Moving to Taiwan from Vietnam

Tax Obligations in Taiwan

Taiwan applies a progressive income tax system to resident taxpayers. Tax residency is determined by presence: if you stay in Taiwan for 183 days or more in a calendar year, you are taxed as a resident on your Taiwan-source income at progressive rates. If you stay fewer than 183 days, you are taxed as a non-resident at a flat withholding rate on Taiwan-source income.

Employer withholding.

Your employer deducts income tax from your salary each month and remits it to the tax authority. At year-end, you file an annual return that reconciles withholdings with your actual liability. For workers whose only income is employment salary, the filing process is straightforward. Employers typically assist foreign workers with the annual filing.

Vietnam tax residency.

Vietnam taxes residents on worldwide income. When you relocate to Taiwan, your Vietnamese tax status depends on how long you remain physically present in Vietnam and whether you maintain a habitual residence there. If you spend fewer than 183 days in Vietnam during the calendar year and do not maintain a habitual residence, you may qualify as a non-resident, taxed only on Vietnam-source income. Consult a tax advisor before relocating to plan the transition year.

Social insurance contributions.

Employers and employees in Taiwan both contribute to the Labour Insurance and National Pension Insurance programs. These contributions are deducted from your salary alongside income tax. The programs fund retirement benefits, workplace injury coverage, and unemployment insurance.

End-of-contract savings.

Some Vietnamese workers in Taiwan participate in employer-managed savings programs or send regular remittances home throughout their contract period. Planning your savings and remittance schedule before arrival helps you maximize the financial benefit of working abroad.

Healthcare

National Health Insurance (NHI).

Taiwan operates a universal National Health Insurance program that covers all residents. Foreign workers employed in Taiwan are enrolled through their employer from the date of employment. The program covers outpatient care, hospitalization, emergency services, dental care, traditional Chinese medicine, and prescription medications with modest copayments.

Six-month waiting period.

Foreign nationals who are not employed (such as students or dependents) must wait six months of continuous residence before NHI enrollment. Workers employed by a Taiwan-based company are exempt from this waiting period and are enrolled immediately through their employer.

Coverage quality.

Taiwan's NHI is widely regarded as comprehensive. You choose a primary care clinic or hospital, though you can also visit specialists directly. Wait times are generally short. Most hospitals in urban areas have English-speaking staff, though Vietnamese-language services are limited to a few major medical centers with international patient departments.

Medications.

Bring documentation from your Vietnamese doctor listing current medications by their generic (International Nonproprietary Name) names and dosages. Most common medications are available at Taiwanese pharmacies. Some medications may have different brand names. Controlled substances require a Taiwanese prescription.

Mental health.

Mental health services are available through NHI, including psychiatric consultations and counselling. Finding therapists who speak Vietnamese is challenging. Telehealth platforms connecting to Vietnam-based providers can supplement local care while you build a support network.

Visa and Work Permit Pathways

Vietnam is one of Taiwan's primary source countries for migrant workers ^[1]. The majority of Vietnamese workers in Taiwan are employed in manufacturing, construction, fishing, agriculture, domestic work, and caregiving ^[1].

Recruitment process.

Vietnamese workers are typically recruited through licensed recruitment agencies in Vietnam that partner with Taiwanese employers or their Taiwanese labour brokers. The Vietnamese Department of Overseas Labour (DOLAB) under the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MOLISA) oversees the outbound process. Workers must register, complete pre-departure training, pass medical examinations, and obtain a work visa before departure ^[2].

Recruitment fees.

The ILO has documented that Vietnamese workers migrating to Taiwan frequently pay significant recruitment fees and related costs ^[3]. These fees can include agency charges, training costs, medical examination fees, and documentation expenses. High fees increase workers' vulnerability to exploitation and debt bondage. Workers should verify that fees charged align with government-regulated limits and should avoid borrowing at high interest rates to fund migration.

Work permit terms.

Work permits in Taiwan are employer-specific. You cannot change employers without government approval except in documented cases of abuse, contract violations, or employer bankruptcy. The initial permit term is typically three years, with extensions possible depending on the employment category.

Employment Gold Card.

Taiwan's Employment Gold Card is a combined work permit, residence visa, and re-entry permit for qualified foreign professionals in fields including science, technology, economy, education, and culture ^[4]. It allows open employment (not tied to a single employer) and is valid for one to three years. Vietnamese professionals who meet the qualification criteria can apply, though the program primarily targets highly skilled workers rather than the majority labour migration pathway.

Pre-departure orientation.

The ILO and DOLAB developed a pre-departure training curriculum that includes information on workers' rights, Taiwan's laws and policies, cultural orientation, and how to access support services and complaints mechanisms ^[2].

Banking and Finances

Opening a bank account.

Foreign workers in Taiwan can open bank accounts with their passport, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and a letter from their employer. Major banks include CTBC Bank, E.Sun Bank, Mega Bank, and Cathay United Bank. Some banks near industrial areas are accustomed to serving foreign workers and offer multilingual support.

Remittances to Vietnam.

Remittances are a primary financial goal for most Vietnamese workers in Taiwan. Options include bank wire transfers, licensed remittance services, and digital platforms. Transfer fees and exchange rates vary by provider. Some Taiwanese banks offer dedicated remittance services targeting Southeast Asian workers with competitive VND rates. Convenience store kiosks (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) also facilitate international transfers through partner services.

Salary and minimum wage.

Taiwan sets a national minimum wage that applies to all workers, including foreign nationals. Wages are typically paid monthly via bank transfer. Your employment contract should specify salary, overtime rates, and any deductions. Review the contract carefully before signing, and ensure a Vietnamese translation is available.

Savings strategies.

The combination of Taiwan's relatively higher wages and the ability to save on employer-provided or subsidized housing allows many Vietnamese workers to accumulate meaningful savings over a multi-year contract. Setting up automatic transfers to a savings account and tracking expenses in a budgeting app helps maintain discipline.

ATM and daily banking.

ATMs are widely available in cities and even in rural areas near convenience stores. Most ATMs offer English and sometimes Vietnamese interfaces. Debit cards issued with your bank account work at ATMs and point-of-sale terminals nationwide. Mobile banking apps from major banks handle transfers and bill payments.

Moving Logistics

Flights.

Direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Taipei operate daily on multiple airlines, with a flight time of three to four hours. Budget carriers (VietJet Air, Bamboo Airways) and full-service airlines (EVA Air, China Airlines, Vietnam Airlines) serve the route. Most workers travel by air on a one-way ticket arranged as part of the recruitment process.

What to bring.

Pack essential documents (passport, work visa, employment contract, medical certificates, education records) in your carry-on. Bring personal clothing suitable for Taiwan's climate, which includes cold winters in the north. Taiwan's convenience stores and markets are well-stocked, so most daily necessities can be purchased on arrival.

Accommodation.

Many employers provide housing or dormitories for foreign workers, either on-site (in factory compounds) or in rented apartments near the workplace. The quality and size of employer-provided housing varies. Workers in professional roles or those with higher salaries typically arrange their own apartments. Rent in Taipei is significantly higher than in other Taiwanese cities.

Mobile and connectivity.

Taiwanese SIM cards are available at the airport and telecom stores. Major providers include Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone. You will need your passport and ARC (or landing permit) to purchase a plan. Prepaid data plans are affordable. LINE is the dominant messaging app in Taiwan, used by virtually everyone for personal and work communication.

Climate.

Taiwan has a subtropical to tropical climate. Northern Taiwan (Taipei, New Taipei) has distinct seasons, with cool, rainy winters (December through February) and hot, humid summers. Southern Taiwan (Kaohsiung, Tainan) is warm year-round. Vietnamese workers from southern Vietnam should prepare for cooler winter temperatures in northern Taiwan. Bring or purchase a warm jacket.

Transportation.

Taiwan's public transit is excellent in urban areas. Taipei Metro (MRT), bus networks, and the High Speed Rail connecting Taipei to Kaohsiung make travel convenient. An EasyCard (rechargeable transit card) works on trains, buses, and at convenience stores. Scooters are common for daily commuting outside Taipei, though you need a Taiwanese licence.

Cultural Adjustment

Vietnamese community.

Vietnam is one of Taiwan's largest migrant worker source countries, with over 260,000 Vietnamese nationals in Taiwan. Vietnamese restaurants, grocery stores, and community associations are present in every major city and in industrial areas. Vietnamese-language media, including online news and social media groups, help maintain connections to home.

Language.

Mandarin Chinese is the primary language in Taiwan. Most workplaces, government offices, and daily interactions require Mandarin. Learning basic Mandarin before arrival significantly improves daily life and workplace integration. Many recruitment agencies and community organizations offer Mandarin classes. Taiwan also has a large population of Mandarin-Vietnamese bilingual residents (Vietnamese spouses of Taiwanese nationals), who can be helpful resources.

Work culture.

Taiwanese workplaces generally follow structured schedules with clear hierarchies. Punctuality is expected. Overtime is common in manufacturing and construction. Labour law limits regular working hours and mandates overtime pay, but enforcement varies. If you are asked to work overtime, verify that it is recorded and compensated according to your contract.

Food.

Taiwanese cuisine shares some ingredients with Vietnamese food (rice, noodles, soy sauce, fresh herbs), making the culinary adjustment manageable. Night markets, convenience stores, and local restaurants offer affordable meals. Vietnamese restaurants are common in areas with large Vietnamese populations. Grocery stores in these areas stock Vietnamese ingredients and products.

Legal protections.

Taiwan has a 1955 migrant worker hotline for reporting workplace issues, filing complaints, or seeking assistance. The hotline operates in Vietnamese and other languages. Workers have the right to file complaints about wage theft, unsafe conditions, or contract violations without employer retaliation.

Social life.

Vietnamese community groups organize cultural events, holiday celebrations (Tet, Mid-Autumn Festival), and social gatherings. Buddhist and Catholic churches with Vietnamese-language services are present in major cities. Online community groups on Facebook and Zalo connect Vietnamese workers across Taiwan for social support and information sharing.

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