Program Statistics — February 2026 (Latest Available)
March 2026 Gold Card statistics have not been published as of May 4. Based on the observed 6-week publication lag, March figures are expected mid-May 2026. April figures are expected approximately June 2026.
Valid cards: 8,372 | Cumulative approvals (Feb 2018 – Feb 28, 2026): 15,924
Net valid card gain Jan→Feb: +54 (8,318 → 8,372) | Total approvals gained in same window: +209 (15,715 → 15,924)
The cumulative approval count of 15,924 as of Feb 28, 2026 represents a gain of 1,017 approvals over the Oct 2025 baseline of 14,907 — a pace of approximately 204 approvals/month across the Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 window.
NIA Procedural Update — April 21, 2026
NIA published updated online application guidelines for the Employment Gold Card on April 21, 2026 (reference 0921). The revision covers document submission requirements for foreign specialist professionals and Hong Kong/Macau residents. No substantive eligibility changes were included; the update aligns procedures with the January 1, 2026 Talent Act amendments.
Articles 28–29 — June 30, 2026 Activation (57 Days)
Articles 28 and 29 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals activate June 30, 2026 — 57 days from the date of this report. No implementation guidance, subsidiary regulations, application procedures, or approved-service-provider lists have been published as of May 4.
Article 29: Persons aged 65+ with 10+ years legal residence may apply for long-term care evaluation and access LTC services (home-based care, day care centers, transportation assistance).
Eligibility — Unchanged
No changes to eligibility criteria or the NTD 160,000/month before-tax salary threshold. All January 1, 2026 Talent Act amendments remain in effect without modification:
Standard: 3 years avg 183 days/year (down from 5 years; average calculated across qualifying period) | Fast track (NTD 6M+/year earners): 1 year | Top-1,500 university graduates: exempt from 2-year work experience requirement | Top-200 graduates: personal open work permit up to 2 years | Spouses: direct open work permit (no employer sponsorship) | Employment Insurance (unemployment + parental leave): now available for APRC holders (Bureau of Labor Insurance, eff. Jan 1, 2026) | Labor Pension System: now eligible without APRC
NDC Recruitment — Policy Signals
NDC Minister Yeh Jiunn-hsien announced on March 16, 2026 that the government had proactively contacted sports authorities to assist MLB player Stuart Fairchild (Cleveland Guardians outfielder who represented Chinese Taipei at the 2026 World Baseball Classic) in applying for the Employment Gold Card. This marks the first publicly documented case of NDC directly initiating a Gold Card application on behalf of a named individual, framed as part of a strategy to build a sports industry talent chain.
Taiwan Career Day was held April 25, 2026 at the Santa Clara Convention Center — a Talent Taiwan / Taiwan Next joint event connecting professionals with Taiwan-based employers. NDC Director Jonathan Liao participated in a panel at Stanford University's Visions of Taiwan's Future conference on April 30, 2026. US recruitment trips remain confirmed for July 2026 and October 2026; no specific city itineraries or event formats have been published as of May 4.
Approval Likelihood Assessment
Assessment unchanged from prior periods. Digital/Economy field applicants meeting the NTD 160,000/month threshold with documented income from a qualifying tax year within the 3-year lookback period face the lowest friction. Review time: 20 working days standard; up to 40 if additional documents requested; applicants with Mainland China connections should budget 1–2 additional months. NTD 5M asset APRC pathway remains legally valid with inconsistent NIA approval; no documented approved cases on record.
Watch Items
June 30, 2026: Articles 28–29 activate — implementation guidance still absent.
July 2026: NDC US recruitment trip (details unpublished).
October 2026: NDC US recruitment trip (details unpublished).