Before getting started, please determine the primary purpose of your business in Taiwan. Different structures involve distinct application procedures and complexities. Please review the comparative analysis below carefully before submitting inquiries:

No. Taiwan adopts a positive-listing system for business items. Simply put, your exact business activities must be explicitly specified. Different items involve distinct regulations: some restrict foreign investment, some require professional licenses or specific capital amounts, and others have strict location requirements.

＊Reference: MOEA Business Code Inquiry System (經濟部商業司營業項目代碼檢索服務). Specific compliance applies.

There is no official minimum capital restriction by law. However, funds must be actually wired from abroad into a designated preparatory bank account in Taiwan. While most companies set their initial capital around NTD 500,000, capital can be increased later through a formal capital-augmentation procedure.

Yes, a legal and officially registerable address is mandatory. You can use a leased location, provided it is legally permitted for commercial registration (such as commercial office buildings or compliant properties).

Foreign individuals must submit acceptable proof of nationality or identification (such as a nationality certificate, valid passport, or permanent ARC), subject to specific authentication, background checks, or AML compliance rules based on individual cases.

If a foreign individual makes an investment in Taiwan using New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), relevant tax-reporting credentials (such as tax withholding certificates) must be attached when deemed necessary by the reviewing authority.

Due to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, corporate bank account opening in Taiwan has become extremely strict. Procedures, KYC requirements, and rules vary greatly across banks and branches. Principals/Representatives must appear in person (no proxy/agency allowed). Please note that our firm does not handle bank account opening on behalf of clients.

No. Company incorporation and ARC applications are two entirely separate processes. You must first complete company setup to apply for a work permit, and only after securing a work permit can you apply for an ARC. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on multiple regulatory criteria.

At least two entries are required. These steps occur at different stages of the incorporation timeline and cannot be combined into a single trip.

Yes. Anyone without a Taiwan National ID card who wishes to establish a company in Taiwan must first submit an investment application to the Department of Investment Review (OIC, 投審司).

Yes, it is permitted. However, you must carefully check whether you have signed a non-compete clause with your current employer, whether starting your own business is permitted, and whether it creates any conflict of interest to avoid potential legal action from your current employer.

The review primarily evaluates the investor’s personal background, professional qualifications, and source of funds, alongside a comprehensive business investment plan. Required documents vary by country of origin, but generally fall into four main categories.

Investors without a Taiwan ARC who entrust others to handle the application must provide a power of attorney, whereas ARC holders do not need one. The original power of attorney must be duly notarized.

Once approved by the Investment Commission, the investment permit is valid for one year. Investors must remit the funds and complete company registration within this one-year period; otherwise, the approval will automatically expire.

For foreign nationals (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau), work permit applications require meeting specific qualifications for both the foreign applicant and the employer.

1. Foreign Applicant Qualifications (外國人資格)

Must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• Manager in Foreign-Invested Company: Manager of a company approved under the Statute for Investment by Overseas Chinese or Foreign Nationals, holding over 1/3 of total shares/capital.
• Foreign Branch Manager: Manager of a foreign branch office.
• Representative: Representative of a liaison/representative office approved by the central competent authority.
• Innovative Startup Personnel: Department deputy manager or equivalent in an innovative startup approved by the central competent authority in consultation with the purpose-specific competent authority.
• First Employee Exemption: The first employed individual is exempt from standard professional/technical qualifications (e.g., master’s degree or university degree + 2 years experience) and average salary requirements (NTD 47,971/month). Additional employees must comply with standard professional/technical rules and salary criteria.
• Hong Kong / Macau Guarantor: Hong Kong and Macau applicants applying for residency permits require a Taiwan guarantor.

2. Employer Qualifications (雇主資格)

The employer must meet one of the following conditions:

• Established less than 1 year: Paid-in capital or operating funds in Taiwan of at least NTD 500,000; revenue of at least NTD 3,000,000; or import/export performance of USD 500,000+ / agency commissions of USD 200,000+.
• Established 1 year or more: Average annual revenue in the past year or past 3 years reaching NTD 3,000,000; average import/export performance reaching USD 500,000; or average agency commissions reaching USD 200,000.
• Representative Office: A foreign company representative office with operating performance (exempt from performance requirement if established under 1 year).
• Special Contribution/Approval: Made substantial contributions to domestic economic development or approved under special circumstances by the central competent authority.

Foreign investors can serve as company responsible persons, and foreign nationals can be appointed as managers and apply for work permits under specific regulatory conditions.

Comprehensive guidelines regarding foreign manager work permits, residency duration, dependent visas, permanent residency eligibility, personal income tax brackets, and student visa conversions.

Before getting started, please determine the primary purpose of your business in Taiwan. Different structures involve distinct application procedures and complexities. Please review the comparative analysis below carefully before submitting inquiries:

No. Taiwan adopts a positive-listing system for business items. Simply put, your exact business activities must be explicitly specified. Different items involve distinct regulations: some restrict foreign investment, some require professional licenses or specific capital amounts, and others have strict location requirements.

＊Reference: MOEA Business Code Inquiry System (經濟部商業司營業項目代碼檢索服務). Specific compliance applies.

There is no official minimum capital restriction by law. However, funds must be actually wired from abroad into a designated preparatory bank account in Taiwan. While most companies set their initial capital around NTD 500,000, capital can be increased later through a formal capital-augmentation procedure.

Yes, a legal and officially registerable address is mandatory. You can use a leased location, provided it is legally permitted for commercial registration (such as commercial office buildings or compliant properties).

Foreign individuals must submit acceptable proof of nationality or identification (such as a nationality certificate, valid passport, or permanent ARC), subject to specific authentication, background checks, or AML compliance rules based on individual cases.

If a foreign individual makes an investment in Taiwan using New Taiwan Dollars (NTD), relevant tax-reporting credentials (such as tax withholding certificates) must be attached when deemed necessary by the reviewing authority.

Due to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, corporate bank account opening in Taiwan has become extremely strict. Procedures, KYC requirements, and rules vary greatly across banks and branches. Principals/Representatives must appear in person (no proxy/agency allowed). Please note that our firm does not handle bank account opening on behalf of clients.

No. Company incorporation and ARC applications are two entirely separate processes. You must first complete company setup to apply for a work permit, and only after securing a work permit can you apply for an ARC. Approval is not guaranteed and depends on multiple regulatory criteria.

At least two entries are required. These steps occur at different stages of the incorporation timeline and cannot be combined into a single trip.

Yes. Anyone without a Taiwan National ID card who wishes to establish a company in Taiwan must first submit an investment application to the Department of Investment Review (OIC, 投審司).

Yes, it is permitted. However, you must carefully check whether you have signed a non-compete clause with your current employer, whether starting your own business is permitted, and whether it creates any conflict of interest to avoid potential legal action from your current employer.

The review primarily evaluates the investor’s personal background, professional qualifications, and source of funds, alongside a comprehensive business investment plan. Required documents vary by country of origin, but generally fall into four main categories.

Investors without a Taiwan ARC who entrust others to handle the application must provide a power of attorney, whereas ARC holders do not need one. The original power of attorney must be duly notarized.

Once approved by the Investment Commission, the investment permit is valid for one year. Investors must remit the funds and complete company registration within this one-year period; otherwise, the approval will automatically expire.

For foreign nationals (excluding Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau), work permit applications require meeting specific qualifications for both the foreign applicant and the employer.

1. Foreign Applicant Qualifications (外國人資格)

Must fulfill one of the following criteria:

• Manager in Foreign-Invested Company: Manager of a company approved under the Statute for Investment by Overseas Chinese or Foreign Nationals, holding over 1/3 of total shares/capital.
• Foreign Branch Manager: Manager of a foreign branch office.
• Representative: Representative of a liaison/representative office approved by the central competent authority.
• Innovative Startup Personnel: Department deputy manager or equivalent in an innovative startup approved by the central competent authority in consultation with the purpose-specific competent authority.
• First Employee Exemption: The first employed individual is exempt from standard professional/technical qualifications (e.g., master’s degree or university degree + 2 years experience) and average salary requirements (NTD 47,971/month). Additional employees must comply with standard professional/technical rules and salary criteria.
• Hong Kong / Macau Guarantor: Hong Kong and Macau applicants applying for residency permits require a Taiwan guarantor.

2. Employer Qualifications (雇主資格)

The employer must meet one of the following conditions:

• Established less than 1 year: Paid-in capital or operating funds in Taiwan of at least NTD 500,000; revenue of at least NTD 3,000,000; or import/export performance of USD 500,000+ / agency commissions of USD 200,000+.
• Established 1 year or more: Average annual revenue in the past year or past 3 years reaching NTD 3,000,000; average import/export performance reaching USD 500,000; or average agency commissions reaching USD 200,000.
• Representative Office: A foreign company representative office with operating performance (exempt from performance requirement if established under 1 year).
• Special Contribution/Approval: Made substantial contributions to domestic economic development or approved under special circumstances by the central competent authority.

Foreign investors can serve as company responsible persons, and foreign nationals can be appointed as managers and apply for work permits under specific regulatory conditions.

Comprehensive guidelines regarding foreign manager work permits, residency duration, dependent visas, permanent residency eligibility, personal income tax brackets, and student visa conversions.