Taiwan student and graduate work options in 2026
The 2026 Foreign Professionals Act expanded the study-to-work transition for people graduating in Taiwan.
Work during post-graduation residence extension
A foreign or overseas Chinese student who earns an associate degree or higher in Taiwan and legally obtains a post-graduation extension of residence as a newly graduated student can work during that extension without applying for a separate work permit.
The National Development Council describes the new 2026 framework as allowing qualifying graduates to work in Taiwan for up to two years during the post-graduation period.
This is not the same as automatic permanent residence, and it does not remove the need to move to the appropriate long-term work/residence category once the graduate extension ends.
Overseas top-university graduates
Separate rules can also help graduates from leading universities abroad. For example, the top-200 university individual work permit can provide up to two years of professional work permission where all criteria are met.
Official guidance: student graduate work exemption, 2026 Foreign Talent Act overview, and NIA residence guidance.
Related: employment-seeking visa, foreign professional work, student visas.
Official and supporting sources
- NDC — Student graduate work exemptiongovernment · accessed 2026-09-21
- NDC — 2026 Foreign Talent Actgovernment · accessed 2026-09-21
- NIA — Residence guidancegovernment · accessed 2026-09-21