In response to Taiwan's changing population structure and the need for companies to retain talent, the Workforce Development Agency's Migrant Worker Retention and Long-term Employment Service Center and the Immigration Agency's Northern District Affairs Brigade's Taipei City Service Station jointly held a "Migrant Worker Retention and Long-term Employment Program Promotion Briefing" on the 6th. Immigration officers from the Taipei City Service Station explained on-site the relevant residence regulations for foreign migrant workers who apply to be transferred to mid-level technical personnel and provided specific guidance for the retention of migrant workers in Taiwan. Nearly 32 companies (employers) participated enthusiastically.
Many business owners enthusiastically participated in the "Promotional Seminar on the Program to Retain and Employ Migrant Workers for a Long Time" (Photo/Reproduced from NIA website)
More than 820,000 migrant workers benefit from relaxed transfer conditions
Immigration officer Lu Zheng said that as of the end of 2014, the number of foreign workers in Taiwan has exceeded 820,000, and they are an important human resource pillar for most industries and families. The government passed a plan to retain migrant workers for long-term employment in 2012 and has relaxed the conditions on a rolling basis. Currently, as long as migrant workers have worked in Taiwan for six consecutive years, have been employed by the same employer for a total of six years, or have worked for more than 11 years and six months in total. Their salary and technical qualifications meet the relevant application requirements, and their employers can help them apply to transfer to mid-level technical personnel to continue to be retained and extend their residence period.
Permanent residence conditions and application reminders
Immigration officer Huang Yihua added that according to the permanent residence regulations of the Immigration Act, foreigners who have legally resided in Taiwan for five years lived in Taiwan for more than 183 days each year and earned a monthly salary of more than twice the basic wage or obtained a skill certification of Class B or above can apply to the Immigration Agency service station in their place of residence. There is no limit on the length of stay in Taiwan for foreigners who have obtained permanent residence, and they can also work freely.
Information Change and Travel Notice
Taipei City Service Station Director Su Huiwen reminded that if a permanent resident’s personal information changes, they must apply to the Immigration Agency for an update. In addition, you must have lived abroad for an average of 183 days per year in the past five years. If you have a long-term need to travel abroad (1 to 2 years), you should apply online for the "Alien Permanent Residence Certificate Overseas Travel Report"🔗to ensure that your permanent residence rights are not affected.
Companies responded warmly to this briefing, demonstrating the industry's high attention to talent retention policies. Relevant departments will continue to promote policy optimization to help stabilize the development of Taiwan's labor market in the future.
