As the Lunar New Year approaches, a festive atmosphere has begun to spread across Taiwan. The National Development Council (NDC) encourages foreign professionals working in Taiwan to experience the holiday and its many customs such as New Year cleaning, hanging spring couplets, New Year’s Eve family dinner, welcoming the Gods of Wealth, and welcomes foreign professionals to visit the traditional festivities held in tourist attractions across Taiwan. (For more information on tourist attractions, please visit the Tourism Bureau, MoTC’s website: https://eng.taiwan.net.tw)
The National Development Council’s implementation of the “Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals” in 2018 has achieved significant results, attracting many prestigious entrepreneurs from Silicon Valley and top professionals from global industries to seek development in Taiwan; as many as 3,623 Employment Gold Cards have been issued as of late 2021. In order to assist foreign professionals with laying down roots in Taiwan and facilitate our nation’s industry transformation, upgrade, and qualitative change, the NDC has partnered with relevant ministries in May 2021 to initiate the “Strengthening of Overseas Talent and Deep Cultivation of Taiwan Project”. The project assists foreigners with issues related to their application for Employment Gold Cards, living arrangements, employment matchmaking, industry relationships, and business registrations to comprehensively increase the willingness of foreign professionals to come or stay in Taiwan.
This year, the “Strengthening of Overseas Talent and Deep Cultivation of Taiwan Project” has implemented a bilingual website to increase accessibility for foreign professionals. The website also provides 1-on-1 bilingual consultation services for working or living in Taiwan, financial inquiries, and children’s education. Further information is as follows:
- The “Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office” was founded by the NDC to assist foreign professionals with applying for the Employment Gold Card as well as offer comprehensive bilingual services for employment, residency, children’s education, housing, taxes, and other aspects related to living in Taiwan. As of late 2021, the office has serviced 23,397 individuals. (Taiwan Employment Gold Card official website: https://goldcard.nat.gov.tw/en/)
- The Ministry of Finance has designated 4 banks including the Bank of Taiwan, Mega International Commercial Bank, Hua Nan Commercial Bank, and First Commercial Bank for accepting matters related to Employment Gold Cards. The 4 banks have completed implementations of bilingual financial services and offer special bilingual teller services to assist with the opening of accounts in Taiwan and applications for credit cards. (For more information, please visit the official websites of the designated banks)
- The Ministry of Education has completed optimization of the “Education Platform for Expat Children” (EPEC) and offers a wealth of enrollment information for expat children in Taiwan as well as bilingual inquiry services. Also, in order to satisfy the education demands of foreign professionals, the Ministry of Education has organized 24 transition programs in 2021 as well as 2 programs specifically for the children of foreign professionals. (Education Platform for Expat Children (EPEC) website: https://epec.nnkieh.tn.edu.tw/app/website/index.jsp?_language=1)
The NDC will continue to build a friendlier, more livable bilingual environment for foreign professionals by working with relevant ministries to implement various measures that can attract and retain foreign professionals in the hopes of creating a nation favorable to gathering global professionals, thereby improving the nation’s overall competitiveness.
Contact: Department of Human Resources Development Director Lin Chih-Mei, Special Committee Member Cheng Chia-Ching
Telephone: (02)2316-5379, 2316-5600