• Created：2022-04-20
• Data Source：Bureau Of Consular Affairs
• Counter：11756

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 British nationals

• In accordance with the Taiwan-UK Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) implemented from January 1, 2012, individuals meeting the following conditions may apply for a working holiday visa:

1. The applicant is a British national residing in the United Kingdom at the time of application
2. The applicant holds a British passport valid for at least 12 months.
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-UK 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 British 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 above 180 days,  Purpose of Travel Working Holiday (Youth Mobility).
2. The applicant holds a British passport valid for at least 12 months.
3. Two color portrait photos (2x2 inches) taken within the last six months.
4. An application form for the YMS approval letter.
5. Visa fee for a single-entry resident visa: The equivalent of US$66 in a currency designated by the overseas mission of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) processing the application—either the Taipei Representative Office in the UK (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk_en/index.html) or its Edinburgh office (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ukedi_en/index.html). The payment is not refundable, even if the visa application is denied.
6. 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.
7. Proof of funds of at least £1,600 (with a return trip flight itinerary) or £2,200 (with a one-way flight itinerary）or the equivalent thereof to cover the applicant’s living expenses during their stay in Taiwan.
8. Proof of travel medical insurance for the entire stay in Taiwan which should be valid for at least the first 4 months of the planned stay.
9. Any other documents deemed necessary by the processing overseas mission. Please refer to the website of the Taipei Representative Office in the UK (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk_en/index.html) or its Edinburgh office (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ukedi_en/index.html) for details.

• Application procedures

1. Applicants must submit their applications by mail with all the documents listed above to the Taipei Representative Office in the UK (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk_en/index.html) or its Edinburgh office (https://www.roc-taiwan.org/ukedi_en/index.html).
2. The office processing the application may request other relevant documents or an interview, if deemed necessary.

• Visa category

1. Category: Resident visa.
2. Validity: One year from the day after the day of entry.
3. Converting a resident visa to an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC): After entering Taiwan on a working holiday resident visa, the participant must apply for an ARC and a reentry permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 30 days of the day after the date of entry.
4. Remarks: YM-1.本簽證視同工作許可2.依駐英國代表處或駐愛丁堡辦事處X年X月X日第XXX號函核發。APPLY FOR ARC AT LOCAL SERVICE CENTER OF NATIONAL IMMIGRATION AGENCY WITHIN 30 DAYS.

• 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 British 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. 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.
3. 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)
• In accordance with the Taiwan-UK YMS, British nationals who have been granted a working holiday ARC may apply in Taiwan for a work visa or a student visa (undergraduate level and above) before their working holiday ARC expires.
• 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/)