Taiwan · long-stay visa routes and official sources
4 routes tracked · last reviewed · every route links to its official government source
Common questions
Can I move to Taiwan without a local job offer?
Yes — 2 of the 4 tracked routes do not require a local employer: Taiwan Mandarin Chinese Study Resident Visa; Taiwan Foreign Student Resident Visa. Each has its own income, funds, or admission requirements.
Eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants: Mainland Chinese applicants: the foreign-national procedure below does not establish your eligibility. Confirm the applicable Mainland Area entry-permit rules with the National Immigration Agency before paying or applying.
An employer-led or qualification-based work route.
Typical timeline / duration: Resident visa is used for entry/stay linked to employment; ARC required for residence after arrival. Work tied to approved employer/work permit.
BOCA states employer must apply for a work permit from competent authority, and the remaining period of employment on the work permit must be more than 6 months at time of resident visa application.
Documents include visa form, passport and supporting documents depending on case.
No universal salary threshold for all white-collar work in BOCA source.
Employment-seeking visa has separate NT$100,000 funds requirement and should not be mixed with employment resident visa.
Eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants: Mainland Chinese applicants: the foreign-national procedure below does not establish your eligibility. Confirm the applicable Mainland Area entry-permit rules with the National Immigration Agency before paying or applying.
An innovation-oriented entrepreneur programme with published foreign-national and Hong Kong/Macao procedures; these do not establish mainland Chinese eligibility.
Typical timeline / duration: Entrepreneur Visa offers 2 years residency and extension without leaving Taiwan according to official startup portal summary.
Applicant/team must meet at least one innovation/startup criterion such as qualifying investment, innovation capability, IP/professional skill, incubation/park stationing and recommendation, startup/design awards, or approved entrepreneurship projects.
One official criterion is received domestic/foreign investment of at least NT$2 million; not every applicant must qualify through investment if another criterion applies.
Eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants: Mainland Chinese applicants: the foreign-national procedure below does not establish your eligibility. Confirm the applicable Mainland Area entry-permit rules with the National Immigration Agency before paying or applying.
A foreign-national Mandarin-study visa procedure, shown for reference rather than as confirmed eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants.
Typical timeline / duration: Residence status follows the approved Mandarin programme; the ARC and any renewal period depend on continued enrolment
Obtain admission to an approved Mandarin Chinese language centre or programme in Taiwan.
Provide passport, visa application, admission or enrolment evidence, financial support, health, and other documents requested by the mission.
Maintain enrolment and comply with the conditions for resident status, ARC issuance, and any permitted work.
Eligibility for mainland Chinese applicants: Mainland Chinese applicants: the foreign-national procedure below does not establish your eligibility. Confirm the applicable Mainland Area entry-permit rules with the National Immigration Agency before paying or applying.
A foreign-student resident-visa procedure; mainland Chinese student entry must be checked under the separate applicable rules.
Typical timeline / duration: Residence status follows the approved university programme; the ARC is renewed while student status continues
Obtain admission to an eligible Taiwanese university or higher-education programme.
Provide passport, application, admission, academic, financial, health, and other documents requested by the mission or institution.
Maintain student status and comply with ARC, enrolment, insurance, and any permitted work conditions.
Visa rules change frequently. Figures and requirements above were reviewed on the dates shown; always confirm against the linked official source before applying.