Q: After an employment permit for intermediate skilled worker has been issued by the Ministry of Labor, what will be the effective date of the employment permit?

Answer:

1.Before the issuance of employment permit for intermediate skilled worker by the Ministry of Labor, the employer cannot assign Category II foreigners, overseas Chinese students or foreign students to engage the works of Category III foreigners. Those who meet any of the requirements set forth in Paragraph 1 under Article 43 of the employment regulations, or foreign students, overseas Chinese students, or other ethnic Chinese students who have graduated from schools of higher education in Taiwan and earned an associate bachelor degree or higher may be employed to engage in mid-level technical work. The effective date of the employment permit for intermediate skilled workers issued by the Ministry of Labor will be recognized under the following principles: 
(1) The original employer shall apply 2 months prior to the expiration of the effective employment permit. For employment of intermediate skilled workers under the requirements of Subparagraph 1 in Taiwan, the effective date of the employment permit should be the expected day of employment and the issuing date of the employment permit, whichever comes later. 
(2) The employer (including the new and original employers) shall apply in the period of 2 to 4 months prior to the expiration date of the previous employment permit. For employment of intermediate skilled workers under the requirements of Subparagraphs 1 & 2 in Taiwan, the effective date of the employment permit should be the day after the expiration of the previous employment permit. 
(3) Employers who have employed before and apply before the effective day of employment for intermediate skilled workers from overseas under Subparagraph 3, the effective date of the employment permit shall be the expected day of employment. If the effective date of employment fall within the review period of the Ministry of Labor for issuing employment permit, the employment permit will be issued as of the document issuing day. 
(4) Employers apply for intermediate skilled workers from overseas, or from overseas Chinese students or foreign students in Taiwan before the effective date of employment, the effective date of employment shall be the expected day of employment. If the effective date of employment fall within the review period of the Ministry of Labor for issuing employment permit, the employment permit will be issued as of the document issuing day.
2.Yes. If an employer applies to hire an intermediate skilled worker to engage in work, the employment permit is a maximum of 3 years in duration. However, foreign nationals who obtain permanent residency can be employed for an unlimited period.