JULY 2011

Global Immigration Practice

Taiwan, Republic of (ROC)

The Economy of For more detailed information about the economy and foreign investment Home to over 23 million people, Taiwan in Taiwan, visit the following web site: is a sovereign state that maintains its own http://tinyurl.com/443uhor national defense and conducts its own foreign affairs. It has full diplomatic relations with 23 countries and substantive ties with many Business Travel to Taiwan About Taiwan other states. It is an active member of 27 Foreign nationals who wish to travel to Taiwan intergovernmental organizations (IGO) and for business should ensure their passports Capital City: their subsidiary bodies, including the World are valid for at least six months beyond the City Trade Organization, the -Pacific Economic intended dates of stay and contain at least Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Asian one blank visa page. Nationals of over 40 Monetary Unit: Development . countries, including , U.S. and UK, (NT$) Taiwan has a capitalistic economy largely may enter Taiwan for brief business trips under based upon exports. The island runs a large the visa exemption program. Nationals of India, Major Languages: , , , , Mandarin Chinese (official), trade surplus, and its foreign reserves are the world’s fourth largest, behind China, who also possess a valid visa or permanent Min Nan Chinese (Taiwanese) and Russian. As Taiwan has developed residence certificate issued by the U.S., alongside , , and Hong Canada, Japan, UK, Schengen Convention Main Exports: countries, or may also Computer Equipment Kong, they are collectively known as the “Four Asian Dragons” or “”. be eligible for the visa exemption program. Machinery Those who meet these criteria and have With a heavy emphasis on services, never been employed in Taiwan as blue- Plastic & rubber products , and high technology, Taiwan’s collar workers, have to apply to the “Advance modern, developed economy is one of the Online Registration System for the Visitors of Our Immigration richest in Asia. It was ranked by the Heritage Nationals from Four Southeast Asian Countries Services in Taiwan Foundation as the seventh freest economy in to Taiwan” before coming to Taiwan. the Asia-Pacific region. Taiwan is a member Business Travel – Guidance & assistance of the (ADB), the Business visitors who have entered Taiwan with Visitor Visa applications filed at a ROC (WTO), and the Asia- visa free are strictly prohibited from working in missions abroad Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Taiwan. The penalties for non-compliance with Taiwan is also an observer at the Organization Taiwan immigration regulations include fines, Work Permits – For foreign nationals who for Economic Co-operation and Development deportation and may include imprisonment. wish to work (OECD). Taiwan’s top five trade partners are The Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains Employment Pass Card – For foreign China, the EU, , Japan, and the an updated list of embassies and foreign national executives, professionals or U.S. Sources: http://tinyurl.com/2bslwk; consulates abroad at the following link: technical workers http://tinyurl.com/b9fjeo http://tinyurl.com/46zdfeq. Training Visas – For foreign national interns One of the greatest challenges Taiwan will face in the future is productivity, as its fertility rate Living in Taiwan, Republic of China Resident Visa & Alien Resident is the lowest in the world. With an increasing Formerly named Formosa (from Portuguese: Certificate – For foreign national employees aging population, Taiwan faces future labor Ilha Formosa, “Beautiful Island”), Taiwan is & their family members shortages, decreased domestic demand, and situated in the West Pacific between Japan Alien Permanent Residential Cards – declining tax revenues. Continued on next page. For foreign professionals & investment immigration The information contained in this document is intended for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and does not constitute legal guidance. and the Philippines. The territory of the Taiwan Business Culture With headquarters outside of Washington, ROC includes the main island of Taiwan, the DC in Reston, Virginia and operations in archipelagoes of , and Matsu, Taiwan’s economic landscape is dominated Pune, India, Goel & Anderson is an as well as numerous other islets – altogether by small to medium-sized, family controlled covering an area of 36,191 square kilometers. businesses which are usually dominated immigration firm that is international At about the size of the and with by one, older male member of the family. in scope and personal in nature. We Thus companies can be said to be run as a population of 23 million, Taiwan is more are known as a firm that is highly populous than three-quarters of the world’s benevolent dictatorships where the central professional and also highly human. nations. family member, who both expects and receives loyalty and obedience from the rest of We offer clients extensive experience and The most popular destination for expatriates the employees, makes all key decisions. As is a comprehensive understanding of all living in Taiwan is Taipei City, which is typical in Confucian cultures, the quid pro quo areas of business, employment, and considered the center of government and for this respect and loyalty is that the senior culture in Taiwan. Major industries in Taipei manager has an almost paternal interest in family-based immigration law worldwide. include electrical and electronic equipment, the well being of his staff – and this interest is For more information about our Global textiles, metals, shipbuilding, and motorcycles. expected to extend beyond the work place. Immigration Practice and services, Source: http://tinyurl.com/4yb9vba Source: http://www.worldbusinessculture.com please contact Jill Marie Bussey at [email protected] or +1 703.796.9881.

Taiwan Work Permit Process *Goel & Anderson, LLC does not engage in the practice of law within India. All services in India are provided by our affiliate, G&A Immigration Services Work Permit Application filed with the Council of Labour Affairs in Taipei Private Limited.

The information contained in this document is 1 intended for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and does not constitute legal guidance. Upon approval of the work permit, residence visa application with the Taipei Economic & Cultural Office (TECO) in home jurisdiction – or – 2 If already present in Taiwan as a visitor, request for change of status at Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) in Taipei, or Kaosiung

Within 15 days of arriving in Taiwan, ROC Resident Certificate application with 3 the National Immigration Agency followed by IC ARC card issuance How Goel & Anderson can assist your organization in Taiwan Organizations that wish to employ foreign filing; detailed guidance on the visa stamping/ workers abroad require an immigration activation and identity card collection; and service provider with a record of successfully tracking key expiration dates. Personal coordinating and delivering global, business representation at the Tawain embassy or immigration services for multinational mission abroad and local municipal office may organizations. Goel & Anderson practices be available. exclusively in the field of immigration to assist your company with the recruitment, hiring, and The lead time for preparing work permit retention of foreign workers across the globe, applications can be lengthy in view of the including Taiwan. We understand that time translations and authentication of supporting and resources are valuable to your business documentation normally required. Thus, if and that staffing an international project can your company’s office in Taiwan anticipates be critical to your business’ reputation and engaging foreign talent, an early analysis of success. We are committed to efficiently immigration options and strategies, as well as delivering business immigration solutions that a thorough understanding of the sponsorship combine broad global coverage with a depth of obligations, will better position your project Innovative Approaches to Immigration Law local expertise. for success. We also understand that despite careful planning, emergent issues can arise. We carefully select co-counsel who share our We are well positioned to assist your business Goel & Anderson, LLC service and compliance-oriented approach to address unexpected business requirements. 1984 Isaac Newton Square East to meet the needs of organizations doing Because global immigration matters do Suite 203 business in the global marketplace. Our Global not occur within a vacuum and the law is Reston, Virginia 20190 Immigration group and local counsel work infrequently static, we seek local experts closely together to ensure comprehensive who may also assist with a range of related USA business coordination and seamless delivery legal services, including corporate formation, Phone: +1 703.796.9898 of services. Our immigration services include contracts, employment agreements, licensing, end-to-end processing, including: business and transactions and who will advise of Fax: +1 703.796.9005 or work visa application preparation and changes in policy and procedures. E-mail: [email protected]

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