TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Legislators in Taiwan are evaluating a proposal to freeze the budget for the Employment Gold Card program due to concerns about its effectiveness. The National Development Council (NDC, 國發會) launched the program in 2018, offering a resident visa, work permit, Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), and re-entry permit to attract foreign talent to Taiwan.
As of August, the NDC reported 7,198 valid Employment Gold Cards, with only 3,352 holders, or 46.6%, residing in Taiwan. This statistic has prompted calls for stricter measures to ensure the program's success. Legislators now propose measures that would require foreign professionals to work in Taiwan for a minimum period or meet specific outcomes to retain their cards.
Kuomintang Legislator Lu Yu-ling (呂玉玲) highlighted that over 11,000 cards have been issued since the program's inception. Tracy Chen (陳瑞珠), a human resources expert, suggested establishing key performance indicators to ensure foreign talent significantly benefits Taiwan's industries.
The NDC stressed that the Employment Gold Card offers freedom without mandating holders to stay in Taiwan, aiming to foster international connections and industry upgrades. Chang Feng-yi (張烽益), CEO of the Taiwan Labor and Social Policy Research Association (TLSA, 台灣勞動與社會政策研究協會), urged the government to assess the card's impact on Taiwan's economy and employment.
Additional supportive measures could enhance the program's overall efficacy by allowing foreign professionals earning a monthly salary of NT$160,000 or more to seek and change jobs freely.