Can my mainland dependents be covered under the NHI program?

Mainland Chinese spouses and underage children of Employment Gold Card holders who hold a Taiwan Entry and Exit Permit for the purpose of family reunion (隨行團聚) are required to enroll in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) after residing in Taiwan for six months. “Six months of residence” means either: six consecutive months of residence in Taiwan; or a period during which the individual leaves Taiwan only once for no more than 30 days, with the total actual days of residence (excluding the days spent abroad) adding up to six months.

However, if the Employment Gold Card holder is employed by a company registered in Taiwan or qualifies as an employer or self-employed business owner under the National Health Insurance Act, their accompanying dependents are not subject to the six-month waiting period and may enroll in NHI without meeting this residency requirement.

Legal Basis: Article 9 of the National Health Insurance Act ; Article 8 of the Enforcement Rules of the National Health Insurance Act ; Article 23 of the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals ; and the Ministry of Health and Welfare (formerly the Department of Health, Executive Yuan) Announcement No. Wei-Shu-Jian-Bao-Zi-0940068264 , dated January 2, 2006.