Taiwan family residence and spouse work in 2026
Family residence depends on the principal holder's immigration category and the relationship.
Foreign professionals and foreign special professionals can generally sponsor qualifying spouses and children for dependent residence under the applicable rules. The 2026 framework also lets qualifying professionals and dependents who entered visa-exempt or on visitor status apply directly to NIA for residence in covered cases.
Spouse work rights for special professionals
A spouse of a foreign special professional or foreign senior professional who has dependent residence can apply directly to the Ministry of Labor for a work permit.
The spouse's permit:
- cannot be valid longer than the dependent residence;
- can permit part-time work; and
- does not require a new employer to apply for another employment permit when changing or adding employers under this framework.
Family residence should not be assumed to carry identical work rights across all principal categories.
Official guidance: professional/family residence and spouse work rules.
Related: Employment Gold Card, foreign professional work, permanent residence.
Official and supporting sources
- NDC — Residence for professionals and familygovernment · accessed 2026-09-21
- NDC — Spouse work permitgovernment · accessed 2026-09-21