Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals

Q1: Where do I go to apply for permanent residency?
A1: You may visit your local information center of The National Immigration Agency to apply for the APRC. Please refer to the website of the National Immigration Agency’s guide to the Application for Permanent Residency.
 
Q2: I am already a Gold Card holder, what other qualifications must I meet in order to apply?
A2: In order to apply, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Held a Gold Card for at least three years, have stayed in Taiwan as a Gold Card holder for three consecutive years or more, and have resided in Taiwan for an average of 183 days or more per year.
2. Being an adult.
3. No criminal record or history of bad behavior.
4. Have considerable property or skills.
5. In accordance with our country's national interest.
Please refer to the website of the National Immigration Agency’s guide to the Application for Permanent Residency.

Q3. Will my Gold Card automatically change to an APRC?
A3. No, you must submit an application.
 
Q4. Before obtaining a Gold Card, I resided in Taiwan on an ARC for a period of time. Can this be counted towards the three years needed for permanent residency?
A4. For the 3-year calculation period of permanent residency, you must reside in Taiwan as a Foreign Special Professional. If your original ARC has met the requirements of Article 25 of the Immigration Act or the Article 14 of Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, it can be combined with your Gold Card status, but the total number of years required to apply for permanent residency is 5.
 
Q5. If I did not enter Taiwan until my Gold Card was approved, how do I calculate the start and end dates of the average 183 days per year? Does it start from the day my Gold Card is approved? Or the day I entered Taiwan? Or is it the day that I officially receive the physical card?
A5. For Gold cardholders applying for permanent residency, the start date for calculating permanent residency is the date of approval when you first obtain your Gold Card, which is the Date of Issue indicated on your card, and the expiration date is the Date of Expiration that is also indicated on your card. As long as the card is renewed before the expiration date, your residency will be considered as continuous. The start date for calculating the days of residency is one day before the date of your application for permanent residency. If the three-year period of stay is continuous and the average length of stay exceeds 183 days, the requirement for the number of days of residency is met.
 
Q6. My first Gold Card is valid for three years, but I only entered Taiwan after the Gold Card was approved, making my total stay in Taiwan less than three years. Can I still apply for permanent residency?
A6. The start date for calculating permanent residency is the Date of Issue indicated on your Gold Card. As long as your Gold Card is valid for 3 years, you have resided in Taiwan for an average of more than 183 days per year, and you meet the other application requirements, you can apply for permanent residency.
 
Q7. Can my status as a Foreign Special Professional be counted together with my Gold Card towards my permanent residency?
A7. Yes. Foreign Special Professional status plus Gold Card holder status residing in Taiwan for at least 3 years can apply for permanent residency.
 
Q8. If I earn a degree in Taiwan, can that time be counted towards permanent residency?
A8. For Foreign Special Professional (including Gold Card holders), a Doctoral Degree Certificate issued by a Taiwanese institution can count towards 1 year of your residency. In other words, a Gold Card holder with a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in Taiwan can apply for permanent residency earliest after residing in Taiwan for 2 years. In addition, for the Foreign Professional, a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) in Taiwan can count towards 2 years and a Master Degree can count towards 1 year of your residency.
 
Q9. Can the spouse and children of the Gold Card holders also apply for permanent residency? What are the qualifications?
A9. Yes. To apply, individuals must meet ONE of the following requirements (choose the requirement that is most beneficial to you):
1. After the Gold Card holder has obtained permanent residency, their spouse, underaged children, or adult children with mental/physical disabilities who are unable to care for themselves, can apply for permanent residency without financial proof if they have stayed in Taiwan legally for up to 3 consecutive years and for an average of 183 days or more per year.
2. Foreigners can apply for permanent residency if they have legally resided in Taiwan for at least 5 consecutive years and for more than 183 days per year, and has also met the requirements of Article 25 of the Immigration Act.