Hey there! I'm Valentin, a French expatriate living in Taiwan since 2019. Curious about how did I manage to live in Taiwan for this past years? Well, my administrative journey in Taiwan transitioned from a Working Holiday Visa, Work Visa sponsored by the company, to the coveted Taiwan Gold Card. In this article, I would like to quickly share with you, what is the Taiwan Gold Card, and few links that can be helpful !
What is the Taiwan Gold Card?
Created in 2018, the Taiwan Gold Card is the golden ticket for expats like me to stay and work in Taiwan seamlessly. Serving as both a work permit and a resident visa, it allows you to legally reside and work in Taiwan without being tied down to a specific job. The “Taiwan Gold Card is Taiwan’s version of a “foreign talent acquisition” program” as defined Sam, a foreigner who became Taiwanese citizen after few years.
With it, you basically can stay up to 3 years, have some tax benefits (only after a certain income amount), and even bring your family. Unlike regular work visas, the Gold Card doesn't restrict you to a particular job, making it a flexible choice for expats. That's the main reason I applied for the Taiwan Gold Card.
As of early November 2023, the Gold Card application costs between 100 USD to 310 USD, depending on your nationality and the desired duration of the card. For official details, visit Gold Card Official Website.
Determining Your Eligibility
To be eligible, you need to be in specific fields like Architecture, Culture, Art, Digital, Science & Tech, etc. Showcase your valuable skills and experience in your field, and meet other criteria such as holding a Ph.D. or having over 8 years of experience.
The official website provides detailed criteria, and there's even a handy questionnaire to see if you're Gold Card material.
The Application Steps
The application process is straightforward. Gather the required documents and apply through the official platform. Once submitted, your application undergoes review by various governmental agencies.
An application can last about 30 days to 90 days, according to the documents you provided, if there is any issues, etc. My application took a total of 54 days from the date I submitted it to the day I picked my card. Check out the steps and timeline below:
- August 24: Application online sent
- August 25: Review by the National Immigration Agency
- August 28: Review by the Workforce Development Agency
- September 7: Identified missing documents
- September 15: Submitted missing documents
- September 20: Consulting with National Science and Technology Council
- October 6: Review by the Workforce Development Agency
- October 11: Review by the National Immigration Agency
- October 11: IC Card in Process
- October 17: Picked up Gold Card in person
For more examples of timeline, you can check the mega thread on this forum, still active after many years !
Conclusion
The Taiwan Gold Card has proven to be my golden ticket for an extended stay in Taiwan. I appreciate the flexibility it offers, allowing me to work wherever and whenever, with no strings attached.
If you're considering a similar move, the Gold Card might just be your key to a fulfilling experience in Taiwan. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have any question that I can help!
Additionally, if you would like to give Taiwan a try, for a shorter period 6 months to 1 year, and that you are aged between 18 to 35 years old, I do recommend you a Working Holiday Visa ! :)