Working Holiday Visa for Taiwan

Although it is far better known as a country that exports internationally than as a country to visit, Taiwan has an extremely rich cultural and spiritual heritage, amazing food, and world-class hot springs (volcanic activity has created many hot springs and cavernous lava rock coastlines on Taiwan) and some truly breathtaking scenery!

Indeed, Taiwan has a truly singular natural beauty. This subtropical volcanic island is more than 70 percent made up of towering, jagged mountains that, in places, rise almost directly from the Pacific Ocean. In other words, a paradise not to be missed. But did you know that you can enjoy the splendor of this country while working and immersing yourself in local life?

How to qualify for the Working Holiday Visa in Taiwan?

How do you know if you qualify for this program? Below, we have listed the conditions to be met to be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa in Taiwan:

1. Your nationality

Since the setting up of the program, Taiwan has signed working holiday agreements with 17 countries, namely Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia and the UK.

Please note that depending on the nationality, the agreements between the above-mentioned countries and Taiwan differ in terms of participant quota, age restrictions and maximum duration of stay. Participants are, therefore, advised to check the terms of the agreement that applies to their home country and make sure they comply with Taiwanese laws and regulations before applying.

2. Your age

As with any other WHV, age is a key factor in accessing the program. For most agreements, including Australia, Ireland and New Zealand, the age requirement is between 18 and 30. This means that you can apply until you are 31. Canada, Slovakia and Hungary are the only countries that offer the WHV to participants aged 18-35 (application acceptable until the eve of their 36th birthday), while the Czech Republic offers the permit to participants aged 18-26.

3. Your passport

You must have a valid passport that has, of course, been issued by one of the countries that have signed the WHV agreement with the Taiwanese government. Please note that the validity period of the passport of each nationality may be different. For example, applicants from France need to have a passport valid for a minimum of one year (12 months) at the time of application, while Belgians need to have a passport valid for at least 15 months.

Good to know:

A minimum of two blank pages is required for your visa to appear on it and for stamps to be placed on it upon arrival and departure from Taiwan.

4. Having sufficient funds

It is important that you are able to support yourself financially when you arrive in Taiwan. You will be asked to provide proof of funds when you apply for your WHV. The amount of money required will differ depending on your country of origin. However, the average sum is around 2,500 - 3,000 USD.

5. First-time participation

To participate in the WHV in Taiwan, you should never have been to the country on this visa before. Indeed, only one participation is accepted per person. But if you have been on a WHV in other countries before, no worries!

6. Having a medical insurance policy

You will need to provide proof of health insurance to cover illness, hospitalization and repatriation for the duration of your stay in the country. This proof should be submitted with your application.

7. The quota per country and the duration of the journey

The quota of places available per year and the duration of stay depend on your nationality, as these agreements are usually, but not always, reciprocal between Taiwan and the following nations. Here is a table with the details:

Country	Quota per year	Duration of the journey
New Zealand	600	180 days
Australia	1 000	180 days
Japan	10 000	180 days
Canada	2 425	180 days
Germany	500	180 days
Korea	800	180 days
United Kingdom	1 000	1 year
Ireland	400	180 days
Belgium	200	180 days
Slovakia	100	180 days
Poland	200	180 days
Hungary	100	180 days
Austria	75	1 year
Czech Republic	100	180 days
France	500	180 days
Luxembourg	40	180 days
The Netherlands	100	180 days

Good to know:

Your WHV is valid for 6 months (or more — depending on your nationality) and is renewable once. You can renew it at your National Immigration Agency service at least two weeks before your first visa expires. In some cases, working holiday visas can be changed over to a work visa or student visa, depending on one's passport. In 2022, for example, Taiwan and the U.K. signed just such a reciprocal agreement, allowing U.K. citizens to change their working holiday visas to work or study visas, without having to exit Taiwan. Check with your consulate for up-to-date information.

7. Airline tickets

In addition to the proof of funds that you will be required to submit, you will also need to prove that you have enough money to buy a return ticket. If you are buying a single ticket, you will have to prove that you have enough money to buy a return ticket to your home country or your next destination.

Good to know:

You will not be able to bring a dependent with you while on a WHV in Taiwan.

Read also Visas and Permanent Residency in Taiwan

What is the procedure for applying for a Working Holiday Visa in Taiwan?

Here is a list of all the documents you need to produce for your Taiwan Working Holiday Visa application:

• Your passport, which must be valid for up to 15 months after the date of issue of the visa. (A photocopy of your passport is recommended).
• A certificate of health insurance,
• Proof of funds showing that you have the necessary resources to live in Taiwan for one year (bank statement),
• A medical certificate less than 3 months old, as well as a certificate of good conduct (corresponding to a criminal record extract) translated into Chinese.
• Two-color passport-size photos
• Your return air ticket or proof that you have had sufficient funds to purchase it.

Once you have collected the necessary documents, you need to complete a registration form on the Visawebapp website. Please read the instructions and advice given on the Q&A page to find your way through the process.

You must then print the completed form, sign it, attach it to the necessary supporting documents, and pay the visa fee (86 euros for French citizens and 185 euros for Belgians).

All you have to do is go to the nearest embassy or consulate of Taiwan or the Republic of China (TECO office in countries with no official diplomatic relations with Taiwan) to submit your application form and the required documents. It is possible that you will have an interview once you have completed these steps.

Good to know:

Do not hesitate to get in touch with the embassy or general consulate of Taiwan in your country to get more details about your application for a work holiday visa in Taiwan.

Things to consider before moving to Taiwan on a WHV

The cost of living in Taiwan

Preparing your budget will require you to assess the cost of things before you arrive in the country. Here is a table that will give you an idea of the cost of living in Taiwan - (source Numbeo; as of July 2022):

	Currency: US Dollars (USD)
Rent
1-bedroom flat (in the city center)	469.59
1-bedroom flat (outside the city center)	313.67
3-bedroom flat (city center)	1,078.32
3-bedroom flat (outside the city center)	733.69
Utilities
Water, electricity, air conditioning, heating, waste collection for an 85m² apartment	75.27
Internet (60 Mbps or more, ADSL/cable, unlimited data)	25.40
Transportation
1 ticket (one way) for local transport	0.83
Monthly pass for local transport	42.73
Shopping/groceries
Rice (1 kg)	2.95
Milk (1 L)	3.10
12 eggs (normal size)	2.79
Bread (500 g)	1.95
Chicken (1 kg)	8.14
Red meat (1 kg)	19.53
Oranges (1 kg)	2.67
Bananas (1 kg)	2.02
Apples (1 kg)	4.00
Potatoes (1 kg)	2.55
Onions (1 kg)	2.32
Water (1.5 L)	1.16
Wine (mid-range bottle)	13.35
Local beer (0.5 L)	1.67
Imported beer (0.33 L)	2.51
Cigarettes (pack of 20)	4,.01
Leisure
Movie theatre - 1 seat	10.01
Sports club - monthly cost for 1 person	38.82

Looking for accommodation in Taiwan

Finding accommodation in Taiwan is a crucial part of your preparation. You are strongly advised to arrive fully prepared so that you have somewhere to rest and feel safe when you leave the airport! Here are some platforms to help you during your search:

• 591
• Tealit
• Craigslist
• Airbnb
• VRBO.com
• Trip Advisor

Read also Accommodation in Taiwan

Looking for work in Taiwan

The official language of Taiwan is Mandarin Chinese. If you are proficient in English or another language, you could certainly try teaching - this could be your easiest option. Some international hotels and hostels will also hire foreigners who arrive on working holiday visas, as will certain restaurants, usually those with a sizeable foreign patronage. For other options, we recommend the following websites for finding a job in Taiwan:

• Careerjet.com.tw
• 104 Job bank
• Indeed
• LinkedIn
• Trovit Asia
• SinoJobs
• Craigslist

Read also Finding work in Taiwan

Luggage - clothing and equipment to bring with you to Taiwan

It is good to know that the Taiwanese place great emphasis on neat and conservative dress. It is important to make a good impression — especially at your new workplace.

When choosing what to wear in Taiwan, we advise you to bring light, casual clothes that are not too revealing. Ideally, you should wear light cotton clothes that are easily washable and not too delicate. You can wear shorts, but remember that when visiting religious temples, you will need to be more modest and cover your legs.

We advise you to take enough underwear, as even their large size is small by Western standards. Taking your sunscreen and a travel umbrella is also recommended.

The first aid kit

A first-aid kit is also recommended. You never know when a headache (or something else) might come your way. Be prepared because you may be confused when you arrive. But don't forget to check the Taiwanese customs website to make sure that the medicines you plan to take with you will be accepted when you arrive in the country. Taiwan has harsh penalties for the import of illegal drugs.

Steps to take upon your arrival in Taiwan

When you arrive in Taiwan, one of the first things you need to do is to go to the National Immigration Agency to apply for an identity number. This number is essential - it will allow you to work or open a bank account in Taiwan. You do not need to make an appointment; the agency is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. A questionnaire will have to be filled in on the spot, and this will give you access to your identification number on the same day.

Places to visit during your stay in Taiwan

National Palace Museum

Home to an eclectic collection of Chinese artifacts dating back to the Neolithic period, the National Palace Museum in Taipei is one of the largest museums in the world. One of the most popular places to visit in Taiwan, the museum has almost one million ancient works of art on permanent display.

The collection includes a range of calligraphy, paintings, statues, jades, and much more.

Taipei City

Fans of modern architecture will be enchanted by Taipei and its incredible skyscrapers, including Taipei 101 (named after the fact that it has 101 floors).

Taipei is a city that will also seduce you with its small street restaurants. It's a place where you'll be able to discover the rich, colorful and appetizing cuisine of this country!

Taroko Gorge

This national park, located in central Taiwan's Central Mountain range, is home to some of the most stunning natural scenery in the country. Carved by the Liwu River, the area is steeped in the island's indigenous history and is a haven for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Alishan

Alishan, or Mount Ali as it is known in English, is famed for its cloud-fringed peaks and thick, high-altitude forests, once home to a large portion of the country's logging industry during the Japanese Colonia era. A charming relic of that time is the historical, still functioning light-gauge railway that carves a winding path through the Alishan National Scenic Area.

Dulan

Home to a burgeoning artistic, digital nomad, and surf scene, Dulan, located on the eastern coast in Taitung, retains a small-town, laid-back vibe while also being home to a small international community of wave riders, restaurateurs, and entrepreneurs. It's a great place for surfing, windsurfing, hiking, and general relaxation.

Useful links:

Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium

Taiwan Foreign and Consular Office