EXPERTS WANTED: The NDC said that 55 percent of the gold cards were granted to professionals with economic expertise, while 18 percent were in the technology sector

Taipei Times
Date: Feb 09, 2020
By: Staff writer, with CNA

Taiwan has issued nearly 600 Employment Gold Cards in the two years since the program to attract foreign professionals to the nation was launched, the National Development Council (NDC) said yesterday.

As of last month, the NDC has issued 584 gold cards — consisting of a resident visa, Alien Resident Certificate, re-entry permit and work permit, as well as tax benefits and residence permits for family members — as part of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (外國專業人才延攬及僱用法) that was passed on Feb. 8, 2018, to ease regulations for foreign professionals.

The card makes it easier for foreign nationals who lack permanent residency status to change jobs in Taiwan, because they no longer have to be dependent on an employer for a work permit, the NDC said.

The NDC said 318 professionals obtained their cards based on their economic expertise, accounting for about 55 percent of the issued cards issued.    [FULL  STORY]