The Labor Ministry has expanded the foreign professionals work permit online application service. The ministry announced in a press release on Thursday that short-term teachers, artists, and adult children of foreign professionals can now apply through the website.
The site streamlines the application process for companies and individuals both inside and outside of Taiwan. The Labor Ministry says Taiwanese employers can now more easily hire foreigners for specialized or technical jobs. Sports coaches, professional athletes, artists, and performers can also apply through the website.
According to the Labor Ministry's figures, the yearly average number of applications for short-term teaching positions is 6,800. Artist applications number at 450 and adult children of foreign professionals account for 70. These numbers are expected to increase with the new ability to apply for work permits online.
The ministry says the online service is accessible 24 hours a day. Because it is not restricted by the working hours of government agencies, complete applications can be issued a work permit within seven working days.