Taiwan and the Netherlands have concluded a reciprocal working holiday agreement to strengthen bilateral youth exchanges, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dec. 16.
The memorandum of understanding, which is expected effect Apr. 1, 2020, will allow 100 citizens per year aged 18-30 from each side to live and work in the other country. Under the arrangement, young adults from Taiwan can apply for one-year visas, while those from the Netherlands can apply for a 180-day visa with the option of a 180-day extension.
At the signing ceremony in Taipei City, MOFA Secretary-General James K. J. Lee said he had been working toward such an agreement since his time as representative to the Netherlands, adding that it is expected to play a key role in deepening exchanges between both nations.
Echoing Lee’s remarks, Netherlands Trade and Investment Office Representative Guy Wittich said the deal will enable young adults to experience the cultures and lifestyles of both sides while building on the already robust bilateral relationship.
The Netherlands has been the single biggest source of foreign direct investment to Taiwan every year since 2016, Wittich said, adding that it is also the second-largest trading partner in Europe, with yearly trade surpassing NT$10 billion (US$330 million).
In addition to the Netherlands, Taiwan has established working holiday agreements with 16 other nations: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, South Korea and the U.K. (RAY-E)
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