Yes, but there is a salary cap at 175k TWD/mo (see “Bracket 10” in the table at the bottom), above that it’ll probably be more like 1.91%.
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I saw that. But since my income is from abroad and my employer is not paying into local Taiwanese insurance, how would they know my salary? And is there a way to not pay into NHI but instead select private insurance (which would be cheaper if what you say is true)?
You’ll declare that to the NHI, and again when filing your tax return in Taiwan. Either might request evidence. I’m not 100% sure about what happens above the salary cap - please double check that. Though, speaking of tax returns definitely check out the deductions you can make on NHI premiums - that might help the math stack up a bit better for you.
Anyone eligible for NHI is required to enrol.
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and if you are not eligible for NHI, you cannot enroll.
I asked in the other gold card thread with no response, maybe someone might know the answer over here.
Is there any time limit for completing the passport check step? Or can I, in effect, delay my approval by just waiting for the best time to complete that step? Thanks!!
No need to read on but I know forumosa seems to always ask for more details so here it is if you’d like:
For context, we are tentatively planning to enter in October 2021…a very long time from now. But due to the worsening covid situation here in the US and other circumstances with family, my wife and I might like the option to come sooner.
Also, I am applying through the arts and culture category which brings much less clarity about my end result since I have no international awards. I expect this means my application “process” will take longer as well since I will be procuring letters of recommendation from multiple sources all over the world.
Finally, I care about the timing because I am hoping to stay in Taiwan for at least three years minimum, and in the chance they reduce APRC eligibility to three years for Gold Card holders then I’d hope I could avoid any uncertainty and hassle over applying again.
iirc, someone posted in the thread that when you are requested the passport check, your card is already issued with an expiry date, so the date may be the limit. I remembered wrongly.
https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/141465/141808/168969/
After passing the review, Employment Gold Card will be issued with a validity period chosen by the applicant via the Foreign Professionals Application Platform. The validity period of the Card starts from the next day of issuance.
Iiuc the instruction, review and passport check are different steps.
Found the post
@tando you might be correct, but from the info provided I believe it is still unclear. I am asking about the passport check stage (when you are asked to take the passport to the overseas “embassy” for verification). In some other posts, it has seemed people did not get “approval” until after this step.
is it the step in Article 2 of the instruction?
Chinese version of the article says
移民署受理申請案件後，應通知申請人於三十日內持繳驗護照通知單及護照正本，臨櫃向外交部或駐外使領館、代表處或辦事處（以下簡稱駐外館處）繳驗。
So, maybe within 30days.
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Yep! That is it, thanks! I cannot read Chinese so just did a quick confirmation with my wife. So guess there’s a little flexibility but not really much at all.
Thanks as always, @tando
Interesting, I thought the resident authorization + ARC number assignment won’t come until after the passport check happens? My passport check was there for 42 days. So I figured one could start the application, and then “game” the start date of the gold card by stalling at the passport check stage.
Thanks for your report. Yeah it might not be a hard & fast rule, particularly due to the covid/closure complications. But I will assume I need to follow this 30-day limit…certainly will not push it for half a year or longer like I was hoping to do.
When can you reapply? Is there a window like you must reapply within x months of expiry or can you reapply whenever?
I’m seriously considering taking a remote job from a London company and then relocating to Taiwan. According to the FAQ, the Gold Card would be perfect for me “since it contains an open work permit that allows you to work for any employer”. However, elsewhere it states that the Gold Card is meant to be for “employment-seeking foreign individuals”. Does that mean I need to provide some evidence that I’m seeking or have found work in Taiwan when the time comes that I need to extend my stay?
“employment-seeking foreign individuals” sounds a bit like a carry over from the name of the legislation that introduced the gold card. It’s perfectly fine to work for an overseas employer and live in Taiwan on the gold card. Just make sure you fulfil your tax obligations in Taiwan 
When the time comes that your first gold card ends, the process to get another one is identical to getting your first one. So, whatever you do in that three years needs to produce the documents you need to qualify - whether it’s skills, salary, etc.
Thanks for the reply! That sounds amazing, almost too good to be true!
With regard to fulfilling the Taiwanese tax obligations… I know this has already been touched on, but I’m still a bit confused. Assuming that I’m getting paid in to a Taiwanese bank account, would I automatically be taxed in Taiwan and not in the UK?
It’s a pretty stellar visa 
Come on in!
That’s probably worth asking a professional about. Standard disclaimers about being a random guy on the internet and not an accountant/lawyer etc, but … from Taiwan’s perspective, it doesn’t matter where the salary payment ends up. Tax in Taiwan is based on residence and physical presence (as with many OECD nations, and probably the UK too). Stay more than 183 days in a calendar year and you are a tax resident. Salary paid to you for work you complete while you are in Taiwan is taxable in Taiwan. You’ll input the number on your tax return and may be asked for documents to prove the number.
These seem relevant on the UK side:
Thanks! As you suggest, I’ll try to ask a professional, but that’s a good starting point.
@fifieldt I’m just got my work permit approved. I’ve worked in healthcare in all sorts of places have a decent amount of open source work that I did and won some competitions here and there. But given that I’m self employed I don’t pay myself a high salary for obvious reasons.
Does it make sense to apply as a tech worker or should I just pay myself a high salary for a while? I’ve also heard that there are people that have asked the government to change the salary requirement.
Also does the salary have to be in the past 3 months or could it also have been in the past?
Asking for a friend. He is currently in Taiwan visa-free but needs to exit the country to take care of some urgent business in the EU.
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Is it possible to start the application process from within Taiwan but actually get the card abroad?
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What’s the turn around time? Can you designate a TECO abroad to pick up the card?
Hi Tom-- please forgive my lack of technical expertise, as I didn’t know the best way to contact you. “olm” said you had expertise with Gold Cards, particularly a “magic link” I should inquire about. Please let me know how to proceed and compensate you for your assistance. Thanks very much for your time.