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Taiwan Digital Nomad Visa Guide (2023)

Taiwan has been at the top of the list of countries with digital nomad visas for many nomads. Excellent life quality, fast and reliable Internet, and fantastic culture and nature are some of the most significant benefits that make Taiwan one of the best places for expats and digital nomads. 

Although Taiwan doesn’t exactly have a visa specifically designed for digital nomads, there are perfect alternatives that suit almost any digital nomad type out there. 

So, stick with us as we break down all there is to know about:

  • Rules and procedures of coming to live and work in Taiwan as a digital nomad, 
  • Pros and cons of living in Taiwan as a digital nomad, 
  • Best destinations in Taiwan for digital nomads, and 
  • Tips for living and working in Taiwan.  

Let’s get started! 

Taiwan digital nomad visa guide-cover

Table of Contents

Quick digital nomad visa facts for Taiwan 

Before we get into a detailed analysis of the digital nomad visa for Taiwan, here’s a quick summary of all the main details about the Taiwan digital nomad visa. 

Taiwan visa questions Taiwan visa answers 
Does Taiwan have a digital nomad visa?No, but there are suitable alternatives that allow digital nomads to work and live in Taiwan, such as the Taiwan Employment Gold Card. 
When was the Taiwan digital nomad visa introduced? The Taiwan Employment Gold Card was launched in February 2018.
Who can apply for the Taiwan digital nomad visa?– Anyone who works in one of the required fields (architecture, culture and arts, education, economics, law, finance, sports, science and technology, and national defense);
– Freelancers, professionals, or self-employed people who earn a minimum monthly income of $5,700
How much does a Taiwan digital nomad visa cost?$100–$310 
Taiwan’s digital nomad visa length? 1–3 years 
Minimum stay requirement?None (Over 183 days per year to be eligible for tax resident treatment and a potential permanent residence) 
Possible to extend the visa?Yes
Minimum income requirements? $5,700 per month (or highly skilled in specific fields)
Processing time for visa application?30 days
Can I apply with family members for a digital nomad visa?Yes, with your spouse and children (with stipulations) 

What to expect as a digital nomad in Taiwan?

According to all the available data, Taiwan is a great place for digital nomads looking for a safe, vibrant place with great internet connectivity, plenty of culture to explore, and a great healthcare system. 

Taiwan digital nomad FAQ Taiwan digital nomad answers
Average Internet speed: 124.20 Mbps — median download speed
53.58 Mbps — median upload speed
Best coworking space (highest Google rating and highest number of voters):The Hive Taipei, Taipei (4.8 stars from 455 voters)
Friendly to foreigners: Yes — locals are welcoming and friendly to tourists, expats, and digital nomads. 
Most popular place for digital nomads in Taiwan:Taipei — urban, with a relaxed vibe and plenty of coworking spaces, Taipei has been a favorite spot for digital nomads for years. 
Weather in Taiwan’s most popular place for digital nomads:– Average annual temperature 24°C (75.2°F);
– Coldest month average temperatures (January–March) ~10°C (50°F);
– Hottest month average temperatures (June–August) ~38 °C (100°F);
– 2,073.9 hours of sunshine per year; 
– 165.5 rainy days; 
– Typhoons (from late summer to early fall – July, August, and September) 
Type of climate:Subtropical and tropical (southern part of the island) 
Annual air quality average:US AQI — 68 (moderate quality, acceptable quality, there may be a risk to some people sensitive to air pollution)
PM2.5 — 1.3x the WHO annual air quality guideline value (good) 
Average cost of living: Family of four: $2,773.7 per month (without rent) 
Single person: $759.7 per month (without rent)
Average coworking space cost: $208
Crime per 100k population:15.46
Ranking of Taiwan’s healthcare system:2nd place 
Interesting fact for digital nomads:Taiwan is at the top of the list of expat destinations and it’s one of the fastest-growing digital nomad hubs in Asia. 

Taiwan digital nomad visa

Taiwan doesn’t have a visa specifically designed for digital nomads. 

However, the Taiwan Employment Gold Card is the closest alternative, allowing digital nomads to stay and work in Taiwan for up to 3 years. After the initial 3 years have passed, they can renew their permit and even apply for permanent residency. 

The Taiwan Employment Gold Card came about in 2017 as part of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professional Talent — a government initiative to draw in highly skilled foreign professionals to come to work in Taiwan.

It is also known as a 4–1 visa, since it incorporates:

  • A resident visa (a long-term visa allowing you to stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days), 
  • Work permit (open-work rights — it lets you:
    • Work legally in Taiwan either full- or part-time for one or multiple companies in Taiwan or abroad, 
    • Change jobs, 
    • Seek employment, or 
    • Start your own company), 
  • Alien Resident Certificate ((ARC) a physical ID card which serves as a proof you have obtained legal rights to stay in Taiwan), and 
  • A re-entry permit (allowing cardholders to leave and enter the country multiple times over the course of the card validity period — 1–3 years). 

Taiwan Gold Card allows anyone who is highly skilled in one of the following eligible fields to come to live and work in Taiwan: 

  • Culture and Arts, 
  • Science and Technology,
  • Education,
  • Economics,
  • Sports, 
  • Law,
  • Finance, 
  • National Defense, and 
  • Architecture.  

There’s also a “special cases” category recognized by the National Development Council as special expertise upon consultation. 

The second condition (which doesn’t apply to all application categories) requires a monthly income of at least NT$160,000 (~$5,300). 

What documents do you need to apply for the Taiwan digital nomad visa? 

If you’re interested in applying for the Taiwan Golden Card visa program, these are the documents you need:

  • Your passport (digital copy), 
  • Your passport photo (digital copy of your photo with white background),
  • Your previous Taiwanese visa and residence permit (if applicable),
  • Digital copies of all supporting documents. These depend on the requirements based on the qualification you meet. If you’re applying under the salary qualification, you’ll need:
    • A personal CV,
    • Proof of employment (employment certificate stating your company name, position, and date of employment), and 
    • Proof of income (an annual tax statement issued within the past 3 years), or  
    • An employment contract with a Taiwanese or a multinational company in the ROC with the starting date of employment at least one month after the Gold Card application.  

All the documents that are not in English or Chinese, need to be attached with translations (English or Chinese). 

How do I apply for Resident Visas for my family? 

Applicants who have received their Employment Gold Cards can bring their family members (spouse and children) to Taiwan under a few conditions. 

Your family can enter Taiwan under family reunion reasons following the Resident visa for spouse procedure and/or Resident visa for children (under 20). 

Once your family members enter Taiwan under these visa options, they’ll need to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within the first 15 days of their stay.

If your family members have entered Taiwan with a Visitor visa or Visa Exemption option, the process for obtaining the ARC will be a bit different. 

In any case, you’ll need the following documents to require the right for your family members to reside in Taiwan: 

  • Original passport(s) and photocopy of passport(s),
  • Proof of dependent relative relationship (verified by the ROC (Taiwan) overseas mission), 
  • A recent passport-size color photo,
  • Your identity documents, 
  • Your Gold Card,
  • Payment of NT$1,000 (~$33) per ARC case, or NT$2,200 (~$72) for applicants entering on a Visitor or Visa-Exempt visa, 
  • Completed application form, and 
  • Domicile certificate. 

Who is eligible to apply for Taiwan’s digital nomad visa? 

The Taiwan Gold Card program is designed for professionals, freelancers, or self-employed individuals who meet the following criteria:

If you analyze the specific requirements for each field, you’ll notice that the minimum income requirement criterion is not applicable to all industry fields and professions, so be sure to closely examine all the specific conditions pertaining to your professional field before applying.

Moreover, there’s also a Special cases category of professionals with expertise recognized by the National Development Council. These include:

  • Professionals who hold (or have held) a senior executive position in a world-renowned enterprise, an overseas startup, or an international organization or government, 
  • Winners of international awards (Nobel Prize, Tang Prize, Wolf Prize, Fields Medal, etc.), and 
  • A National Academician-level professional.

To check whether your professional expertise falls within the special cases category, be sure to check the complete list of eligibility criteria for this category. 

Finally, you can use the Gold Card Qualification Check to quickly determine whether you meet the requirements. 

Are you eligible if you are a United States citizen?

Yes, as a United States citizen, you are eligible for the Taiwan Gold Card provided that you meet all of the requirements listed above.

Keep in mind, however, that the application fees are different for US citizens applying abroad. If you have a US passport, and you’re applying in Taiwan, you’ll pay the same fees as other foreigners:

  • 1-year validity — NT$3,700 (~$121.22)
  • 2-year validity — NT$4,700 (~$153.98)
  • 3-year validity — NT$5,700 (~$186.74)

However, if you are a US citizen applying for the Taiwan Gold Card from abroad, your fees will be slightly higher:

  • 1-year validity — NT$6,300 (~$206.40)
  • 2-year validity — NT$7,300 (~$239.16)
  • 3-year validity — NT$8,300  (~$271.93) 

Are you eligible if you are a US Green Card holder?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for the Taiwan Employment Gold Card if you are a US Green Card holder.

However, it might not be the best idea to apply for a more permanent residence anywhere, as your Green Card will expire if you spend more than 1 year outside the US. 

Are you eligible if you are an EU citizen?

Yes, as an EU citizen, you are eligible to apply for the Taiwan Gold Card.

However, to get the Gold Card, you have to meet all the aforementioned requirements and go through the application process we will detail below.  

Are you eligible if you reside in any other country?

Yes and no. You are eligible for the Taiwan Gold Card if you reside in almost any country in the world.

However, you are not eligible if you:

  • Are a national of the Republic of China currently living in Taiwan with a Taiwanese household registration, 
  • Have entered Taiwan with a Republic of China passport, 
  • Haven’t completed compulsory military service, and don’t have an Overseas Compatriot Identity Certificate for the purpose of military service nor an Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement on your ROC passport.

Moreover, you’ll need to submit a Guarantee of Sponsorship from a sponsor in the ROC if you’re a national of one of the following countries:

  • Afghanistan,
  • Algeria, 
  • Bangladesh, 
  • Cameroon,
  • Gambia, 
  • Ghana, 
  • India, 
  • Iraq,
  • Nepal,
  • Niger, 
  • Nigeria, 
  • Pakistan, 
  • Senegal, 
  • Somalia, and 
  • Syria. 

How do I get a digital nomad visa for Taiwan? 

After you’ve determined your eligibility for the Taiwan Gold Card and prepared all the necessary documentation, you can start the 4-step application process. 

The best and most convenient way to apply for the Taiwan Gold Card is online. Most importantly, the entire process takes about 15 minutes once you’ve done the preparatory steps. 

Step #1: Register and fill out the application form 

First up, you’ll have to create an account at the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform website. 

Upon creating your account, be sure to fill out all the mandatory information. Remember to enter your name in the application in the same form written in the passport you’ll be using to enter Taiwan.

Another important thing to keep in mind is that your password must be changed every 3 months for safety reasons. 

For other key information in this step of the application process, you can refer to the Bulletin Board of the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform. 

Once you’ve set up your account, you can log in using your credentials, and fill out your information.  

A couple of things to remember here:

  • Be sure to fill out all fields marked with an asterisk, as these are mandatory fields.
  • Keep in mind that the price depends on the validity period you select for your Gold Card.
  • You can leave the work address field empty if you don’t have a specific work address yet. However, be sure to provide a residential address within the first 30 days of arriving in Taiwan. 
  • Carefully read the instructions and choose the field you’re applying under. Otherwise, it would prolong the review process in case you decide to change this section after submitting.
  • Attach all relevant supporting documents in English or Chinese.
    • If you’re from Hong Kong or Macau, you’ll need to submit copies of resident and identity information. 
    • If you’re applying with the documents issued in the Mainland area, you’ll need to get them verified.   
    • Documents coming from the following countries must be verified by an overseas ROC representative: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bengal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cuba, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia. 

Step #2: Pay the application fees 

After you’ve completed the application, you’ll get an email with a 12-digit application number. Save this number, as you’ll need it in case you need to contact the help desk.  

Next up, you’ll need to log in to the platform again with your credentials, and click the Online Payment tab to pay the application fee. 

Keep in mind that the application fees depend on: 

  • Your country of origin, 
  • The validity period of your Gold Card, and 
  • The country you’re applying from. 

Moreover, fees also vary depending on whether you’re applying for the 1st time or for the Gold Card Extension. 

Here are the payment fees for different categories of applicants. 

Applicants with foreign passports other than US and US passport holders applying in Taiwan will pay:

  • NT$3,700 (~$121.22) for 1-year validity,
  • NT$4,700 (~$153.98) for 2-year validity, and  
  • NT$5,700 (~$186.74) for 3-year validity. 

US citizens applying for the Taiwan Gold Card from abroad will have to pay higher fees:

  • NT$6,300 (~$206.40) for 1-year validity,  
  • NT$7,300 (~$239.16) for 2-year validity, and 
  • NT$8,300  (~$271.93) for 3-year validity. 

Applicants with a valid Alien Resident certificate applying in Taiwan will pay the following fees: 

  • NT$1,500 (~$49.44) for 1-year validity, 
  • NT$2,500 (~$82.40) for 2-year validity, and 
  • NT$3,500 (~$115.36) for 3-year validity. 

The same fees apply to foreigners (other than Macau or Hong Kong residents) applying for the Gold Card extension.

Residents of Hong Kong or Macau will pay the following fees: 

  • NT$3,100 (~$102.19) for 1st-time application for any validity period, and 
  • NT$800 (~$26.37) for an extension for any validity period. 

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll get an email confirming that your application is now in review. 

Step #3: Have your passport checked

Once your application is reviewed and approved, you’ll receive an email asking you to submit your passport for passport check at your chosen Bureau of Consular Affairs or ROC mission office. 

Hong Kong and Macau residents are exempted from this requirement. 

All other nationals need to submit their passports along with the Passport Submission Notice received in the email. 

The verification process should take around a week, after which you’ll get an email notifying you that your Gold Card application has been approved. 

Step #4: Collect your Gold Card 

Finally, you’ll receive a notification to pick up your Gold Card. 

If you’ve applied from Taiwan, you can download the Payment Electronic Receipt from the online application platform and take it along with your passport to your chosen National Immigration Agency Service Center to collect your card. 

In case you’ve applied from another country, you can enter Taiwan with the “Republic of China Employment Gold Card Overseas Approval Certificate”. You can find this certificate in the “Download” section of the application platform. Be sure to print this document in color for it to be valid. 

Within your first 30 days in Taiwan, you’re required to collect your Gold Card following the same procedure outlined above (for applicants applying in Taiwan). 

Can I live in Taiwan without a digital nomad visa while working remotely? 

Yes, there are ways to live and work remotely in Taiwan without a digital nomad visa.

Depending on the country you’re coming from, you can stay in Taiwan and work remotely visa-free for up to 90 days. 

You can stay in Taiwan for up to 90 days without a digital nomad (or any other) visa if you’re a citizen of any of the following countries: 

  • EU (European Union) member state countries, 
  • EFTA (European Free Trade Association) member state countries,
  • Andora, 
  • Canada, 
  • Chile,
  • Eswatini, 
  • Guatemala, 
  • Haiti, 
  • Honduras, 
  • Israel,
  • Japan,
  • Marshall Islands,
  • Monaco,
  • New Zealand, 
  • Nicaragua, 
  • Palau, 
  • Paraguay,
  • San Marino, 
  • South Korea, 
  • Tuvalu, 
  • United States, and 
  • Vatican City.  

You can stay in Taiwan visa-free for up to 30 days if you’re a national of one of the following countries: 

  • Belize, 
  • Dominican Republic, 
  • Malaysia, 
  • Nauru, 
  • Saint Kitts and Nevis, 
  • Saint Lucia, 
  • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and 
  • Singapore. 

Russian nationals can stay in Taiwan for up to 21 days without a visa, on the condition that they don’t have a diplomatic passport. 

You can stay in Taiwan visa-free for up to 14 days if you’re a national of any of the following countries:

  • Brunei, 
  • Philippines, and 
  • Thailand.  

If you’re planning to stay in Taiwan without a visa, you’ll need the following documents: 

  • A passport valid for at least six months from the date of your entry, containing at least 2 pages for the entry and exit stamps,
  • A confirmed travel ticket as proof you’ll leave the country by the time your allowed visa-free period expires, 
  • Brunei, Philippines, Russia, and Thailand nationals will also need:
    • Proof of sufficient funds, 
    • Proof of accommodation in Taiwan, and 
    • Contact information from their contact or host in Taiwan. 

What other types of visas suitable for digital nomads does Taiwan offer?  

If you don’t meet the criteria for Taiwan Gold Card, you can explore the following Taiwan visa options that might be suitable for digital nomads:                             

  • Working Holidays Scheme,
  • Entrepreneur Visa, and 
  • Resident Visa. 

Let’s break down each of these visa options to help you decide which is best for you. 

Types of visas in Taiwan

Type #1: Working Holidays Scheme

The Working Holidays Scheme allows people from a specified list of countries to stay in Taiwan for up to 180 days with the option to extend their stay for another 180 days over a period of 1 year. 

You can apply for a Working Holidays Scheme if you’re a citizen of one of the following countries: 

  • New Zealand, 
  • Japan, 
  • Australia, 
  • Canada, 
  • Germany, 
  • Korea,
  • The United Kingdom, 
  • Ireland,
  • Belgium, 
  • The Slovak Republic, 
  • Poland, 
  • Hungary, 
  • Austria, 
  • Czechia,
  • France,
  • Luxembourg, and 
  • The Netherlands.  

In addition to being a citizen of these countries, you’ll need to meet other conditions to become eligible for the Taiwan working holidays scheme: 

  • You have not previously been a holder of the ROC working holiday visa, 
  • You have proved that your primary intention to stay in Taiwan is for holiday purposes, while work or employment may be an incidental and not a primary reason for your stay, 
  • Your age falls within the eligibility criteria for your country’s agreement guidelines, 
  • You’re not planning to apply for your family members to join you as dependents (they can join by applying separately), 
  • You have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in the ROC (NT$100,000 or ~$3,297), and 
  • You have full medical and hospitalization insurance that covers the duration of your stay in the ROC. 

To apply for the Taiwan working holidays visa, you’ll need the following documents: 

  • A completed application form (completed online, printed, and signed),
  • A passport valid for at least 12 months after your planned arrival to Taiwan,
  • 2 color passport size photos, 
  • A confirmed travel ticket as proof you’ll leave the country by the time your allowed working holiday visa period expires,
  • Proof of sufficient funds, 
  • Proof of health insurance, 
  • Paid application fee (prices vary depending on the country), and 
  • A clean criminal record certificate. 

Type #2: Entrepreneur Visa

For digital nomads who want to perform entrepreneurial or innovative startup activities in Taiwan, the best option might be the Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa. 

However, this type of visa comes with a more complex set of stipulations. 

To be granted the Taiwan entrepreneur visa, you need to meet the requirements prescribed by the Examination Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualifications for Foreign Nationals. 

You can access the full list in the resource above, however, some of the ways to qualify for the Taiwan entrepreneur visa include: 

  • Having an established enterprise with at least NT$1 million (~$32,914) investment in Taiwan, 
  • Having been shortlisted or awarded in official domestic/international fashion shows, film festivals, or other international award competitions, or
  • Having secured investment or funding of at least NT$2 million (~$65,652) from a government-approved domestic, foreign, or international startup fund-raising platform.  

If your entrepreneurial undertaking meets all the requirements listed in the directions above, you’ll be granted an entrepreneur visa with a 2-year validity period. You can extend your entrepreneur visa for a maximum of 2 additional years if you meet one of the following criteria: 

  • Your business has earned at least NT$3 million (~$98,736) in sales revenue, 
  • Your business employs at least 3 Taiwanese employees full-time, or 
  • You can demonstrate to the relevant authority that your business is positively contributing to Taiwan’s economic development.  

If you’re eligible for the Taiwan entrepreneur visa, here are the documents you need to submit: 

  • Application form,
  • Two recent passport-size color photos,
  • Valid passport and a passport copy, 
  • Documents requested by the Investment Commission at the Ministry of Economic Affairs, and 
  • Other supporting documents (may be required on a case-by-case basis). 

Type #3: Resident Visa

If you don’t qualify for any of the other visa options for Taiwan, you might find some of the Taiwan Resident Visas a viable alternative. 

In addition to some of the previously mentioned types of resident visas (such as a resident visa for minors joining a parent or resident visas for entrepreneurs), Taiwan offers resident visa options for several other categories of applicants: 

  • White collar workers, 
  • Overseas Chinese students, 
  • Foreign students, 
  • Missionary workers, and 
  • Participants in international exchange programs. 

The Taiwan resident visa is valid for 3 months. However, once you are granted a resident visa, you’re obliged to apply for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) at local National Immigration Agency centers within 15 days of your arrival to Taiwan. The Alien Resident Certificate validity determines the length of your stay in Taiwan. 

Here are the documents you need to apply for a resident visa for Taiwan: 

  • Application form,
  • Valid passport, 
  • 2 passport-size color photos (taken within the last 6 months),
  • Proof that you have paid the application fees (applicants in the ROC with a visitor visa looking to change to resident visa will have to pay an additional fee of NT $800 (~$23.3), however, foreign nationals of countries ROC has a reciprocal agreement with are exempted from paying any visa application fees),
  • Health certificate (if applicable), 
  • Supporting documents or official letters of approval from a relevant authority of the ROC, and 
  • Other relevant documents. 

Which Taiwan visa type is best for digital nomads? 

Considering all the information mentioned above, we can say that the Taiwan Employment Gold Card is by far the best option for digital nomads looking to stay in Taiwan long-term. 

Some of the most prominent reasons the Taiwan Gold Card qualifies as the best option include the following:

  • The Taiwan Gold Card is a 4-in-1 card allowing holders a resident visa, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), a work permit, and a re-entry permit. 
  • The application process for the Taiwan Gold Card is straightforward and you can finish the entire process online. 
  • You don’t need to secure a job before applying for the Taiwan Gold Card. 
  • As a first-time Gold Card holder, you can apply for a 50% tax exemption on your annual salary (on the condition that your annual salary income in the first 5 years is more than NT$3 million (~$98,736)). 
  • After 3 years as a Gold Card holder, you can apply for permanent residency (unless you’re Hong Kong or Macau resident). 
  • You can bypass the 6-month wait and directly join the Taiwan National Health Insurance system as a Gold Card holder employed in Taiwan or an employer or self-employed entrepreneur in Taiwan. 

After all, the numbers are a clear indicator of the popularity of the Taiwan Gold Card among professionals across all fields. Namely, according to the latest statistics by the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, 6,800 cards were approved from February 2018 to February 2023.

However, if you’re looking for a more short-term option with (almost) no strings attached, you can apply for the working holidays scheme. 

Costs you need to consider as a digital nomad in Taiwan

Once you’ve decided on a perfect visa option for your stay in Taiwan, it’s time to consider how the costs of living in Taiwan match the vision you have for your digital nomad experience in this country. 

Overall, Taiwan is not expensive compared to larger European and US cities and countries. Still, the costs are largely determined by your lifestyle, preferences, and of course, your income.

That being said, let’s take a closer look at the major expenses to help you get a rough estimate of the budget you’ll need as a digital nomad in Taiwan.

Expense #1: Rent (or accommodation)

First up, you’ll need to consider one of the highest expenses you’ll have as a digital nomad — rent or accommodation.

On average, monthly rent for 1-bedroom apartments in a city center in Taiwan costs between NT$8,000.00–NT$25,000.00 (~$263–$823) per month. At the same time, a 3-bedroom apartment in the same location costs between NT$20,000.00–NT$65,000.00 (~$635–$2,063) per month. 

Outside of the city center, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment for around NT$9,741.54 (~$319.63) per month, and a 3-bedroom for around NT$23,208.79 (~$761.50) per month. 

Of course, rent prices vary across different cities and regions. Larger cities like Taipei have considerably higher accommodation prices than smaller off-the-beaten-path destinations. So, this item in your budget list is largely determined by your general preferences in location. 

With that in mind, let’s get a closer look at the rent prices across 5 different most popular cities for digital nomads in Taiwan. 

City in Taiwan Average cost of rent for a 1-bedroom apartment (per month) 
TaipeiNT$15,000–NT$30,000 (~$492.27–$984.54)
KaohsiungNT$8,000–NT$15,000 (~$262.45–$492.27)
TainanNT$6,000–NT$16,000 (~$196.90–$525.07)
Kinmen NT$9,153.9–NT$18,303.7 (~$300–$600)
TaichungNT$8,500–NT$15,000(~$278.94–$492.27)

Expense #2: Utilities

A basic utility bill in Taiwan for an 85m2 apartment costs around NT$2,362.66 (~$77.53).  

This includes:

  • Electricity, 
  • Heating and AC, 
  • Water, and 
  • Garbage. 

Expense #3: Transportation

Taiwan is rather densely built, which makes it pedestrian and bike-friendly. This is not only the case in bigger cities, but a lot of smaller towns feature more or less the same infrastructure perfect for more active-oriented digital nomads and tourists. 

For those distances that can’t be easily covered on foot, Taiwan, fortunately, offers plenty of rather low-cost public transportation options. Of course, the prices vary depending on distances and the means of transportation, but public transportation in Taiwan is generally not expensive. 

A one-way city bus ticket is around NT$15 (~$0.49), while a metro ticket costs between NT$20 and NT$65 (~$0.65–$2.13). Depending on the destination distances, a regular train ticket is on average anywhere between NT$11 and NT$836 (~$0.36–$27.43), while the high-speed train ticket prices generally range from NT$35 to NT$2,500 (~$1.15–$82.02). 

If you prefer to explore Taiwan cities by bike, you’ll be able to rent bikes at a starting price of NT$5 (~$0.16) per 30 minutes.

Expense #4: Groceries 

Whether you’re not a fan of eating out in restaurants or you are on a tight budget, you’ll be happy to learn that groceries in Taiwan are pretty cheap, especially when compared to grocery prices in the US, for example. 

Taiwanese cuisine is famous for delicious seafood, rice, chicken, pork, and a wide array of seasonings, so you might want to explore markets and greengroceries for fresh produce and a great quality-price ratio.

If you want a rough average estimate of how much you’ll spend on groceries in Taiwan, here’s a list of average prices of some commonly bought groceries:

GroceriesGrocery prices in Taiwan
Milk (1l/~34 fl oz)NT$93.77 (~$3.07) 
BreadNT$60.53 (~$1.97)
Water (1,5l/~51 fl oz)NT$34.25 (~$1.12) 
Local cheese (1 kg/2.2lbs)NT$486.04 (~$15.04) 
Chicken fillets (1 kg)NT$247.86 (~$8.10) 
Red meat (1 kg)NT$592.39 (~$19.42) 
Tomatoes (1 kg)NT$100.84 (~$3.30) 
Apples (1kg)NT$126.29 (~$4.13) 

Expense #5: Restaurants and cafes

One of the best ways to soak up Taiwanese culture is to visit local restaurants and bars as well as the famous Taiwan night markets and try some of the delicious traditional meals.

Luckily, this endeavor won’t break the bank, as you’ll find great meals even at the smallest street food vendors.  

For example, you can get a regular-size portion of a street food meal for around NT$100 (~$3.30). 

At the same time, a 3-course meal for 2 people at a mid-range restaurant costs anywhere from NT$600 to NT$1,500 (~$19.66–$49.15), which is a bargain for the overall food quality and diversity of options you get. 

Prices in cafes and bars go from NT$31.20 (~$1.02) for a bottle of Coke or Pepsi and NT$180 (~$5.90) for a beer, while a bottle of mid-range wine is around NT$350 (~$11.47). 

Expense #6: Internet 

One of the greatest benefits of being a digital nomad in Taiwan is that you’re able to enjoy one of the fastest internet speeds in the world, pretty much anywhere in the country, at a bargain. 

The median download speed of fixed broadband Internet in Taiwan is currently 124.20 Mbps, while the median upload speed is 53.58 Mbps. 

Cable or ADSL Internet of 60 Mbps or more with unlimited data, costs around NT$731.50 (~$23.99) per month. 

A prepaid SIM card valid for 6 months with 36GB of data, costs around NT$1,006.13 (~$33). When shopping for a SIM card, be sure to check out online offers as you’ll often find more affordable deals than in stores. 

Expense #7: Coworking spaces 

If you’re accustomed to having a workstation separate from your living space, you’ll have to add the fees of a coworking space hot desk to your monthly list of expenses.

As a digital nomad in Taiwan, you’ll find plenty of options when it comes to coworking spaces you can rent a desk at. 

With an average monthly price of NT$6,345.10 (~$208), Taiwan is on the list of countries with the most expensive monthly hot desk prices.  

While coworking space fees in Taiwan are on the pricier side compared to global prices, you can still shop around for deals and get great options for as little as NT$4,574.92 (~$150) per month even in bigger cities such as Taipei. 

Do digital nomads pay tax in Taiwan?

Digital nomads will have to pay taxes in Taiwan. Depending on your resident status and the duration of your stay, you’ll have different rates, documents required, and possible favorable regimes.

  • Non-residents (either staying in Taiwan for less than 91 days, or longer than 90, but less than 183 days in a taxable year) will have to pay a flat rate based on the taxed category before their departure. Alternatively, they can file annual tax returns from May 1st to May 31st for the previous year. 
  • Residents (people staying in Taiwan for at least 183 days in a taxable year) will pay a progressive tax rate with rates ranging from 5% to 40%. The filing period is the same for all taxpayer categories. 

As mentioned earlier, 1st time Gold Card holders enjoy special tax reliefs. If their annual salary income in the first 5 years is more than NT$3 million (~$98,736) they can get a 50% tax exemption on their annual salary.

Documents required for paying taxes in Taiwan

The list of documents required for paying Taxes in Taiwan is determined by the residency status.

Non-residents will need the following documents:

  • A valid passport, 
  • An Alien Resident Certificate (if applicable), 
  • Withholding and non-withholding tax statements, 
  • Other applicable income statements, and 
  • Certificates of income earned overseas verified by foreign local tax authorities (for non-residents staying in Taiwan for more than 91 days in a taxable year. 

Residents staying in Taiwan for more than 183 days in a taxable year will have to submit a considerably longer list of documents including but not limited to the following: 

  • A valid passport, 
  • An Alien Resident Certificate (if applicable), 
  • Withholding and non-withholding tax statements, 
  • Other applicable income statements,
  • Certificates of income earned overseas verified by foreign local tax authorities (for non-residents staying in Taiwan for more than 91 days in a taxable year,
  • Supporting documentation for exemptions for family members and dependents, and 
  • Supporting documentation for itemized deductions. 

What are the benefits of being a digital nomad in Taiwan?

Despite some minor drawbacks, Taiwan is considered a digital nomad- and expat-friendly country.

From the colorful and welcoming culture to amazing public transportation and a great healthcare system, Taiwan has it all for every type of digital nomad out there. 

Let’s break down all the most prominent pros of living in Taiwan as a digital nomad.  

Benefits of being a digital nomad in Taiwan

Benefit #1: Colorful and welcoming culture

One of the first and most distinct benefits of Taiwan is the amazing friendliness and hospitality you’ll notice from the moment you set foot there. Even the language barrier can’t come between the desire of Taiwanese people to showcase their welcoming attitude toward foreigners.

Although English is not commonly spoken in all areas of the country, you’ll often find people using translating apps to be able to greet you, provide helpful information, or simply ask about your day or your experience staying in Taiwan. 

On top of that, you’ll also enjoy getting immersed in a one-of-a-kind blend of traditional and modern culture most notable for amazing visual arts, architecture, and performing arts. Choosing Taiwan as your digital nomad destination means your off-work hours will be spent: 

Speaking of food, let’s not forget that Taiwan is widely known for having the most delicious and versatile cuisine. With 4 official meals a day, it’s clear that the food culture is a big part of Taiwanese cultural tradition, and the options are endless. Even if you’re not a big foodie, you simply won’t be able to resist some of their statement street food delicacies such as grilled seafood, coffin bread, rice cakes, and a massively popular bubble tea.  

Benefit #2: Great healthcare system

If you’re planning on becoming a digital nomad in Taiwan, you’ll be happy to learn that the country has one of the highest-ranked healthcare systems in the world. The Taiwan healthcare system is 2nd globally based on the following categories:

  • Healthcare infrastructure, 
  • Healthcare professional competencies, 
  • Cost, 
  • Quality medicine availability, and 
  • Government readiness.

Moreover, expats praise Taiwanese healthcare for being affordable and widely accessible, which is a considerable benefit for digital nomads planning to leave the security of their home country’s healthcare system temporarily. 

Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) system follows an efficient, universal framework that allows everyone to have proper medical care for any type of treatment needed. In addition to being affordable and widely accessible, Taiwanese NHI allows citizens the full freedom to choose between private medical establishments they want to be treated at. 

Digital nomads staying in Taiwan can enter the NHI 6 months after obtaining the Resident Certificate. However, you can bypass the waiting period and join the National Health Insurance on one of the following conditions: 

  • If you get legal employment in Taiwan, you can immediately apply for NHI. 
  • If you are a Gold Card holder with an employer or self-employed business owner status, you can apply for NHI immediately upon receiving the Resident Certificate. (This also applies to your dependents who have obtained Resident Certificate(s).)

Benefit #3: Affordable and accessible public transportation

Public transportation in Taiwan is known to be fast, safe, clean, reliable, and cheap. On top of that, the Taiwanese government has announced the initiative to replace all diesel public buses with electric ones by 2030. The plan is implemented by introducing 1,000 electric buses each year.   

In addition to city and long-distance buses, other most popular affordable means of getting around Taiwan include:

  • Public bikes —  For shorter inter-city destinations, you’ll find plenty of public bike docking stations, especially in larger cities in Taiwan. 
  • Trains — Along with a great standard railway system, Taiwan also has a high-speed rail system operating in 11 cities. With up to 300 kilometers per hour (186.41 mph) speeds, the high-speed trains are perfect for cross-country travel. For example, you can get from Taipei in the north to Kaohsiung in the south by high-speed trains in around 95 minutes. 
  • Metro — The metro system is another convenient and affordable way to get around bigger cities such as Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Taoyuan. 

That being said, driving is also an option, especially for digital nomads living in Taipei, which is the only city in Taiwan that is considered safe and where traffic laws are generally obeyed. Scooters are the most popular and most convenient means of navigating the narrow streets and generally disorganized traffic culture in Taiwan. 

Outside of Taipei, driving culture is rather chaotic, and you might be better off taking public transportation if you’re not used to navigating these conditions. 

Benefit #4: Great overall safety

All factors considered, Taiwan is a very safe country to live and work in. Whether you’re a digital nomad, an expat, or a female solo traveler, you should have a pleasant and welcoming experience staying in Taiwan. 

The overwhelming majority of expats (98%) in the previously cited Expat Insider 2022 report by InterNations shared feeling safe in Taiwan. 

Moreover, statistics on the crime rate in Taiwan show a decreasing trend. In 2021, Taiwan had around 1,036 reported crimes per 100,000 inhabitants, which is considerably lower compared to the 1,101 incidents per 100,000 inhabitants reported in the year before. 

Although the numbers alone place Taiwan in a medium range globally, it’s important to note that for example, the US metrics for this category are higher by more than double. And, considering that the most common types of crimes reported in Taiwan are theft and drug-related offenses, while more severe crimes are lower compared to other Asia Pacific countries, we can understand why the vast majority of expats in Taiwan report feeling rather safe in the country. 

Taiwan is the 30th safest country in the world when it comes to social safety and security, the extent of ongoing domestic and international conflict, and the degree of militarization. 

When it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, Taiwan ranks 39th on the LGBTQ+ World Equality Index list. More importantly, having become the first country in the region to legally recognize same-sex marriages in 2019 puts Taiwan on the right track in terms of securing more safety and inclusivity moving forward. 

Benefit #5: Perfect mix of urban living and nature

Whether you’re looking for a relaxing experience in beautiful nature or you prefer getting immersed in the bustling big city energy, you’ll find it all in Taiwan. 

A small island nation, Taiwan offers something for any type of digital nomad. From basking in the sun on gorgeous beaches and hiking the magnificent trails to exploring big cities like a local — by bike, there’s no limit to the type of activity and scenery you can enjoy in Taiwan. 

Most importantly, you don’t have to opt for just one option, nor take long trips for a change of scenery. Another great advantage of Taiwan for digital nomads is its relatively small size, so you’ll be able to explore the entire country in just a couple of weekends and a few short train or bus trips.  

If you’re looking for a nomadic experience that offers a perfect work-life balance, you’ll most certainly find it in Taiwan. 

What are the drawbacks of being a digital nomad in Taiwan?

Although Taiwan scores high on the list of countries digital nomads and expats like to stay at, it’s not without its limitations.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common cons you may encounter as a digital nomad in Taiwan. 

Drawbacks of being a digital nomad in Taiwan

Drawback #1: Complex banking

Historically, the biggest inconvenience foreigners face in Taiwan has been related to banking issues. 

Almost half of the respondents (48%) in the previously cited 2022 Gold Card Community Survey, said that the banking services were overwhelmingly inflexible, outdated, and time-consuming. 

This issue apparently goes as far as to make it extremely complex for ARC and Gold Card holders to perform basic banking processes. Even setting up a banking account can take a month and multiple visits to the bank, according to respondents’ feedback. 

However, before you let this factor discourage you from staying in Taiwan, it’s important to mention that things are changing for the better. Authorities have taken notice of the issue and are taking steps to improve banking for foreign nationals, which shows in a slight decrease in the percentage of people experiencing this issue in 2022 compared to 2021.   

Drawback #2: Poor air quality

Taiwan has been experiencing bad luck with air quality, most notably with the high concentration of PM10 particulate matter, which reached some dangerous levels in the past couple of years. 

Aside from fossil fuel combustion, for the most part, the reasons behind poor air quality in Taiwan are beyond the control of Taiwanese people and authorities. 

The topography of Taiwan cities (with high mountains surrounding large industrial centers) acts as a trapping system for pollutants, making it much more difficult to fight this issue. 

Moreover, another significant aggravating factor is that during winter months the winds bring polluted air from China, which has a long track record of dealing with the worst air quality in the world. 

Luckily, the air quality in Taiwan shows continuous improvement year by year thanks to a number of pivotal measures that have been implemented since extremely high concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 were identified in 2014. 

Drawback #3: Common language barriers

Even though, as a digital nomad staying in a foreign country, you might expect to experience some level of communication barriers based on languages (at least in less urban areas), this issue seems particularly pronounced in Taiwan.  

Language barriers came second on the list of most common issues the Gold Card community experienced in Taiwan, with 45% of respondents citing this issue as the biggest problem they came across in Taiwan. 

This doesn’t come as a total surprise, given that Taiwan has historically ranked low in the EF’s global English Proficiency Index.    

Still, you can get along just fine using English in larger centers like Taipei, while in smaller, less urban areas, you’ll need the help of a translating app. 

Moreover, things seem to be looking up in this segment as well, especially since Taiwan has announced the Bilingual 2030 policy aimed at improving its global competitiveness through higher English proficiency.     

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5 Best destinations for digital nomads in Taiwan

Now that you learned all about the different ways of staying in Taiwan as a digital nomad and the benefits of doing so, it’s time to pick where exactly to stay.

Although you might be tempted to explore the entire country while you’re there, especially given that Taiwan is a small island country, you’d still need a more temporary base to stay and work from. 

To help you narrow your choices and make a well-informed decision, we picked the top 5 spots in Taiwan that best cater to the digital nomad lifestyle. 

5 Best destinations for digital nomads in Taiwan

Taipei — best for digital nomads overall

Population: 2.646 million 

City area: 104.942 mi² (271.8 km2)

Time zone: GMT+8

Average Internet speed: 135.62 Mbps (median download speed), 55.30 Mbps (median upload speed) 

Average cost of living: NT$90,740.8 (~$2,973.39) per month for a family of four, NT$24,875.9 (~$815.13) per month for a single person (rent not included) 

Average rent: NT$10,000–NT$18,000 (~$328–$590) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city center

Biggest advantage: The biggest expat and digital nomad community 

Biggest drawback: More expensive than the rest of the country 

You can’t go wrong with choosing Taipei as your home base as a digital nomad in Taiwan. 

As the country’s capital, it offers pretty much anything a modern-day digital nomad could ask for — from a wide variety of coworking spaces and fast and accessible Internet to great overall safety and plenty of things to do during off-hours. 

Although densely built and populated, Taipei has a rather calm and relaxed vibe to it. You’ll be able to work outside, either in one of the coffee shops and restaurants or at one of the many gorgeous riverside parks, and soak up the wonderful nature while still enjoying all the big city amenities and conveniences. 

Given that it’s pretty easy to get around, you’ll have plenty of time and opportunity to explore and take part in some of the unique activities, such as: 

  • Soaking in Taipei’s Beitou Hot Spring, 
  • Visiting Confucius Temple, Mengjia Longshan Temple, Ciyou Temple, and other glorious city’s temples,
  • Trying street food delicacies at Taipei’s night markets, and 
  • Hiking the Elephant Mountain. 

You’ll find a large and vibrant digital nomad community, especially in popular neighborhoods such as: 

  • Da’an, 
  • Zhongzhen, and 
  • Wanhua. 

Where to work in Taipei

As the largest business and digital nomad hub in Taiwan, Taipei offers hundreds of coworking spaces throughout the city. The highest-rated one, according to Google, is the Hive Taipei with a 4.8-star rating out of 455 reviews.  

Kaohsiung — best for those looking for a working vacation spot

Population: 2.773 million

City area: 1,139.774 mi² (2,952 km2)

Time zone: GMT+8

Average Internet speed: 171.26 Mbps (median download speed), 63.52 Mbps (median upload speed) 

Average cost of living: NT$77,449.6 (~$2,537.86) per month for a family of four, NT$21,556.5 (~$706.36) per month for a single person (rent not included) 

Average rent: NT$5,000–NT$12,000 (~$163–$393) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city center

Biggest advantage: Affordable with plenty of outdoor activities 

Biggest drawback: Low English speaking proficiency 

If you’re looking for an even more relaxed, vacation vibe, you should definitely check out Kaohshiung. This lovely city in southern Taiwan offers the perfect base for digital nomads looking to take advantage of the excellent wifi speeds, work by the beach, explore the city on their breaks, and adopt a little slower pace — all for a much cheaper price compared to Taipei. 

Aside from being the perfect working vacation spot, Kaohsiung also offers plenty of coworking spaces, and, as one of the central nomadic hubs in the country, it hosts a large number of digital nomads, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and network with nomads from all around the world. 

One significant limitation you will encounter in Kaohsiung is that hardly any locals speak any English. Luckily, they more than make up for this slight inconvenience with their openness, kindness, and willingness to help, so you’ll have nothing to worry about in this regard. Moreover, most cafes and restaurants have double menus, and there are plenty of doctors and medical staff who speak English, so you should be fine even if you don’t speak any Mandarin. 

Where to work in Kaohsiung

If working from the beach or out of your accommodation doesn’t sound appealing to you, you’ll be able to find a nice coworking setup in Kaohsiung. Currently, the WEE joint office has the highest rating according to Google — 4.5 stars from 99 votes. 

Tainan — best for those looking for a quieter, smaller city vibe 

Population: 1.881 million

City area: 845.33 mi² (2,192 km2)

Time zone: GMT+8

Average Internet speed: 136.51 Mbps (median download speed), 59.92 Mbps (median upload speed) 

Average cost of living: NT$61,128 (~$2,000) per month for a family of four, NT$21,397 (~$700) per month for a single person (rent not included) 

Average rent: NT$5,000–NT$15,000 (~$163–$491) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city center

Biggest advantage: Quiet, spacious, and uncrowded 

Biggest drawback: There isn’t a big nomadic community 

If you’re looking for a city with all the modern conveniences and amenities at cheaper prices and without the big city crowd and noise, Tainan might just be up your alley. 

Although you won’t find a huge nomadic scene in the city, Tainan will provide a perfect work base for when you need peace and quiet to do your most productive work. The internet speed is great, so you don’t have to worry about a poor internet connection messing up your important video calls or project deadlines.  

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Tainan is also ideal if you’re on a budget, as it allows plenty of value for a pretty affordable price. The city seems spacious, yet it’s compactly built, so getting around is really easy — you can walk or ride a bike pretty much anywhere without having to suffer heavy traffic.       

Even though Tainan doesn’t feature a crazy nightlife scene, you can still have plenty of fun exploring the city’s cultural and historical landmarks such as the spectacular Chihkan Tower and the epic Anping Tree House. Taiwan’s spiritual capital, Tainan, is home to the largest number of temples in the country. The Xiaonan City God Temple and the Sanshan Guowang Temple are just a few of the must-visit religious sites. 

Where to work in Tainan

Although it doesn’t have as many coworking spaces as Taipei, Tainan offers a decent number of nice coworking options for any type of digital nomad. Currently, CoGood Space has the highest 5-star rating out of 140 reviews, according to Google. 

Kinmen — best for those looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience

Population: 127,723

City area: 51.27 mi² (132.8 km2)

Time zone: GMT+8

Average Internet speed: 162.18 Mbps (median download speed), 34.12 Mbps (median upload speed) 

Average cost of living: around NT$61,018 (~$2,000) per month 

Average rent: around NT$19,189.720 (~$629) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment in center 

Biggest advantage: Plenty of history and culture to explore 

Biggest drawback: There isn’t a strong nomadic community 

Digital nomads looking for a remote, off-the-beaten-track location will find Kinmen Islands to their liking. This one-of-a-kind destination features pristine nature and plenty of historical, cultural, and architectural sites. What’s more, admission to all the museums and sites is completely free of charge. 

Even though you may not find a huge digital nomad community in Kinmen, you’ll definitely have a full itinerary complete with: 

  • Visiting the Kinmen Military Headquarters of the Qing Dynasty, 
  • Chasing the Blue Tears phenomenon along the Kinmen shores, and 
  • Exploring the Minnan-style architecture in the Kinmen Folk Culture Village. 

Although Kinmen gives off vacation vibes, it’s not necessarily for the party-oriented individuals looking for exciting nightlife options, so keep it in mind if you’re looking for a vibrant party scene. Either way, it’s definitely worth visiting, at least for a weekend trip, as it’s only around an hour away from Taipei by air. 

Where to work in Kinmen

Kinmen is a small, quite remote archipelago without many modern amenities, and this is also very well reflected in the lack of coworking spaces. 古洋楼 养・拙 创生实验基地 is one of the only 3 coworking spaces currently available in Kinmen. It has a high rating of 5 stars based on 27 votes. 

Taichung — best for those looking for a big city vibe on a budget 

Population: 2.817 million 

City area: 855.2163 mi² (2,215 km2)

Time zone: GMT+8

Average Internet speed: 94.50 Mbps (median download speed), 44.58 Mbps (median upload speed) 

Average cost of living: NT$81,845.5 (~$2,689.033) per month for a family of four, NT$22,395.7 (~$735.81) per month for a single person (rent not included) 

Average rent: NT$7,500–NT$13,000 (~$246.3–$427) per month for a 1-bedroom apartment outside of the city center

Biggest advantage:  Up-and-coming digital nomad hub 

Biggest drawback: Unregulated traffic 

You could say that Taichung is essentially Taipei but on a smaller scale. It has all the modern amenities to help you get your job done plus plenty of things to do and explore, but it’s less expensive and less condensed. 

You’ll never be short of things to do on your off hours or days. History and culture aficionados will enjoy visiting world-renowned spots such as the Taichung Martyr’s Shrine, Rainbow Village, and the 921 Earthquake Museum, while adventure-seekers can get their dose of adrenalin exploring the magnificent surrounding hiking trails. 

The city is also home to a growing digital nomad and expat community, most of whom are located in the Xitun District, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet and mingle with like-minded individuals from all over the globe.  

On the minus side, Taichung is not necessarily pedestrian or cycling-friendly. There are not many cycling paths and public transportation options compared to other cities, and the traffic is generally unregulated and chaotic, so you’ll often see motorbikes making shortcuts through the sidewalks. 

Where to work in Taichung

As a fast-growing digital nomad hub, Taichung offers a solid choice of coworking spaces. Based on Google reviews, Monospace currently tops the list with a 4.7-star rating out of 211 reviews. 

Tips for digital nomads in Taiwan

Depending on your cultural and geographical background, Taiwan may catch you off guard in terms of its weather and cultural peculiarities. 

That’s why we’ve compiled an additional set of tips to help you settle more easily. 

Tip #1: Check the weather conditions 

If you’re planning to settle in Taiwan long-term, make sure to analyze specific weather conditions for that particular region across different seasons. 

The climate in Taiwan is mostly subtropical, characterized by hot and humid summers and cool to mild winters. However, if you plan on staying in the country’s most southern parts — expect more extreme, tropical temperatures. 

Moreover, Taiwan is known for being affected by the strongest typhoons in the world, with the eastern parts being hit the hardest. Therefore, to remain completely safe, try to avoid staying there during the late summer to early fall period. Alternatively, make sure to stay in the loop on all the latest news and announcements and regularly check reliable weather forecast services, and prepare to stay indoors for a while. 

Tip #2: Use the time difference to your advantage 

Most digital nomads who have lived in Taiwan while working remotely for a company in the US or Europe have found working across different time zones to be rather convenient. If you’re working remotely from Taiwan, chances are you are going to be at least a couple of hours ahead of most of your international colleagues. 

This can prove challenging when trying to set up meeting schedules that accommodate everyone, but it can also be a nice advantage you can use to establish a great work-life balance and embrace asynchronous team collaboration and flexible work.  

Tip #3: Mind the context in (business) communication

If you’re coming from one of the countries with a more direct, low-context approach to communication (USA, Australia, Germany, Sweden, UK), be mindful of the cultural differences you’ll experience in Taiwan in this regard. 

The Taiwanese communication style relies heavily on context and non-verbal cues and gestures, so try to adapt your communication to improve mutual understanding and communication effectiveness. This is especially important in business communication, but you’ll also benefit from adding more context and improving your active listening in everyday communication as well.  

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Further reading for digital nomads in Taiwan

If you’ve read this entire guide, you should practically know everything you need to get a Taiwan digital nomad visa and settle in the country. 

However, no matter how all-encompassing the digital nomad guide is, it simply can’t cover everything. Therefore, we’ve prepared some additional sources to give you a bit more insight into all things Taiwan’s digital nomad visa:

  • Taiwan Employment Gold Card Office —  the official website of the Taiwan Employment Gold Card office providing information on the application process, qualifications, and all additional details concerning the Taiwan Gold Card program.
  • Taiwan Gold Card Community — an unofficial website run by the Gold Card community in Taiwan offering opportunities to meet and share experiences with fellow Gold Card holders.
  • NomadList and The Nomadic Network — communities of digital nomads living and traveling around the world.  

Taiwan: Asia’s next digital nomad hotspot

With a relatively low cost of living, excellent public transportation, fast Internet, plenty of culture to explore, hiking trails, bike paths, and night markets, Taiwan is a perfect base for digital nomads. 

Thanks to several visa options for digital nomads mentioned above, expats and digital nomads around the globe can come to experience life in one of the happiest countries in Asia and one of the highest-rated countries by the expat and digital nomad community.

One of the many reasons Taiwan has been on the many digital nomads’ radar is the 4-in-1 Gold Card program which offers the chance to stay for up to 3 years while enjoying excellent benefits and reliefs.  

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If you want to explore other options for digital nomads in different countries globally, be sure to check out our digital nomad hub which offers complete guides on digital nomad visas for various countries: 

Taiwan digital nomad visa guide disclaimer

We hope this Taiwan digital nomad visa guide has been helpful and that you enjoyed reading it. Throughout the guide, we have given you various links that might lead you to new interesting data or simply to articles that will expand your knowledge on various Taiwan-related topics.

Please bear in mind that our article has been written in Q2 of 2023, so any changes that are made in the Taiwan digital nomad visa procedures or laws after that time have not been included. 

Before you start the application process, we advise you to consult with certified representatives, lawyers, and institutions that can provide you with all the information needed. 

Pumble is not responsible for any negative responses, losses, or risks incurred, should this guide be used without further guidance from legal and other official advisors.

References: 

Explore further

Chapter 1

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for Europe

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for Europe
Chapter 2

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for Asia

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for Asia
Chapter 3

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for the Americas

Digital Nomad Visa Guides for the Americas
Chapter 4

Additional Materials for Digital Nomads

Additional Materials for Digital Nomads

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