Additionally, many coffee shops and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi and are perfect for working. Le Park Cafe is located in Taipei, and it is a cute French café that is open until late at night, so it is perfect for those that work best at night. Homey’s Cafe also offers plenty of plug sockets and high-top tables to work from.
If you want to meet other digital nomads working close to you, you can find some groups and events at Meetup.com. You can also find networking and business events at Eventbrite.
The Gold Card Visa wasn’t created with digital nomads in mind. It was designed to bring foreign talent to Taiwan to work for Taiwanese companies. However, since it was first introduced, many self-employed people have been taking advantage of the visa.
The Gold Card gives you the right to stay in Taiwan for 1 to 3 years. It comes with open work rights, which means you are free to work for any company, either outside of Taiwan, and you can even start your own business. It also allows you to bring your family.
Unfortunately, the visa is not available to everyone. In order to qualify for the Gold Card Visa, you must work in one of these eight areas: science and technology, economics, education, culture and art, sports, finance, law, and architecture. That said, even if you don’t slot into one of those sectors you may still be eligible if your monthly salary is over 160k TWD (which is around $5600USD).
Holders of the Gold Card Visa can apply for permanent residence or citizenship after five years. Additionally, those who have the visa have access to Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI).
Current travel restrictions
Taiwan has handled the COVID-19 pandemic exceptionally well. It has one of the lowest per capita COVID-19 rates in the world, and life on the island is largely back to normal.
However, to maintain the safety they have insured, Taiwan has some restrictions when it comes to traveling:
All travelers must undergo 14-days of quarantine at a prearranged location.
Proof of vaccination is not required.
All travelers must show proof of a negative PCR test issued no more than two days before departure.
All travelers must submit a health declaration form before departure.
Masks are required on public transportation and in most public venues.
Need help with your visa application?
Citizen Remote has a broad range of resources to assist with the exciting process of relocating to another country!
Get Help Who Can Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Taiwan
Anyone who works in one of these areas qualifies to apply for the Gold Card Visa: science and technology, economics, education, culture and art, sports, finance, law, and architecture.
Even though the visa does not require you to exceed a certain income, the easiest way to apply for the visa is through a minimum income. The catch, however, is that you must meet that minimum income threshold through salary and wages. In other words, this means you must have an employer.
The minimum income is 160,000TWD/month, which is approximately $5,600/month.
You can apply for the visa anywhere, as the application is filled out online.
How to Apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for Taiwan
To start your application for the digital nomad visa for Taiwan go to this portal, the application platform, where you will need to fill out your information and submit all the requested documents. Beware that the information can’t be changed later, so be very careful when filling it out.
The website is amicable, and it has all the information you need to apply for the Gold Card Visa.
We can also provide guidance and help you apply for your Gold Card Visa.
Documents required to apply for the digital nomad visa in Taiwan
Previous Taiwanese visa and residence permit (if any)
Dates of any times you worked in Taiwan
Copies of all documents needed to support your application (including proof of employment, income, etc.)
How much does the digital nomad visa for Taiwan cost?
The Gold Card application has one fee paid through the application portal. The fee will vary depending on your country of origin.
If you have a US passport and you’re applying abroad, the fee for one-year validity is 6,460NT$, which is around $230. For two-year validity is 7,460NT$ ($265), and for three-year validity is 8,460NT$ ($300).
For holders of foreign passports other than the US, the one-year validity is 3,700NT$ ($131), for two-year validity is 4,700NT$ ($167), and for three-year validity is 5,700NT$ ($202).
For Hong Kong or Macau residents, the price for one to three years validity is 3,100NT$ ($110).
Want help being a digital nomad?
For all your digital nomad needs in one place, check out our mobile app!
Get the app Timeline for Applying
After you’ve submitted your application for the digital nomad visa for Taiwan, you will receive an email with the link to make your payment. You must complete the payment through the application portal, using the same login information you used before. You will receive an email confirmation with your receipt once the payment has been accepted.
The qualification assessment takes from 4 to 6 weeks. During this process, your skills will be assessed by the corresponding ministry. You can check the status of your application through the portal.
After passing the skill assessment, you’re deemed sufficiently skilled to hold the Gold Card Visa. Now they only need to verify your identity. This may take from 2 to 4 weeks. You must visit the nearest Taiwanese diplomatic post. If you are in Taiwan, you must go to the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
After your identity is verified, the Ministry of Interior will do a final review, and your Gold Card Visa will be issued. This may take from 2 to 3 weeks.