Working in Taiwan as a Migrant Worker 2026: Costs, NT$29,500 Wage, Rights & Risks
Po-Chang Yu (Raymond Yu) Chief Lawyer / Founder and CEO of Louis Group 
Taiwan has long been one of the labor markets most chosen by Vietnamese people for working abroad, alongside Japan and South Korea, thanks to reasonable costs, fast departure timelines, and strong labor demand. There are many articles online about going to work in Taiwan, but most are posted by brokerage companies to recruit for their job orders. This article is different: I write it from the perspective of a lawyer to help you understand your legal rights and risks — something that recruitment ads often do not spell out.
The year 2026 brings good news about wages and the chance to stay long term, but there are also things you must be very wary of: fees charged in excess of the regulations and the severe consequences of absconding/undocumented residence. Read carefully before signing any document.
1. Eligibility and documents for going to work in Taiwan in 2026
To go to work in Taiwan lawfully, you must take part through a licensed service enterprise that sends workers abroad to work under contract (under Law No. 69/2020/QH14). This is critically important: check whether that company holds a valid license before paying any money, to avoid being deceived by "middlemen" who have no legal standing.
The eligibility conditions are generally fairly basic:
- Vietnamese citizens aged 18 or over (some sectors such as domestic work/caregiving require age 20 or over)
- Meeting the health requirements (notably: since 2009, people with hepatitis B can still go to work in Taiwan)
- Not having any of the infectious diseases prohibited under the regulations
- A criminal record certificate (usually required to be valid within 6 months)
The basic process consists of: registering with a licensed company → taking part in the selection/testing for a job order → signing an employment contract with the Taiwanese employer (the contract must be checked by the competent authorities of both sides) → applying for a work visa → undergoing a medical examination → departing. The time from completing the documents to flying is usually about 2–3 months.
2. Costs and service fees: don't pay more than the regulations allow
This is where Vietnamese workers most easily suffer a loss. On the market, the total cost of going to work in Taiwan for a 3-year contract usually ranges from about 80–130 million VND (equivalent to 3,500–5,700 USD depending on the job order), including document fees, training, medical examination, visa, and airfare. Some job orders (especially domestic work) have lower costs, and in many localities there are programs offering preferential 0% interest loans to support workers.
The legally important point: the service fee that the enterprise may charge is capped under Law 69/2020, and the Taiwan side also sets a monthly ceiling on the service fee that the brokerage company may charge the worker: no more than NT$1,800 in year 1, no more than NT$1,700 in year 2, and no more than NT$1,500 from year 3 onward. If you are charged over the limit, or pressured into signing unusual loans/commitments, that is a sign you are being overcharged — keep all receipts and contracts as evidence. In addition, some programs require a deposit to bind you to performing the contract; you need to understand clearly the conditions for refunding this deposit before signing.
3. Basic wage and rights in 2026
The biggest good news of 2026: from 1 January 2026, Taiwan's basic wage (基本工資) rises to NT$29,500 per month. Workers in sectors covered by the Labor Standards Act (manufacturing, construction, etc.) are entitled to the full basic wage, overtime pay (OT), days off, and various insurances. Many workers actually receive 25–35 million VND per month once overtime is included.
The main rights you must be entitled to include: labor insurance (勞保), National Health Insurance (健保/NHI) which makes medical care much cheaper, and the amounts provided by law. As for the Taiwan employment contract: the standard contract for foreign workers is usually 3 years, renewable, and the total working period in Taiwan can reach up to 12 years (some sectors such as caregiving may be longer). If you suspect you have been wrongly deducted wages/insurance, ask for the pay slip and check it — or call the support hotline (see section 5).
4. Common Taiwan job orders
The Taiwan job order market is very diverse, suiting many groups of workers:
- Factory/manufacturing: electronics, machinery, welding, machine operation, assembly, product sorting — good basic wage, plenty of overtime
- Food processing, seafood, textiles: suitable for both men and women, some giving priority to skills
- Construction: suitable for healthy male workers, fairly good income
- Caregiving/domestic work (caring for the elderly/sick): very high demand, but note that some home-care positions have their own particularities regarding working hours and rights — you need to read the contract carefully
Whichever job order you choose, the golden rule remains: read the contract carefully regarding the basic wage, how overtime is calculated, and the deductions (board and lodging) before signing.
5. Legal rights and the 1955 hotline – remember this number
I emphasize this section because it is the most important "shield" and it is completely free. Taiwan's Ministry of Labor operates the 1955 hotline, available 24 hours, in multiple languages, with Vietnamese-language service. You can call to:
- Get free labor-law advice
- File a complaint when your wages are withheld/wrongly deducted
- Report mistreatment by the employer, and request emergency relocation to ensure your safety
Two things you absolutely must know: the employer or broker has NO right to hold your passport or ARC card — such conduct is unlawful. And in cases of exploitation, mistreatment, withheld wages, or working conditions that breach the contract, Taiwanese law allows you to change to a new employer / transfer to a new employer as provided by the regulations. Do not resign yourself to the point of having to abscond.
6. WARNING: Absconding and undocumented residence – in 2026 the consequences are heavier
Many people think absconding to work "off the books" will earn them more, but the truth is that what you gain does not make up for what you lose. When you reside without documents, you lose all your rights and insurance; if the employer steals money from you, you cannot report it to the police; and you live in constant danger of being arrested, fined, and deported.
More importantly, from 1 March 2024, Taiwan applies the amended Immigration Act, sharply increasing the sanctions for those who overstay: penalties have risen (up to tens of thousands of Taiwan dollars — some sources cite around NT$10,000–50,000 depending on the duration) and the entry ban lasts longer (in some cases up to 7 years). Because the sanctions are still being tightened, if you are unsure of the latest amounts, ask the 1955 hotline or Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA). In addition, the Vietnamese side also takes action and you may lose your deposit. If you have already overstayed, voluntarily turning yourself in usually earns a lighter penalty than being arrested.
7. The 2026 opportunity: from unskilled worker to "skilled worker" and settlement
This is the best news for those who want to commit to Taiwan long term. Taiwan continues to push the program to retain skilled migrant workers (移工留才久用), and from 1 January 2026 it has been adjusted to be more attractive:
- Workers who have worked in Taiwan for 6 years or more (or who hold an associate degree or higher obtained in Taiwan), meeting the wage and skill criteria, can move to foreign skilled worker status
- The wage threshold for skilled workers has been raised by NT$2,000 in each category (for example, skilled work in the manufacturing sector rises to around NT$35,000 per month)
- The cap on retaining skilled workers in the manufacturing sector has been loosened from 25% up to a maximum of 100%, the permit can be renewed many times, with no limit on the number of years
- It opens the path to a permanent resident certificate (APRC) in the long term; through the in-service study program, young workers can also study further to raise their occupational tier
In other words, working lawfully and continuously is no longer just "going for a few years and coming back," but can become a path to long-term settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
About how much does it cost to go to work in Taiwan in 2026?
The total cost for a 3-year contract usually ranges from about 80–130 million VND (equivalent to 3,500–5,700 USD), depending on the job order and company, including document fees, training, medical examination, visa, and airfare; some domestic-work job orders are lower, and many localities have a preferential 0% interest loan package. Legally, the service fee is capped under Law 69/2020/QH14, and the Taiwan side sets a monthly brokerage-fee ceiling: no more than NT$1,800 in year 1, NT$1,700 in year 2, and NT$1,500 from year 3 onward. If you are charged over the limit or pressured into signing unusual loans/commitments, keep all receipts and file a complaint through the 1955 hotline.
What is the basic wage for workers in Taiwan in 2026?
From 1 January 2026, Taiwan's basic wage (基本工資) is NT$29,500 per month, not including overtime pay. Workers in sectors covered by the Labor Standards Act (manufacturing, construction, etc.) are entitled to the full basic wage, overtime pay (OT), days off, and various insurances; many people actually receive around 25–35 million VND per month once overtime is included. You are also enrolled in labor insurance (勞保) and National Health Insurance (健保/NHI), which makes medical care much cheaper. Note: domestic helpers/home caregivers in households are currently not within the scope of the Labor Standards Act, so their wages and working hours are mainly governed by the contract — read it carefully and keep the pay slip to check against.
If my employer withholds my wages or mistreats me, whom do I call?
Call the 1955 hotline of Taiwan's Ministry of Labor immediately — free, 24 hours, with Vietnamese-language service. Through 1955 you can get labor-law advice, file a complaint when your wages are withheld or wrongly deducted, report mistreatment by the employer, and request emergency relocation to ensure your safety. Two things to remember: the employer or broker has no right to hold your passport or ARC card — that is unlawful conduct; and when your wages are withheld, you are mistreated, or your working conditions breach the contract, you have the right to change to a new employer / transfer to a new employer lawfully under Article 59 of the Employment Service Act, instead of resigning yourself to it or absconding. For complex cases, also consult a lawyer.
How is absconding punished in Taiwan?
Very heavily, and increasingly so. From 1 March 2024, Taiwan applies the amended Immigration Act, sharply increasing the sanctions on those who overstay: higher penalties (some sources cite around NT$10,000–50,000 depending on the length of overstay) and a prolonged entry ban, in some cases up to 7 years. When you abscond, you also lose all your rights and insurance, cannot report it to the police if the employer steals money from you, and may lose your deposit in Vietnam. Because the sanctions are still being tightened, if you are unclear about the latest amounts, ask the 1955 hotline or the National Immigration Agency (NIA). If you have already overstayed, voluntarily turning yourself in usually earns a lighter penalty than being arrested.
Can Vietnamese workers stay in Taiwan long term?
Yes. Taiwan is pushing the program to retain skilled migrant workers (移工留才久用), and from 1 January 2026 it has relaxed the conditions: workers who have worked for 6 years or more (or who hold an associate degree or higher obtained in Taiwan), meeting the wage and skill criteria, can move to foreign skilled worker status, with a wage threshold in the manufacturing sector of around NT$35,000 per month. The cap on retaining skilled workers in the manufacturing sector has been loosened from 25% up to a maximum of 100%, the permit can be renewed many times with no limit on the number of years, and it opens the path to a permanent resident certificate (APRC). The prerequisite is working lawfully and continuously — so do not abscond; if you meet a bad employer, use your right to change to a new employer lawfully to preserve your chain of residence time.
Going to work in Taiwan is a good opportunity — if you do it lawfully and understand your rights clearly. Remember: keep your passport with you, do not pay fees over the limit, do not abscond, and save the number 1955 from the very first day.
The Louis Group legal consulting group has a Vietnamese-speaking team and offices in both Taiwan and Vietnam (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City). If you or a family member face a complex legal problem — such as an employment contract dispute, unlawful termination of the contract, large amounts of unpaid wages, or the need to protect your rights in a case — we are ready to advise you on protecting your rights in accordance with the law.
This article is general legal information, not a legal opinion for any specific case; figures and rules may change. In an emergency, please call the 1955 hotline and check the latest information from the competent Taiwanese authorities.