Validity & Extension-Validity & Extension

By default, between one and three years. If you are concerned your card (or underlying visa/work permit) may have become invalid or expired, you can check with the National Immigration Agency (NIA).

For all foreigners whose foreign residence stay (including the Employment Gold Card) is about to expire, the National Immigration Agency Service Center will send a notification one month before the expiration date. A letter of notice will be sent to your residence address, but if the address is incorrect, the notice will not be received. If you wish to change your residence address, please visit the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform to update it.

“Re-application” (also referred to as “renewal” on the Online Application Portal) is the term used for: 1) those who apply for a new Gold Card after their first Gold Card expires or, 2) those who applied for a second Gold Card before 10/25/2021. The start date of the new Gold Card begins on the approval date of the re-application.

“Extension” is the term used for those who apply for a new Gold Card before the first card expires and applied for it after (and including) 10/25/2021. You may apply for extension up to 4 months prior to your card’s expiration date, but no earlier. In this case, the start date of the new Gold Card is linked to the first Gold Card. For example, if your first card expires on 11/25, then your new card’s start date will begin on 11/25.

Please note that the application button is different for the “re-application” and the “extension”, although required documents are the same. In both cases, you must continue to meet the criteria you previously qualified for. If you change any criteria, then you will need to meet the qualifications of the new criteria.

If you encounter any issues while extending or reapplying for your Gold Card, you can refer to the extension application and reapplication tutorials for guidance.

There are three ways for you to extend your residency:

1. You can apply for an extension online via the “Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (Employment Gold Card)” up to 4 months before the expiration date on your Gold Card.
2. You can apply for an extension online through the “Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (Apply for an extension for other reasons)” up to 3 months before your Gold Card’s expiration date. For guidance, refer to our job-seeking ARC application tutorial. If you are from Hong Kong or Macao, you must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at your local National Immigration Agency Service Center. On the “Application for ARC and Extension of Stay” fill-out form, select “Other” under “Classification.” The maximum extension period is 6+6 months. Please note that after obtaining the Job-Seeking ARC, you are not permitted to work in Taiwan. For details on the application procedure, please refer to this LINK for the application procedure.
3. Your employer can apply or extend a work permit for you at the Ministry of Labor 1 month before your current Gold Card expires.

If you are not currently employed in Taiwan, you can apply for a 6-month job-seeking ARC. Before your Employment Gold Card expires, please prepare your passport, Employment Gold Card, a passport-sized color photo taken within the last 6 months, and an application fee of NT$1,000.

You can apply for an extension online via the “Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (Apply for an extension for other reasons).” For instructions on how to apply for the job-seeking ARC online, please refer to this document. The application can also be submitted at any National Immigration Agency Service Center. If necessary, you may apply for one final 6-month extension. For instructions on how to apply for the job-seeking ARC extension online, please refer to this documents.

You have two options:

1. Apply Online: Utilize the National Immigration Agency’s online portal to submit your application electronically. The National Immigration Agency (NIA) introduced a new online application portal for the convenient extension of Gold Card, Entrepreneur Visa, and Employment Pass Card holders. This platform allows for a streamlined process for a 6+6 extension. Initiate your application by accessing the online application portal
2. Appoint Someone: You can appoint someone to handle the application on your behalf

If you are in Taiwan, you may appoint someone to handle the application on your behalf. In this case, your application must include your Letter of Attorney , original passport, original Employment Gold Card, a passport-size color photo taken within 6 months, an application fee of NTD 1,000, and a completed Foreigner Residency (Stay) Application Form .

If you are not in Taiwan, you can ask a friend or family member in Taiwan to apply at a National Immigration Agency Service Center on your behalf. They must prepare the following documents:

• A Letter of Attorney (must be verified by a Taiwanese embassy or overseas mission)
• Photocopy of the passport (authenticated by the overseas mission)
• Your original Employment Gold Card
• A passport-size color photo taken within 6 months
• An application fee of NT$1,000
• A completed application form

Please note: after your application is approved, your agent will need to return to the NIA Service Center, pick up your ARC card, and send it to you overseas, as you will need to present your physical ARC at immigration in order to re-enter Taiwan.

Should you have any questions or concerns about the process, please contact your local National Immigration Agency Service Center

Please apply online via the “ Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (Employment Gold Card) ”.