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When traveling to Taiwan, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Taiwan, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of Canada, the United States, the European Union member states and many other countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Taiwan for a limited duration.
Foreign nationals who are not eligible for a visa waiver must obtain a Visitor Visa for Business Purposes from a Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, or an eVisa, prior to travel, as applicable depending on nationality. Please consult with your immigration counsel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver, Visitor Visa or eVisa.
Special regulations apply to residents of Macau, Hong Kong and China for business travel and work activities. Please consult with an immigration professional for more information prior to travel.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Taiwanese law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Taiwan, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain short-term work activities without obtaining work authorization, although a performance or after-sales contract is required, and strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Taiwan. The most common forms of work authorization in Taiwan are:
Taiwan does not offer long-term work authorization exemptions.
Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.
When traveling to South Korea, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work visa. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to South Korea, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States and other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct simple business activities in South Korea. However, beginning September 2021, visa waivered nationals are required to apply for travel permission through the Electronic Authorization (ETA) system before arrival.
Holders of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Card endorsed with the statement “valid for travel to KOR” may be eligible to enter South Korea and engage in permissible business activities without obtaining a visa. If you are not eligible for visa-waivered entry, you must obtain a C-3-4 Visa from a South Korean Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under South Korean law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in South Korea, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for a work visa depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work, on whether your employer has an entity in South Korea and on the type of entity sponsoring you. The most common South Korean work visas are:
South Korea does not offer work authorization exemptions.
When traveling to the Philippines, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to the Philippines, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in the Philippines for a short duration. Additionally, certain nationals may be eligible for a visa waiver for business purposes if they hold a valid tourist, business or resident visa issued by select countries including Australia, Canada and the United States. Please consult with your immigration counsel prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.
If you are not eligible for a visa waiver, you must obtain a 9(A) Temporary Visitor Visa from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate prior to travel, or upon arrival, depending on nationality. Please consult with your immigration counsel before traveling to determine your eligibility for a 9(A) Visa on arrival.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Philippine law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in the Philippines, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in the Philippines. The most common types of work authorization for the Philippines are:
There are no nationalities that are exempt from work authorization requirements for the Philippines.
When traveling to Mexico, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Mexico, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Mexico for a limited duration. Additionally, foreign nationals who have permanent residence or a valid visa to enter Canada, Japan, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom or the United States, and permanent residents of the Pacific Alliance member countries (Chile, Colombia and Peru) are permitted to enter Mexico to conduct business activities without a visa.
Foreign nationals who are not eligible to enter Mexico on visa-waivered status must obtain a Visitor Visa for Non-Remunerated Activities from a Mexican Embassy or Consulate prior to travel. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver or a Visitor Visa.
Mexico is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and foreign nationals in possession of a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) endorsed with “Valid for travel to MEX” are eligible to enter Mexico on visa-waivered status.
Nationals of Russia and Ukraine are eligible to apply for an E-Visa through the Electronic Authorization System, which is limited to air travel. Please consult with your immigration provider for more information.
Business visitors may be eligible to engage in professional activities in Mexico without obtaining work or residence authorization, as long as the activities are not remunerated in Mexico. Foreign nationals are advised to consult with their immigration counsel prior to travel to verify that their activities are permitted without obtaining work authorization.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Mexico. The most common types of work authorization for Mexico are:
There are no long-term exemptions to work authorization requirements in Mexico.
When traveling to Malaysia, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Malaysia, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
All foreign nationals, including visa-waivered nationals, who intend to perform short-term business activities in Malaysia are issued a Social Visit Pass (SVP) upon arrival, which defines permissible activities for the business visitor.
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Malaysia.
Additionally, Malaysia is a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and foreign nationals in possession of a valid APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) endorsed with “Valid for travel to MYS” are eligible to enter Malaysia on visa-waivered status.
Foreign nationals who are not eligible for a visa waiver must obtain an Entry Visa from a Malaysian Embassy or Consulate, an eVisa from the online system or an eNTRI Note from the Electronic Travel Registration & Information (eNTRI) online system prior to traveling, as applicable depending on nationality. Additionally, select nationals are eligible to obtain a Visa on Arrival at the port of entry. Please obtain an individual assessment before traveling to determine the correct category for your nationality and circumstances.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Malaysian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Malaysia, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on your salary, on your work location and on the nature and duration of your work. The most common types of work authorization for Malaysia are:
There are no nationalities eligible for an exemption to work authorization requirements in Malaysia.
When traveling to Kuwait, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Kuwait, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Foreign nationals traveling to Kuwait to engage in business activities are generally required to obtain a Commercial Visit Visa, also known as a Business Visitor Visa, from a Kuwaiti Embassy or Consulate prior to travel.
Nationals of select countries may be eligible for a Visa on Arrival (also called Article 14-Visa or Visa-14) for business purposes. Additionally, some nationals may be eligible to obtain an e-Visa online prior to departure.
Nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a Commercial Visit Visa to engage in business activities in Kuwait. Please consult with your immigration counsel before traveling to determine eligibility for a Commercial Visit Visa, e-Visa or visa waiver.
Foreign nationals may generally be permitted to engage in short-term technical activities and other hands-on work, such as systems installation and repairs, with a valid Commercial Visit Visa. Additionally, U.S. nationals intending to perform short-term technical activities on a military base may be eligible to obtain an e-Visa or Visa on Arrival. Please consult with your immigration provider before traveling to confirm eligibility for a short-term work authorization exemption.
Requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Kuwait. All foreign nationals intending to engage in work activities must obtain a Work Visa and Civil ID card.
Nationals from GCC member states are not required to obtain work authorization to work in Kuwait. However, registrations or other formalities may be required for these nationals to work and or reside in Kuwait.
When traveling to Denmark, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Denmark, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Denmark.
Denmark is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Denmark and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
What types of activities require work authorization?
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Danish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Denmark, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain short-term professional technical activities without obtaining work authorization as part of an after-sales agreement, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Denmark. Foreign nationals must obtain work authorization in the form of a Residence and Work Permit. There are several Residence and Work Permit schemes in Denmark, with the most common being:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Denmark. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Denmark.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Denmark.
When traveling to Qatar, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Qatar, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Most foreign nationals, including nationals of the United States and the European Union member states, are required to obtain a Business Visa from a Qatari Consulate or Embassy prior to travel. Only nationals from eligible Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states are eligible for visa waiver status, which allows visitors to enter and conduct business activities in Qatar.
Please obtain an individual assessment prior to travel to determine your eligibility for a visa waiver.
Foreign nationals may work in Qatar with a Business Visa or visa waiver on a short-term basis without having to obtain work or residence authorization, as long as they are not remunerated in Qatar. Foreign nationals are advised to consult with their immigration counsel prior to travel to verify that their activities are permitted without obtaining work authorization.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Qatar. The most common types of work authorization for Qatar are:
While not exempt from work authorization requirements, nationals of eligible GCC member states benefit from an abbreviated process for obtaining work authorization in Qatar. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Qatar.
When traveling to the UAE, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to the UAE, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Visas on arrival are available for many nationals, including nationals of the United States and member states of the European Union, which permits them to enter the UAE and perform business activities on a short-term basis.
Nationals of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) are eligible to enter the UAE on visa-waiver status and conduct business activities for a short duration. Foreign nationals who are residents of GCC countries and visiting the UAE for business purposes are eligible to obtain an eVisa prior to travel.
Those who are ineligible for a visa waiver, eVisa, or Visa on Arrival must apply for a Visit Visa from a UAE Embassy or Consulate prior to travel. Please consult with your immigration provider before traveling to determine eligibility and the appropriate category.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under UAE law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in the UAE, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in the UAE. The most common forms of work authorization in the UAE are:
There are no long-term work authorization exemptions available in the UAE. While eligible nationals of GCC member states may enter the UAE on visa-waiver status, they are subject to work authorization and registration requirements.
When traveling to Saudi Arabia, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Saudi Arabia, you may engage in the activities below, depending on your job title. The activities performed should match the purpose of the visit used when applying for the letter of invitation. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, depending on the previously mentioned circumstances, you may:
Most foreign nationals require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia to engage in business activities. Only nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states (Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait and the the United Arab Emirates) are eligible for visa waiver status, which allows visitors to enter and conduct business activities in Saudi Arabia. Those ineligible for a visa waiver must apply for a Business Visit Visa from a Saudi Arabian Embassy or Consulate prior to traveling. While Saudi Arabia does offer e-visas and visas on arrival, these visas are only issued for tourist purposes and cannot be used for business travel. Please verify your eligibility for a visa waiver prior to travel.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Saudi Arabian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Saudi Arabia, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, business travelers with technical job titles may engage in certain hands-on professional activities, though additional eligibility criteria may apply. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether engaging in professional activities as a business visitor is appropriate.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on your profession, on your duration of stay and on whether your employer has an entity in Saudi Arabia. The most common forms of work authorization for Saudi Arabia are:
Nationals from eligible GCC member states are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Saudi Arabia. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Saudi Arabia.