Intermediate technical employment — chef

2. Chef and related work: Engaging in food preparation and related work at private employment services agencies providing cross-border labor brokerage services.

Employers are required to apply to the Central Competent Authority to employ foreign skilled workers to work in the Republic of China (Taiwan), unless otherwise provided by provisions in the Act or the Regulations.

When a foreign skilled worker is employed to engage in chef and related work detailed in Subparagraph 2, Article 5, the employer is required to be a private employment services agency engaged in cross-border labor brokerage services, commissioned to manage at least 100 foreign nationals of the same nationality engaged in work detailed in Subparagraphs 8 to 11, Paragraph 1, Article 46 of the Act.

2. Foreign skilled workers employed to engage in chef-related work detailed in Paragraph 2 of the above Article are required to have graduated from a senior high school or higher, in Taiwan or overseas, and to have at least one year of work experience.

1. When the employer is commissioned to manage at least 100 but fewer than 200 foreign nationals, it can hire two chefs and one related staff member. 2. When the employer is commissioned to manage at least 200 but fewer than 300 foreign nationals, it can hire three chefs and two related staff members. 3. When the employer is commissioned to manage 300 or more foreign nationals, it can hire an additional chef and related staff member for each additional 100 individuals.

The term “foreign skilled worker” used in the Regulations refers to foreign nationals employed to engage in work detailed in Subparagraph 11, Paragraph 1, Article 46 of the Employment Service Act.

(Ⅳ)Unless authorized by the Central Competent Authority under specific circumstances outlined in Paragraph 1 of Article 59, foreign workers employed in job categories listed in Subparagraphs 8 to 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 may not change employers or work types.

2. Chef and related work: Engaging in food preparation and related work at private employment services agencies providing cross-border labor brokerage services.

(Ⅰ)Employment permits for foreign workers engaged in work types listed in Subparagraphs 1 to 7 and Subparagraph 11 of Paragraph 1 of Article 46 shall be valid for up to three years. Employers may apply for extensions based on business needs.

If an employer needs to continue employing a foreign skilled worker, it is required to submit the documents detailed in Article 59 and apply to the Central Competent Authority for an extension of the employment permit within four months of the current employment permit expiring.

Foreign technical workers face no limit on their duration of stay in Taiwan, enjoy higher wages, refine their technical skills, and are exempt from paying employment stability fees. Furthermore, after working for an additional 5 years, they become eligible to transition into the permanent residence system.

Article 2 The term “foreign skilled worker” used in the Regulations refers to foreign nationals employed to engage in work detailed in Subparagraph 11, Paragraph 1, Article 46 of the Employment Service Act.

2. Chef and related work: Engaging in food preparation and related work at private employment services agencies providing cross-border labor brokerage services.

Transnational Technical Workforce Enhancement Program To further strengthen the retention and recruitment of foreign technical personnel required by industries, the Ministry launched the "Transnational Technical Workforce Enhancement Program" on January 1, 2026. This program encompasses three major measures: "relaxing the ceiling on the retention of foreign technical personnel," "introducing foreign technical personnel for the hospitality and commercial port/wharf cargo handling and warehousing industries," and "enhancing government efficiency." 1. Relaxing the ceiling on the retention of foreign technical personnel: For migrant workers who qualify to transition into foreign technical personnel, employers may now apply to retain all of them, with the allocation ratio relaxed from 25% to 100%. 2. Introducing foreign technical personnel from overseas for specific industries: Employers in the hospitality and commercial port/wharf industries who raise the wages of local workers by NT$2,000 are permitted to recruit and employ foreign technical personnel from overseas who possess specified academic and work experience, language proficiency, and technical skills to work in Taiwan. 3. Enhancing government efficiency: Establishing overseas offices to handle the recruitment, skill testing, and entry assistance for foreign technical personnel, and collaborating with source country governments to jointly promote direct hiring and skills training initiatives. To optimize workforce deployment and retain outstanding technical talent, the Ministry has promulgated the "Regulations Governing the Qualifications and Working Permits of Foreign Technical Workers," which will take effect on January 1, 2026. Applicable to industries currently employing migrant workers—including manufacturing, slaughtering, construction, agriculture, and long-term care—employers may apply to transition senior migrant workers who have worked in Taiwan for 6 years or more, or overseas Chinese and foreign students who have obtained an associate degree or higher in Taiwan, into foreign technical workers, provided they meet the required salary and technical skill qualifications. Foreign technical workers face no limit on their duration of stay in Taiwan, enjoy higher wages, refine their technical skills, and are exempt from paying employment stability fees. Furthermore, after working for an additional 5 years, they become eligible to transition into the permanent residence system.