Your situation is somewhat similar to mine: my wife has an online business and we are planning to move to Taiwan where I can get a Gold Card ARC and the open work permit, but my wife technically cannot work.
Our plan (and hopefully this sheds some light on your situation) is that we will put the company 100% in my name, and keep it as a Sole Proprietorship. My wife gets an ARC through me, but cannot work. All income comes through me, and in that it is an online business, technically, I am running it.
Now, in your situation, she does not need an ARC through you, but as long as you set up the company overseas she could be an employee if you set up a “representative office” . I am not sure if someone can be a representative for a rep office and work for another company on an ARC though. Regardless, look into the rep office and what is required - there are some hoops to jump through, but it is possible, and it looks to me like it could be the solution you are looking for.
Thanks for your answer. This is actually something I’ve considered as well - to have a single company doing both my thing and her thing and running everything through that. Although I do remember reading somewhere that companies here are restricted to doing business in whatever defined category/categories they selected upon opening, and I’m not sure whether it’s possible to choose multiple categories - that’s something I still need to check.
I suppose this would mean I’d still be running the business almost legally, at least tax-wise, although the fact that she would be making the stuff being sold would mean I’m technically employing her illegally and/or she’s working without permission (even though it would be at our own home, so difficult to track). And it wouldn’t solve the income issue for her APRC application.
The rep office might be an idea, I’ll need to look into that. I’ve read a bit about this but still need to do a lot more research to decide the best option. Thanks again.
Thanks for your answer. You might be right…for most jobs? I’m not sure about the rules because I’ve never been employed here, but presumably there are some exceptions for people from Southeast Asia?
She has a master’s degree, but I know her previous salary in a call center was in the 34k range, and she definitely had a work permit for that. Her formal salary “on paper” in her current job is about 48k as you say but…well, better not say too much about that. The working conditions are pretty terrible for her though - I doubt she can keep this up for another 2.5 years, even for the APRC.
It’s not out of the question, but we would need to work on some things first. I’m actually not sure though that it would make things that much easier? She wouldn’t have open work rights under my gold card as far as I’m aware, and would still need to get a job to sponsor her work permit…
Another option is showing $5M on deposit in any Taiwanese bank or investment fund. Or any fixed property will work too. Skips the monthly income requirements.
Question is: could YOU get a gold card?
I think you can not, even a normal ARC out of the question with that situation.
If you could get a gold card/APRC, marriage making everything easier.
If you could get ARC, marriage also makes everything easier.
If not, she needs to maintain her ARC and apply APRC after 5 years.
The issue isn’t whether or not she has an ARC but whether or not she has permission (or is exempt from requiring permission) to work i.e. whether or not she has (or has no need of) a work permit.
One notable exception (thanks again @tando) is explained here:
I suppose you could set up one company locally and another overseas. Do check with a lawyer first though, to make sure it won’t be taken for an elaborate con.
Because…I explained it already in my original post, no? I’m not looking for a way for her to get a JFRV (and no work rights) tied to my gold card (which would only last for 3 years), if we eventually get married. Or for the obvious suggestion that she could just continue at the job she’s incredibly unhappy with solely for the higher salary so she can get an APRC later. I asked about the possibility/legality of supplemental income alongside a lower-paying job to determine whether she can both do a career she wants and eventually get an APRC, both of which are quite important to her. I’m not quite sure what your point has been in this thread.
Thanks to everyone else who contributed useful advice - it’s much appreciated.
I’m actually not sure though that it would make things that much easier? She wouldn’t have open work rights under my gold card as far as I’m aware, and would still need to get a job to sponsor her work permit…
