新冠肺炎宣導-外國人勞動權益網

If a foreign worker wants to come to Taiwan to work but is unable to do so because a flight cannot be booked or border controls and his/her work visa is about to expire what should they do?

The foreign worker or employer should ask Taiwan’s overseas office to extend the foreign worker’s entry visa.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

If a foreign worker has already received a work permit but decides to not work in Taiwan, how is the visa cancelled?

The foreign worker or employer should ask Taiwan’s overseas office to extend or cancel the foreign worker’s entry visa.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

If a foreign worker wants to return home but is unable to do so because a flight cannot be booked or border controls in the country of origin and his/her ARC in Taiwan is about to expire what should they do?

1. If a foreign worker wants to return to his or her country of origin but is unable to leave as scheduled because of the border controls in various countries, the employer and labor brokerage should apply to extend the expiration date of the worker’s ARC or for special compensation to remain at the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Ministry of the Interior, and book the earliest possible flight out of Taiwan. 2. Since May 28, 2021, foreign nationals (including residents of China, Hong Kong and Macau) whose term of residency in Taiwan is about to expire have been granted unlimited automatic 30 day extensions. This will end 30 days after the COVID alert level in Taiwan is lowered to level 2. https://ifi.immigration.gov.tw/wSite/ct?xItem=91874&ctNode=37641&mp=1#aC

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

After a foreign worker enters Taiwan and is in quarantine unable to go outside how is he or she to apply for an ARC?

In normal situations employers have 15 days after a foreign worker arrives in Taiwan to take the recruitment permission letter issued by the MOL, foreign worker’s passport, employee certificate (for businesses this must include the seal of the company and responsible person) and four photographs to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate and produce a fingerprint card at the local immigration office near where the foreign worker lives. This has been extended to 30 days for the duration of the pandemic. In addition in-person ARC applications at the immigration office have been suspended until the COVID-19 alert is lowered to Level 2, at which point employers have 30 days to file an ARC application.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

If a foreign worker has to cancel an airplane ticket to his or her country of origin during leave time. How does he or she apply for compensation to cover the cost of canceling the flight?

Foreign workers should apply in person or ask their employer or labor brokerage to do so on their behalf. An application to the ministry for compensation as a result of losses related to necessary transport costs after postponing or canceling a flight in concert with pandemic prevention measures should include evidence of a booked ticket and receipts showing related payments or refunds.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

What happens if a foreign worker is unable to return home because of a lack of flights or border controls in their country of origin?

1. If during their period of residence in Taiwan foreign workers need to leave the country and return the worker, employer or labor brokerage should apply for a re-entry permit at the NIA office where the place of employment is located one day before leaving the country. 2. If a foreign worker does not want to keep working in Taiwan and chooses to return home, but is unable to leave as scheduled because of the border controls in various countries, the employer and labor brokerage should apply for an extension of the expiration date of the worker’s ARC or special compensation to remain at the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Ministry of the Interior, and book the earliest possible flight out of Taiwan.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

If a foreign worker returns to his or her country of origin to deal with an urgent matter and then wants to return to Taiwan to work what is the process?

1. If during their period of residence in Taiwan foreign workers need to leave the country and return the worker, employer or labor brokerage should apply for a re-entry permit at the NIA office where the place of employment is located one day before leaving the country. 2. If a foreign worker’s re-entry permit has expired or he/she fails to apply for a re-entry permit before leaving Taiwan, the employer should apply to the MOL for a foreign worker re-entry permit.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

Are there controls if a foreign worker has to return to his or her country of origin to deal with urgent matters?

No. There are no controls on foreign workers leaving Taiwan. If during their period of residence in Taiwan foreign workers need to leave the country and return, the worker, employer or labor brokerage should apply for a re-entry permit at the NIA office where the place of employment is located one day before leaving the country.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

What about the cost of quarantine and pandemic prevention compensation?

1. Caring for the daily life needs of foreign workers is the responsibility of their employer. The cost of staying in a quarantine center is also to be covered by the employer. 2. When the health authorities accept that an individual in quarantine/isolation has not violated quarantine/isolation regulations, that individual can apply for pandemic prevention compensation for the duration of their quarantine/isolation. This does not include individuals who continue to draw a salary or receive compensation based on similar laws.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

Are there control measures for foreign workers who leave Taiwan and return home?

Since March 17, 2020, foreign workers entering Taiwan have had to quarantine. Currently, the following processes are followed based on nationality and industry: 1. Home quarantine: This is mandated for newly hired industry category Vietnamese and Thai workers arriving in Taiwan, but the quarantine location must be first inspected and approved by the local government 2. Government quarantine facilities: Newly hired social welfare category foreign workers arriving in Taiwan, foreign workers in any industry returning to Taiwan, as well as Indonesian and Philippine workers are all placed in government quarantine facilities. On Dec. 4, 2020 a temporary ban on Indonesian foreign workers entering Taiwan was introduced.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

How do foreign workers entering Taiwan quarantine? What are government quarantine facilities and home quarantine?

Since March 17, 2020, foreign workers entering Taiwan have had to quarantine. Currently, the following processes are followed based on nationality and industry: 1. Home quarantine: This is mandated for newly hired industry category Vietnamese and Thai workers arriving in Taiwan, but the quarantine location must be first inspected and approved by the local government 2. Government quarantine facilities: Newly hired social welfare category foreign workers arriving in Taiwan, foreign workers in any industry returning to Taiwan, as well as Indonesian and Philippine workers are all placed in government quarantine facilities. On Dec. 4, 2020 a temporary ban on Indonesian foreign workers entering Taiwan was introduced.

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

Which entry controls relate to foreign workers?

On June 11, 2021, the CECC indicated that as the pandemic situation in Taiwan has not yet stabilized, in order to avoid placing an additional burden on the nation’s quarantine capacity and medical resources, “strict border control” measures will remain in place for the duration of the nationwide COVID-19 level 3 alert. In accordance with these measures non Taiwanese nationals without a valid ARC are temporarily banned from entering Taiwan, including foreign workers newly employed to come to Taiwan by local employers. "https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/3iNNwroO0OrdsItewXo_GA?typeid=9

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12

At present are foreign nationals and foreign workers temporarily banned from entering Taiwan? When will the ban be lifted?

On June 11, 2021, the CECC indicated that as the pandemic situation in Taiwan has not yet stabilized, in order to avoid placing an additional burden on the nation’s quarantine capacity and medical resources, “strict border control” measures will remain in place for the duration of the nationwide COVID-19 level 3 alert. These measures include (1) A temporary ban on non Taiwanese nationals without a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), including foreign workers newly employed to come to Taiwan by local employers, other than when special permission is given for emergency or humanitarian considerations; (2) A temporary ban on travelers transiting in Taiwan. These provisions are subject to rolling adjustments depending on the pandemic situation in Taiwan and overseas, and the success of community pandemic prevention work as determined by the CECC. https://www.cdc.gov.tw/Bulletin/Detail/3iNNwroO0OrdsItewXo_GA?typeid=9

Release date ：2021/08/11
Update date ：2021/08/12