Taiwan working holiday visa

BOCA lists working holiday arrangements with New Zealand (since 2004), Australia (2004), Japan (2009), Canada and Germany (2010), Korea (2011), the United Kingdom (2012), Ireland and Belgium (2013), Slovakia, Poland and Hungary (2014), Austria (2015), the Czech Republic and France (2016), Luxembourg (2019) and the Netherlands (2020). Each arrangement sets its own age range and quotas. The scheme with Israel is temporarily suspended.

Applicants must be citizens of a contracting country who have never held a Taiwan working holiday visa, must show that holidaying is the main purpose and work only incidental, must fall within the age range of their arrangement, and may not bring a spouse or children as dependants. The passport must be valid for more than 12 months from the planned arrival; applicants need a return ticket or funds to buy one, at least NT$100,000 or the equivalent for living expenses, and full medical and hospitalisation insurance.

Terms differ by country. Under the Taiwan-Germany arrangement, applicants aged 18 to 30 receive a multiple-entry visitor visa valid for one year. Each entry allows up to 180 days; within the 15 days before the 180 days end, holders may apply at the NIA for an extension of up to 180 days, but the total stay from first entry may not exceed one year. German applicants pay the equivalent of US$100 and show at least EUR 2,000.

Visas are marked "WH" and are treated as a work permit for incidental employment. The scheme is not intended for full-time jobs, studies or long stays for other purposes, and holders cannot switch to another visa type after entering Taiwan. Applications are made at the Taiwan mission in the applicant's country, in person, through a proxy or through a travel agency.