Every Taiwan Gold Card field and route

You qualify in Science and Technology through any one of these 13 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. Unique skills in software, nanotechnology, MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems), optoelectronics, information and communication technology (ICT), automation, materials, sensing, biotech or energy
3. Expertise in AI, IoT, AR, VR, blockchain, robotics or additive manufacturing
4. Nobel Prize, Tang Prize, Wolf Prize, Fields Medal or equivalent
5. Academician of a national academy of sciences
6. Chair professor, professor, associate professor or researcher with important contributions
7. Doctorate plus 4+ years of specialized work or research
8. Rare expertise in a specialized technology or in R&D management
9. Doctorate with expertise lacking in Taiwan
10. Senior executive or R&D core member of a startup that went public
11. Senior executive or R&D member of a startup acquired for US$5 million or more
12. Venture-capital senior executive who led US$5 million+ overseas investments or US$1 million+ investments under a National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) program
13. Other demonstrable expertise in a technology sector

You qualify in Economy through any one of these 8 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. Senior operations, technical or marketing role at a Taiwan-based R&D center, operations headquarters or multinational corporation
3. Doctorate plus an international invention award, or 4+ years in key products, components or service models
4. 8+ years in semiconductors, optoelectronics, ICT hardware, circuit design, medical materials, precision machinery, transportation, consultancy or green energy
5. 8+ years in advertising, product design, visual communication, fashion design or digital content
6. 8+ years in retail: multinational brand management, operations, customer service or brand marketing
7. Entrepreneur Visa holder with US$1 million+ in venture investment or an acquisition
8. Certification from the relevant central authority

From our practice. Rental and investment income do not count as salary here. Only income paid to you as a salary does.

You qualify in Digital through any one of these 4 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. 8+ years in a digital-economy industry
3. Doctorate from a top-500 university in the QS, THE or U.S. News rankings
4. Doctorate in a related field plus a Ministry of Digital Affairs recognized award, or 4+ years of experience

From our practice. The route for 8+ years in the digital economy is hard to document and rarely passes on the first try. Expect to show detailed evidence of your role and results.

You qualify in Finance through any one of these 6 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. 3 years in a managerial position at a financial institution plus CFA, CFP, FRM, CIIA, CIA, PRM, FSA, FCAS, FIA, FIAA or SEI-KAIIN
3. Recommendation by the Financial Supervisory Commission, a self-regulatory organization or a trade association
4. Chairman, general manager, director, supervisor or senior executive of a financial institution
5. 3 years in fintech, e-commerce, digital economy, technology management, green energy or asset management, with documented achievements
6. Other relevant qualifications and experience, subject to review by the Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC)

You qualify in Law through any one of these 4 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. Professor, associate or assistant professor abroad, or research fellow at a research institution
3. Law-related executive position in a law firm or corporation
4. Recommendation by a national or local bar association

Architecture has one route: the salary route, with an architect license or 5+ years in a foreign architecture firm.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month, with an architect license or 5+ years as a designer or construction supervisor in a foreign architecture firm

You qualify in Education through any one of these 4 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month, with 5+ years in education
2. Doctorate from a top-500 university in the QS, THE or U.S. News rankings
3. 3+ years of full-time teaching and research at a top-500 university within the last 5 years
4. Recruited as a leading international scholar under the Yushan Fellow Program

You qualify in Biotechnology through any one of these 4 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. Doctorate in life sciences plus an international invention award, or 4+ years in molecular biology, genetic engineering or protein engineering
3. 8+ years in a biotechnology position
4. Certification from the relevant central authority

You qualify in Environment through any one of these 8 routes, including the salary route.

1. Salary route. Salary of about $5,000 a month in any one of the last three years
2. Exceptional talent, outstanding R&D capability or proven startup achievements
3. Nobel Prize, Tang Prize, Wolf Prize or equivalent
4. Academician of a national academy of sciences
5. Chair professor, professor, associate professor or researcher with significant contributions
6. Doctorate plus 4+ years of environmental practice or research
7. Doctorate with expertise lacking in Taiwan
8. Recommendation by a central authority and recognition by the Ministry of Environment

You qualify in Culture and Arts through any one of these 7 tracks. This field has no salary route.

1. Performing arts: membership of an international arts organization or a senior post in a culture-related body; a key role in hosting an international arts event such as a major festival; or a recognized award or a seat on its jury
2. Visual arts: the same three options, with major art fairs and biennials as the international events
3. Publishing: 8+ years in publishing or mass media, or chief editor or senior manager at a major international media or publishing house, or copyright agent; professor of publishing at a foreign university; doctorate in publishing plus an international academic prize; the top national publishing honor; or curator of a major international publishing event
4. Film, broadcast and pop music: a major award from Taiwan, your home country or an international one; top executive at a medium-sized or larger company in the field with 5+ years; or special contributions to the field with 5+ years
5. Handicraft: a recognized national or international award; recognition as a preserver of craft techniques; an important handicraft patent; or professional certification plus R&D work done with a government grant or partnership
6. Cultural administration: 10+ years in a government culture department, a culture institution or an international NGO, with an outstanding culture portfolio
7. New cultural industries: manager or core R&D member in the IPO of a cultural or creative company, or in its merger with a public company; or manager of a venture fund investing in the sector

In every track, the Ministry of Culture can also review and approve other candidates.

You qualify in Sports through any one of these 4 routes. This field has no salary route.

1. Athlete with national-team service: Olympic top 8, or top 3 at continental games, World Games, Universiade, World Championship or World Cup
2. National-team coach whose athletes achieved the above
3. Referee at the Olympic Games, continental games, World Games or Universiade
4. Sports-industry professional with recommendation letters from qualifying organizations

You qualify in National Defense through any one of these 4 routes. This field has no salary route.

1. Doctorate plus 5+ years in defense aerospace or military shipbuilding
2. 5+ years in machinery, electrical engineering, project management, R&D or process engineering for defense aerospace, uncommon in Taiwan
3. 5+ years in design, construction or project management of shipborne weaponry and platforms, uncommon in Taiwan
4. Certification by the Ministry of National Defense