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Stay with a Fixed Rate Every Day in Tokyo! Try the Hotel Booking Website "HafH"

When it comes to digital nomadism, which city comes to your mind first? Many might think of Lisbon, Bali in Indonesia, or Chiang Mai in Thailand. However, according to statistics from Nomad List, in 2023, Tokyo, Japan has surpassed numerous cities worldwide to become the fastest-growing hub for digital nomads. In response to this trend, the Japanese government is also planning to launch a digital nomad visa in March 2024. Suppose you're planning to experience the digital nomad life in Japan, besides keeping track of visa information, you might want to get acquainted with the subscription-based hotel booking website "HafH", which has seen increasing popularity in Japan recently. HafH, short for "Home away from Home", is a Japanese subscription-based hotel booking website. Unlike traditional booking methods, where room prices fluctuate significantly based on weekdays, weekends, and seasons, HafH offers users a fixed rate for accommodation every day if they participate in a monthly subscription plan. By subscribing, users can access a consistent price regardless of the date. They can stay at any of HafH's partner accommodations worldwide. Furthermore, as the subscription months increase, users can attain different levels of VIP status, leading to discounts ranging from 5% to 10% on subsequent bookings. A stable price helps plan nomadic expenses more accurately and saves costs on specific accommodation options. HafH collaborates with over 2,000 accommodations in more than 30 countries, with the highest concentration in Japan, followed by South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. How Does This Service Work? Who Is It Suitable For? HafH officially started supporting Traditional Chinese in October 2023, catering to users in Taiwan and the global Chinese-speaking community. The current subscription plan is priced at $49.99 per month (approximately NT$1,558), offering users 200 HafH Coins monthly, which can be used to book accommodations on the website. Additionally, users can purchase extra HafH Coins through their accounts utilizing a credit card. The cash price for purchasing HafH Coins is: $25 (approximately NT$780) for 100 HafH Coins. The monthly limit for additional HafH Coin purchases is 6,000 (1,000 for the first subscription month). HafH provides over 120 accommodation options in Tokyo, spanning a wide price range from 75 HafH Coins per night (approximately NT$575) for a youth hostel to over 3,000 HafH Coins per night (approximately NT$23,034) for a luxury hotel. Comparing the prices on HafH with those displayed on individual accommodation websites, it appears that staying at specific accommodations through HafH is more affordable. When calculated every month, considering the long-term subscription VIP discounts, significant savings can be achieved. However, it's important to note that some accommodations may be cheaper when booked directly through their official websites or other channels. Therefore, before deciding to use HafH's subscription service, it's recommended to browse their website to confirm if the desired accommodation offers a cost advantage through HafH. In addition to considering cost-effectiveness, users should be aware that HafH has a monthly limit of 6,000 HafH Coins for additional purchases. Therefore, if you intend to book accommodation for an entire month using HafH, the accommodation cost per night must be restricted to within the range of 200 HafH Coins. On HafH, you can experience unique and comfortable youth hostels within this price range, providing opportunities to connect with travelers worldwide and expand your network. Suppose you prefer staying in business hotels and having independent spaces, even though HafH may not cover your entire month's accommodation. In that case, you can try "accumulating points for accommodation." For example, by saving the HafH Coins received each month with the subscription plan, after three months, not only will you accumulate 600 HafH Coins, but you'll also be eligible for a 5% discount on room rates, allowing you to exchange them for a few nights at a higher-end hotel without additional expenses. One of the youth hostel options available on HafH: unito CHIYODA. (Photo from HafH official website) One of the hotel options available on HafH: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU. (Photo from HafH official website) Another hotel option available on HafH: HOTEL GRAPHY NEZU. (Photo from HafH official website) However, the most cost-effective way to use HafH depends on your accommodation needs. For those accustomed to long-term stays within a particular hotel system, accumulating memberships with specific hotel groups or taking advantage of credit card promotions is more economical. In conclusion, before embarking on your digital nomadic life in Tokyo, consider the above information and evaluate whether HafH's services suit your needs. For more detailed usage information, such as the platform's mechanism allowing "free cancellation up to the day before" and the option to apply for "membership dormancy" if there's no immediate need for usage, you can visit the FAQ section on the HafH website. Additionally, you can contact them and ask questions through HafH Taiwan's official LINE account or their Instagram. You Can Also Book Hotels in Taiwan on HafH Apart from being used to book accommodations during your stay in Japan, when HafH officially started its services for Taiwanese users in October of last year, it also announced partnerships with 150 accommodations in Taiwan. Unlike the diverse choices available in Japan, the focus in Taiwan initially leans towards collaborations with high-end hotels. Options include Regent Taipei, Palais de Chine Hotel, The Lalu Sun Moon Lake, Eslite Hotel, and Mandarin Oriental Taipei. Additionally, there are more affordable choices like the Just Sleep series, Green World Hotels, and City Suites. You can also use HafH to stay in their partner accommodations in Taiwan or other countries. -- Follow the Digital Nomad Facebook fan page and stay updated with more recent articles on Instagram (＠digital.nomad.press)！

February 7, 2024

Taiwan "Employment Gold Card" for Digital Nomads：Steps on How to Apply for It

For many digital nomads, Taiwan is an ideal destination with its pleasant climate, friendly people, and delicious cuisine. However, one of the significant concerns for these individuals is obtaining a visa. Currently, Taiwan does not have a dedicated visa for digital nomads, and many rely on regular stay visas, allowing a maximum stay of only 90 days, which is insufficient for those accustomed to longer stays in one location. To retain these high-skilled talents, boost tax revenue, and stimulate the consumer market, the Taiwanese government introduced the "Employment Gold Card" in 2018, a card with functions similar to a digital nomad visa. What is Taiwan's Employment Gold Card? The Employment Gold Card is valid for 1 to 3 years, depending on the applicant's preference, with the option to reapply upon expiration. All application procedures can be completed online without the need for physical documents or external consultants, private institutions, or companies. Employment Gold Card Application Requirements The Employment Gold Card is a document that consolidates work permits, residence visas, foreign resident certificates, and re-entry permits into one, providing eligible foreign talents the flexibility to freely seek employment, work, and change jobs during its validity. Applicants must have a monthly salary of at least NT$160,000, which can be from foreign or domestic income. Relevant proof documents must be provided and reviewed by the Ministry of Labor. Professionals with high skills in 11 specific fields, meeting the respective conditions for each field: Technology、Economy、Education、Culture and Arts、Sport、Finance、Law、Architecture、National Defense、Digital、NDC Special Case Review。 Application fees: Note that application fees differ for those holding U.S. passports, both applying abroad and after entering Taiwan! For U.S. passport holders applying abroad: NT$6,460 for one year, NT$7,460 for two years, NT$8,460 for three years. For U.S. passport holders applying after entering Taiwan: NT$3,700 for one year, NT$4,700 for two years, NT$5,700 for three years. For holders of passports from other countries: NT$3,700 for one year, NT$4,700 for two years, NT$5,700 for three years. Residents of Hong Kong and Macau: NT$3,100 for one to three years. How to Apply for the Employment Gold Card 1. Register and Fill out the Application Form First, create an account on the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform website. After creating an account, be sure to fill in all required information, using the same format as your passport when entering Taiwan. 2. Pay the Application Fee After completing the application, you will receive an email with a 12-digit application number. Save this number for future inquiries or contacting customer service. Next, use your credentials to log in again, click on the "Online Payment" tab, and pay the application fee. Note: The Taiwanese platform does not support China UnionPay cards or American Express cards. Online payments only accept JCB, VISA, and MasterCard credit cards, and no refunds are provided after payment. Once payment is complete, the case enters the review and verification stage. 3. Review and Verification The Taiwan Ministry of the Interior's Immigration Agency will review the data you submitted, and the process takes approximately 20 working days. Plan accordingly if applying upon arrival in Taiwan. After approval, applicants will receive an automated approval notification email. You are required to submit your passport for inspection at the Consular Affairs Bureau or the representative office of the Republic of China (Taiwan) that you selected. Submit the passport along with the passport submission notice received via email. The verification process takes about one week, after which you will receive an email notifying you that your Gold Card application has been approved. 4. Collect the Gold Card If applying within Taiwan, download the electronic receipt from the online application platform and bring it, along with your passport, to the service center of the National Immigration Agency for card collection. For those applying from other countries, enter Taiwan with the "Republic of China Employment Gold Card Overseas Approval Certificate." You can find this certificate in the "Downloads" section of the application platform. Be sure to print this document in color for it to be valid. Benefits of Applying for the Employment Gold Card 1. Taxation: Digital nomads in Taiwan without any personal or business interests are exempt from income tax for the first 183 days of stay. For digital nomads whose salary is not from Taiwan, it can be tax-free. Foreign workers coming to Taiwan for the first time enjoy a direct halving of taxes on amounts exceeding NT$3 million in annual salary for the first five years. 2. Healthcare: Taiwan's healthcare is affordable and widely accessible, providing a significant advantage for digital nomads planning to temporarily depart from their home country's healthcare system. Digital nomads residing in Taiwan can join the National Health Insurance after six months of obtaining their resident permit. However, Employment Gold Card holders employed in Taiwan or in positions with Taiwanese employers and self-employed individuals are exempt from the six-month waiting period and can directly enroll in the National Health Insurance for themselves and their dependents. In summary, Taiwan's Employment Gold Card partially addresses the absence of a dedicated digital nomad visa. If you meet the criteria, consider embarking on a digital nomadic journey in Taiwan! -- Follow the Digital Nomad Facebook fan page and stay updated with more recent articles on Instagram (＠digital.nomad.press)！

January 24, 2024

Reservation Available! No Time Limit! 4 Cafes Digital Nomads MUST Visit in Taipei

We all know that the quality of our work environment is closely linked to our work state and outcomes. In a work environment with many distractions, producing high-quality results takes a lot of work. Some digital nomads rent 'co-working spaces,' while others prefer working in cafes, enjoying a relaxing, focused, and unique atmosphere. However, only some cafes are suitable for work. Some have few power outlets, others impose a two-hour time limit, and some don't accept reservations, often leading to the frustrating situation of arriving and finding no available seats and then having to spend time and energy searching for another cafe. In this article, the editor of Digital Nomad will reveal four favorite cafes in Taipei where you can make reservations, find plenty of power outlets, enjoy stable internet and without time limits. Each has its unique features, and who knows, maybe you'll find your favorite among them! 1. Joco Latte At the bustling intersection of Minsheng East Road and Fuxing North Road, hidden on the ground floor of a building, there lies a discreet industrial-style coffee shop named Joco Latte. Inside the cafe, not only can you find freshly ground and brewed coffee and excellent Taiwanese teas, but also a variety of chocolate beverages that are relatively rare in other shops, such as 72% from Venezuela, 70% from Santo Domingo, and 70% from Tanzania. If you're looking for a special cafe with a variety of food choices, and a quiet atmosphere, you definitely shouldn't miss Joco Latte! Joco latte 02-2501-8809 No. 4, Ln. 88, Sec. 3, Minsheng E. Rd., Zhongshan Dist., Taipei City ( MRT Chungshan Junior High School Station) Tue.-Thu. 12:00-21:00 / Fri. 12:00-22:00 / Sat. 10:30-22:00 / Sun. 10:30-21:00 ( Closed on Mon.) (Photo by Minyu Chung) (Photo by Minyu Chung) 2. Triangle Garden Cafe If you're more enchanted by old houses and woodworking than the industrial style, then Triangle Garden Cafe may be more to your taste. In addition to essential work amenities like power outlets and Wi-Fi, the owner has lovingly curated a unique environment. Coupled with a diverse selection of food options that rival the previous cafe (offering coffee, tea, honey-based drinks, and a variety of homemade desserts), it's sure to provide a tranquil and cozy atmosphere for all the working patrons, allowing them to maintain a sense of calm while staying focused. 角公園咖啡 Triangle Garden Cafe 02-2556-1773 2F., No. 131, Taiyuan Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City (MRT Chungshan Station) Mon.-Fri. 10:00-18:00 / Sat.-Sun. 10:00-20:00 (Photo by Minyu Chung) (Photo by Minyu Chung) 3. Youmoutoohana Coffee Located in the convenient Dongmen shopping district, Youmoutoohana Coffee is also one of the coffee shops suitable for digital nomad to work. The environment is bright, and with most customers being students quietly using laptops or reading, it often feels like you're in a library. If you're the type of digital nomad who benefits from a more structured environment, why not pay a visit to see if this place is your hidden gem of a cafe, where you can focus without the same level of restraint as in a library! 羊毛與花 ‧ 永康 Youmoutoohana Coffee 02-2358-3153 1F., No. 12, Ln. 37, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City ( MRT Dongmen Station) Mon.-Sun. 11:00-22:00 (Photo by Minyu Chung) (Photo by Minyu Chung) 4. Sugar Man Cafe "The coffee shops above are good, but they don’t match my daily routine!" If you are a night owl type of digital nomad, who likes to sleep in and then work all the way into the night, then you must not miss the Sugar Man Cafe located near Guting Station. In addition to its most significant feature of staying open until 4 am, the shop also offers dumplings and Japanese-style fried noodles that are well-known to regulars, allowing you to easily satisfy your hunger and continue working, without the need to run around just to fill your stomach. Sugar Man Cafe 02-2396-9980 No. 87-1, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City Mon.-Sun. 11:00-04:00 (Photo by Minyu Chung) (Photo by Minyu Chung) We have introduced four coffee shops above, where reservations are possible and the environment is suitable for work. Is there anywhere that makes you want to visit right away? If you wish to know more about coffee shops in Taipei that are conducive to work, beyond those mentioned above, we also recommend that you check out information collaboratively compiled by netizens on Cafe Nomad. It will help you find a comfortable and efficient haven for your digital nomad life in Taipei! Bonus! At the end of this article, I’d like to share a secret cafe with you. Though you can’t make reservations in advance, but trust me, you won’t regret after leaving home earlier and giving it a try! 5. 樓上的嬉皮與笑臉男（Smiling Jesus On the Roof） If you fancy a place filled with books, CDs, and movie posters reflecting an artistic and youthful style, then 'Smiling Jesus On the Roof' located on the second floor of an apartment near the Technology Building Station is bound to suit your taste. With daylight streaming in through large windows and the room basked in a warm, yellow light at night, this shop, brimming with atmosphere, is a secret workspace often frequented by many digital nomads. 樓上的嬉皮與笑臉男 2F., No. 157, Sec. 2, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City Mon.-Fri.,Sun. 14:00-22:00 / Sat. 14:00-24:00 (Photo by Minyu Chung) (Photo by Minyu Chung) -- (This article is translated by the Digital Nomad editor group.)

December 12, 2023