TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan will expand long-term care services to eligible foreign professionals and their dependents starting June 30 to improve talent retention and boost competitiveness, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said Monday.
Last August, an amendment to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals added Article 29, which stipulates that foreign professionals and their dependents may apply for long-term care services, per RTI. The MOHW has since drafted implementing regulations under the Long-Term Care Services Act.
Wu Hsi-wen (吳希文), deputy director-general of the MOHW Department of Long-Term Care, said the policy will take effect on June 30, RTI reported. She said eligible applicants include foreign professionals, their spouses, and minor or adult children with disabilities, provided they meet residency requirements and qualify as elderly or as persons with disabilities under the long-term care system.
Wu said applicants must hold permanent residency approved by the National Immigration Agency, have legally resided in Taiwan for at least 10 years, and have spent at least 183 days a year in the country. She estimated about 100 to 200 people will qualify, with funding drawn from the long-term care fund and costs varying by disability level and services used.
Under the regulations, long-term care benefits will be terminated if a recipient’s permanent residency or disability certification is revoked, according to RTI. However, this does not apply if the revocation is due to the acquisition or restoration of Taiwanese nationality, in which case eligibility remains unaffected.
