• Created：2023-07-10
• Data Source：Bureau Of Consular Affairs
• Counter：7251

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 Irish nationals

• In accordance with the Taiwan-Ireland working holiday scheme implemented from January 1, 2013, individuals meeting the following conditions may apply for a working holiday visa:

1. The applicant is an Irish national residing in Ireland at the time of application.
2. The applicant holds an Irish passport valid for six months after the proposed end date of the visit.
3. The applicant is between 18 and 30 years of age at the time of application.
4. The applicant has not participated in the Taiwan-Ireland 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 Irish 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. An Irish passport valid for six months after the proposed end date of the visit.
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—the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ie_en/index.html). The payment is not refundable, even if the visa application is denied.
5. Either a valid return or onward flight ticket from Taiwan and proof of funds of at least €2,500 to cover initial living expenses, or proof of funds of at least €4,000 to cover initial living expenses and a flight ticket to depart from Taiwan.
6. Medical and travel insurance for the entire stay in Taiwan.
7. A certificate of good conduct.
8. Any other documents deemed necessary by the processing overseas mission. Please refer to the announcement of the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland for details (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ie_en/index.html).

• Application procedures

1. Applicants must submit the application in person or through agents with all the documents listed above to the Taipei Representative Office in Ireland (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ie_en/index.html).
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 Irish 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 their stay, participants may engage in employment of a temporary nature.
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/)

• Tax on income will be withheld in accordance with the Income Tax Act. Please refer to the eTax Portal website of the Ministry of Finance. (https://www.etax.nat.gov.tw/etwmain/en/announcement/alien-individual-income-tax)
• Participants in the working holiday scheme may take academic or training courses for a maximum of six months.
• After entry, participants are not allowed to apply for a change of visa.
• Participants are not eligible for unemployment benefits or social security benefits in Taiwan.
• For more information about living in Taiwan as a foreigner, please visit the Information for Foreigners in Taiwan website.
• (https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/6940/)