Q: What if I don't have an English surname?
A: When filling out the basic information on the Foreign Professional Talent Application Platform, if your passport does not have an English surname or given name, you can choose to fill in either the "English surname" or the "English given name." It is not mandatory to fill in both fields. However, please note that at least one field must be completed to submit your application.
Q: What happens if I fail to pay the fee within the required time?
A: The Foreign Professional Talent Application Platform can temporarily save your application data for one month. If the data has been saved but payment has not been completed or the application has not been submitted, the system will clear the temporary data after one month due to information security settings.
Please follow the instructions in the image to make an online payment. (Image / Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office Website)
Q: How long does it take to process the application?
A: The Employment Gold Card issuance process is as follows:
- Initial qualification review: Preliminary review of documents by the National Immigration Agency (1-2 weeks).
- Qualification recheck: Joint review by the Workforce Development Agency and other relevant ministries (1-2 months). Additional time may be required if you are asked to amend or provide supplementary documents.
- Passport verification: For overseas applicants, passports must be verified at a Taiwanese representative office (1 week). Domestic applicants are exempt.
- Final review and card issuance: The National Immigration Agency conducts a final review and prints the Gold Card (1-2 weeks). If you have worked in Mainland China for a company or government, the final review may take at least 1-2 months.
For first-time Gold Card applicants, the issuance date is the start date of the residency. (Image / Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office Website)
Q: What fees are involved in applying for an Employment Gold Card?
A: The Employment Gold Card application fee is a one-time payment made through the online application portal. There are no additional visa or work permit fees. The cost varies depending on the application location (Taiwan or overseas), card validity period, and your nationality. Refer to step "4. Payment and Notification" in the Application Process for more details.
Currently, there are six online payment methods:
- International credit cards
- Domestic credit cards
- e-Bill Payment Network
- Virtual account payments
- Payments via four major convenience stores
- Web ATM (via card reader)
Credit card processing fees are covered by the government. Other payment methods (e.g., e-Bill, virtual accounts, convenience stores, Web ATM) require the applicant to bear the processing fees. Virtual account and convenience store payments may take 2-3 business days to confirm. For debit cards, please use Web ATM.
If you cannot pay via an international credit card, possible reasons include:
- 3D verification failure (You may need to apply for or correctly enter a verification code from your bank).
- The card reported as lost
- Card issuer does not cooperate with Taiwanese banks
Use JCB, VISA, or MasterCard credit cards. Do not use UnionPay or American Express.
If payment still fails, contact the National Immigration Agency at a378liu@immigration.gov.tw. Follow the instructions in the diagram to make an online payment.
Q: When does the Employment Gold Card become effective?
A: For first-time applicants, the issuance date is the same as the residence start date. For card renewals, the validity period extends from the expiration of the current residence term.
Q: How can I apply for an Employment Gold Card if I enter Taiwan visa-free?
A: You can apply online through the Foreign Professional Talent Application Platform (Employment Gold Card) on the National Immigration Agency's global information website. Applications are reviewed by the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of Labor, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Upon approval, the Gold Card will be issued, integrating a work permit, residence visa, Alien Resident Certificate, and re-entry permit into one card.
