Taiwan Becomes The Latest Destination to Offer a Digital Nomad Visa

Digital nomads now have one more reason to stay longer in East Asia as Taiwan becomes the latest place to officially open their doors to digital nomads. In an announcement last Thursday, National Development Council (NDC) Minister Paul Liu revealed the upcoming launch of a six-month digital nomad visa. This initiative aims to complement existing digital nomad visas in the region rather than compete with them.

Taiwan Offers Another Safe Place to Extend Your Stay in Asia

Taiwan’s new visa is strategically positioned to offer flexibility to remote workers in East Asia. Digital nomads who wish to first take advantage of Japan’s six-month visa, for example, could then apply for Taiwan’s six-month visa and fly from Tokyo to Taipei in only three hours. If you choose to stay in Naha, the capital of Japan’s Okinawa, the flight to Taipei is only 90 minutes.  Currently, tourists from many countries enjoy 90-day visa-free access to Taiwan, but they are technically not allowed to work during this period. The new digital nomad visa will fill this gap and provide a legal framework for remote work.

In addition to the digital nomad visa, Liu announced plans to ease the process for skilled, high-earning foreign workers to gain permanent residency in Taiwan. This move highlights Taiwan’s long-term vision of integrating global talent into its economy. Although specific details about eligibility and income requirements for the digital nomad visa are yet to be disclosed, Liu mentioned the country’s goal of retaining at least 10% of the foreign talent who utilize the visa, as reported by the Taipei Times.

What Does Taiwan Have to Offer Digital Nomads?

Taiwan boasts a subtropical climate, stunning beaches, scenic hikes, and a rich cultural heritage with thousands of temples. The main island, roughly half the size of Scotland, offers the convenience of traveling from the capital city, Taipei, to lush national parks in a matter of hours. There is also an affordable and efficient high-speed rail network linking many cities down the western coast of the country, which makes it easy to explore more of Taiwan in your free time. 

In Taipei, digital nomads can find plenty of coworking spaces where they can be productive in the morning and then enjoy delicious street food for very reasonable prices. Taiwan also has a rich tea culture, so you may want to work from one of its many beautiful tea houses. One of the city’s top attractions, Yangmingshan National Park, is also just 30 minutes away and offers an array of scenic hiking trails. 

Beyond its natural beauty, Taiwan is known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ rights. It is one of the safest countries in the world for LGBTQ+ travelers and has strong anti-discrimination laws and transgender rights. In 2019, Taiwan became the first country in the region to legalize same-sex marriage, a landmark achievement followed by Nepal and Thailand in 2024.

After spending 180 days in Taiwan, digital nomads can choose between applying for the digital nomad visa to stay longer in Thailand or South Korea or visit other popular digital nomad hotspots in Indonesia and Vietnam.  If you haven’t considered Taiwan before, now might be the time to put it on your radar for its efficient, safe, and affordable way of life combined with its abundance of natural beauty.