Q: Can holders of Employment Gold Cards with Hong Kong or Macau residency apply for permanent residency?
A: Under current regulations, holders of Employment Gold Cards cannot apply for permanent residency. According to Article 24 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, matters such as entry, stay, and residency of Hong Kong or Macau residents engaged in professional work or job searching in Taiwan are handled by the Ministry of the Interior according to the Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau and related provisions.
Regarding applications for settlement in Taiwan by Hong Kong or Macau residents, the regulations are governed by Articles 16 and 29 of the Ministry of the Interior’s Regulations Governing Residency and Settlement Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents. Applicants who meet the requirements specified in Article 29 may apply for settlement in Taiwan.
The Taiwan-Hong Kong Services and Exchanges Office under the Mainland Affairs Council provides consultation and assistance for Hong Kong residents regarding studying, employment, investment and entrepreneurship, and immigration and settlement in Taiwan. The office's hotline is +886 22700-3199, with at least 20 lines available and Cantonese services provided. If you have questions regarding residency or settlement in Taiwan, please contact the Taiwan-Hong Kong Services and Exchanges Office.
Q: Can holders of Employment Gold Cards with Hong Kong or Macau residency apply for settlement?
A: Under current regulations, holders of Employment Gold Cards with Hong Kong or Macau residency cannot apply for settlement. Additionally, according to Article 24 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, matters such as entry, stay, and residency for Hong Kong or Macau residents are managed by the Ministry of the Interior according to the Act Governing Relations with Hong Kong and Macau.
Under the Regulations Governing Residency and Settlement Permits for Hong Kong and Macau Residents (hereinafter referred to as "Hong Kong and Macau Regulations"), residents who have been granted residency and have stayed in Taiwan for a certain period while maintaining the conditions of their initial residency permit may apply for settlement. (For those granted residency due to marriage or adoption, the relationship must have lasted for at least three years. However, this restriction does not apply if there are children born during the marriage.) The term "certain period" refers to continuous residency in Taiwan for one year before the application date, during which the applicant may leave Taiwan for up to 30 days without limitation on the number of exits. Alternatively, it refers to continuous residency for two years, with a minimum of 270 days of stay per year.
The Hong Kong and Macau resident codes eligible for settlement include HF151, HF152, HF155, HF189, HF156, HF157, HF158, HF159, HF160, HF161, HF162, HF163, HF166, HF167, HF169, HF170, HF173, HF174, HF175, HF176, HF179, HF180, HF196, HF197, HF177, HF178, and HF168 converted to HF171.
For detailed information, please refer to the Hong Kong and Macau resident code table.
Hong Kong and Macau Residents Can Apply for Income Tax Exemptions (Photo / Source: Foreign Special Professionals Recruitment and Employment Act Information Page
Q: Are Hong Kong and Macau residents eligible for tax incentives under the Foreign Special Professional Talent Tax Incentive Program?
A: According to Article 24 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, Hong Kong, and Macau residents are also eligible to apply for income tax exemptions under Article 20 of the same act.
Q: How can Hong Kong and Macau residents change the reason for their residency in Taiwan?
A: Hong Kong and Macau residents in Taiwan can switch their residency status based on one chosen reason. For details, refer to the National Immigration Agency’s guidelines for changing residency purposes. Note that when applying to change residency status, the original residency certificate will be retrieved by the Immigration Agency but not canceled. Applicants can submit a statement to borrow the certificate if needed. If applying from overseas, a copy of the residency certificate must be obtained to change the residency purpose.
Q: Can the Employment Gold Card be renewed upon expiration?
A: Holders of the Employment Gold Card who meet certain criteria can apply for an extension within four months before the card’s expiration date. Each extension can be for a maximum of three years.
