Hi all,
I have lived in Taiwan for several years as a student and then for a Taiwanese company, currently on a work ARC. I have recently received an offer to be a regular contractor for an overseas (EU-based) company. This offer has a much better salary, but working hours to complete the contracted work means I would be unable to continue my current role, so I am looking for alternative ways to stay in Taiwan and work remotely. Unfortunately, my current salary is too low to make me eligible for the digital nomad or gold card routes.
As a British citizen I am eligible for the U.K.-Taiwan Youth Mobility Scheme, which is basically a working holiday visa.
It seems like there are no real legal restrictions on what kind of work is allowed on this visa, with the only stipulations I can find as follows:
The primary purpose of entry is to stay in Taiwan for an extended vacation. If the purpose is to raise funds for living expenses during the stay, it is permissible to engage in legal work, but work is a secondary purpose rather than the primary purpose.
You must abide by all laws, regulations and rules of Taiwan, and must not engage in work that is inconsistent with the purpose of your working holiday plan.
Does anyone have any experience working remotely for a foreign company while on a working holiday visa in Taiwan? Any ideas what would qualify as “inconsistent”?
The only issue I foresee could be when I file taxes in Taiwan next year if they flag it as “inconsistent with the purpose of my working holiday plan”- has anyone filed taxes after working remotely on a working holiday visa and can share any experiences?
If anyone has any alternative suggestions or recommendations of a good immigration lawyer I can consult with that would be great! TIA