Several countries have suffered devastating effects from the Covid-19 pandemic, especially those reliant on tourism. These countries issue visas designed to attract long-term residents and revive their economies. The Digital Nomad Visa gives you the legal right to work remotely while you are outside your country. The term “Digital Nomad” describes a person who works remotely from home and leads a nomadic lifestyle using technology.
Does Taiwan Have a Digital Nomad Visa?
Taiwan does not have a visa designed especially for digital nomads; however, they do have The Taiwan Employment Gold Card, which applies to digital nomads.
The Taiwan Employment Gold Card is a combined open work permit, residence permit, and visa for skilled professionals and has been active since February 2018. With the Gold Card, you can stay in Taiwan for one to three years. Moreover, having this card entitles you to work for any (or multiple) Taiwanese companies or to start your own enterprise.
Who is Eligible for a Taiwan (Gold Card) Digital Nomad Visa?
The Gold Card applies to professionals, freelancers, or self-employed individuals who can prove that they have a $5,700 monthly income.
Individuals with high-skilled professions in one of the eight fields are also eligible for a Taiwan (Gold Card) digital nomad visa.
The eight fields are:
- Field of Architecture
- Field of Culture and Arts
- Field of Economy
- Field of Education
- Field of Finance
- Field of Law
- Filed of National Defence
- Field of Science & Technology
- Field of Sport
Benefits of Working as a Digital Nomad in Taiwan
Working as a digital nomad in Taiwan has the following benefits:
- Tax matters. Digital nomads are free from income taxes until the 183rd day of their stay.
- Fast internet connection. The internet connection in Taiwan is fast everywhere, particularly in big cities. The fixed internet speed is 154.89 Mbps, and the mobile internet speed is 96.97 Mbps. In addition, there are over 50,000 Wi-Fi hotspots around the country.
- Reliable transport. Transport in Taiwan is inexpensive and fast. One of the best ways to travel in Taiwan is by metro. Metros are cheap, modern, and extremely safe. The best Taiwan attractions are near metro stations. In addition, taxis are cheap as well.
- Delicious food. With its distinct history and geographical location, Taiwanese cuisine is diverse and full of flavor, using a great deal of garlic and soy sauce. Though heavily influenced by Chinese flavors, Taiwanese cuisine is still rich in diversity. The most popular Taiwanese dishes are beef noodles, soup dumplings, minced pork rice, intestine and oyster vermicelli, oyster omelet, stinky tofu, and many more.
- Affordable prices. The cost of living depends on the city you decide to live in, but generally, the prices are affordable. For a family of four, the estimated monthly costs are $2,748.35 without rent, and for a single person, the estimated monthly costs are $744.72 without rent. Other prices are:
- Meal (inexpensive restaurant) – $3.99
- Meal for two people (mid-range restaurant, three-course) – $29.62
- One-way ticket (local transport) – $0.83
- Basic utilities (monthly) – $74.44
- Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL) – $25.50
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center – $458.32
- Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of City Center – $307.50
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center – $1,079.56
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the City Center – $734.96
It’s no surprise that Taiwan is among the most densely populated islands in the world! A lively city, beautiful temples, and museums are some of the attractions in the country. Furthermore, Taiwan boasts beautiful natural landscapes such as beaches and forests with beautiful trails.
How to Apply for a Taiwan (Gold Card) Digital Nomad Visa?
You must apply for a Taiwan (Gold Card) digital nomad visa online through the official Taiwan Employment Gold Card website. The application process is as follows:
- Prepare the required documents. You must have digital copies of the documents, so you can upload them to the online platform. The documents you need are in the section “Requirements for Taiwan (Gold Card) Digital Nomad Visa”.
- Register in the online application. Go to the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform website and create an account. Remember, you need to change your password every three months.
- Access the online application form. The link to the application form can be found here. Fill it out with information and make sure your name is the same as the one on your passport. You can save the added information and come back to it at any time.
- Upload the documents. Make sure to add the additional documents for your profession as well. You must submit documents that comply with the requirements for the qualification you are applying for. Note: Hong Kong and Macau residents may be required to provide proof of residence and identity.
- Pay the fees. After submitting the online application, the system will email you a 12-digit application number. Then log into your account and enter the “online payment” tab. You can choose from six different payment methods. The visa fees are $100 to $310, depending on your nationality and duration of stay. The application fee is non-refundable.
- Get confirmation. Once you’ve completed the application, you’ll receive an e-mail confirmation from the platform. The review process has now begun for your application.
- Submit your passport for a passport check If your application has been approved and has passed the qualification review, you will receive an e-mail notification to bring your passport to be inspected. Your passport will be inspected by the Bureau of Consular Affairs or a ROC overseas mission/office. Upon verification, you’ll receive an e-mail stating that your passport was approved and your gold card application was processed. This process might take a week.
- Receive your Gold Card. After your application has been approved, you will get an email notifying you that you can get your Gold Card.
Additionally, you might need a visa to enter Taiwan, depending on your nationality.
Requirements for Taiwan (Gold Card) Digital Nomad Visa
The list of the required documents is when applying for a Taiwanese Gold Card as a digital nomad is:
- Digital copy of your passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Digital copy of your passport photo. The dimensions of the photos must be 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The head must be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
- Your previous Taiwanese visa or residence permit (if any).
- Dates of any times you have worked in Taiwan (if applicable).
- Proof of employment. To prove your employment, the required documents depend on your profession. You can check what documents are needed through the official Taiwan Employment Gold Card website. On the website, you can click on the Qualifications | Taiwan Gold Card section to find out more.
- Proof of income. If you are not part of the eight fields, you have to have a $5,700 monthly income.
Note: All documents need to be 1MB in size in image or PDF format.
How Long Can I Work in Taiwan as a Digital Nomad?
The validity of the Taiwan Gold Card for digital nomads is from one year to three years. You can apply for permanent residence after five years.
Processing Time For A Digital Nomad Visa (Gold Card) in Taiwan
The application usually takes thirty days. However, if additional documents need to be submitted, the processing time can be fifty to sixty days.
How Much Does the Taiwan (Gold Card) Digital Nomad Visa Cost?
The visa fees are $100 to $310, depending on your nationality and duration of stay. The application fee is non-refundable, regardless of the results of your application.
Paying Taxes as a Digital Nomad in Taiwan
Non-residents who live in Taiwan for less than 90 days in a calendar year are subject to an 18% withholding tax on their salary that comes from Taiwan. In the case of a digital nomad, the salary is not derived from Taiwan and will be exempt from taxes.
Digital nomads are free from income taxes until the 183rd day of their stay. However, an individual who lives in Taiwan for more than 90 days in a full calendar year but for less than 183 days is subject to a flat-rate tax of 18%, regardless of whether their salary is from a Taiwan-based company.
In Taiwan, personal income tax is progressive. For residents, the tax rate is:
- For an income of $17,982.92 – 5%
- For an income of $17,982.92 to $40,295.05 – 12%
- For an income of $40,295.05 to $80,590.10 – 20%
- For an income of $80,590.10 to $150856.68 – 30%
- For an income of over $150856.68 – 40%
In addition, Taiwan has a basic income tax, the rate of which is 20%. Furthermore, corporate income is paid at the rate of 20%, the payment of dividends is subject to a 21% withholding tax, and the property tax is paid at the rates of 1% to 5.5%.