General

Launched in 2018, The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a combined visa, work permit, and residence permit. The card gives you the right to stay and work in Taiwan for 1 to 3 years, and you can apply online without sponsorship. It comes with open-work rights, so you can work for any (or multiple) companies in Taiwan or start your own business.

For More info What is the Taiwan Gold Card?

To reset your account or password, please login to the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform and click “Forgot Account?” or “Forget Password?”

If you experience difficulties logging in, please contact the National Immigration Agency (a378liu@immigration.gov.tw) and provide a copy of your Gold Card or passport.

Requests for information changes must be made through the Online Application Portal. Please note that starting today, the online application platform requires applicants to provide a contact mobile phone number in Taiwan (starting with 09XXX).

Please log into the Online Application Portal , go to the Application Menu –> Request a Change of Information on Employment Gold Card.

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.

The following information can be updated online:

• Chinese/English Name (NTD500 fee; Must provide new passport)

• Gender (NTD500 fee)

• Passport Number (Free)

• Collection Location (Free)

• Resident Address (Free; Must provide documents such as electricity bills or rental agreement)

• Email (Free)

• Mobile Phone Number (Free)

• Unified ID Number

  • Changing to a new ID number is free of charge.
  • Replacement due to an inappropriate number incurs a NT500 fee and requires submission of both sides of your ID. This change can only be made once.

NIA’s contact email: a378liu@immigration.gov.tw

Please note that according to Article 6 of the Fee-Charging Standards for Employment Gold Cards, Employment Pass Cards and Entrepreneur Visas to Fee-Charging Standards for Employment Gold Cards, Employment Pass Cards and Entrepreneur Visas”, Hong Kong/ Macau applicants must pay NT$2,600 if they wish to change their Name or Gender.

It takes approximately 1-2 weeks for the National Immigration Agency (NIA) to review your application. Afterwards, you will be able to download the Resident Authorization Certificate to enter Taiwan. However, please note that you must pick up your Gold Card in Taiwan in advance if you are going to apply for an extension overseas.

If you need to update any personal information or if your card is stolen, lost or damaged, please file a report using the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform within 30 days from its occurrence.

Please follow these instructions to update information on your Gold Card.

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Holders of Employment Gold Card enjoy the following rights and interests:

1. The card is an open-end work permit issued to employment-seeking individuals that requires neither pre-confirmed hiring by or application through any employer.

2. Income tax benefits in terms of income tax deduction and exemption according to Article 9 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals.

3. The maximum duration of stay of visiting lineal ascendants of the card holder is expanded to 1 year.  According to Article 13 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, lineal ascendants of a card holder may apply for a multiple-entry visitor visa valid for one year for staying up to six months per entry.  The application should be made to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or one of its overseas missions.  The visa may be extended upon expiration for 1-year-maximum duration of stay in each extension.

4. The spouse and minor children of the Employment Gold Card holders are eligible for residence in Taiwan.

5. For the holders of Employment Gold Card who are employed in professional work in Taiwan, their spouse, minor children, and adult children who are unable to live independently due to physical or mental disability, having obtained documentary proof of residence, will no longer be subject to a 6-month wait for inclusion in NHI coverage.

Yes, you can apply from anywhere, even within Taiwan. If you have an ARC or are on a Tourist Visa, you can still apply. The Gold Card will just replace your ARC/Tourist Visa.

Please log into the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform and update your details within 30 days of moving. Address changes are free, no service fee required. Please note that starting today, the online application platform requires applicants to provide a contact mobile phone number in Taiwan (starting with 09XXX).

Please follow the steps below:

1. Log into the [Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform] and select Request a Change of Information on Employment Gold Card.
2. Type in your address (must be written in Traditional Chinese). Please select the city and district from the drop-down menu, and type in the rest of your address in Chinese (do not type in the city and district).
3. Upload proof of address (i.e., proof of accommodation, lease contract , or water/electricity bill), as well as additional documents (passport, Gold Card, and photo taken within 6 months).
4. Receive an automated email stating “Successful submission, review pending”
5. It takes approximately 1-2 weeks for the National Immigration Agency (NIA) to review your application. Please keep an eye on your application status.
6. When you receive an email from the NIA informing you that “Your Card is Ready to Collect”, bring your passport, current Gold Card, and electronic payment receipt to the NIA to claim your new Gold Card.

If you have moved house and not made an address change online within 30 days, the NIA will impose a fine of NT$2,000 to NT$10,000. The actual amount of the fine is determined based on the number of violations. For the first offense, a fine of NT$2,000 will be imposed, NT$5,000 for the second offense, and so on. If the Gold Card application is returned by the NIA due to the aforementioned penalty, the applicant should bring their passport, Employment Gold Card/Alien Residence Certificate, and lease agreement to the NIA to pay the fine. After uploading the payment receipt on the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform, the review process will continue.

The term “foreign special professional” refers to a foreign professional who engages in professional work in the R.O.C. and has special expertise needed by the R.O.C. in science & technology, economy, education, culture, arts, sports, and other fields as announced by the central competent authority. The “professional work” mentioned above refers to work set forth in Subparagraphs 1 to 6 of Paragraph 1, Article 46 of the Employment Services Act, or possessing specialized knowledge or skill and approved by the central competent authority in consultation with the Ministry of Education as a teacher of non-academic classes in a short-term tutorial school registered in accordance with the Supplementary Education Act.

Gold Card comes with open work rights, so you may work for any (or multiple) company in Taiwan or start your own business.

The Employment Gold Card includes an open work permit that allows the holder to engage in all white-collar jobs in Taiwan. However, if the profession they engage in is not under the original Field of application, the individual’s tax concessions will be affected.

If you want to apply for a New UI No. for foreign nationals, please check the “Submission for Change of New UI No. Only” in the “Information Change of Employment Gold Card” section of the online application portal and upload a photo of your Gold Card to apply.

For all other Gold Card related changes, such as updating your resident address and other information or applying for a new Gold Card, after the payment is submitted and approved, if you still have an old ID number, the system will automatically give you a New UI No. for foreign nationals.

If you’ve applied for an Employment Gold Card in 2021, the UI No. will be changed to a New UI No. (one English letter plus nine digits), so if the ARC is an old-style UI No (two English letters plus eight digits), the Employment Gold Card application will be changed to a New UI No.

For more information, please refer to the NIA’s website .

1. If the card is damaged overseas: Please contact the Immigration Agency Border Affairs Corps at the airport you are landing to inform them of your arrival time and flight number. This will allow the Immigration Agency to pre-check your identity information and record your situation. Before boarding, airlines will check your valid visa, if your card is damaged, some airlines may contact the Immigration Agency to confirm whether you can board, or you may need to contact them yourself. Both of these options require time, so please arrive at the airport early to avoid missing your flight. Once the airline has confirmed your status, you can board and enter the country with the damaged card. Note: Different flights and terminals have different responsible personnel. Please confirm your arrival date and flight number before contacting the Border Affairs Corps.
2. If the card is lost overseas: Please refer to the FAQ on What happens if I lose my Gold Card

47,971 NTD is the required minimum salary for specialized or technical personnel in order to apply for a work permit, but this does not include the Employment Gold Card. However, relevant working conditions must still comply with the Labor Standards Act for all foreigners who work in Taiwan.

The rules for extension of residency are as follows:

1. A 3-month job-seeking visa with a total period of residency of 6 months (Article 11 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals)
2. Foreign professionals, foreign specialist professionals and Gold Card holders (including spouse and minor children) may apply for a 6-month + 6-month extension of residency prior to the expiration of their current period of residency, totaling 1 year (Article 13 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals).
3. Lineal ascendants of foreign specialist professionals and foreign senior professionals may apply for a 6-month + 6-month extension of residency (Article 18 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals).
4. Overseas Chinese students without household registration may apply for a 1-year + 1-year extension of residency upon graduation (Article 18, Paragraph 2 of the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Registering Permanent Residence of Nationals Without Household Registration in the Taiwan Area).
5. Foreign Students (including spouses and minor children) may apply for a 1 year + 1 year extension of residency upon graduation (Article 11 of the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residency, and Permanent Residency of Aliens).

Please log into the Online Application Portal , go to the Application Menu –> Replace a Lost, Stolen, or Damaged Employment Gold Card.

Follow the directions, upload the Declaration Letter signed with your name and date, and complete the following steps. After waiting about 2 weeks for the National Immigration Agency’s review, you will be able to pick up your new Gold Card at your designated National Immigration Agency Service Center. If you have lost your Gold Card overseas, you may download the Resident Authorization Certificate from the Online Application Portal and use it to enter Taiwan.

Please note that according to Article 6 of the Fee-Charging Standards for Employment Gold Cards, Employment Pass Cards and Entrepreneur Visas, for applications to replace an Employment Gold Card due to defacement, loss, mislaying, or change of information, the fee is NT$500 per card, except that the fee for residents of Hong Kong or Macau is NT$2,600 per card.

Please follow the instructions below to replace your Gold Card.

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Yes, as a Gold Card holder you can be self-employed. Having the Gold Card allows you to work for an employer, set up a company in Taiwan, or be self-employed in Taiwan or abroad.

Yes, this card is perfect for you, since it contains an open work permit that allows you to work for any employer.

You may simply find a new job. Your Gold Card is not sponsored by your employer and will not be affected by a change of job.

There are no requirements. However, you must stay for more than 183 days per year in order to be eligible for many benefits such as: tax resident treatment and a pathway to permanent residence.

You do not need to travel to Taiwan right away. Some applicants take months to prepare for their arrival. When your application is officially approved, you will receive an email from the application portal.

Your cards’ validity can start before you enter Taiwan or pick up your card. Keep this in mind when planning your move to Taiwan.

The NIA has previously provided on-record assurances that there’s no issue here. You must ensure consecutive residence of five years to be eligible - no time gap between your employment ARC and your Gold Card.

Yes, as a Gold Card holder, your parents and grandparents are eligible to apply for a 1 year multi-entry visa for a maximum stay of six months at a time. This visa can be extended in Taiwan to allow for a maximum stay of one year at a time. Contact your nearest Taiwan diplomatic post or the Bureau of Consular Affairs to apply.

Please check the National Immigration Agency’s Validation of Electronic Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) website .

You can search with both the old and new UI number. If the UI number on your Gold Card has been changed, please use the new UI number to check. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Huang from the Information Section of the NIA at (02)2388-9393#2463.

You can provide one of the following documents as proof of your current residence:

1. House owner consent statement and a photocopy of the ownership certificate of the house
2. House owner consent statement and a photocopy of the owner’s ID. (Front/back)
3. Any document of proof that you are currently residing at the location.

If you want to provide the address of the hotel as your residence address, you must ask the operator to provide the accommodation certificate for at least half a year of stay.

If you are not able to provide a permanent address, it won’t be an issue, you can update your address on the application platform within 30 days of moving into your new residence.

To change your residential address to a company address, you must provide a company registration certificate or a company change registration form 公司變更登記表 (a screenshot is sufficient to prove that your company is indeed located here) and a statement (stamped with the company seal) explaining why you must use the company address as your residential address (e.g. you are a wind turbine engineer who lives in a dormitory but often works offshore).

1. The Employment Gold Card is a 4-in-1 certificate that includes a work permit, residence visa, Alien Resident Certificate, and re-entry permit; any change in the card holder’s nationality will invalidate the Employment Gold Card. In the event of the card holder’s change in nationality, they must reapply with their new nationality while their current Gold Card is still valid. Once the application has been approved, the existing Employment Gold Card must be cancelled. An Employment Gold Card with the new nationality and existing ID number will be issued. However the applicant’s rights for permanent residency will remain unaffected, as the period of stay for both cards will be taken into consideration.
2. The Employment Gold Card holder’s dependents are not required to reapply for residence permits.
3. For the renewal process, the Employment Gold Cardholder must depart Taiwan before applying. After departing Taiwan, head to the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform and select “No” in the “Do you hold, or have you ever held, an Employment Gold Card?” field and choose “Apply overseas”. After payment of the application fee, contact the service center of the National Immigration Agency and provide both the old and new Gold Card application numbers. If you have already made a new application but must enter Taiwan before the review process has finished, you may use your original Gold Card to enter the country. However, your new passport must still be inspected overseas, and the new passport should be used for entry into Taiwan.
4. When entering Taiwan, the Employment Gold Card holder must provide a passport with the corresponding nationality for inspection; residence entry will be prohibited if the nationality of the original Employment Gold Card has been lost.