Taiwan Gold Card: How to Apply (6 Steps)

Highly skilled and remote workers can apply for the Taiwan Gold Card and relocate with their immediate family members to this beautiful country to create a stunning new life for themselves.  

While the Taiwan digital nomad visa was recently announced, the Taiwan Gold Card is the number one choice for those who wish to work remotely or find job opportunities in Taiwan. 

Valid for one to three years, the Taiwan Gold Card is a multi-entry visa that allows applicants and their family members to live in Taiwan and seek local employment. This is an excellent opportunity for those wishing to explore new job opportunities or simply work remotely and live a digital nomad lifestyle in Taiwan. 

Other great benefits of the Taiwan Gold Card are a 50% tax deduction for three years and a path to permanent residency in Taiwan after three years. 

In this article, we will discuss what the Taiwan Gold Card is, the benefits that come with it, and how to apply for it. 

What is the Taiwan Gold Card?

Introduced in 2018, the Taiwan Gold Card is a 4-in-1 card that is comprised of a residence permit, open work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and re-entry permit. 

The Taiwan Gold Card does not require applicants to have already secured a job position in the country before applying, making it one of the most opportunistic visas in the world. Applicants may freely seek employment in Taiwan, work part-time, and change jobs at any time. 

The Taiwan Gold Card is valid for one year and is renewable for up to three years. After three years of living in the country, you may apply for permanent residency. 

Taiwan Gold Card Eligibility Requirements

As mentioned previously, you do not have to have a job position in Taiwan secured in order to be eligible for the Taiwan Gold Card. However, you will have to meet one of the following criteria:

• 8 Years of Work Experience – You must have at least eight years of professional experience in the digital economy sector.
• Graduated from Top 500 Universities – You must have graduated from one of the top 500 universities in the world with a doctoral degree.
• Accolades and Relevant Experience – You must show that you have earned awards, accolades, or at least four years of experience in your field.
• Earn NTD 160,000/month – You must earn at least $5,025 USD per month working in a relevant industry.

It is important to determine your eligibility for the Taiwan Gold Card through one of these pathways. Along with the pathway, there may be further requirements depending on your industry. 

Speaking of industry, applicants must have experience or currently work in the following industries:

• Science & Technology
• Economics
• Education
• Culture & Arts
• Sport
• Finance
• Law
• Architecture
• National Defense
• Digital

If you believe you meet one of the criteria and are involved in any of the above industries, then you may be eligible to apply for the Taiwan Gold Card. 

How to Apply for the Taiwan Gold Card

The Taiwan Gold Card application process is fairly straightforward. It takes about one to three months to process the application, after which you may fully relocate to Taiwan. 

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

The first and often most important step is to verify that you are eligible to apply for the Taiwan Gold Card. 

You can verify your eligibility through the official website. Answer a short questionnaire about your academic and professional experience to see if you fall under the required criteria. 

Step 2: Gather Documents

Once you’ve verified that you meet the Taiwan Gold Card requirements, then it’s time to gather your documents. 

You will upload your documents to the official website in either English or Chinese. Required documents include:

• Copy of passport
• Passport photo
• Supporting documents of your eligibility, such as bank statements, job contracts, university degrees, etc.  

Step 3: Submit Online Application

When you’re ready, you will submit your documents and application online through the official portal. The online application consists of forms where you will input your information and prove your eligibility. 

The entire application should take less than 30 minutes to complete. 

Step 4: Pay Application Fee

After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation email. Save the 12-digit number for your reference. 

Then log into your account and pay the application fee. This fee depends on where you are applying from (abroad or in Taiwan) and your nationality. 

For example, US citizens applying from outside of Taiwan must pay NTD 7,605 (or $240 USD) for the one-year Gold Card. Other nationalities have a fee of NTD 3,700 (or $116 USD). 

Step 5: Passport Inspection

Once your Taiwan Gold Card application is approved, which can take about one to two months, you will attend a visa appointment to have your passport inspected. 

If applying from outside of Taiwan, you will visit an ROC overseas mission or office for passport inspection. 

Step 6: Retrieve Your Taiwan Gold Card

After receiving full approval of your Taiwan Gold Card application after passport inspection, you may retrieve your documents in Taiwan.

You will receive an email stating your application has been approved. In this email, there will be a form that you must download. 

If you are already in Taiwan, download your proof of payment receipt and bring it to the National Immigration Agency Service Center to retrieve your Taiwan Gold Card. 

If you are outside of Taiwan, you may enter the country by showing the “Republic of China Employment Gold Card Overseas Approval Certificate.” You have 30 days after entering Taiwan to retrieve your card from the National Immigration Agency Service Center. 

Frequently Asked Questions

While blogs like this are helpful, you may still have some questions about the Taiwan Gold Card.