Taiwan eases rules to attract more foreign talent

Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) Taiwan's Legislature on Friday passed amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, expanding eligibility and extending certain categories of visa in a bid to enhance the country's global competitiveness.

Under the new rules, foreign graduates from one of the world's top 1,500 universities will be able to work in Taiwan without the previously required two years of work experience. The threshold is currently limited to graduates from the top 500 universities.

To further attract top-tier talent, the law also allows foreign nationals who obtained a bachelor's degree or higher within the past five years from one of the world's top 200 universities to directly apply to the Ministry of Labor for a professional work permit valid for up to two years.

Lawmakers also extended Taiwan's "digital nomad" visa, enabling remote workers to stay in the country for up to two years, compared with the current maximum of six months.

The amendments ease residency requirements by allowing foreign professionals with degrees earned in Taiwan to count their study years toward residency qualifications -- three years for a doctorate, two years for a master's degree, and one year for a bachelor's degree or associate degree.

Further provisions strengthen labor and social protections for foreign professionals, offering greater security for those seeking long-term careers in Taiwan.

The government said the reforms are part of broader efforts to reinforce Taiwan's competitiveness amid growing global competition for high-skilled talent.