 Happy Ghost Month! In Taiwan and many other Asian countries where Buddhism or Taoism is practiced, ghost month (鬼月 Guǐ Yuè), or the seventh month of the lunar calendar, is an important festival when it is believed that the dead come to visit the realm of the living, and it is an important time for…Read More
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 Applying for credit cards in Taiwan can be scary and confusing. Many banks may reject you outright or ask for a Taiwanese guarantor to co-sign on the card. However, there are many banks in Taiwan that do not require a guarantor and are friendly to foreigners. There are also many great credit card deals out there in Taiwan that can help you save money, receive special, benefits, and earn rewards. In this blog, we will list some of the best credit cards out there for foreigners in Taiwan.
Full blog: https://taiwantravelblog.com/taiwan-credit-card-guide 
Typical interior of a Taiwan local bank.
Banking in Taiwan as a foreigner can be a frustrating experience, especially with a language barrier and cultural gaps. Banking still is a major pain even for long-time residents. However, we have made this guide to help make banking in Taiwan a little easier, more efficient, and more beneficial, especially for expats new to Taiwan.
For a comparison of banks in Taiwan, you can check out our Taiwan Bank Comparison Guide here. You can also check out our Taiwan credit card guide here. Note: The following Q+A is based on personal experience and is for reference only. this is not an exhaustive analysis of Taiwan's banking sector. Each bank has different policies, and the employees in the banks may not even know their own policies for foreigners. My Overall Experience Banking as a Foreigner in Taiwan 外國人在台灣使用銀行的個人心得: My experience banking in Taiwan has been a mixed bag. Besides lots of wait times and loads of paperwork, I have noticed that many banking functions are not available for foreigners, such as buying stocks and bonds, buying gold, and buying mutual funds. It took me an entire month to buy mutual funds for my kids. First I went to the bank to ask how to do it. Then they gave me forms to fill out. I filled them out and brought them back to the bank. They said the forms were filled out wrong. I corrected them and went back to the bank. They said because it was Saturday they could not process the account (post office bank) so I had to go back on a weekday. I went back on a weekday. Later, they said that some documents were still not okay. I went back and fixed the documents again. After that, I waited for the mutual fund account to open. Then I had to go back and transfer money into the accounts. In the end, simply buying mutual funds took me three weeks and six(!!!) trips to the bank, wasting countless hours of my time. I cannot think of a more inefficient process that I have ever been a part of. All of this being said, banking in Taiwan still gets the job done most of the time, and foreigners are able to move their money freely because Taiwan does not have foreign exchange controls. 
The nursery or "infant room 嬰兒室 Yīng'ér shì," where the baby will stay for three days after birth.
Taiwan is a safe, inexpensive, and convenient place to give birth. Taiwan has a world class healthcare system, capable doctors, and top of the line medical facilities. If you are hesitant about whether or not you want to give birth in Taiwan, let me tell you now that there is nothing to worry about, and having a baby in Taiwan will be fine. I have created this brief guide here for you so that you can understand a little more about what it is like to give birth in Taiwan.
Forward: Please note that I am writing this blog and FAQ section from the perspective of an American father, married to a Taiwan National, covered by Taiwan's National Health Insurance. I have recently gone through the birth of two children in Taiwan, born in 2017 and 2020. One was born in a private local clinic and the other was born in a public city hospital.
This blog will begin with my experience, and at the end there is a frequently asked question (FAQ) section.
In an effort to treat foreign residents equally, Taiwan's Ministry of the Interior responded to complaints of foreign residents by changing the ARC Uniform ID numbering system to match the format used by Taiwan citizens. Because of this, every foreigner must change their ARC number the next time they change or update their ARC card starting Jan. 1 2021. So what do you need to do after your ARC number has changed?
An APRC (short for Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, aka PR) is perhaps the most desirable immigration status for most foreigners in Taiwan. By simply living in Taiwan for five years or more in a row and meeting a few other requirements, you can enjoy permanent residency in Taiwan and an open work permit. However the process and requirements are not so straight forward depending on your situation, therefore we have created this guide to help answer some common questions.
Foreword: Please note that this guide is for reference only. The ultimate authority on what documents are required and whether or not your application will be accepted is the immigration bureau. Some of the information in the blog may be inaccurate for your specific situation. For clarifications, please call the foreigner hotline directly (toll free): 0800-024-111. This information for this blog was taken from the NIA website and personal experience such as from calls to the immigration office, and in person visits to the immigration office. Personally I applied for an APRC as the spouse of a Taiwan national. My personal experience getting my APRC was a confusing and difficult process. I made many mistakes along the way. I have listed some of the key takeaways from this process as follows.
Need help obtaining a visa to Taiwan? We recommend using Ivisa.com. Now let's start the Q+A.
Taiwan fruits are the best. They are one of the main reasons we love Taiwan and have decided to stay in Taiwan for the long term. Although the fruits in Taiwan are highly seasonal, you can always find delicious and sweet fruit here year-round. If you come from a non-tropical country, you have likely been missing out on the full sweet flavor that these fruits are meant to have.
As an American coming to Taiwan for the first time, I was wary of the fruits. From my experience in the US, pineapples, mangos, and passion fruit had always been sour and nasty. Only when I tried the tropical fruit in Taiwan did I realize that the pineapples, mangos, passion fruit, and everything else were sweeter than candy. More Taipei Food Related Tours: You can eat your way through Taipei through such tours and activities as Taiwanese Breakfast Cooking Class in Taipei, Taiwanese Gourmet Cooking Class in Taipei, or Xiao Long Bao, Chicken vermicelli with mushroom and sesame oil, Tofu strips salad, Bubble milk tea. Taiwan Traditional Delicacies Cooking Class and more on TripAdvisor here. You can also search for tours on Klook here, or KKday here. 
Tax season is here. In Taiwan, taxes must be filed before May 31st. As a foreigner, you might be wondering how to file a tax return and what the regulations are. Luckily Taiwan has made it easy by creating an online tax filing system that you can complete from your computer, although you do still have to physically send some forms to the tax office. Let us answer some common questions about tax filing that might come up:
Forward: The following is Q+A for tax year 2023 only, based on information provided on Taiwan's Ministry of Finance website for your reference only. Personal income tax can be a complicated issue; for specific answers regarding your tax situation please contact the Taiwan tax office: +886-2-2311-3711. Press 7 for English service. The ultimate decision for tax payable is up to the discretion of the Taiwan tax office. Q: When should I file Taxes? A: Between May 1st to May 31st after the tax year (tax year is same as calendar year). If you are leaving the country and do not plan to return to Taiwan, you must file an early tax return within 10 days before you leave. We recommend going to the tax office in person for an early filing. Q: When are Taiwan tax payments due? A: Tax payments are due by May 31st, after which there will be penalties for late payments. Q: What makes me eligible for paying Taiwan taxes (or what makes me a tax resident)? A: You become a Taiwan tax resident if you stay in Taiwan longer than 183 days, or if you are a Taiwan national and have household registration (戶籍) in Taiwan and visit for at least one day. The address in your ARC is not household registration, it's a registration process from the local administrative office (戶政事務所）. If you stay less than 90 days in Taiwan, in general, you do not have to file taxes, and VAT or sales taxes are reimbursable. If you worked in Taiwan and stayed over 90 days but less than 183 days, you need to pay taxes on your Taiwan-based salary even if your income came from overseas, and you will pay a fixed rate of 6% or 18% income tax (your company may have deducted this from your salary already). If you have Taiwanese dual citizenship and Taiwanese house registration, then you need to pay taxes if you have stayed in Taiwan for over 31 days. Days are cumulative in a tax year, and it doesn't matter what you came for during these days. Q: How do I count the days I stayed in Taiwan? A: Please note that the day you come to Taiwan doesn't count, but the day you leave does. It's a good idea to keep track of the number of days you have been in Taiwan via the stamps on your passport. Q: What is the income tax rate?/ How much is Taiwan tax? A: The income tax rate for non-residents who earn at least 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023) is 18% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 18% taxes and then become a tax resident). 18% usually is applicable to white-collar foreign workers. For non-residents who earn less than 1.5 the minimum wage per month (39,600 NT as of 2023), the income tax rate is 6% (you can get a tax refund if you pay 6% taxes and then become a tax resident). 6% is usually applicable to most blue-collar foreign workers. The 2023 tax rate for residents (staying over 183 days in Taiwan) is as follows (source: Taiwan Ministry of Finance):
Taiwan has one of the most convenient and advanced transportation systems in the world. From light rail, mass rapid transit, busses, high speed rail, highways, freeways, bike sharing systems, and more, Taiwan is a great place to travel.
Foreword: Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of questions. This is meant to only give a basic overview of Taiwan's transportation to those who have never been there. Basic Taiwan Travel Tips:
Please note that this guide is written from the point of view of a heterosexual American marrying a Taiwanese National. For other types of marriages in Taiwan, double check with your home country's consulate or office in Taiwan. For an experience of a foreigner marrying another foreigner, check out this blog by Sam.
Generally speaking, getting married in Taiwan is not that complicated. Typically, you should only require the following documents, and apply for marriage at the local house registration office:
Q: What documents do I need to get married in Taiwan? A: Marriage in Taiwan required documents:
If you need help obtaining a visa to Taiwan, you can use Ivisa.com. Marriage agreement (結婚書約) sample below: 
In Taiwan, funerals and death rituals are very different that funerals in the west. Taiwan's funeral rites are influenced by Buddhism, Taoism, ancestor worship, and folk religion. In this blog, we will explore the different funeral rituals and rites, and let you know what you can expect at a Taiwanese funeral.
Foreword: Please note this blog and FAQ section are written from the perspective of a long-term American expat married to a Taiwanese spouse. Part of the facts for this blog have been taken from personal experience attending multiple funerals in Taiwan, and also from research such as Chinese anthropology classes and other research. 
Renting an apartment in Taiwan can be confusing and frustrating. As a long term rental tenant and expat in Taiwan I have lived in over ten apartments and have dealt with all kinds of problems, from bad landlords to noise to bugs. I feel like my experience can help other expats searching for apartments in Taiwan, so I have created this guide and FAQ to help people avoid the mistakes that I have made in the past, and have a pleasant rental experience in Taiwan.
Buying a house in Taiwan can be confusing and stressful. It is one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. To even consider buying a house in Taiwan, you have probably lived here for years, so many of the things I will mention in this blog may not be new to you.
I have spent quite a few years looking for houses and saving money for a down payment, as well as figuring out all the costs and other factors involved in purchasing the right house. Also, I recently just bought a house in Taipei in 2021. I have created this guide and FAQ to help people understand the buying process, finding the right house, and saving the right amount of money needed to make a move. For our blog covering our actual experience buying a house, see this blog here. For our blog covering our actual experience renovating a house, see this blog here. The following is my personal insight as an American looking for houses mainly near Taipei City.
"Scooter Waterfall" on the Taipei Bridge bridge between Sanchong and Taipei City.
Whether you are coming to Taiwan for three days or for three years, it can be hard getting used to a new country, and new culture, and a new way of living. To help you out, we have prepared this guide to help you survive and thrive in this amazing country.
Papago International Resort in Taitung County
Booking a hotel in Taiwan can be difficult and frustrating, especially if you are unfamiliar with the landscape and do not have any previous booking experience. In this blog we will give you a basic overview of the hotel atmosphere in Taiwan as well as provide you with some basic tips to find the best hotel for you.
Disclaimer: The following FAQ is only based on our opinion after years of booking accommodation in Taiwan, and should not be considered absolute fact. ion. What are the basic accommodations of hotels/hostels in Taiwan? For a private room:
Water is also hit and miss. Some cheap hotels or hostels will have a water machine or cooler in the hallway but no water bottles in the room. Some will only provide a hot water boiler and cups. Don't drink from the tap, the water you drink in Taiwan should be filtered, boiled, or bottled. Also, beware of shared bathrooms. Make sure your room says you have a private bathroom if this is important to you. Be careful when booking with AirBnb! I have stayed in some very nice Airbnb’s, but the quality with AirBnb in Taiwan is very hit and miss, as many of them (especially the cheap ones) have no standards at all. In general, you will be ensured a quality experience from booking a normal hotel or well-staffed hostel instead. What is the best website for hotel booking in Taiwan? My own personal preference is Agoda. However, Kayak is also a great platform to find the cheapest hotel across multiple sites. From my own experience, Agoda is the cheapest, provide the best quality listings, and have incredible customer service. They have given me my money back for a hostel on multiple occasions (which did not have free cancellation) just because there was an earthquake or because someone in my family got sick. Also, they once gave my money back on a room that had a shared bathroom because it wasn’t obvious from the listing. Overall in my opinion they have the best service and the best quality for the money. Usually they even have cheaper listings than other sites and offer greater discounts than other websites. What are the best websites for hotel booking in Taiwan? Ranked in order: 1. Agoda Website: https://www.agoda.com/ Relatively cheap: Yes Comparative number of listings: A lot of listings in Taiwan Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent From my own experience, Agoda is the cheapest, provide the best quality listings, and have incredible customer service. They have given me my money back for a hostel on multiple occasions (which did not have free cancellation) just because there was an earthquake or because someone in my family got sick. Also, they once gave my money back on a room that had a shared bathroom because it wasn’t obvious from the listing. Overall in my opinion they have the best service and the best quality for the money. 2. Kayak Website: https://www.kayak.com Relatively cheap: Yes Comparative number of listings: The most listings in Taiwan, because it combines and compares listings from multiple websites Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent Also a great platform to find the cheapest hotel across multiple sites. Why not compare all the sites at once? If you are looking for the absolute most cost effective hotels, this is the place to go. 3. Hotels.com Website: https://hotels.com/ Relatively cheap: No, but if you book ten rooms you get a free night. Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent Hotels.com offers some different options other than Booking and Agoda. Also, if you book ten rooms with them, they give you one night free. However I have noticed that there are not as many rooms available in some areas, and the price is a bit more expensive than Agoda or Booking. 4. Booking.com Website: https://www.booking.com/ Relatively cheap: Yes Comparative number of listings: A lot of listings in Taiwan Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent This platform is pretty much the same as Agoda. They are owned by the same company and the listings overlap. 5. Klook Website: https://klook.com/ Relatively cheap: No, but you can sometimes combine rooms with transportation, tours, and activities. Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent Klook offers many hotel options in Taiwan as well as the most tours activities, tours, and tickets. The number of hotel listings is not very high though, and often more expensive than other sites. 6. KKday Website: https://www.kkday.com/ Relatively cheap: No, but you can sometimes combine rooms with transportation, tours, and activities. Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent KKday offers many hotel options in Taiwan as well as tours activities, tours, and tickets. The number of hotel listings is not very high though, and often more expensive than other sites. 7. Expedia Website: https://expedia.com/ Relatively cheap: No Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent This platform is pretty much the same as Hotels.com. They are owned by the same company and the listings overlap. 8. Trip.com Website: https://www.trip.com/ Relatively cheap: No Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent A decent platform with lots of listings, but does not offer as many options as Hotels.com or Agoda. 9. Trivago Website: https://www.trivago.com/ Relatively cheap: No Comparative number of listings: Not the most listings in Taiwan, but there is a decent amount even in remote areas. Quality of rooms: Excellent Service: Excellent A decent platform with lots of listings, but does not offer as many options as Hotels.com or Agoda. 10. AirBnb Website: https://www.airbnb.com/ Relatively cheap: Yes Comparative number of listings: There are a lot of listings, and it may be the only option in some remote areas and outer islands. Quality of rooms: It depends, some are really bad while others are good. There is no quality guarantee. Service: It really depends on the landlord in charge. I do not recommend AirBnb. The App works and there are many listings that are cheap. However sometimes the cleaning and booking fees can be ridiculous, and if you are bringing multiple people there can be unreasonable charges. Be careful when booking with AirBnb! I have stayed in some very nice Airbnb’s, but the quality with AirBnb in Taiwan is very hit and miss, as many of them (especially the cheap ones) have no standards at all. I’m speaking from experience here; some of the cheap house rentals I have gone to have been a terrible experience. Cockroaches, spiders, mosquitos, no water to drink, unwashed bedding, the list goes on and on. However, some have been nice. But you never know. In general, you will be ensured a quality experience from booking a normal hotel instead. What are your recommendations for hotels in Taiwan? Our recommendations for hotels in Taiwan (that we have stayed at personally) are as follows: Taipei 台北: Central Taipei: We have stayed at and recommend the Yuanshan Grand Hotel, once the tallest building in Taiwan and still the most grand (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). We have stayed at and also recommend Fu Chang Hotel in Ximending, which is within walking distance of Ximending shopping district (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, or Agoda here). The Northern Coast: We recommend Fullon Hotel which has locations in Tamsui and Fulong near the beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). We have stayed at and recommend Gold Mountain Ranch, which is a horse ranch and glamping destination in Jinshan. You can book a night at Gold Mountain Ranch on Klook here. You can also check out our full blog on the ranch here. We have also stayed at and recommend Hai Xia Your Home which is right in front of Fulong Beach (book on Booking.com here, Tripadvisor here, Agoda here, or Hotels.com here). Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Wulai: There are many hot spring hotels in Wulai that have a hot spring tub right in the room. We have stayed at and recommend Wulai SungLyu Hot Spring Resort, which is a hot spring resort with great views just above Wulai Old Street. You can book on Booking.com here, Agoda here, Hotels.com here, TripAdvisor here, Trip.com here, Klook here, Kayak here, or Expedia here. Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Yilan 宜蘭: We have stayed at and recommend Ying Shih Guest House, a resort in Datong Township near Taipingshan and Fan Fan Hot Spring (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Jiaosi Hotspring Hotel, a hotel with hot springs in each room (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here). We have also stayed at Toucheng Leisure Farm, a recreational farm and experience center in Toucheng (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, on Klook here, or on Trip.com here). Hualien 花蓮: The best hostel I’ve ever stayed at is “When Happiness Knock Your Door” “幸福來敲門” in Hualien. The hostess will go out of her way to make you comfortable and her rooms are kept extremely nice. Also it was one of the few hostels I’ve ever been to that has an elevator. Her price is well below the quality you will enjoy. She has almost a perfect rating on Booking.com and Agoda. You can book When Happiness Knock Your Door on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, Kayak here, TripAdvisor here, or Klook here. We have also stayed at and recommend Dream Taiwan Homestay (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), a high quality hostel for the money in downtown Hualien, Farglory Hotel (Agoda / Booking.com / Expedia / Hotels.com), right next to Farglory Ocean Park with amazing views of Hualien, and Goldenflower B&B (Agoda / Booking.com) in Yuli right next to Sixty Stone Mountain. Taitung 台東: We have stayed at and recommend the Papago International Resort in Chishang (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which is a five star hotel with private villas with pools for each room, and Mountain and Ocean B & B in Taimali (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which is a quiet and affordable B&B right next to the beach. Kenting 墾丁: I have stayed at many hostels and hotels in Kenting, and even almost bought a house here. Some places that I have stayed at and can recommend are Nanwan Kiki (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here), a B&B next to Nanwan Bay, Kenting's most popular Beach. There are also a few decent hotels near Kenting Street Night Market like Kenting Star Inn 888 (book on Agoda here, Klook here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Booking.com here), or Kenting Dajianshan Hotel (book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). You will notice that none of these hotels are five star resorts (I do not come to Kenting to waste my time at a resort, but you can still search Agoda, Booking.com, Hotels.com, or Expedia for those) but they are in my opinion the above have the best value for the money. Kaohsiung 高雄: We have stayed at and recommend Chao She Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) IHI Sanduo Travel Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Mingli Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Klook here, or Hotels.com here) which are three inexpensive and high quality choices in downtown Kaohsiung. I also have stayed at and recommend Kaohsiung Meinong Rabbit Paul Homestay B&B (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here), a quiet B&B in rural Meinong, and Chengching Lakeside Resort (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com or Trip.com here)and the Grand Hotel Kaohsiung (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here) which both offer breakfast buffet and free entrance into Chenqing Lake Park. I have also stayed at the 85 sky tower which offers great views of the city; you can search for rooms in the 85 sky tower on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here). Tainan 臺南: We have stayed at and recommend Liho Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Hotels.com here), a quality hotel right next to Chikan Tower, and Famouse Hotel (you can book on Agoda here or Klook here), which is another great hotel also within walking distance of Chikan Tower in old Tainan. Chiayi 嘉義 We have stayed at and recommend Chiayi Crown Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), Shin Kao Hotel (you can book on Agoda here or Trip.com here), and YesHotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which are all quality hotels for a reasonable price near Chiayi Station. We also recommend Shianghu Botique Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), with excellent quality for the money just our of Chiayi City center. Finally we have stayed at and recommend Fenchihu Street Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), which is within walking distance of Fenqihu Old Street, Fenqihu Station, and many amazing hikes in the area. Nantou 南投 We have stayed at and recommend Jenq Yang Hotspring Hotel (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Trip.com here, or Klook here), a hot spring hotel near the mystical Lushan hot spring, and Maple Leaf Holiday Villa (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia.com here, Trip.com here, or Klook here), a lodge with a great view and within walking distance of Cingjing Farm. I also have stayed at and recommend Kirin Villa (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), a mountain resort in Puli near Sun Moon Lake. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. We recommend booking through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation on the islands. Miaoli 苗栗 We have stayed at and recommend Beautiful Landscape Resort, a fish farm and resort near Nanzhuang Old Street (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here), and Yuan Motel, a high class car motel which includes a great breakfast buffet (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, or Expedia here). We also recommend Flying Cow Ranch which includes cabins and camping right on the tourist ranch; you can book a room on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here. Hsinchu 新竹 We have stayed at and recommend the Golden Motel a high quality motel near Green Grass Lake (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, Hotels.com here, Expedia here, or Trip.com here), and CD Motel, another high quality motel in downtown Hsinchu (you can book on Agoda here, Booking.com here, or Trip.com here). Unfortunately I cannot recommend any further hotels that I have stayed at in Hsinchu because usually we stay at my wife's uncle's house. You can find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Xiaoliuqiu Island 小琉球 Some places we have stayed at that I recommend are Yujing 6.8, which is a four story house near Dafu Harbor (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Boliu B&B (柏琉民宿) which is also a nice newly renovated hostel right on the main street near lots of restaurants (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), Haichan Hostel which is a traditional three-sided Taiwanese mansion near the beach (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here), and Baisha Bay B&B which is a great place near the main harbor that is only one story so there are no stairs (you can book on Agoda here or Booking.com here). All of the owners of these places were very helpful, and even helped me to move my luggage and rent scooters. Some hostels require that you pay for my room in advance via bank wire transfer (this may not be an option if you are a foreign traveler, so make sure they accept credit cards if you do not have a Taiwan bank account), but you should not have to do this if you book through Agoda or another hotel booking site. Green Island 綠島 We stayed at and can recommend Fire Island Guesthouse, which is a high quality B&B on right on the east coast of the island. Penghu 澎湖 We have stayed at and recommend Han's Hostel, which had great service and is right next to Shanshui Beach, the best beach in Penghu. Matsu 馬祖 We have stayed at and recommend Fu Hwa Homestay on Nangan (you can book on Agoda here, Booking,com here, or Trip.com here), and B&B of Blueshine on Beigan (you can book on Agoda here, Booking,com here, or Trip.com here). Both places were excellent, and provided us a car ride to and from the airport for free. Kinmen 金門 We stayed at and can recommend Sihai Hostel, which is a quality hostel with spacious and clean rooms. They also arranged transport to and from the hostel for free. You can book Sihai Hostel on Agoda here, Klook here, or Trip.com here. What is the average price of a hotel in Taiwan? According to Hikersbay.com, the average price is 891 TWD (28 USD) for a hostel, 2,400 TWD for a 3 star hotel (74 USD), and 8,300 TWD (257 USD) per night for a luxury hotel. According to the Taipei Times, in 2023 the average daily rate of licensed tourist hotels in Taiwan was 4,618 TWD (145 USD). In our experience, a fair price for a hotel in Taiwan that I like to stick to is around 1,500 TWD (about 45 USD) for a standard double room. What is the average price range for a standard double hotel room in Taiwan? The following prices are from personal experience booking over tens of hotels in Taiwan over 5 years (Please note 1000 NT is roughly equal to 31 USD): Typically, the cheapest of the cheap hotels will go from 700-1000 NT Lower range Hotels will go from 1000-1700 NT Mid Range Hotels will go from 1500-2500 NT High Class Hotels will go from 2500-5000 NT Super Fancy Hotels will go from 5000-30,000+ NT per night! Please note these prices also vary by location. 
Taiwan is a tropical country that straddles the tropic of cancer. In northern Taiwan, the winters can be cold and wet, and it can also get very gold and even snow sometimes in the mountains. In the south of Taiwan, it is usually warm year round. There are also tropical cyclones and monsoon rains in the summer. Over, the weather in Taiwan is varied and you should come prepared depending on the time of year you are visiting.
Foreword: Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of questions. This is meant to only give a basic overview of Taiwan's weather to those who have never been there. Basic Taiwan Travel Tips:
What type of climate does Taiwan have? The Tropic of Cancer lies across the middle of Taiwan, giving Taiwan a humid subtropical climate in the north, and a tropical monsoon climate in the south. Temperatures in the north vary from 14-20 °C (57-68 °F) in the winter and 26-34 °C (78-93 °F) in the summer, while in the south temperatures vary from 16-24 °C (60-75 °F) in the winter and 26-32 °C (78-89 °F) in the summer on average. The most rain falls in the summer time across Taiwan, with Typhoons bringing torrential rains during that time. Average humidity is around 75% throughout the year. What is the weather in Taiwan?/How is the weather in Taiwan? For the current weather in Taiwan as well as forecasts, you can look at the Central Weather Bureau’s Website, CWB radar, and Accuweather (which has the most reliable weather forecasts for Taiwan in my opinion) What is the temperature in Taiwan? For current temperatures, click on the links for the question above. On average, temperatures in the north vary from 14-20 °C (57-68 °F) in the winter and 26-34 °C (78-93 °F) in the summer, while in the south temperatures vary from 16-24 °C (60-75 °F) in the winter and 26-32 °C (78-89 °F) in the summer. When should I visit Taiwan? This depends on what kind of weather you prefer. If you do not mind hot and humid weather, then the summer might be best for you. If you prefer mild or chilly temperatures, then you should come between October and March. The most rain falls in the summer (and typhoons might delay your flights), but typically you will see more sunny days in Northern and Eastern Taiwan during that time. When should you go to Taipei? In my opinion, the best weather in Taipei is from March-May, and October - November, when the temperatures stay around 26 degrees Celsius and there is not as much rain. Summers are also nice, with the most sunny weather, but also hot and rainy. Winters can be cold (but not below freezing) and usually wet. Overall, there is no wrong answer as to what time of year you should visit Taipei. You will have a great time here at any time of year. Hotels in Taiwan: Looking for a hotel? We recommend booking through Booking.com here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotel deals in Taiwan here. Tours in Taiwan: There are many tour itineraries that you can enjoy in Taipei that will take you to multiple destinations and arrange transportation. For more information, you can check out Tripadvisor here, KKday here or Klook here, which are both great tour websites that can connect you with the right tour and tour guide for you. Here are some of the most popular tours of Taiwan on TripAdvisor:
How to get around in Taiwan: Taiwan's transportation system is convenient and safe. There are many options you can consider to get around in Taipei below: By Train: Gets you to the city center of all major cities in Taiwan. It is about 800NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. Roughly half the price of the HSR. Book tickets via the normal train (TRA) on Klook here. By HSR: (High-Speed Rail) – Gets you quickly from north to south. Besides Taipei and Kaohsiung, most of the stations are far from city centers. It costs about 1500NT to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. You can book tickets to the high-speed rail (HSR) on Klook here or KKDay here. By MRT: (Mass Rapid Transit, Metro train, subway) – Easily gets you around Taipei and Kaohsiung. You can purchase a discount easy card to use on the MRT from Klook here or KKday here. You can also book an MRT travel pass on Klook here. By Bus: Buses can be tricky. Long-range buses such as Ubus and King Bus are easier to understand and cheaper than the local train. They can take you to the city center of every city throughout Taiwan and to remote tourist destinations such as sun moon lake. A long-range bus from Taipei to Kaohsiung is about 500 NT. You can also book tickets to travel to Shifen via inter-city bus on Klook here. You can also book a Taipei Sightseeing: Hop On, Hop Off Open Top Bus on TripAdvisor here. By Taxi: You can take short rides for about 150 NT, or hire a Taxi for a day for around 150 USD. By Car: If you are looking for car rentals, you can also search Qeeq here, Klook here, or KKday here. You can also check out our car rental guide here. By Scooter: Looking for scooter rental in Taipei? You can search on Klook here or KKday here to search for options. You can also check out our scooter rental guide here. By Bicycle: Cycling is the best way to enjoy Taiwan's landscapes if you have the time and energy. Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can use Taiwan's many Youbike sharing stations, or search for rentals on KKday here, and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. ​You can also book a Sunset Riverside Bike Ride and Historical Tour, 4 Hour Cycling in Taipei, Ultimate 8-Hour Cycling City Tour, or Taipei City Bike Tour with Night Market Experience on TripAdvisor here. For more information, check out our Taiwan transportation guide here. When do Cherry blossoms bloom in Taiwan? Most bloom fromEarly February to Early March. There may be a few weeks of variation based on current temperatures. Also be aware that Cherry blossoms only last about two weeks. If you are not careful, they’ll be gone before you get there. When is the butterfly migration in Taiwan?/ Where is the butterfly migration in Taiwan? This migration takes place from December to March in Southern Taiwan. Millions of butterflies cross the Taiwan Strait to winter in the foothills near the border of Pingtung and Kaohsiung. Maolin National Scenic Area is famous for this butterfly migration, but other valleys nearby also are known to hold thousands of the migrating insects. Why is there no snow in Taiwan?/ Does Taiwan have snow?/Is there snow in Taiwan? There is Snow in Taiwan! Just in high elevations during winter. In major cities where most people live, the elevation is too low for snow to fall, and the temperature almost never gets below freezing. When does Taiwan have Snow? Taiwan has snow at high mountain elevations from December to March. On rare occasions, the snow level can reach down to 500 meters. What kind of clothes should I wear in winter? In winter, temperatures range from 14-26 °C (57-78 °F), which with nearly 100% humidity can be quite chilly. If you are going to be in the outdoors, we suggest wearing wind-proof clothing, as the humid wind might still go straight through a wool sweater. Also note that there is rarely any central heating in Taiwan, so be prepared to dress in layers even while indoors. The weather will be cooler in the North, and warmer in the south. What kind of clothes should I wear in spring? In spring temperatures usually vary from 19-29 °C (66-84 °F). We suggest bringing a jacket for cold days, but you should mostly prepare for warmer days. Wind-proof clothing is not entirely necessary at this time unless you are riding a scooter. Spring and fall usually have the most comfortable weather, so you shouldn’t worry too much about proper clothing. What kind of clothes should I wear in summer? In summer temperatures usually vary from 26-34 °C (78-93 °F). There will also be high humidity. We suggest wearing shorts, t-shirts, and perhaps a hat for sun protection. I would recommend polyester instead of cotton, as it dries out faster (you will be sweating). Be sure to wear sunscreen if you will be outdoors, and to drink a lot of water. It will be really hot, so be prepared to hide inside convenience stores to get some brief air conditioning before going back into the blazing heat. What kind of clothes should I wear in fall? In autumn, temperatures vary on average from 19-30 °C (66-86 °F). Spring and fall usually have the most comfortable weather, so you shouldn’t worry too much about proper clothing. We would suggest wearing whatever you feel comfortable in at room temperature. Beware though that September and October may have some summer-like heat, so be sure to pack some short sleeved clothes just in case you run into a heat wave. How is the weather in Taipei in November? Record high 34.3 °C (93.7 °F) Average high 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) Daily Mean 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) Average low: 19.3 °C (66.7 °F) Record low: 1.1 °C (34 °F) Avg rainfall, 83.1 cm (3.2 inches) Avg rainy days, 12.4 Avg. Relative humidity: 75% Mean sunshine hours: 99.4 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei#Climate How is the weather in Taipei in December? Record high 31.5 °C (88.7 °F) Average high 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) Daily Mean 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) Average low: 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) Record low: 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) Avg rainfall, 73.3 cm (2.8 inches) Avg rainy days, 11.7 Avg. Relative humidity: 75% Mean sunshine hours: 90.7 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei#Climate What is the weather like in Taipei? Taipei has a humid subtropical climate. Summers are long, hot and humid, and have heavy rainstorms including Typhoons between June and October. Temperatures range from 26-34 °C (78-93 °F). Winters are short and warm with relatively less rain, but have less sunshine. Temperatures range from 14-20 °C (57-68 °F). Why does it rain so much in Taipei?/Why does it always rain in Taipei? Rainstorms are typical in the summer in Taipei due to monsoon weather and Typhoons. Most of the rain falls in the summer, but other months also see rain daily. There are typically between 11-15 rainy days in any given month in Taipei, so it does not always rain in Taipei. How cold does Taipei get? The average low temperature during winter in Taipei is 14 °C (57 °F), but can often get to as low as 10 °C (50 °F), but rarely any lower. The record low temperature in Taipei was recoded in February at -.02 °C (31.9 °F). Also note that it can be very windy on the coast. How cold does Taiwan get? Typically most populated places in Taiwan never get below 10 °C (50 °F). The coldest it has ever gotten on Taiwan’s highest mountain, Jade Mountain, was around -11 °C (13 °F). There are also strong winds on the coasts of Taiwan during winter, especially along the Taiwan Strait. How is the air pollution in Taiwan? Air pollution is usually the worst during winter when the air is stagnant. Often times air pollution can get to unhealthy levels, especially in the larger cities. For the current air pollution index, clickhere. Can I ride a scooter in shorts and flip flops during the winter in Taiwan? You can, and many Taiwanese people do the same. However, it will be really, really cold, so we recommend wearing clothes that are wind proof. Also be aware that wearing flip flops while riding a scooter is technically illegal in Taiwan although I have never heard of this being enforced. How many seasons does Taiwan have? Four, although the temperature variation is less and less pronounced the farther south you go in Taiwan. Are there typhoons in Taiwan? Yes. When is typhoon Season in Taiwan? Typhoon Season is roughly from June to October. What do I do if I am caught in a typhoon? If you are caught in a Typhoon be sure to stay indoors, as flying debris and flooding can kill you. Most Taiwanese buildings are typhoon-proof, and fatalities are usually minimal. Stay indoors, stay high, and you will stay safe. Typhoons may also cause cancelled or delayed flights, so be aware if you are planning to fly from June to October. What is the best time of year to visit Taiwan? In our opinion summer is the best time to visit Taiwan, because that is when there is the most sunshine and the cold winds coming off the Taiwan Strait subside. However, many people cannot stand the Taiwan heat, which can reach 39 °C °F and 100% humidity. Also, if you want to do outdoor activities, river tracing is safest in the winter when there is less rain, but wind surfing is best in the winter when the winds are strong. Whatever you plan to do in Taiwan, the weather is usually bearable and there should be a time of year that suits everyone’s fancy. Attractions in Taiwan: There are many attractions that you can enjoy in Taipei such as Taipei 101 Observatory, Taipei 101 460 Skyline Observatory, Taipei Children's Amusement Park, Maokong Gondola, National Palace Museum, Yehliu Ocean World, Yehliu Geopark, National Museum of Marine Science and Biology, i-ride 5D cinema, Astronomical Museum, Miniatures Museum of Taiwan, Double Decker Sightseeing Bus, Miramar Ferris Wheel Ticket, Taipei Zoo, Heping Island Park, Ju Ming Museum, Yuanshan Hotel Secret Road, National Taiwan Museum, New Taipei Gold Museum, Futian Leisure Farm, Chiang Kai-shek Shilin Residence, Chi Po-lin Museaum, Beitou Museum, Tsao Wonderland, Railway Museum, Fort San Domingo, 13 Levels Archaeology Museum, Austin Land, Museum of World Religions, Formosan Aboriginies Museum, ASE Parent-child Park, teamLab Future Park, Yukids Island, VR Experience, Bat Cave, Neidong Waterfall, Candlestick Islet, Jurassic Snow Park, Zhonghe High5 Amusement Park, Longshan Temple, Xingtian Temple, Ningxia Night Market, Yansan Night Market, Meteor Garden, Yingge Old Street, and many more attractions on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Activities in Taiwan: Don't forget that there are many activities available in Taipei such as Indoor Skiing, Rock Climbing, Hiking, Wakeboarding, Surfing, Speedboat Surfing, SUP / Paddle Boarding, Diving, Snorkeling Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Biking, River Tracing / Canyoneering, ATVing, Horse Riding, Cooking Class, Archery, Ice Skating, Roller Skating, Tree Climbing, Urban Camping, Glamping, Motorcycling, Motorbike Tour, Dragon Boat Racing, Escape Room, Shen'ao Rail Bike, Laser Gun Experience, Batting Cages, Bowling, Paintball, Flight Simulation Experience, Taipei Tram Driving Experience, Rail Simulation Experience, Taipei 101 Observation Deck activity, Strawberry Picking, Professional Photo Shoot, Body Relaxation SPA, Night Tour, Calligraphy Workshop, and more on Tripadvisor here, Klook here, or KKday here. Have any more questions about the weather in Taiwan? Please leave them in the comments below, and we might just add them to the list! Please like, follow, and share to help everyone know that Taiwan is a great place to vacation year round! You can also check out our full travel guide to Taiwan here. 
A sailing class going on off Tainan's Yuguang Island.
With over 100 islands and a coastline of over 1500 KM on the main Island, warm tropical weather, and constant winds, Taiwan is known as a world-class sailing location. Sailing in Taiwan can be an exhilarating experience that provides a unique perspective on the island’s stunning coastline and surrounding waters. With its rich history and culture, Taiwan has become a popular destination for adventure seekers and travelers looking to explore its natural beauty via sailboat.
Brief Historical Background of Sailing in Taiwan: Even though Taiwan has thousands of islands and hundreds of kilometers of coastline, it still does not have a strong sailing culture as compared to other countries. The recreational boating industry in Taiwan only really began in 2009, when the Fisheries Agency began making floating docks for more recreational craft. Those docks are now filled to capacity, so prices are on the rise and demand is high. Boat owners are hopeful that Taiwan's authorities can further expand recreational marinas in Taiwan soon. Non-powered sailing in Taiwan is regulated by the coast guard, but all you have to do is send your itinerary to the coast guard via a smartphone app. Where to Sail in Taiwan: 
Taiwan is a place that should be explored not just with public transportation (as convenient as it is). If you only take public transportation everywhere you go, you are missing out on a huge part of Taiwan. You could take taxis everywhere to see these sights, like a rich Chinese person, or you can take the cheaper option and rent a vehicle. Many of the scenic and rural sights of Taiwan can’t be experienced except by hiring your own vehicle.
Renting cars or scooters in Taiwan: Taiwan is the scooter capital of the world. Driving a scooter is dangerous, but scooters are fun. You can stop pretty much anywhere on the side of the road easily and take photos and enjoy the scenery. They are also pretty easy to learn how to operate; if you can already drive a car and/or ride a bike, picking up riding a moped shouldn’t be that hard. There’s not a much better way to experience Taiwan than cruising down the streets like everyone else with the wind blowing in your face. However, if you are afraid that scooters are dangerous, I would suggest renting a car. 
Taiwan is a place that should be explored not just with public transportation (as convenient as it is). If you only take public transportation everywhere you go, you are missing out on a huge part of Taiwan. You could take taxis everywhere to see these sights, like a rich Chinese person, or you can take the cheaper option and rent a vehicle. Many of the scenic and rural sights of Taiwan can’t be experienced except by hiring your own vehicle.
Renting a Vehicle in Taiwan: Taiwan is the scooter capital of the world, so driving a car can be dangerous here because you need to be more aware of your surroundings. However, if you are looking to get around the island faster, are travelling with multiple people, have lots of luggage, or you are afraid that scooters are dangerous, I would suggest renting a car. Do you have any recommendations? We recommend using Qeeq here, Klook here or KKday here to rent or charter cars in Taiwan. Car Rental Fast Facts: Where? Car rental places can be found next to most airports and in all major cities. But don’t expect them right next to every small train station. Pricing? Cheap would be 1000-1500 NTD a day (30-45 USD), average would be $2000+ a day (60 USD), and expensive would be $3,000+ a day (100+ USD). Discounts are often given for multiple day rentals and for weekdays. Do I need a local license? No. However, you should get an international driver’s permit. If you don’t have an international driver’s permit there is no guarantee that you can rent a car. Check with the rental agency beforehand and make necessary preparations. How do I get a local Taiwanese license? Check out our guide on getting a driver's license in Taiwan here. You can also check out our guide to getting an International Driver's Permit here. Does Taiwan have Uber? Yes but its just as expensive as a Taxi. Uber was banned and fined multiple times because their business model was deemed illegal. Uber drivers were required to have a professional driver’s license. Now they work with local rental car companies to keep the app going in Taiwan. What side of the road does Taiwan drive on? The Right side. How much is the price of gas? As of July, 2023 it is around 30 NT (1 USD) per liter for 95 octane gas. You can also book Wifi and SIM cards for Taiwan on Gigago here. Anything else I should be aware of when driving in Taiwan? Yes!
Where can I rent cars in Taiwan? We recommend using Qeeq here, Klook here or Kayak here to rent or charter cars in Taiwan. Summation of Rental Car Companies in Taiwan: (please note this is not a complete list. Other discounts and offers can be found on each company's website) Qeeq website: https://www.qeeq.com/
KKday website: https://www.kkday.com/
Klook website: https://www.klook.com/
Kayak website: https://kayak.com/
Expedia website: https://expedia.com/
Trip.com website: https://trip.com/
Just to let you know, if you book using the links above, we get some commission at no cost to you, and you can help support our blog. Good Cars website: https://www.goodcars.com.tw/
Avis Taiwan 安維斯租車 website: https://www.avis-taiwan.com/us/
HLC 和運租車 website: https://www.easyrent.com.tw/
Jinfeng Car Rental 進豐租車 website: http://www.1car-rent.com.tw/service.php
Budget website: https://www.budget.com/en/locations/tb
CarPlus 格上租車 website: https://www.car-plus.com.tw/EN/ugC_AboutUs.asp
Renting a Scooter? Check out our blog about scooter rental in Taiwan here, or our scooter buying guide here. Or you can check out Klook here or Kday here to search for options. Want to buy a car instead? Please see our car buying guide here. Looking for a hotel? Find out where to stay in our Taiwan hotels guide or search for the best hotels through Agoda here, which provides the best quality selection of accommodation in Taiwan. Check out our blog index for ideas of where to visit in Taiwan. You can also find more tours of Taipei on Klook here or KKday here. Feel free to contact us with any specific questions about car or scooter rental in Taiwan, and please like, comment, and share! -FiTW 
Riding a bicycle around Taiwan may be the best way to enjoy the island. Taiwan is known as the bicycle kingdom not just because it is one of the top manufacturers of bicycles in the world, but also because the Island of Taiwan has many amazing world-class roads waiting for cyclists to discover such as hundreds of kilometers of coastline, mountains above 3000 meters, and the world's deepest marble gorge. If you are a fan of cycling, you definitely need to check out this amazing island.
Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here. Looking for a bike tour of Taiwn? Search KKday here to search for options. 
Cihu Memorial Sculpture Park(慈湖紀念雕塑公園), the mausoleum where Taiwan's former dictator Chiang Kai-Shek was buried, and also a park for his unwanted statues.
Taiwan's politics can be complicated and confusing for many foreigners who are unfamiliar with the country's history. Here we will provide an overview of Taiwan's politics and governmental system.
Current time and date in Taiwan:
Did you know that Taiwan once used daylight savings time? In this blog, in addition to the current time and date in Taiwan, we will cover the history of telling time in Taiwan, as well as a table of ROC years, Japanese Imperial Years, and Chinese Dynastical Years which can be a useful reference when researching Taiwan's history.
Q: What time is it in Taiwan right now? A: You can check the current time and date for Taiwan above (12-hour): You can also check the current time for Taiwan below (24-hour): Q: What is the current date in Taiwan right now? A: You can check the current date for Taiwan above.
Q: What is the current date in Taiwan right now in ROC years? What is the ROC year for Taiwan?
You can check the current date for Taiwan in ROC years below:
Current Date, ROC Year:
Q: What Time Zone does Taiwan use?
A: Taiwan uses the China Standard Time (CST) time zone, which is UTC/GMT +8 hours, in other words, it is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Q: Does Taiwan have different time zones? A: No, Taiwan has the same time zone throughout the whole country, which is China Standard Time (CST) (UTC/GMT +8 hours). This means it is the same time in Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung, along with all the outer islands like Kinmen, Matsu, Green Island, and Lanyu. 
CTCB Bank office building in Nangang, Taipei
Taiwan's working environment can be confusing to those who are learning about this topic for the first time. There is a different work culture here than in other countries, and expectations in the workplace are not the same. In this blog, we will answer some frequently asked questions about working in Taiwan.
Foreword: Please note that in the following blog I will share my personal views. As you can tell, I am biased and I prefer American work culture. Overall, I think Taiwan's work culture is stuck in the past, is based on a manufacturing economy, and needs to improve to accommodate modern office work. My views are based on my experience of working in very traditional Taiwanese work cultures over ten years in Taiwan. Not every Taiwanese company has these problems and some foreigners in Taiwan are lucky to work for companies with more western oriented work culture, but according to my experience with others working in Taiwan as normal employees (not on secondment assignments) the following will be true. How are communication styles different between Taiwan and the West? Taiwanese communication style is more indirect, formal, and hierarchical, while American communication style is more direct and informal. In Taiwan, it is customary to show respect to authority figures and senior colleagues by using formal titles and deferential language. Direct confrontation is also avoided, and criticism is often delivered in an indirect manner. In contrast, Americans tend to be more direct in their communication style, often speaking their mind freely and openly expressing their opinions. Hierarchy is another area where Taiwanese and American work cultures diverge. In Taiwan, hierarchy is deeply ingrained in the culture, with respect and deference paid to those in positions of authority. 
Taiwan has recently received a lot of press for its great response to the Covid-19 outbreak. But Taiwan has had a world class universal healthcare system for decades, known as National Health Insurance (NHI). People have long been coming to Taiwan for "medical tourism," due to Taiwan's low cost and high quality medical care. In this article we will answer common questions about Taiwan's healthcare system and why it is perhaps the best in the world.
Please note that some of the answers below are anecdotal based on personal experience using National Health Insurance in Taiwan, and are for reference only. 
The photo sample above was taken from the National Development Council website.
On February 8th, 2018, Taiwan rolled out the Act for the Recruitment of Foreign Professionals, which included the employment gold card four-in-one visa to entice foreign special professionals to come and seek work opportunities in Taiwan. Details and common questions about this new type of visa/work permit can be answered below.
In October 2021, the gold card benefits were also extended and expanded. Please note that this blog not a comprehensive guide but only gives basic information about the gold card based on the information on the National Development Council website. They also have an FAQ sectionhere. Q: What is the Taiwan employment gold card? A: The employment gold card is a four-in-one visa, work permit, alien resident certificate, and re-entry permit. It also provides other benefits to foreigners as mentioned below. If you need help obtaining an initial visitor visa to Taiwan, you can use Ivisa.com. You can also check out our immigration FAQ here. Q: What benefits does Taiwan's employment gold card have? A: The benefits associated with the employment gold card or special professional work permit are as follows:
Need travel insurance? Compare prices on Insubuy here. Q: Who can apply for and obtain Taiwan’s employment gold card? A: Foreigners that are specialists in their field. This includes ROC dual citizens and citizens of Macau and Hong Kong, but not ROC citizens with household registration. Q: Who can qualify for the tax benefits under the employment gold card? A: Foreign nationals or dual citizens that have stayed over 183 days in Taiwan in a calendar year for the first time in 2018 or later. Q: What are the requirements for the employment gold card? A: The full requirements for foreign special professionals can be found here. The exact requirements vary by industry. However, the requirements generally require that an applicant show that they are a special professional or senior professional that has made special contributions to their field of work or received national recognition in one of the following 8 accepted professional industries: 1. Science and technology 2. Economy 3. Finance 4. Education 5. Culture and Arts 6. Sports 7. Law 8. Architectural Design 9. National Defense 10. Digital 11. Special Cases Recognized by the NDC Looking for bicycle rentals in Taiwan? You can search on KKday here and search for tours on Klook here. You can also check out our Taiwan cycling guide here. Q: Does the exemption from tax on overseas income (alternative minimum tax, or AMT) for the Taiwan gold card only last for the first five years? A: Yes, this tax benefit only lasts for five years, the same as the tax benefit for 50% of income above 3 million. Q: How is the five years calculated for tax benefits for AMT and 50% of income above 3 million? A: The five years start from the first tax year in which the foreign professional becomes a tax resident (stays for 183 days or more in a calendar year). However, if the foreign professional does not meet the qualifications for tax resident, they can defer this tax benefit to the following year, but no longer than five years after the work permit or gold card was first issued. Q: How is the 50% of income above 3 million NT calculated if I am filing jointly with my spouse? A: In this case the 50% of taxable income above 3 million NT only applies to your income. You cannot use this tax benefit for your spouse unless he/she also has a gold card. Q: If I apply for a gold card but I am not a tax resident, when will the five years expire? A: As explained above, you can defer the 5 year tax benefits to future years, but no longer that five years after the work permit or gold card was first issued. Q: If I meet the 160,000 NT per month salary requirement, can I get a gold card? A: Not necessarily. You also need to prove that you are a special professional in your field. In general this means proving your past work experience and awards to the government. Q: Can I still get a Taiwan employment gold card without meeting the 160,000 NT salary per month requirement? A: You can bypass the 160,000 NT per month requirement if you meet other requirements proving you are a special professional in your field. Q: How will my dependents get visas? A: As long as you have first been approved for your gold card or special professional visa, your dependents will be able to receive their dependent visas. If they enter Taiwan using the visa free program, they will need to come on the same flight as you, otherwise they will have to leave Taiwan and receive their dependent visas at the Taiwan office overseas, or receive them before they leave if you are coming on different flights. Q: If I switch from a normal ARC to an employment gold card, will my dependent's visas be affected? A: No, there will be no changes to your dependent's visas. Q: How many year of experience do I need for the employment gold card? A: Typically at least 5. Q: How long does it take for the government to approve a gold card application? A: After the application is submitted, it will take about 30 working days to receive an approval or rejection. Please also note that there is a government fee associated with each application. Q: What is the difference between an employment gold card and a work permit for a foreign special professional applied by a Taiwan company? A: They are basically the same, both have the same tax benefits, but the differences are as follows: |
Author 作家I am an American expat who has extensive experience living, working, and traveling in Taiwan. In my day, I had to learn many things about Taiwan the hard way. But I have come to learn that Taiwan is one of the best places in the world for Foreigners to live. This blog does not represent the opinions of every foreigner in Taiwan. I am just trying to help others learn more about this beautiful country. Categories
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