All about the working holiday in Taiwan!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 years old (with exceptions)
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
Specific amount depends on nationality.
This must be your first participation
Must cover medical and hospitalisation
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for a Working Holiday Visa to Taiwan: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, the UK.
03. What is the application fee?
The visa application fee varies by nationality.
- Australians: not listed on the official website
- British: US$66
- Canadians: US$100
- Irish: US$100
- New Zealander: US$100
Readers of other nationalities can learn more by clicking on their country on this page.
04. Can I apply from a different country?
No, applicants must apply from their home country.
Exception: As of January 1 2019, Canadians can apply for a WHV while already in Taiwan.
05. Can I leave and re-enter Taiwan freely during my working holiday?
Yes. You will be issued a multiple-entry visitor visa, which means you can move freely in and out of Taiwan for 12 months starting from the date that the visa is issued.
Exception: citizens of the UK are issued a single-entry visa. They will need to apply for a re-entry permit and ARC at their nearest National Immigration Agency service centre within 15 days of arriving in Taiwan.
06. How long is the visa good for?
Your WHV is valid for one year. However, when you first enter Taiwan, you will only be granted 180 days. Within 15 days of expiration of these 180 days, you can request an extension of another 180 days. This can be done at your nearest National Immigration Agency.
Exception: the 2×180 rule does not apply to UK nationals, who instead must apply for a re-entry permit and ARC as explained in the previous FAQ.
07. When do I have to enter Taiwan by?
Once your visa is issued, you have one year to enter Taiwan.
Exception: UK citizens must do so within 3 months of visa issuance.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes, you must buy health insurance covering medical expenses and hospitalisation for the entirety of your stay in Taiwan.
Exception: UK participants are only required to do so for the first 4 months of their stay. This is because they are eligible for National Health Insurance.
09. Are there any work restrictions?
For some nationalities, there are work restrictions:
- Australians: 6 months for the same employer
- Belgians: 6 months in total
- New Zealanders: 3 months for the same employer
No restrictions: British, Canadians.
For all other participating nationalities, see Important laws and regulations in Taiwan.
10. Do I need to speak Mandarin or Taiwanese?
There are no formal language requirements for the working holiday.
11. Where can I apply?
To see all the application steps, read our guide for How to get a Taiwan Working Holiday Visa (for all nationalities).
12. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Taiwan and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don’t ask for any a dime, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas (Working Holiday Authorisation in this case) are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
13. For UK nationals: ARC and re-entry permit
Within 15 days of arrival, British WHV holders must go to their nearest National Immigration Agency to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) valid for one year, as well as a re-entry permit. Without the re-entry permit, UK nationals may not leave and re-enter Taiwan.
Visa applications are never fun, but if you know what steps to anticipate, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
In our Taiwan WHV application guide, we walk through 1) applicant eligibility 2) program description and rules 3) and application steps. Be sure to read it in detail so you’re fully prepared.
- How to get a Taiwan Working Holiday Visa (for all nationalities)
- What is the Working Holiday Visa? How do I get one?
- Additional info for French and Belgian applicants (in French only)
As mentioned above, all working holiday makers must buy private health insurance that covers medical care, hospitalisation, repatriation, and liability.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They meet the requirements and have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
Exception: the insurance requirement is not explicitly mentioned for Australians. However, we still strongly recommend it. Without insurance, out of pocket costs for healthcare can be very high.
- FAQs about working holiday travel insurance
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Taiwan’s currency is the New Taiwan dollar (TWD, NT$). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a TWD debit card in hand before even arriving in Taiwan, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your TWD account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Taiwan. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Taiwan. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Taiwan.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Taiwan before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Five ways to get free accommodation when travelling
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Taiwan, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or brush up on a foreign language. Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
The age limits vary by nationality:
– 18-30 years old: Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom
– 18-35 years old: Canada
For all other participating nationalities, click here.
You must have a passport that is valid for the entire duration of your working holiday in Taiwan.
You must show a minimum savings amount in order to apply. The specific amount depends on your nationality:
– Australians: AU$5,000
– British: £1,600
– Canadians: CA$2,500
– Irish: €4,000 (€2,500 if return flight already bought)
– New Zealanders: NT$100,000 or equivalent
See amounts for all other participating nationalities.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Taiwan on a working holiday, then you cannot apply again.
Participants must have full medical and hospitalization insurance during their stay in Taiwan.
Exception: UK nationals are only required to have this for the first 4 months of their stay.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Taiwan sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of Working Holiday Visas issued:
– Australians: 1,000
– British: 1,000
– Canadians: 1,000
– Irish: 400
– New Zealanders: 400
See quotas for all other participating nationalities.