The short version
The Employment Gold Card is four documents in one: a work permit, a resident visa, an ARC and a re-entry permit. Foreign special professionals in one of 12 fields apply directly, without a job offer or an employer, and can change jobs freely. It is valid for one, two or three years. Holders of a valid ARC applying in Taiwan pay NT$1,500 to NT$3,500.
How it works
- Legal basis Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法, art. 9). You apply to the National Immigration Agency (NIA).
- What it is A four-in-one card: work permit, resident visa, ARC and re-entry permit. An open work permit: no job offer or employer sponsorship needed, and you can change jobs freely.
- Validity One, two or three years, chosen when you apply. It can be extended before it expires, up to three years each time, if you still meet the conditions.
- After it ends Holders can extend their residence six months after expiry, once more, for a total of one year at most (art. 17).
Fields
There are 12 fields: Science and Technology, Economy, Education, Culture and Arts, Sport, Finance, Law, Architecture, National Defense, Digital, Biotechnology and Environment, plus special cases recognized by the National Development Council. You apply under one field and one of its criteria (Architecture is the exception). The criteria for each field are on the Gold Card qualification page.
Fees
Fees are not refunded.
| Applicant | 1 year | 2 years | 3 years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign passports other than U.S. | NT$3,700 | NT$4,700 | NT$5,700 |
| U.S. passports applying in Taiwan | NT$3,700 | NT$4,700 | NT$5,700 |
| U.S. passports applying abroad | NT$7,605 | NT$8,605 | NT$9,605 |
| Holders of a valid ARC applying in Taiwan | NT$1,500 | NT$2,500 | NT$3,500 |
| Extension, foreign passports | NT$1,500 | NT$2,500 | NT$3,500 |
Hong Kong or Macau residents pay NT$3,100, and NT$800 for an extension.
Good to know
- Holders of a Studying Mandarin Chinese visa (FR) and some other visa types cannot switch to a Gold Card inside Taiwan. They apply from abroad or re-enter on a different visa.
- Processing: the Gold Card site says a complete application can take over 60 business days. Elsewhere it says 30 days for a perfect application, and 50 to 60 days if more documents are requested.
- Gold Card holders employed in professional work, employers, the self-employed, and their dependents can join National Health Insurance without the six month wait.
- Gold Card holders can apply for permanent residence after three years. A Taiwanese doctorate takes two years off that, and a Taiwanese master's one year.
→ Other routes to stay and work