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.

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 may apply for the “Employment Seeking Resident Certificate” with 6+6 months validity at a National Immigration Agency Service Center 1 month before your current Gold Card expires. Please note that after obtaining the Employment Seeking Resident Certificate, you will not be able to legally work in Taiwan. Please refer to this LINK for the process for applying for an Employment Seeking Resident Certificate.

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.

You are eligible to apply for a 6-month job-seeking ARC before the expiration of your Employment Gold Card. For the application, you need to prepare your passport, Employment Gold Card, a passport-size photo in color within 6 months, and an application fee of NT$1,000. The application can be made at any National Immigration Agency Service Center, and if necessary, you can apply one last time for another 6 month extension.

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) ”.