Taiwan wants more foreigners: Is it ready?

(Edited and refined by James Loo, with the assistance of AI translation.)

After more than a decade away, I returned to Taipei in April this year as a foreign media outlet correspondent. Many friends were curious about what changes I had noticed in Taiwan over the years from a foreigner’s perspective.

My most direct impression would probably be the phenomenon of nationwide stock speculation. When I hopped onto a cab, the driver was on the phone with his stockbroker while driving, giving instructions on which stock to sell. While looking for a flat, the first thing the estate agent said to the landlord upon seeing him was: “Congratulations! TSMC surged again!”

However, as I settled back into daily life in the city as a long-term foreign resident — applying for residency, getting a mobile number, opening a bank account and shipping my personal belongings — I realised that while many of the problems I had encountered in the past had improved, some longstanding institutional pain points persisted.

Bureacractic roadblocks

For long-term foreign residents, applying for an Alien Resident Certificate is almost always the first step in starting a new life in Taiwan. This document is the quintessential starting point for almost every procedure — from applying for a mobile number and opening a bank account to signing a lease.

Since 2022, Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency has allowed foreign nationals to submit residency applications online, making the process far more convenient than it was a decade ago. Out of curiosity, however, I chose to apply in person. At the time, I had not yet secured long-term accommodation and was staying in a hotel temporarily. The agency required proof of accommodation bearing the hotel’s official stamp. I had to return to the hotel to explain my situation, but fortunately the staff had handled similar requests before and promptly issued the necessary document.

However, new problems followed. Before receiving my resident certificate, I could not open a bank account. Without a bank account, my company could not transfer the rent and deposit monies needed to sign a long-term lease. To secure a flat as quickly as possible, I had to swallow my pride and ask two graduate school classmates I had known for 20 years for help. This was also the first time in my life that I had to ask friends to front me such a large sum of money. Fortunately, both readily agreed, and half-jokingly commented: “Don’t worry, we won’t let you end up sleeping on the streets!”

With the real estate agent acting as an intermediary, the landlord agreed to accept alternative forms of identification, allowing us to sign the lease without delay. Once I obtained a residence certificate registered to my temporary hotel address, the bank verified my information and showed similar flexibility, enabling me to open an account without any further complications.

I am truly grateful to the people I encountered along the way who were willing to lend a hand. Yet it was precisely because of their kindness that I could not help but wonder: if Taiwan hopes to attract more foreign talent in the future, can it make the process less dependent on individual goodwill and more on institutional certainty?

Policy direction against daily reality

When I saw the news, the first thought that came to mind was — at long last! But after reading the details, I realised that some of the difficulties I encountered when I last resided in Taiwan more than a decade ago still have not been fully resolved. For instance, foreigners applying for credit cards still need a Taiwanese guarantor.

This is not only the lived experience of a foreigner, but also a demographic reality Taiwan must confront. According to statistics released by the Ministry of the Interior at the start of the year and the World Health Organization’s definition, Taiwan has officially entered the ranks of a super-aged society, with people aged 65 and above accounting for 20.06% of the total population. At the same time, only 107,812 babies were born last year, marking a decline for the tenth consecutive year and another record low.

Taiwanese media often use the phrase “more deaths than births” to describe the phenomenon of deaths exceeding births, highlighting the worsening trends of population ageing and declining birth rates.

Social backlash to foreign influx

As Taiwan’s working-age population (15 to 64) continues to shrink, industries such as manufacturing and hospitality are facing growing labour shortages. In 2025, the Ministry of Labour introduced the “Transnational Labour Enhancement Programme” to expand labour sources by easing recruitment rules for selected industries. While prioritising the protection of local workers’ rights, the programme allows employers to recruit more skilled foreign workers directly from overseas and retain experienced migrant workers to help ease long-term labour shortages.

The Ministry of Labour had also planned to introduce the first group of Indian migrant workers this year, but the move sparked social controversy, with more than 40,000 people signing a petition in opposition. Some opponents cited international media reports on sexual violence in India to express concerns about public security, while others worried about the impact on the local labour market. The debate not only reflected the views on Indian migrant workers, it also highlighted the doubts and reservations that persist within Taiwanese society over how — and whether — to welcome more foreign labour.

Be it introducing foreign labour or attracting international talent to Taiwan, the real challenge Taiwan faces is two sides of the same coin: it must help society understand these policies and build trust, while also enabling newcomers to adapt smoothly to life and integrate into society. Attracting people is only the first step; getting them to want to stay is the key.

This article was first published in Lianhe Zaobao as “台湾准备好迎接更多外国人了吗”.

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