The short version
- Kenya has the lower entry bar: €1,850 per month versus €4,400 for Taiwan.
- Taiwan grants a longer initial stay (36 months vs 24), and it is renewable.
- Only Taiwan offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
- Tax treatment differs: Kenya — standard resident taxation; Taiwan — special tax regime. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Kenya Class N Permit | Taiwan Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €1,850 (better) | €4,400 |
| Income basis | Salary / employment contract | Salary / employment contract |
| Initial duration | 2 years | 3 years (better) |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | No fixed limit | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | Indirect (switch required) | Yes (better) |
| Path to citizenship | No | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Tax treatment | Standard resident taxation | Special tax regime (Tax incentives for foreign special professionals (Art. 20, Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals)) |
| Health insurance | Required in practice | Required in practice |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €185 | ≈ €157 (better) |
| Where to apply | Online, In country | Online, Embassy / consulate, In country |
| Processing time | — | 4–12 weeks |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Kenya Class N Permit →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Taiwan Gold Card →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Law firm Kenya Introduces the Class N–Digital Nomad Permit (CMS Law) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya Operationalises New Permit Categories (CMS Law) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya accepting applications for the new Digital Nomad Permit (EY Tax Alert) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Understanding the Class N (Digital Nomad) Permit in Kenya (Njaga & Co. Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Introduction of the Digital Nomad Permit in Kenya (WKA Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm The Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 — Legal Notice 155 / Gazette 179 (WKA Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Understanding the Class N (Digital Nomad) Work Permit in Kenya (Afriwise) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya Digital Nomad Visa: Eligibility & Application Process (Otieno Aballah Advocates) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya: Digital Nomad Visa Introduced, Further Details Forthcoming (Fragomen) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Kenya — Individual Residence (PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries): 183-day / 122-day tests, worldwide income for residents (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Kenya Foreign Nationals Services (eFNS) portal – Directorate of Immigration Services (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Kenya to Officially Launch Social Health Authority on October 1, 2024 (Ministry of Health) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Taiwan Employment Gold Card — official portal (overview) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government What is the Taiwan Employment Gold Card? (4-in-1 card, 1-3 yr validity, open work permit, dependants) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government How do I meet the salary requirements of the Gold Card application? (NTD 160,000/month; NTD 1,920,000/year; accepted/rejected proof) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Legal basis and benefits of tax incentives for foreign specialist professionals (50% above NTD 3,000,000, 5 years; Art. 20 Act / Art. 3 Regulations) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Can I apply for the Gold Card tax benefits? (eligibility: first-time work residency, no Taiwan tax residency/household registration in prior 5 years, 183 days) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Application Information — online steps, fees by validity/passport (NTD 3,700/4,700/5,700 non-US; 7,605/8,605/9,605 US abroad), 60+ business-day processing (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals — Tax Benefits (Art. 20; 50% of salary above NTD 3 million excluded for 5 years) (National Development Council) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Taiwan Gold Card — National Health Insurance (NHI) enrolment for cardholders and dependants (6-month wait; mandatory) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Taiwan Gold Card — APRC (permanent residence after 3 continuous years averaging 183+ days/year) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Law firm Taiwan – Applicability of Tax Incentives for Employment Gold Card Holders (KPMG GMS Flash Alert) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Media TWD to EUR conversion reference (~0.02748 EUR/TWD, mid-June 2026 rate used for EUR figures) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15