How to Move to Taiwan
Taiwan requires a standard work permit, resident visa and Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) for most workers, all employer-sponsored. Its standout alternative is the Employment Gold Card, aimed at experienced professionals, which bypasses employer sponsorship entirely. The major practical hurdle for Africans is Taiwan's almost total lack of formal diplomatic presence on the continent — most applicants will need to apply via South Africa, Nigeria (Lagos) or from outside Africa entirely.
How to use this guide
Pick the visa type below that matches your plan (work, study, etc.).
Tap it to open and read the simple steps and the papers you need.
Apply yourself on the official website. It's free — no agent needed.
Stay safe: never pay anyone who promises a "guaranteed" visa. Real applications are made on official government sites. Rules can change, so always double-check on the official website before you apply.
Taiwan embassies in Africa — addresses & directions
Taiwan has NO formal embassies in Africa. It operates a "Taipei Liaison Office" in South Africa (Pretoria and Cape Town) and a "Taipei Trade Office" in Nigeria (Lagos — not Abuja, after a relocation due to political pressure in 2017). Applicants elsewhere in Africa typically cannot apply locally and may need to route through South Africa, Kenya (covered via the South Africa office/TAITRA) or apply after arriving in a third country.
Tap “Open in Google Maps” to see the exact location, get directions, and confirm the current address & opening hours.
1147 Francis Baard Street, Hatfield, Pretoria (Taipei Liaison Office — not a formal embassy)
+27 12 430 6071 Open in Google MapsStandard Bank Centre, Main Tower, 10th Floor, Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, Cape Town (Taipei Liaison Office — not a formal embassy)
+27 21 418 1188 Open in Google Maps23A Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos (Taipei Trade Office — not a formal embassy; note this is Lagos, not Abuja)
+234 706 733 9416 Open in Google MapsDon’t see your country? Taiwan has more missions across Africa — find the nearest one on the official locator.
4–8 weeks total (Ministry of Labour: 7–14 working days for the permit itself).
Work permit ~NT$500 + resident visa ~US$50–100 + ARC ~NT$1,000–3,000.
Typically 1–3 years, tied to the employer and role; renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- A job offer from a Taiwanese employer meeting the minimum salary (NT$47,971+/month for most white-collar roles).
- A bachelor's degree and 2+ years of relevant experience for most roles.
- Employer applies for the work permit on your behalf.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Get a job offer
Secure an offer meeting the minimum salary threshold from a Taiwanese employer.
-
2
Employer applies for the work permit
Your employer submits the work permit application to the Ministry of Labour.
-
3
Apply for the resident visa
With the approved work permit, apply for the resident visa — most Africans will need to do this via the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, Lagos Trade Office, or from a third country.
-
4
Travel & obtain your ARC
Enter Taiwan and apply for your Alien Resident Certificate within 15 days of arrival.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Because most of Africa has no Taiwanese diplomatic presence, confirm early whether you can apply from your country or need to route through South Africa/Nigeria or a third country.
- A genuine employer covers the work permit application — you should not be charged for it.
Who submits this application
You don't fill this form yourself — your employer does.
For this visa, there is no public application a candidate can submit alone. Your employer files everything through their own official portal once you have an offer or a confirmed sponsor. A genuine employer never asks you to pay for this step.
See the official portal your employer uses
Important: almost no African country has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (only Eswatini does), due to the "One China" policy most African governments follow. This means there is no Taiwanese "embassy" for most Africans to apply through — instead, Taiwan operates unofficial Taipei Liaison/Trade Offices in a few countries, which handle visa matters unofficially. Confirm which office (if any) covers your country before assuming you can apply locally.
View official portalTypically faster than the standard work permit route, several weeks.
Fees comparable to a standard resident visa + ARC (~US$100–200 total).
1–3 years, combining work permit, visa, ARC and re-entry permit in one card.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Experienced professionals in specific fields (tech, finance, culture, sport, etc.) meeting salary or experience criteria.
- No employer sponsorship required — you apply directly.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Check your eligibility
Confirm you meet the salary/experience criteria for your professional field.
-
2
Apply directly
Submit your Gold Card application — no employer needed. Most Africans will need to apply via South Africa, Nigeria (Lagos) or a third country given the lack of Taiwanese missions.
-
3
Receive your Gold Card
Once approved, you receive a single card combining your work permit, visa, ARC and re-entry permit.
-
4
Travel & work/search
Enter Taiwan — you can work for any employer or search for work under the Gold Card.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- This is one of the most flexible visas in Asia — you're not tied to one employer.
- Given Taiwan's limited African presence, budget extra time and possibly travel to apply through South Africa or a third country.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your No unified online account — apply via employer/school and a Taipei Liaison/Trade Office first
Important: almost no African country has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (only Eswatini does), due to the "One China" policy most African governments follow. This means there is no Taiwanese "embassy" for most Africans to apply through — instead, Taiwan operates unofficial Taipei Liaison/Trade Offices in a few countries, which handle visa matters unofficially. Confirm which office (if any) covers your country before assuming you can apply locally.
Create accountStart your Employment Gold Card application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSeveral weeks.
Single-entry resident visa ~US$66 (overseas application) + ARC fees.
Course length, renewable.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Admission to a recognised Taiwanese institution.
- Proof of funds and accommodation.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Get admitted
Apply to a Taiwanese university and receive your admission letter.
-
2
Apply for your resident visa
Submit your application via the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, the Lagos Trade Office, or a third country, given Taiwan's limited African diplomatic presence.
-
3
Travel & get your ARC
Enter Taiwan and apply for your Alien Resident Certificate.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Taiwan offers scholarships specifically for international students (Taiwan Scholarship, ICDF) — worth checking given the added logistics of applying from Africa.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your No unified online account — apply via employer/school and a Taipei Liaison/Trade Office first
Important: almost no African country has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (only Eswatini does), due to the "One China" policy most African governments follow. This means there is no Taiwanese "embassy" for most Africans to apply through — instead, Taiwan operates unofficial Taipei Liaison/Trade Offices in a few countries, which handle visa matters unofficially. Confirm which office (if any) covers your country before assuming you can apply locally.
Create accountStart your Student resident visa application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationSeveral weeks, often alongside the main applicant.
Similar to the standard resident visa and ARC fees.
Tied to the main visa/ARC holder's status.
Can I apply?
You'll usually need to tick these boxes:
- Sponsor holds a valid Taiwan work permit, Gold Card or resident visa.
- Proof of the family relationship.
What to do, step by step
-
1
Confirm sponsor eligibility
The main applicant must hold or be applying for valid Taiwan residence status.
-
2
Gather relationship documents
Prepare marriage/birth certificates.
-
3
Apply for the dependent visa
Submit via the Taipei Liaison Office in South Africa, Lagos Trade Office, or a third country.
-
4
Travel & get your ARC
Enter Taiwan and apply for your dependent Alien Resident Certificate.
Papers you need
Helpful tips
- Given the very limited number of Taiwan-linked offices in Africa, plan family applications together with the main applicant's visa where possible.
Ready to apply? Do it yourself — free
Create your No unified online account — apply via employer/school and a Taipei Liaison/Trade Office first
Important: almost no African country has formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan (only Eswatini does), due to the "One China" policy most African governments follow. This means there is no Taiwanese "embassy" for most Africans to apply through — instead, Taiwan operates unofficial Taipei Liaison/Trade Offices in a few countries, which handle visa matters unofficially. Confirm which office (if any) covers your country before assuming you can apply locally.
Create accountStart your Dependent ARC application
This opens the official online application form — fill it in and pay the fee directly. No agent needed.
Start applicationMost Taiwan work visas need a job offer first
Browse visa-sponsored and remote jobs open to Africans, then build a CV tailored to Taiwan — both completely free.
Explore other destinations
Questions about Taiwan visas
How much does the Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) cost?
The Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) costs: Work permit ~NT$500 + resident visa ~US$50–100 + ARC ~NT$1,000–3,000. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) take?
Processing for the Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) takes 4–8 weeks total (Ministry of Labour: 7–14 working days for the permit itself). This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) valid for?
The Taiwan Work permit + Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) is valid for typically 1–3 years, tied to the employer and role; renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Taiwan Employment Gold Card cost?
The Taiwan Employment Gold Card costs: Fees comparable to a standard resident visa + ARC (~US$100–200 total). These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Taiwan Employment Gold Card take?
Processing for the Taiwan Employment Gold Card takes typically faster than the standard work permit route, several weeks. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Taiwan Employment Gold Card valid for?
The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is valid for 1–3 years, combining work permit, visa, ARC and re-entry permit in one card. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Taiwan Student resident visa cost?
The Taiwan Student resident visa costs: Single-entry resident visa ~US$66 (overseas application) + ARC fees. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Taiwan Student resident visa take?
Processing for the Taiwan Student resident visa takes several weeks. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Taiwan Student resident visa valid for?
The Taiwan Student resident visa is valid for course length, renewable. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
How much does the Taiwan Dependent ARC cost?
The Taiwan Dependent ARC costs: Similar to the standard resident visa and ARC fees. These fees were checked against the official source on 1 June 2026, and governments change them regularly.
How long does the Taiwan Dependent ARC take?
Processing for the Taiwan Dependent ARC takes several weeks, often alongside the main applicant. This is the official guide time and does not include the weeks you spend gathering documents beforehand.
How long is the Taiwan Dependent ARC valid for?
The Taiwan Dependent ARC is valid for tied to the main visa/ARC holder's status. This route does not by itself lead to permanent residence.
Fees and processing times last checked against official government sources on 1 June 2026. Always confirm on the official portal before paying anything.