Taipei: Recent amendments to Taiwan's law governing foreign professionals have expanded pathways to work and long-term residency, and the International Talent Taiwan Office can help them understand how the new rules apply to their individual circumstances, according to the office's director. "There are many government processes that come with moving to a new country, and we hope to provide the best information we can," Jonathan Liao, managing director of the International Talent Taiwan Office, told CNA in an interview on Thursday. According to Focus Taiwan, the International Talent Taiwan Office, established in November 2023, is part of efforts led by Taiwan's National Development Council (NDC) to attract foreign professionals. The office assists with various aspects of relocation, including banking, housing, schools for children, and even pet importation. With branches in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung, the office employs about three dozen staff members who handle approximately 4,700 inquiries monthly from both domestic and international sources. So far, professionals from 119 countries have reached out for assistance. The office offers on-site consultations for those already in Taiwan, with 416 consultations having taken place in the Taipei branch alone in 2025. "Ultimately, we want foreign professionals to stay in Taiwan longer," Liao mentioned during a tour of the Taipei branch office, which features an open-plan design and private consultation rooms. Efforts to attract foreign talent appear successful, with the number of foreign professionals in Taiwan doubling from less than 40,000 in 2018 to nearly 80,000. NDC Deputy Minister Jan Fang-guan noted these figures earlier this month at an event discussing amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals. The updated law allows international graduates of Taiwanese universities to work without a permit for two years post-graduation and offers a two-year open work permit to recent graduates from the world's top 200 universities . Reforms also include shorter timelines for permanent residency for Taiwan-educated foreigners and certain "foreign specialist professionals," as well as expanded work rights for spouses of foreign specialists, and better access to pension and employment insurance systems. The Taiwan Talent Office aims to clarify the different visa options available, such as open-work permits, employer-based arrangements, digital nomad, and premium "gold card" visas. "Email is the best way to get in contact," Liao advised, emphasizing the office's role in helping foreigners navigate the pathways to remain in Taiwan.