Knowledge Zone
A Guide for Foreigners Starting Businesses and Working Self-Employed in Taiwan: From Visa to Company Setup
Can foreigners start businesses in Taiwan?
The answer is yes . In recent years, the Taiwanese government has been actively attracting foreign talent and entrepreneurs by introducing various visa and residency programs that allow foreign professionals to legally start businesses, operate their own businesses, or work remotely in Taiwan.
However, "starting a business" doesn't mean you can start anytime—you need to first determine which path suits you best and obtain the corresponding work permit or residency status before you can legally operate a business. This article outlines three main paths to help you find the most suitable starting point.
I. Comparison of Three Main Types of Pipelines
| pipeline | Suitable for | Main threshold | Issuing authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment Gold Card | Highly skilled professionals, digital workers, and researchers | Meets specific field qualifications (e.g., monthly salary ≥ NT$160,000 or has professional achievements). | National Development Council |
| Entrepreneur Visa | Foreigners with specific business plans | Submit a business plan and it will be approved. | Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| Investment Immigration | Investors with funds invested in Taiwanese companies | Investment amount ≥ NT$15 million (generally for foreigners); NT$6 million for Hong Kong and Macau residents | Investment Review Division, Ministry of Economic Affairs |
In addition, if you mainly work remotely or as a digital freelancer , you may want to consider the Digital Nomad Visa , see Section 5 of this article for details.
II. Detailed Explanation of the Employment Gold Card
The Employment Gold Card is a " four-in-one " document launched in Taiwan for highly skilled foreign professionals. It integrates work permit, residence visa, alien residence permit, and re-entry permit, allowing individuals to legally live and work in Taiwan with just one card.
Application qualifications
The Employment Gold Card is available in several professional fields, and applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
| field | Eligibility requirements (examples) |
|---|---|
| Digital Field | A monthly salary of NT$160,000 or more within the last two years, or equivalent professional achievements. |
| Financial sector | Relevant experience or certification in financial institutions |
| Law, architecture, art, education, etc. | Licenses, awards or significant achievements in this field |
| Science and technology, engineering, agriculture, sports, etc. | According to the standards set by the competent authorities in each field |
Shelf life and cost
- Validity period: 1 to 3 years (depending on the applicant's eligibility)
- Cost: USD $100 to $310 (depending on expiry date)
- Applications can be submitted online; no prior employer contact is required.
Tax incentives
Foreign talents holding an Employment Gold Card and working in Taiwan for the first time are entitled to the following tax benefits:
- For the first 5 years after employment, the portion of annual salary exceeding NT$3 million is eligible for a 50% tax exemption.
- For example, if the annual salary is NT$5 million, of the NT$2 million exceeding NT$3 million, NT$1 million is exempt from taxable income.
APRC Fast Qualification
After holding an Employment Gold Card for 3 years (generally 5 years for foreigners), you can apply for an APRC (Permanent Residence Permit), which significantly shortens the time required to obtain long-term residency.
Application portal: Employment Gold Card application platform goldcard.nat.gov.tw
III. Entrepreneur Visa
The Entrepreneur Visa is suitable for foreigners who have a clear business plan but have not yet completed the company establishment, allowing you to obtain legal residency status while simultaneously preparing for the company's establishment .
Application process
- Prepare a business plan : Explain the business model, market analysis, financial planning, and contributions to Taiwan.
- Submit your application to the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (you may entrust a startup accelerator or mentoring unit to assist you).
- Written review + oral report : The committee assesses the feasibility of the plan.
- Upon approval, an entrepreneur visa will be issued : typically valid for one year, with the possibility of extension.
- Complete company establishment within the specified period and convert to a general residence or work permit.
Precautions
- Startup plans need to be grounded in Taiwan ; purely remote models are less likely to be approved.
- Applying in conjunction with Taiwanese startup accelerators (such as AppWorks and Garage+) can help increase the success rate.
- For details, please visit the website of the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs .
IV. Steps for setting up a company in Taiwan
Regardless of the visa application process, company registration is usually required to officially operate a business in Taiwan.
Main process
| step | content | competent authority |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Company Name Pre-Search | Confirm that the company name is not in use. | Department of Commerce, Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| 2. Foreign Investment Application | Investment by holders of foreign passports requires approval (some types are exempt). | Investment Review Committee |
| 3. Company registration | Register with the Commercial Department as a joint-stock company or limited liability company. | Department of Commerce, Ministry of Economic Affairs |
| 4. Tax Registration | Complete tax registration with the State Taxation Administration and obtain a unified tax number. | Ministry of Finance and State Taxation Administration |
| 5. Open a company account | Open a company account at a bank (requires the identification documents of the registered owner and the person in charge). | Banks |
Practical reminders
- Setting up a limited liability company has lower barriers to entry and is suitable for early-stage startups; while a joint-stock company is suitable for those who will need to raise funds in the future.
- Foreigners serving as company executives must ensure they hold valid Taiwanese residency and work permits.
- It is recommended to hire an accountant or document drafter to assist with the establishment process, which can save a significant amount of time and document processing costs.
- Company setup costs vary depending on the amount of capital; generally, the starting capital for a new company ranges from NT$500,000 to NT$1,000,000.
V. Digital Nomad Visa (Suitable for Remote Self-Operated Businesses)
If your work involves providing remote services to overseas clients (such as design, software development, consulting, or creation), Taiwan's Digital Nomad Visa may be a suitable option.
Suitable for
- Freelancers providing services to non-Taiwanese clients
- Remote workers who already have a stable source of income from overseas
- Those who wish to stay in Taiwan long-term but do not intend to set up a company
Precautions
- Eligibility for application requires meeting an income threshold (detailed standards are subject to the announcement of the competent authority).
- The duration of stay is subject to case-by-case review as planned ; it is not a fixed term.
- This visa does not permit employment in Taiwan, nor does it allow the holder to provide services to clients within Taiwan (a separate work permit is required).
- For details, please contact: Ministry of Labor Digital Nomadic Work Zone
VI. Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Can I be employed and start my own business at the same time with an Employment Gold Card?
Yes. The Employment Gold Card allows holders to freely choose their work style , including being employed, self-employed, or a combination of both, without needing to be tied to an employer beforehand.
Q2: Can foreigners own a company?
Yes, but you need to apply for foreign investment approval from the Investment Review Board . Some low-risk industries have exemptions. It is recommended to consult an accountant beforehand to confirm whether an application is required.
Q3: What is the difference between the Entrepreneur Visa and the Employment Gold Card?
The Employment Gold Card focuses on individual professional competence (such as salary level or achievements in the field), while the Entrepreneur Visa focuses on the feasibility of the business plan itself . If you have a high salary record or significant achievements, applying for the Employment Gold Card is usually faster; if you have a new business idea but no salary basis yet, the Entrepreneur Visa is a more suitable option.
Q4: Do investors need to personally run the company to immigrate?
Not necessarily. The core requirement for investment immigration is an investment of NT$6 million that complies with regulations. Whether one personally holds a management position depends on the investment structure. However, if one needs to actually work in Taiwan, a corresponding work permit is still required.
Q5: Are there any mentoring resources available during the startup process?
Taiwan has many mentoring resources for foreign entrepreneurs, including:
- AppWorks (a startup accelerator with an English-speaking environment)
- Garage+ (an accelerator under the Industrial Technology Research Institute)
- Guidance programs under the Small and Medium Enterprise Administration of the Ministry of Economic Affairs
- Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) (An international startup platform supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology)
VII. Related Links
- Employment Gold Card Application Platform (National Development and Reform Commission)
- Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (SME and Startup Agency), Ministry of Economic Affairs (Entrepreneur Visa)
- Investment Review Division (Investment Immigration), Ministry of Economic Affairs
- Foreigners Working in Taiwan Service Network (Ministry of Labor)
- Digital Nomadic Work Zone (Ministry of Labor)
- AppWorks Startup Accelerator
If you have entrepreneurial ideas, you are welcome to contact us through the New Southbound Job Bank platform. We can help connect you with resources in Taiwan.
Contact email: zisung1024@gmail.com
This document is compiled based on the current laws and regulations of the Republic of China. Actual regulations are subject to the latest announcements from the relevant authorities. Application requirements may be subject to policy changes; it is recommended to confirm the latest information with the relevant authorities before applying.
※ Information Timeliness Reminder: The amounts, rates, market conditions, and regulations contained in this article are information as of the time of writing (2026). Basic wages, labor and health insurance rates, etc., may be adjusted every year. Please refer to the latest announcements from the competent authorities and current regulations for the most accurate information.
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