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Guidelines for Canadian nationals applying for a visa to join the Republic of China (Taiwan) working holiday scheme

  • Created：2024-05-31
  • Data Source：Bureau Of Consular Affairs
  • Counter：19480

 

Significance of working holiday schemes

  • International youth working holiday schemes help young people explore other cultures and engage in diverse international exchanges, with holiday as the main purpose and work as a secondary one.
  • In order to encourage and enhance interaction between youth from Taiwan and other countries, increase mutual understanding, and promote substantive people-to-people exchanges, the R.O.C. (Taiwan) government enters into arrangements on working holiday schemes with foreign governments. These specify application eligibility, quotas, and implementation methods.
  • A person may submit an application for the working holiday scheme only once. The applicant’s primary purpose should be to engage in a long-term holiday in Taiwan. If participants need to raise funds for living expenses while in Taiwan, they may work legally, but employment should be considered a secondary rather than a primary purpose. Therefore, this scheme is not suitable for individuals seeking long-term residency, such as for employment or study.

Conditions for applications by Canadian nationals

  • In accordance with the agreement between Taiwan and Canada “Memorandum of Understanding between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Canada and the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Concerning Youth Mobility” implemented from July 1, 2010, individuals meeting the following conditions may apply for a working holiday visa:
  1. In accordance with the aforementioned MOU, those eligible to apply to come to Taiwan include the following:
    (1)Individuals who intend to obtain further training in Taiwan under a pre-arranged contract for workplace experience in support of their career development
    (2)Registered students of a post-secondary institution in Canada who intend to complete part of their academic curriculum in Taiwan by undertaking a pre-arranged internship or work placement
    (3)Individuals who intend to engage in a long-term holiday in Taiwan and work legally to raise funds for living expenses while in Taiwan
  2. The applicant holds a Canadian passport with a validity exceeding the expected period of stay in Taiwan (one year).
  3. The applicant is between 18 and 35 years of age at the time of application.
  4. The applicant has not participated in the Taiwan-Canada working holiday scheme previously.
  5. The applicant's primary purpose is to engage in a long-term holiday in Taiwan. If participants need to raise funds for living expenses while in Taiwan, they may work legally, but employment should be considered a secondary purpose rather than a primary one.
  6. The applicant is not accompanied by a spouse, dependent family member(s), or child(ren).

Important information for Canadian nationals applying for a visa to join the working holiday scheme

  • The following must be submitted at the time of application:
  1. Completed and signed visa application form, as follows:
    (1)A completed application form filled out on the website of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) Bureau of Consular Affairs that has been printed out and signed on the second page. (https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw/BOCA_EVISA/)
    (2)Select as follows: Duration of Stay 1-180 days, Number of Entries Multiple, Purpose of Travel Working Holiday (Youth Mobility).
  2. A Canadian passport with a validity exceeding the expected period stay in Taiwan (one year).
  3. Two color portrait photos (2x2 inches) taken within the last six months.
  4. Visa fee for a multiple-entry visa: The equivalent of US$100 in a currency designated by the overseas mission of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) processing the application in Ottawa (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ca/); Toronto (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/cayyz/); Vancouver (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/cayvr/); or Montreal (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/cayul/index.html). The visa fee for applications submitted inside the R.O.C. (Taiwan) is NT$3,200. The payment is not refundable, even if the visa application is denied.
  5. Ticket to Taiwan or proof of purchase thereof, as well as a return or onward ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase such a ticket.
  6. Proof of funds of at least C$2,500 or the equivalent thereof to cover the applicant’s living expenses during the initial stay in Taiwan.
  7. Valid medical insurance, including hospitalization and repatriation, for the entire stay in Taiwan.
  8. Any other documents deemed necessary by the processing overseas mission, including supporting documents for the intended purpose of stay.
  • Application procedures
  1. Applicants must submit the application in person or through an agent or commissioned travel agency with all the documents listed above to the R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission in Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver, or Montreal (Inside the R.O.C. (Taiwan), applications may be submitted to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, the Central Taiwan Office, the Southwestern Taiwan Office, the Southern Taiwan Office, or the Eastern Taiwan Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs).
  2. The office processing the application may request other relevant documents or an interview, if deemed necessary.
  • Visa category
  1. Category: Multiple-entry visitor visa.
  2. Validity: One year from the date of issue, with unlimited entries allowed during the validity period.
  3. Duration of stay: Each entry allows a maximum stay of 180 days. Within 15 days prior to the expiry of the 180 days of stay, visa holders may apply for an extension of up to 180 days at the National Immigration Agency service center in their city or county of stay in Taiwan. The total duration of stay from the first date of entry may not exceed one year. At the end of this one-year period, working holiday visas may not be extended or switched to another type of visa.
  4. Remarks: WH - DURATION OF STAY STARTS FROM THE NEXT DAY OF ARRIVAL. PERMITTED STAY FOR NO MORE THAN 1 YEAR FROM THE DATE OF FIRST ENTRY. 依據雇主聘僱外國人許可及管理辦法第四條規定，本簽證視同工作許可。(The Chinese text states that “in accordance with Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers, this visa is regarded as a work permit.”)
  • Important information regarding visas
  1. Visa issuance is an exercise of national sovereignty. The Republic of China (Taiwan) government reserves the right to reject visa applications without any explanation.
  2. In accordance with Article 7 of the Fee Standards for Republic of China (Taiwan) Visas in Foreign Passports, visa application fees are not refundable.
  3. If a person enters Taiwan on a working holiday visa and departs after the visa has expired, the visa may not be used to reenter Taiwan. In addition, a person may not request the issuance of a new working holiday visa by claiming that he/she did not join the working holiday scheme for a full year. Applicants are advised to plan and arrange entry and exit dates carefully.

Additional information for Canadian nationals participating in the working holiday scheme

  • According to Article 4 of the Regulations on the Permission and Administration of the Employment of Foreign Workers, visas issued under a working holiday scheme are regarded as work permits. Therefore, separate work permits need not be obtained. However, please note the following:
  1. Participants should comply with the laws, regulations, and statutes of Taiwan and may not engage in employment that is contrary to the purpose of the working holiday scheme.
  2. During the participants’ stay in Taiwan, all work, whether in the form of training, internships, or temporary employment, must comply with the laws, regulations, and statutes of Taiwan.
  3. Employment for specialized or technical jobs must meet related qualifications recognized in the R.O.C. (Taiwan), as well as regulations on registration to practice.
  4. For information on work-related regulations, please refer to the EZ Work Taiwan: Working Expats in Taiwan website operated by the Workforce Development Agency under the Ministry of Labor.
    (https://ezworktaiwan.wda.gov.tw/)
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