Work Authorization Before Graduating

International degree students holding a valid ARC must obtain a work permit before engaging in any part-time employment or internship in Taiwan. This requirement applies to all work activities, whether on-campus or off-campus, paid or unpaid.

Key Regulations

• Maximum working hours: 20 hours per week during academic semesters (excluding winter and summer breaks).
• Unauthorized employment may result in revocation of the work permit and fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000.

Taiwan Scholarship recipients who engage in unauthorized employment may have their scholarships revoked and be required to repay scholarship benefits received during the period of illegal employment.

Work Permit Eligibility

Applicants must hold a valid ARC and complete NCCU registration procedures (which requires students to pay tuition).

Applications must be based on one of the following reasons:

• Financial issues
• Employment assistance required by NCCU academic or research offices
• Curriculum-related internship
• NCCU-approved graduate research work related to the curriculum

Note: The financial issue reason can't be applied to Taiwan Scholarship or TaiwanICDF Scholarship recipients.

Work Permit Validity

• Up to one year
• Fall Semester applications: valid until September 30 of the following year
• Spring Semester applications: valid until September 30 of the same year

Resources

• Online Application
• Application Instructions

Contact
Office of International Cooperation (OIC)
Alison Ho
Tel: +886-2-2939-3091 ext. 62040
Email: alison@nccu.edu.tw

Working Authorization After Graduating

International students who graduate from universities in Taiwan may remain and work in Taiwan through four pathways. The most popular route by far is the Points System, which accounts for 89% of all approved work permits for international graduates.

The Primary Route: The Points System

To qualify for a work permit through this pathway, you and your job must meet 3 basic requirements:

1. Job Category: The position must be classified as professional or specialized work.

2. Eligible Employer: The hiring company must meet government qualifications to employ foreign professionals.

3. The Score: You must score at least 70 out of 200 points on the official evaluation scale.

How are points calculated?

The Ministry of Labor evaluates multiple aspects of your background, including your education level, salary, work/internship experience, Chinese and foreign language proficiency, academic achievements, and alignment with government policies.

The 4-Step Application Process

Once you are ready to transition from student to professional, follow these sequential steps:

1.Extend Your Stay: Post-Graduation.

Apply for a 居留延期 (extension of stay) specifically for job-seeking purposes so you can legally stay in Taiwan while interviewing.

2.Secure a Job Offer: Documentation.

Once you receive a job offer, gather your supporting documents (diploma, transcripts, language certs, etc.) and hand them over to your new employer.

3.Employer Submission: 7 Working Days.

Your employer will submit the work permit application directly to the Ministry of Labor (MOL) on your behalf. Review typically takes about 7 working days.

4.Start Working: Approval.

As soon as the Ministry of Labor officially approves the application, you can legally begin your employment in Taiwan.

(Note: Aside from the Points System, the other three less common pathways include the Regular Qualification Route, the Foreign Intermediate Skilled Workforce Program, and Accommodation/Hospitality Service Work.)

Resources
Instructions and Points of Note for Foreign and Overseas Chinese Students Working
Online Application