As artificial intelligence and machine learning redefine industries globally, the demand for highly skilled AI/ML researchers has surged. For international companies aiming to lead in innovation, hiring remote AI/ML researchers in Taiwan offers an incredible opportunity. Taiwan is fast becoming a hub for tech talent in Asia, boasting a strong academic ecosystem, advanced R&D infrastructure, and a culture of innovation.

However, hiring employees in a foreign country can be complex—especially when it comes to managing compensation and compliance. That’s where international payroll services come into play. In this guide, we’ll explain how to hire AI/ML researchers in Taiwan legally and efficiently while ensuring global payroll compliance.

Why Hire AI/ML Researchers in Taiwan?

Taiwan’s tech ecosystem is known for its hardware expertise, but in recent years, it has emerged as a powerful force in software engineering, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. Government incentives and university research grants have helped develop a strong base of AI/ML professionals who are both academically sound and commercially experienced.

Top reasons to hire AI/ML researchers in Taiwan:

• Highly educated talent pool from top institutions like NTU and NCKU
  
• English-speaking researchers trained in international PhD and MSc programs
  
• Strong R&D culture supported by government-backed AI initiatives
  
• Cost-effective salaries compared to North America and Europe
  
• Time zone advantage for working across APAC and with U.S. West Coast
  

If you’re building a global AI team, Taiwan is an ideal location to tap into affordable, high-caliber talent.

Challenges of Hiring Internationally Without a Local Entity

Many global companies find it difficult to hire full-time researchers in Taiwan without first establishing a legal business entity. But setting up a local company involves:

• Months of legal paperwork and registration
  
• Local tax filings and employer contributions
  
• Understanding Taiwan’s labor laws and compliance risks
  

For small to medium-sized companies—or startups—this isn’t practical when all you need is one or two researchers.

That’s where international payroll services and Employer of Record (EOR) providers step in.

What Are International Payroll Services?

International payroll services allow foreign companies to legally pay remote employees in another country (like Taiwan) without setting up a local entity. These services manage all the backend processes involved in compensating your international staff.

This includes:

• Calculating and processing employee salaries in the local currency
  
• Deducting and remitting taxes, pensions, and social contributions
  
• Ensuring full compliance with Taiwan’s payroll and labor regulations
  
• Disbursing bonuses, reimbursements, and stock options (where applicable)
  

Many companies choose to partner with an EOR company that also offers payroll outsourcing, so both employment and compensation are handled seamlessly.

Why Use an Employer of Record (EOR) in Taiwan for AI Hiring

An Employer of Record (EOR) acts as the legal employer of your researchers in Taiwan while you retain full control over their day-to-day responsibilities. The EOR takes care of:

• Hiring and onboarding researchers legally
  
• Managing taxes, insurance, and labor law compliance
  
• Delivering international payroll services
  
• Handling benefits and mandatory deductions
  

For AI/ML teams, where speed and innovation matter, this model allows you to hire quickly, pay globally, and stay compliant—all without the need for a local HR or finance team.

How to Hire AI/ML Researchers in Taiwan Using International Payroll Services

1. Identify the Right Roles and Requirements

Define what kind of AI/ML talent you’re looking for. Taiwan offers expertise in:

• Deep learning
  
• Natural language processing (NLP)
  
• Computer vision
  
• Data engineering
  
• Predictive analytics
  
• Reinforcement learning
  
• Federated learning
  

Clarify whether you need academic researchers, applied scientists, or data scientists with AI modeling skills.

2. Choose a Trusted EOR or Payroll Partner

Look for a provider that specializes in global employment solutions in Asia and offers international payroll services in Taiwan. A good provider will:

• Be familiar with Taiwan’s labor laws
  
• Offer transparent payroll processing and tax remittance
  
• Provide bilingual support
  
• Handle intellectual property (IP) protections and NDAs
  

Team Apac, for instance, is a leading EOR company that offers complete payroll outsourcing and HR compliance for AI teams in Taiwan and across APAC.

3. Recruit and Onboard the AI/ML Talent

Once you’ve selected your ideal candidates, your EOR partner will:

• Draft locally compliant employment contracts
  
• Register employees with the National Health Insurance (NHI) and labor systems
  
• Set up monthly payroll schedules
  
• Manage tax deductions and mandatory contributions
  

You get to focus on your research goals, while your EOR partner handles all compliance and compensation logistics.

4. Process Monthly Payroll and Benefits

Every month, your international payroll provider will:

• Calculate gross-to-net pay based on Taiwan’s laws
  
• Withhold income tax, labor insurance, and health insurance
  
• Disburse salaries to employees’ local bank accounts
  
• File payroll-related taxes with Taiwanese authorities
  
• Provide detailed payslips and employment records
  

This ensures your researchers are paid accurately and on time—boosting retention and trust.

Benefits of Using International Payroll Services for AI Talent

Legal Compliance

Avoid hefty penalties or employment disputes by staying compliant with Taiwan’s tax and labor laws.

Faster Hiring

Onboard AI/ML researchers within days, not months.

Scalability

Easily scale your team up or down without restructuring your business entity.

Localized Benefits

Offer competitive packages with local health insurance, holidays, and retirement plans.

Focus on Innovation

With the backend managed, you can focus on product development and research instead of payroll headaches.

International Payroll in Taiwan: Key Considerations

Your EOR or payroll provider will ensure these are applied correctly based on contract terms.

Team Apac: Your Partner in Hiring and Paying AI/ML Researchers in Taiwan

At Team Apac, we help global AI startups, SaaS companies, and research labs hire AI/ML researchers in Taiwan legally and efficiently. Our team specializes in Employer of Record services and international payroll solutions across Asia-Pacific.

Whether you’re hiring a single AI engineer or building a full research division, we take care of:

• Legal employment setup
  
• Monthly payroll processing
  
• Tax and compliance management
  
• Local benefits and insurance
  
• NDA and IP agreement integration
  

With Team Apac, you can hire top AI/ML talent in Taiwan without opening a legal entity—ensuring speed, compliance, and cost-effectiveness.

Ready to build your AI team in Taiwan?
Book a free consultation with Team Apac and streamline your global hiring today.