Migrant workers in Taiwan will be able to apply for residence permits and work permits simultaneously starting from January 4, 2024, according to the Labor Ministry.
Chen Chang-pang (陳昌邦), head of the Cross-Border Workforce Affairs Center at the Labor Ministry, says current regulations require migrant workers to first obtain an employment permit before applying for a residency permit from the National Immigration Agency (NIA).
Chen says that due to language barriers and unfamiliarity with Taiwanese laws, workers often rely on employers and intermediaries for processing. If the timing is miscalculated or a residency permit is overlooked, workers may inadvertently become illegal residents, facing fines ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 (US$65 to $327) and potential deportation.
The Labor Ministry and NIA have jointly streamlined the application process in response to complaints from migrant workers and to avoid further problems. Chen says the measure is expected to benefit around 200,000 workers and employers annually.