The short version
If you graduate in Taiwan, you can apply to the National Immigration Agency (NIA), before your residence ends, to extend it for one year, and once more, for up to two years in total. During that time a graduate with a Taiwanese associate degree or higher can work without a work permit. If you are abroad, there is a job-seeking visitor visa: valid for three months, multiple entry, with a stay of up to six months.
Staying on in Taiwan
- Apply to The NIA, after graduating and before your residence period ends.
- First extension One year, from the day after your current ARC expires.
- Second extension Once more if needed. Two years in total at most.
- Family A spouse and minor children who were resident with you may also apply.
- Working A new graduate with a Taiwanese associate degree or higher can work in any category of job during the extension without a work permit, for two years at most. Jobs that need a professional license still need it.
- Health insurance Extend your enrollment at the NHI district office where you live.
The NIA's general list for an extension includes your ARC, passport, a photo, your graduation certificate and proof of where you live. The NIA does not publish a separate list for the graduate extension, so check with the NIA before you apply.
If you don't extend your residence, you return the ARC at an NIA service center and complete departure procedures.
Coming back from abroad
The Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法, art. 13) lets foreign professionals looking for work apply at a Taiwan (ROC) overseas mission for a job-seeking visitor visa.
- Visa Valid three months, multiple entry, with a stay of six months. Total stay six months at most.
- After it ends No new job-seeking visa for three years.
The Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) lists who can apply. You need one of:
- work experience with an average monthly salary of at least NT$47,971 over the last six months;
- graduation within the past year from a university on the Ministry of Education's world top 1,500 list, and not yet employed; or
- another reason BOCA accepts as making you eligible.
You also need: funds of at least NT$100,000, health and full hospitalization insurance for the whole stay, a certificate of good conduct, and a job-seeking plan.
→ Routes into a professional job