan, such as medical sales and IT. Salaries for sales representatives typically range from NT$40,000 to NT$80,000 per month (approximately USD 1,300 to USD 2,600), depending on the industry and level of experience.

To qualify for a sales position, you generally need a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, or a related field. Experience in sales, customer service, or specific industry knowledge can also be advantageous. Strong communication skills, proficiency in Mandarin and English, and familiarity with the local market are often required.

You can also consider a job in sales for international companies that are looking to expand in your home country. This way, you can have more of an advantage, leveraging your understanding of both markets to drive business growth

14) Skilled trade workers

What You Need to Start Working in Taiwan

1) Work Permit

Generally speaking, for foreign professionals, you will need an offer of employment, meaning that you need to secure a job offer from a company in Taiwan, and the employer must be willing to sponsor your work permits.

Once you've accepted the offer, your employer will apply for your work permit on your behalf. They will submit the necessary documents and information to the Taiwan Ministry of Labor. The Ministry of Labor will review the application to ensure that the employer and the position meet the requirements for hiring foreign workers. This includes verifying that the position cannot be filled by a local candidate.

If your application is approved, the Ministry of Labor will issue the work permit. This permit will specify details such as your job title, employer, and duration of employment.

2) Work Visa

After receiving a work permit, you can apply for a visa. You'll need to provide additional documents, such as your passport, two passport photos, and a health certificate. A work visa will allow you to enter and stay in Taiwan for employment.

3) Residence Permit

A residence permit, often known as an Alien Residence Permit (ARC), allows you to reside in Taiwan for a certain period, typically longer than what is allowed under a tourist visa (longer than 90 days), so yes, if you are a student in Taiwan, you will also need to obtain an ARC. A residence permit can be issued for 1-3 years, so it may need to be renewed periodically.

Note that the requirements above might not apply to you if you are an overseas Taiwanese and possess a Taiwanese passport.

How to Find Jobs in Taiwan

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility

Please note that the Taiwanese government only grants work permits to individuals in certain professions. Below, you'll find a list of sectors for which individuals can apply to work in Taiwan:

• Civil Engineering or Practice of Architecture
• Communications and Transportation
• Tax and Financial Services
• Practice of Real Estate Agency
• Immigration Services
• Practice of Attorneys or of Patent Attorneys
• Practice of Technicians
• Health Care
• Environmental Protection
• Culture, Sports, and Recreation Services
• Academic Research
• Practice of Veterinarians
• Manufacturing
• Wholesales
• Other Work Designated As Per the Joint Consultation of the Central Governing Authority and the Central Competent Authorities
• Spouses of Foreign Professionals Taking partly-hours Specialized or Technical Works
• The Director or Manager of an Approved Business Invested or Established by Overseas Chinese or Foreigner(s)
• School Teacher
• Full-time Foreign Teacher in Cram School
• Sports Coaching or Athlete
• Arts and Performing Arts
• Contracting Foreigners

Source: Workforce Development Agency

Step 2: Find Jobs and Companies You Are Interested In

You can find many jobs through LinkedIn, as most companies in Taiwan have a LinkedIn profile. However, to really tap into the job vacancies in Taiwan, you can consider more localized job sites. Here are some examples:

Cake

Started out as a free resume builder, Cake has slowly grown and become a talent platform that offers all-encompassing solutions to job seekers like job search, career workshops, skill webinars, portfolio maker, networking platform, etc., We also offer a bunch of solutions tailored to different employers such as talent search, job posting, EoR service, employer branding, recruiting services and so on.

Here are some benefits of using Cake: 

• Provides transparent salary information: While jobs posted on other job banks might not include pay, all companies post on Cake must (in most cases) include salary ranges, making it easier to see which jobs actually meet your income needs.
• AI-powered platform: When it comes to job searching, Cake uses AI to bring you accurate results, more closely related to your job search keywords. Not to mention the newly released AI cover letter generator, you can now easily create a customized cover letter that can increase your chance of getting your resume opened by hiring managers.
• Easy to apply with a Cake's resume: Apart from a job bank with thousands of jobs in Taiwan, like mentioned, Cake is also a resume builder that allows you to customize your information and chose from a variety of templates with ease. It helps streamline your job application process by using your Cake resume when you apply directly to jobs on the site.
• Best jobs from international and local leading companies: Cake’s job bank is popular with local Taiwanese companies, and you’ll find postings for everything from teaching to engineering. Major international corporations also use Cake to post their jobs in Taiwan, and you’ll find posts from companies like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Shopee, and TSMC.
• Multi-language interface: Cake provides an intuitive interface accessible in multiple languages, including English, Bahasa, Chinese (simplified and traditional), Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, French, and Spanish.

104

Many people use 104 for jobs in Taiwan. This job bank site allows users to search job listings and upload their CVs for employers to find. They have more than 5 million monthly visitors to the site and offer thousands of job postings. This site is available in both Mandarin and English (please click the Foreigners button to access the English version). It also provides many career-related blog posts to equip you with the most practical knowledge. However, the current blog is only available in Chinese. With that being said, to have the best experience and find your dream job, we strongly recommend you equip yourself with a solid Mandarin language.

1111

Another common site is 1111 for jobs in Taiwan, which is also now available in English. Although the job vacancies are slightly less than that of 104, it's still a good resource to use when finding jobs. Plus, 1111 also offers rich career resources for you to refer to (also only available in Chinese).

Social media

If a job bank is not for you, you can find posting for work in Taiwan on different social media platforms. Facebook is a common platform for sectors like Teaching English, and there are multiple different groups with many postings every day. LinkedIn is another popular social media site for jobs in Taiwan. 

Networking

If a cold application seems daunting to you, there is another way to look for work in Taiwan. Building your network is a great way to find work in Taiwan without first sending a resume. Go to networking events for international companies and join groups online for expats. 

People in your existing job network may know someone who has worked in Taiwan and could connect you with a hiring manager. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or coworkers about their international connections. 

Step 3: Create a Good Resume

A well-built resume is the best way to catch the employer’s attention and land a good job in Taiwan. If you have experience working with international companies or have lived or worked abroad in the past, it would be good to highlight these experiences on your resume. It’s also good to emphasize your language skills if you can communicate in Chinese.

Step 4: Prepare for Interviews

If you are not in Taiwan, your interview will likely be hosted online. Like most interviews, you will have to be well-prepared. Here are some tips to nail the interview:

• Research the company: Do your research on the company before your interview. This might sound obvious, but you will not believe how many candidates we've interviewed who show up without any prep work. So, dive into the company you're applying to – learn about their values, goals, and work culture. This will help you nail those interview questions and show that your career goals align with theirs. Plus, you can use what you find to come up with some questions of your own about the company.
• Take cultural differences into consideration: Like any country, Taiwan has a unique culture, and it’s important to take those into consideration when applying to work in Taiwan. Taiwanese people are known for working hard; the work culture values diligence and dedication. Additionally, Taiwanese people often communicate more indirectly, so be aware that directness could be off-putting when interviewing for a job in Taiwan.
• Prepare for common interview questions: You should expect some common questions during the interview, such as, "Tell us about yourself" or "Why should we hire you?" Again, research and prepare standard answers to those questions. Your interviewer might also ask how long you plan to stay in Taiwan or whether you have a long-term goal with this company, so make sure you prepare the answers for those as well.

Step 5: Negotiate Your Salary

Negotiating your salary is critical in securing the best compensation for your skills and experience in Taiwan. To establish a baseline, start by researching average salary ranges for your position and industry in Taiwan. Then, highlight your qualifications, achievements, and unique value proposition during discussions with your prospective employer.

Remember to approach negotiations respectfully and professionally, keeping in mind cultural norms and etiquette in Taiwan. With preparation, confidence, and a strategic mindset, you can navigate the salary negotiation process effectively and secure a mutually beneficial agreement.

Step 6: Research Labor Law, Tax, and Other Legal Issues

Upon your job offer, familiarize yourself with the country's labor laws, tax regulations, and other legal considerations. Conduct thorough research to understand your rights and obligations as an employee and the responsibilities of employers, for example, minimum wage requirements, working hours, employee benefits, and termination procedures, to ensure you're well-informed and protected. Additionally, gain insights into the tax system to understand your tax obligations and potential deductions.

By arming yourself with knowledge about Taiwan's legal framework, you'll be better equipped to navigate the complexities of employment and ensure compliance with regulations. This proactive approach will contribute to a smoother transition and a successful experience working in Taiwan.

Step 7: Bring Your Backpack and Get Ready for a New Life

Now that you've secured your job, it's time to pack your backpack and get ready for the journey ahead. Make sure to be mentally and physically well-prepared for a new chapter of your life. Read more about life in Taiwan, the cost of living, the Taiwanese culture, and even the language used in Taiwan.

3 Extra Tips to Work in Taiwan

Be Aware of Cultural Differences

Working in Taiwan presents unique challenges, and the Taiwanese work culture may be different from what you are used to.

Taiwanese people are known for their hard work and tireless dedication to their jobs. A polite, professional attitude will go a long way when looking for jobs in Taiwan. Taiwanese people can also be somewhat indirect when they communicate, so if you are very blunt or aggressive when you interact with hiring managers, you might struggle to find work in Taiwan.

Learn Basic Mandarin

While many people in Taiwan speak English, especially in professional settings, knowing some basic Mandarin can significantly enhance your experience. It will help you communicate more effectively with colleagues, understand cultural nuances, and navigate daily life. Consider taking a Chinese language course in Taiwan or using language-learning apps to get started.

--- Originally written by Tiffany Quinn ---