Economics now accounts for ‘only’ about 50% of valid Gold Cards. But that is less than before. Oddly, less than 1% are Digital at this point. Digital is still new I guess.
The classic Digital person is a programmer.
The classic Technology person is an engineer with a patent on some tangible IT-related device or process.
In the past, programmers had to apply under Economics because the Bureau of Industrial Development was responsible for the software industry. Digital is now, so that’s where coders go.
Only 18% of valid gold card holders are women. But I believe that is actually a slight improvement.
I assume that reflects the people choosing to apply for them rather than anything else. I doubt the gold card reviewers are deliberately discriminating against women.
The gender imbalance for gold card holders doesn’t seem that far off that for all residents for many Western countries (e.g., 81/19 for the UK, 72/28 for Canada, 71/29 for the USA, 83/17 for Switzerland, 80/20 for Italy). Not sure why more western men than western women come here.
It’s the opposite, albeit not as dramatic, for Indonesia and the Philippines, for obvious reasons.
Step backward, or sideways however you want to look at it…
For a little context I own a USA based digital marketing agency, have owned the company for over 8 years consecutively employed by the company as well. I applied under digital with the sub category for digital document and advertising (some classification similar to this)
It was just reviewed by the ministry of Digital Affairs and they said its best I switch to the economy stage as my position as CEO of my company along with my Marketing and Advertising experience doesn’t really fall under that category, the category applies more to the position of the applicant and not my companies duties. In hindsight this makes sense, but since I look at my company’s responsibilities as my own, I misjudged this. Will switch this afternoon.
I had essentially the opposite experience and recommendation, (going from Economic to Digital). There’s presumably guidelines they follow on the back end, but from the outside looking it seems to be just luck of the draw.
When you resubmitted the new field was the process quicker than the initial review by ministry? or does it essentially start over and the process is the same.
Applied on the 4th this month. Had to submit another headshot because I didn’t read closely enough about the white background. So I got that fixed same day I was alerted, it was on the 5th or 6th.
It’s the 15th today, so 11 days later since I applied, and I see the status is now “Review by the Workforce Development Agency”, which seems like it’s right near the end of the process, according to other people’s timelines. Here’s hoping!
Hey y’all, after 4 months of processing I was finally approved for my gold card!
I am now at the “Passport Verification” step.
I printed out my passport verification form and I wanted to ask what to expect when I go into the office?
Also, the form I printed out says that I need passport photos and my visa application???
Can anyone confirm what is needed for this step? I was under the impression that I only needed to bring the form and my physical passport to their office (I’m going to the one in LA if that helps)
Thank you all for your support during this process
Correct, (I posted a copy of their helpdesk response to that question somewhere earlier in the thread).
You may want to call ahead and book an appt. (The Seattle office told me to just come down any time because it was quick, but other offices may be busier!)
After being reccomended to switch from Digital to Economy by the Workforce Development team, after just a few days it’s now in the Conuslting with Ministry of Economic Affairs stage. The whole process has taken a little longer than anticipated but hats off to the whole Gold Card team for their next level support. The team always answers my questions or concerns in a timely manner.
Gentlemen…job accomplished!
28.08 - Sent the application
09.10 - “Review by the Workforce Development Agency”
19.10 - Email communication but status not changed: “Review by the Workforce Development Agency” (WDA).
31.10 - “Consulting with Ministry of Economic Affairs” (MEA).
02.11 - “Review by the Workforce Development Agency” (WDA).
06.11 - “Passport Inspection at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or Overseas Missions of R.O.C. (Taiwan)”
10.11 - Golden card approved.
So, from beginning to end, my process took about a month and change. Mine was based on “Economic” section.
In a few weeks I will head to Taiwan to have some holidays there and to try to setup some informal interviews with potential companies who may want to hire me. So I guess my next challenge is to keep my salary level 3 years from now.
I am happy to support others on this forum with whatever much or little I have learned during my own process
I am European, but I worked and lived in Asia for close to 10 years and I regularly go there. I have close ties with Taiwan already and I can handle the language, so setting up informal interviews is not a big deal. Getting an actual job will be the challenge, but a golden card will make things easier.
I make a very good living in Europe (6 figures and all that) but the place has become rather difficult, specially in certain topics which Taiwan has no problems dealing with. I am sorry to sound cryptical and I hope you can read between the lines. I am happy to cut my salary to the minimum requirement to hold the visa for the next 3 years (NTD160k), so in a way and in my line of work I hope I will be a great bargain.
I think that, so long as you match the requirements and do your best to make their officer´s work as easy as possible, others won´t have a problem to get gold cards, and I sincerely hope and I will do my best to benefit Taiwan as much as I can.
Don’t worry I get it and we all talk about it often. It’s a big reason many prefer to stay here.
Considering taxes and cost of living in Taiwan, 160k NTD per month is more or less on par with 6 figures in most of Europe. Unless you are in very specific fields it’s not gonna be easy to get that but looks like you know what you’re doing.
Btw they won’t cancel your gold card if you don’t make that kind of money. You need to meet the requirements to renew it though.
