How to Claim Labor Insurance in Taiwan for Foreigners: Step-by-step Filing, Documents & Online Applications

Last updated: May 20, 2026

If you are a foreign resident or migrant worker wondering how to claim labor insurance in Taiwan for foreigners, the short answer is: you file an application, either in person at a Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI) local office or online through the BLI e-Service portal, together with your ARC, passport, employer-sealed forms and supporting medical or employment records. Taiwan’s Labor Insurance Act entitles legally employed foreigners to the same benefits as local workers, including old-age payments, injury and sickness cash benefits, occupational-accident medical care, and survivor allowances. With the BLI continuing to expand its online application channels and digital-certificate login options in 2026, the filing process has never been more accessible for non-Chinese speakers.

This guide walks through every step, eligibility, required documents, in-person and online filing procedures, status checks, and what to do if a claim is denied.

Quick Overview, What Labor Insurance Covers for Foreigners

Labor insurance for foreigners in Taiwan provides a broad safety net administered by the BLI under the Ministry of Labor. Any foreign national employed by a company with five or more employees must be enrolled by their employer from the first day of work, regardless of nationality.

Which Benefits Are Available to Legally Employed Foreigners

• Old-age benefits. Lump-sum or monthly pension payments available upon reaching eligibility age or upon permanently leaving Taiwan.
• Injury or sickness benefits (temporary disability). Cash payments covering lost wages when you cannot work due to non-occupational injury or illness.
• Occupational accident medical care. Covers medical costs arising from workplace injuries or occupational diseases.
• Survivor and funeral benefits. Paid to dependents or estates of insured persons who pass away.
• Maternity benefits. Lump-sum payments for childbirth.

How This Differs From NHI and Employment Insurance

Labor Insurance is separate from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI), which covers day-to-day medical expenses. It is also distinct from Employment Insurance, a parallel scheme that funds unemployment benefits and vocational training for eligible workers. Foreign professionals holding work permits for specific categories may qualify for Employment Insurance, while many blue-collar migrant workers are covered only under Labor Insurance. Understanding which programmes apply to your situation is the first step before filing any claim.

Before You File, Eligibility, Timelines, and Documents Checklist

The required documents for labor insurance claims in Taiwan depend on the benefit type, but a core set of credentials applies to virtually every application. Gathering these before you begin prevents the most common processing delays.

Identity and Residency Documents (ARC/APRC and Passport)

• Valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or Alien Permanent Resident Certificate (APRC), a photocopy is usually required alongside the original for verification.
• Passport (identity page), needed if your ARC has expired or if you are filing from overseas.
• Household registration transcript, if you hold an APRC and have registered a household.

Employer Documentation

• Employer-sealed benefit application form (specific to each claim type, available from the BLI forms repository).
• Proof of salary or insured monthly wage, typically a sealed salary statement or payslip.
• Employment separation certificate (for old-age or unemployment claims).
• Diagnosis certificate or medical records sealed by the treating hospital (for injury, sickness and occupational-accident claims).

Overseas Claim Authentication (TECO, Translation, and POA)

If you have already left Taiwan, you may still file a claim, but your documents must satisfy additional authentication requirements:

1. Have all foreign-language documents translated into Chinese by a certified translator.
2. Have both the original and the translation authenticated by the nearest Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) or representative office abroad.
3. If you cannot file in person, execute a Power of Attorney (POA) authorising an agent in Taiwan to submit the application on your behalf. The POA itself must also be TECO-authenticated.

Industry observers note that missing or improperly authenticated translations remain the single most frequent cause of overseas claim rejection.

Types of Claims and Who Files Them

Not every claim is filed by the worker directly. In many cases the insured unit, typically the employer, must initiate the application. The comparison table below provides an at-a-glance reference for how to claim labor insurance in Taiwan for foreigners across each benefit category.

For injury or sickness benefits specifically, the BLI requires the insured unit to complete and seal the application form before submission. If your employer refuses or delays, you may submit the form yourself along with a written explanation, the BLI will then investigate independently.

How to File, Step-by-Step (In-Person at a BLI Office)

Filing a labor insurance claim in person remains the most straightforward route for foreigners still residing in Taiwan. BLI operates local offices in every major city.

1. Identify the correct BLI office. Visit the BLI English portal to locate the office nearest to your registered workplace or residence.
2. Obtain the correct application form. Download the form for your specific benefit type from the BLI forms repository, or collect a blank copy at the office. For injury or sickness claims, your employer must complete Part A of the form and affix the company seal before you visit.
3. Prepare your supporting documents. Bring your ARC (original and photocopy), passport, diagnosis certificates, salary proof, and any additional items listed in the checklist above.
4. Submit the application. Present all documents at the counter. The BLI officer will check completeness and issue a receipt with a case reference number.
5. Await processing. Standard processing takes approximately 10 to 20 working days for most benefit types. Old-age lump-sum claims may take longer if overseas authentication is required.
6. Receive payment. Benefits are deposited directly into the Taiwan bank account you designated on the application form. For overseas claimants, remittance to a foreign bank account is possible but requires additional bank-transfer instructions.

Key Form Fields That Matter

When completing the application form, pay particular attention to: (a) the insured unit’s license number, this must match BLI records exactly; (b) the insured monthly wage, discrepancies between employer records and BLI records will delay processing; and (c) the bank account holder’s name, which must match the name on your ARC precisely, including any romanisation differences.

How to File a Labor Insurance Claim Online via BLI e-Service

The BLI provides friendly online application channels that allow qualifying claimants to file insurance claims from Taiwan, and in some cases from abroad, without visiting a physical office. The BLI online application system has expanded steadily, and as of 2026 supports old-age benefit claims, contribution record enquiries, and several other transactions digitally.

Technical Prerequisites

• Citizen Digital Certificate (CDC). This is the primary credential for accessing the BLI e-Service platform. Foreign residents with an ARC can apply for a CDC at any Household Registration Office in Taiwan.
• Natural Person Certificate card reader. A compatible USB smart-card reader is needed to authenticate your CDC during login.
• Labor Insurance certificate number. Your employer can provide this, or you can retrieve it via the BLI e-Service once logged in.

Step-by-Step Online Filing Flow

1. Navigate to the BLI e-Service portal. Access the system through the BLI English portal.
2. Insert your Citizen Digital Certificate into the card reader and select the login option for natural persons.
3. Select your claim type. The system presents a menu of available applications, choose the relevant benefit (e.g., old-age lump-sum benefit).
4. Complete the online form. Fill in your personal details, insured unit number, bank account information, and upload scanned copies of supporting documents (PDF or JPG format, typically under 5 MB per file).
5. Review and submit. Verify all entries, confirm the declaration, and submit. The system generates an electronic receipt with a case number.
6. Print or save the acknowledgement. Keep this for your records and for any follow-up enquiries.

How to Appoint an Agent (POA) for Overseas Submission

If you have left Taiwan and cannot access the e-Service portal directly, you may execute a Power of Attorney authorising a trusted person in Taiwan to file on your behalf. The POA should clearly state the agent’s full name, ARC or national ID number, the specific benefit being claimed, and the authority to receive correspondence from the BLI. Both the POA and any supporting documents must be authenticated by TECO before the agent can submit them, either in person at a BLI office or, where the system permits, via the e-Service platform on your behalf.

How to Check Your Labor Insurance Status and Contribution Records

You can check your labor insurance contributions, insured salary records and claim status through the BLI e-Service at any time. Log in with your Citizen Digital Certificate, navigate to the “Personal Insurance Records” section, and the system will display your complete enrolment history, monthly contribution amounts, and the status of any pending applications.

If you do not have a CDC, you may also request a printed record by visiting any BLI local office in person with your ARC and passport. For telephone enquiries, the BLI maintains a bilingual service hotline. When checking records, look for gaps in coverage, if your employer failed to enrol you for any period, you have the right to request retroactive registration, and the BLI can investigate on your behalf.

Common Issues and Practical Tips

Even when all documents are technically correct, several practical pitfalls frequently delay or derail claims filed by foreign workers:

• Name mismatches. The name on your bank account must match your ARC exactly. Many foreign banks render names differently from the romanisation on Taiwanese documents, verify the exact spelling with your bank before submitting.
• Missing Chinese translations. Every foreign-language document must be accompanied by a certified Chinese translation. Submitting untranslated medical records is one of the most common reasons for returned applications.
• Unverified POA. A Power of Attorney that has not been TECO-authenticated will be rejected outright. Allow at least two to four weeks for the authentication process at overseas representative offices.
• Expired ARC. If your ARC has expired before you file, include a photocopy of the expired ARC together with your passport. Notify the BLI that you are filing post-departure and provide an overseas mailing address.
• Bank remittance instructions. For overseas bank transfers, provide the SWIFT code, full bank name and address, account number, and account holder name in English exactly as registered with the bank.

If Your Claim Is Denied, Appeals and Legal Remedies

When a labor insurance claim is denied in Taiwan, the claimant is not without recourse. The BLI must issue a written decision explaining the reason for rejection, and the statutory framework provides a structured appeal pathway.

Re-Application and Administrative Review at BLI

In many cases, a denial results from incomplete documentation rather than substantive ineligibility. Your first step should be to contact the BLI case officer, clarify the deficiency, and submit supplementary documents. If the BLI maintains its denial after you have provided additional evidence, you may file a formal petition for review addressed to the BLI’s dispute-resolution division.

Formal Administrative Appeal

If the internal review does not resolve the matter, you may file an administrative appeal (訴願) with the Ministry of Labor. This appeal must generally be lodged within 30 days of receiving the written denial. The appeal should include:

• A copy of the BLI’s denial letter.
• A written statement explaining why you believe the decision is incorrect, with supporting evidence.
• Copies of all previously submitted documents and any new evidence.

The Ministry of Labor will review the case independently and issue a decision. If the administrative appeal also fails, you may escalate to an administrative litigation proceeding before the Administrative Court.

When to Instruct a Lawyer

Early indications suggest that most routine documentation deficiencies can be resolved at the BLI level without legal representation. However, where the denial involves a substantive dispute, for example, a disagreement over whether an injury is occupational in nature, or whether your insured salary was correctly reported, engaging an insurance law specialist significantly improves the likelihood of a successful appeal. A qualified lawyer can draft the administrative appeal petition, represent you at hearings, and advise on the merits of escalating to administrative litigation.

Interaction With National Health Insurance (NHI) and Employment Insurance

Foreign workers in Taiwan often confuse Labor Insurance with National Health Insurance. NHI is a universal healthcare programme that covers outpatient visits, hospitalisation, and prescription medication for all enrolled residents, including foreigners who have held an ARC for six consecutive months. Labor Insurance, by contrast, provides cash benefits for specific life events (injury, old-age, death) and does not directly pay medical bills except for occupational-accident medical care.

When a workplace injury occurs, the costs may initially be processed through NHI. However, the worker or employer should also file a Labor Insurance occupational-accident claim to recover the additional benefits, including wage-replacement cash payments, that NHI does not cover. Employment Insurance, meanwhile, is the programme that funds unemployment benefits. Eligible foreign professionals who have been enrolled in Employment Insurance for at least one year before involuntary separation may apply for unemployment payments at a public employment service centre.

Quick Checklist and Downloadable Resources

Use this checklist before submitting any labor insurance claim in Taiwan:

• ☐ Valid ARC or APRC (original + photocopy), or passport if ARC has expired.
• ☐ Completed benefit application form (employer-sealed where required).
• ☐ Diagnosis certificate or medical records (for injury/sickness/occupational claims).
• ☐ Salary proof or insured-wage statement.
• ☐ Taiwan bank account details (or overseas bank with SWIFT code).
• ☐ Certified Chinese translation of all foreign-language documents.
• ☐ TECO-authenticated POA (if filing from overseas via an agent).
• ☐ Employment separation certificate (for old-age or unemployment claims).

Official BLI forms: Download the old-age benefit application form and the injury/sickness benefit form from the BLI English portal. For general enquiries, contact the BLI bilingual service hotline or visit your nearest local office.

How to Claim Labor Insurance in Taiwan for Foreigners, Conclusion and Next Steps

Filing a labor insurance claim in Taiwan as a foreign worker is a structured process with clear procedural steps, from gathering employer-sealed forms and residency documents, through in-person or online submission at the BLI, to checking your application status and pursuing an appeal if necessary. The expansion of BLI online application channels means that many claims can now be initiated digitally, reducing the need for multiple office visits. For straightforward claims, following the checklist in this guide should be sufficient. For complex or denied claims, especially those involving disputed occupational injuries or overseas authentication issues, professional legal guidance can make a decisive difference. Browse the Taiwan lawyer directory to connect with a qualified insurance law specialist who can advise on your specific circumstances.

Sources

1. Bureau of Labor Insurance (BLI), English Portal
2. BLI, Old-Age Benefits
3. BLI, Injury or Sickness Benefits (Temporary Disability Benefits)
4. BLI, Online Application Channels Announcement
5. Ministry of Labor (English), Labor Insurance Overview
6. National Immigration Agency
7. National Health Insurance (NHI), Official English Portal
8. WDA / EZWorkTaiwan, Foreign Worker Guidance
9. FWNews, Guide for Expats Claiming Labor Insurance Old-Age Benefits
10. Premia TNC, Labor Insurance for Taiwan Foreigners