IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has increased the minimum wage for 2022.

Key Points:

  • Taiwan’s gross monthly minimum wage will increase to 25,250 New Taiwan dollars or 168 NTD per hour.
  • The new minimum wage took effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

BAL Analysis: The increase in minimum wage marks more than a 5% increase per month. Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account when planning their 2022 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has increased its testing requirements for inbound international travelers.

Key Points:

  • As of Jan. 4, international travelers must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within two days of departure.
  • Authorities will calculate the timeframe based on:
    • The “specimen collection date” instead of the test report date.
    • The incoming flight’s scheduled departure time and location.

Additional Information: Previously, travelers were required to have proof of a negative PCR test taken within three days of departure to be allowed to enter Taiwan.

BAL Analysis: Travelers must ensure their PCR test report meets the aforementioned requirements before boarding the plane to be allowed to enter Taiwan. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has updated its high-risk countries list and quarantine requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 1, authorities listed Botswana, Egypt, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe on their high-risk countries list.
    • Individuals who have travel history from these 10 countries within 14 days of intended arrival must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine at a designated facility and an additional seven-day self-health management following the quarantine.
  • From Dec. 14 until Feb. 15, travelers from countries not designated as high-risk must take a PCR test upon arrival and complete one of the three, 14-day quarantine options:
    • Program A. Individuals undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine, take a PCR test between day 12 and 14 of quarantine and practice an additional seven-day self-health management.
    • Program B. Individuals undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine, take a PCR test on day 9 or 10 of quarantine, continue quarantining for four days at home, take another PCR test on day 13 and practice an additional seven-day self-health management.
    • Program C. Individuals must have received two doses of an approved vaccine 14 days before arrival to use this option. Individuals undergo a seven-day hotel quarantine, take a PCR test on day six or seven, continue quarantining for seven days at home, take a rapid test on day 10, take a PCR test on day 13 and practice an additional seven-day self-health management.

Additional Information: Non-Republic of China nationals without a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) remain barred from entry. Exceptions may be made for individuals who obtain entry permission for emergency or humanitarian reasons. Transit travelers continue to be barred from entering Taiwan.

BAL Analysis: The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus will make travel to Taiwan from the aforementioned countries more difficult in the days and weeks ahead. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has provided an additional 30-day automatic visa extension to eligible foreign nationals.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals are eligible for the automatic 30-day visa extension if they:
    • Entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020.
    • Have legally stayed in Taiwan for 180 days or more.
  • Foreign nationals who have violated laws or regulations or have been ordered to leave Taiwan are not eligible for the automatic extension.

Additional Information: The 30-day visa extension marks the 17th time the government has extended foreign nationals’ visas since July 2020.

BAL Analysis: The Taiwanese government continues to evaluate the visa extension policies and will provide further updates as the virus situation evolves. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has approved amendments to the Foreign Professionals Act, effectively reducing many residence and work permit requirements.

Key Points:

  • Foreign professionals, foreign special professionals and their dependents who enter Taiwan with a visa exemption or visitor visa can now apply for an Alien Residence Certificate without applying for a residence visa.
  • Foreign professionals and their dependents no longer have to apply for work permits once they have permanent residency.
  • Gold Card holders can now apply for up to two, six-month validity extensions before their card expires.
  • Authorities relaxed the requirements for applying for permanent residency:
    • Foreign special professionals can now apply for permanent residence after three years instead of five years; up to two years of advanced degree studies in Taiwan can now be counted towards the three year requirement.
    • Foreign professionals can now apply for permanent residence if they have resided in Taiwan for an average of 183 days per year continuously for five years instead of an average of 183 days each year continuously for five years.

Additional Information: Other amendments expanded the scope of the act to help more foreign professionals’ families, extended preexisting tax concessions and relaxed eligibility requirements for recent graduates. A full list of the amendments to the Foreign Professionals Act can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The amendments are intended to build a more complete legal framework for recruiting foreign talent. More relaxations of work requirements are expected in the coming months. BAL will continue to monitor the expected changes and will provide more information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has extended its quarantine requirements until Feb. 14, 2022, and updated its high-risk countries list.

Key Points:  

  • Travelers arriving from or who have travel history from key high-risk countries within 14 days of entering Taiwan must quarantine for 14 days at designated facilities. 
  • On Nov. 6, India, Myanmar and the U.K. will be removed from the list of key high-risk countries. 
  • Travelers arriving from countries not on the key, high-risk list must quarantine for the first 10 days at a designated facility and can finish the remaining four days at home.  

Additional Information: Travelers from key high-risk countries must take a PCR test upon arrival and take an additional PCR test between the ninth and tenth day of quarantine. More information regarding Taiwan’s entry restrictions and health protocols can be found here. 

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Taiwanese government has updated its COVID-19 entry restrictions and requirements.

Key Points:

  • Taiwanese nationals can travel to Taiwan from any country if they submit a negative PCR test taken within three business days of departure and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
  • Foreign nationals who hold an Alien Residence Card (ARC) can enter the country for any purpose if they submit a negative PCR test taken within three business days of departure and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
  • Foreign nationals who do not hold an ARC can enter the country if they have permissions for an emergency or humanitarian reasons; is the spouse or a minor child of a Taiwanese national; or is a student and has received permissions from the Ministry of Education.

Additional Information: Migrant workers who hold an ARC must also have a re-entry permit. Travelers are required to arrange their quarantine before traveling to Taiwan. Individuals traveling from India, Myanmar, and the U.K. are required to quarantine in designated facilities.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has announced that foreign spouses and foreign minor children of Taiwan nationals may apply to return to Taiwan amid its strict border controls.

Key Points:

  • Taiwan missions will begin processing visa applications for foreign spouses and minor children of Taiwan nationals.
    • Spouses must have completed all marriage procedures to be eligible to apply to return to Taiwan.
    • Individuals will be subject to the CECC’s strict quarantine regulations upon entering the country.
  • Individuals who have a dependent visa marked as foreign spouse of Taiwan national (TS) or foreign child of Taiwan national (TC) that expired between May 13 and Sept. 13 will be automatically extended until Dec. 31.

BAL Analysis: The government has eased entry restrictions for foreign spouses and children of Taiwan nationals to allow them to be reunited in Taiwan. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has extended entry restrictions and its suspension of visa processing until Sept. 20.

Key Points:

  • Non-Republic of China (ROC) nationals without a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) are barred from entering or transiting through Taiwan.
  • Individuals holding visitor or residence visas are not allowed to enter Taiwan.
  • Visa application processing remains suspended.
  • These measures will be in place until at least Sept. 20, and the CECC will adjust them on a rolling basis.

Additional Information: Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for those who have received entry permission for emergency and humanitarian reasons.

BAL Analysis: Employers should continue to identify affected employees and reschedule travel as necessary. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) has extended entry restrictions and its suspension of visa processing.

Key Points:

  • Non-Republic of China (ROC) nationals without a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) are barred from entering or transiting through Taiwan.
  • Individuals holding visitor or residence visas are not allowed to enter Taiwan.
  • Foreign students are allowed to enter the country for the fall semester.
  • Visa application processing remains suspended.
  • These measures will be in place indefinitely, and the CECC will adjust them on a rolling basis.

Additional Information: Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for those who have received entry permission for emergency and humanitarian reasons.

BAL Analysis: Employers should continue to identify affected employees and reschedule travel as necessary. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.