For overseas Chinese students and international students to explore life in Taiwan while studying in Taiwan, they are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week during school according to current regulations. The 20-hour/week limit will be relaxed for summer and winter breaks. However, overseas Chinese students and international students should not exceed the working hour limit stated in the Labor Standards Act.
The Workforce Development Agency (WDA) reminds employers hiring overseas Chinese students and international students should pay attention to related regulations to ensure they have acquired the working permit issued by the Ministry of Labor (MOL). Employers may check on the Foreign Labor Searching System (https://labor.wda.gov.tw/labweb/Login.jsp). In addition, employers can find out related regulations from the Working Expats in Taiwan website (https://ezworktaiwan.wda.gov.tw/) of the WDA. Overseas Chinese students and international students working without a working permit will be punished for violating Article 43 of the Employment Services Act, with a maximum fine of NT$150,000. Employers hiring overseas Chinese students and international students without a working permit will face a maximum fine of NT$750,000 by law.
According to the WDA, the working permit for overseas Chinese students and international students is issued two times a year according to the semester system. Students may apply for the working permit online. Overseas Chinese students and students from Hong Kong and Macau special administrative regions enrolling to public or private senior high schools or above and international students enrolling to public or private registered colleges and universities should submit an application, a photocopy of a valid passport, and the original copy of the examination fee when making an application. In addition, international students should also submit the school’s approval for work or documents of proof of special language specialty to apply for a working permit online with the WDA.
The WDA reminds as Chinese citizens and students are currently not allowed to work in Taiwan, employers hiring Chinese students will face penalties including term imprisonment between one and seven years and a maximum fine of NT$1 million for violating the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. Employers are advised to check the status and nationality of students before hiring them to prevent fines.