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Taiwan

Resident visa for entrepreneur

If you wish to start a business venture and settle in the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan), you may apply for a Resident visa for Entrepreneurs.

You must set up a company in Taiwan with at least NTD500,000 in paid-in capital. In the second year, in order to renew your residency permit, your company needs to reach a turnover of at least NTD3,000,000.

Alternatively, you can get an entrepreneur visa, if you obtain funding via foreign or domestic venture capital, or any government-recognized crowdfunding platform of at least NTD2,000,000, or participate in a national entrepreneurial park such as the Taiwan Startup Stadium or hold patents in or outside Taiwan, or win startup or design competitions such as IDG Demo Show, Red Dot, iF design, or invest at least NTD1 million in an innovative project.

Fulfilling one of the above conditions will entitle you to receive a 1 year residency visa. To apply for an extension, your business venture must reach the NTD3,000,000 turnover requirement (from the previous year or 3-year average), or business expenditure of at least NTD1,000,000 (from the previous year or 3-year average) or employ at least 3 ROC nationals, or demonstrate some other category of operational performance that leads the competent authority to determine that the enterprise is making a positive contribution to Taiwan’s economic development.

Note that for each business venture there are three resident visas available.

Your dependents may obtain residency, tied to your residence permit.

After 5 years of consecutive legal residency, you may apply for a permanent residence permit. To qualify, you must have been physically present in Taiwan for at least 183 days each year and your monthly income must be at least twice that of the minimum wage set by the council of Labor Affairs, and your net worth must be valued at over NTD5,000,000.

Alternatively, you may apply for Permanent Residency if you have invested NTD15,000,000 in a business and created 5 full-time jobs for ROC nationals over 3 years, or have invested NTD30,000,000 in ROC government bonds for over 3 years. Under this scheme, you will not be required to be physically present in Taiwan during your residency.

After 5 years of consecutive legal residency, you can also apply for naturalization. Each application is handled on a case-by-case basis, but usually you will be required to be a tax resident for at least 5 years, with no criminal background, as well as pass an exam of the Chinese-Mandarin language, laws and regulations, be a skilled professional and demonstrate an ability to support yourself financially (twice the minimum wage and net worth over NTD5,000,000).

Requirements


If you have obtained funding from a Venture Capital firm or crowdfunding platform:
- An investment commitment letter or similar documentary evidence signed by the promoter of a yet-to-be-established startup and the domestic or overseas venture capital firm(s)
- A photocopy of the corporate registration document (or equivalent written evidence of lawful establishment), or document confirming amendment of the corporate registration document, of the domestic or overseas venture capital firm(s).
- A detailed breakdown of share subscriptions paid by shareholders from the legal representative of a newly-established startup (in existence for less than one year) in which a domestic venture capital firm(s) has invested.
- A detailed breakdown of share subscriptions paid by shareholders from the legal representative of a newly-established startup.
- A photocopy of a document issued by an overseas competent authority authorizing the overseas venture capital firm to undertake investment activity.
- Documentary evidence verifying the securing of funding from a government-approved international fund-raising platform.

If you participate in a ROC national entrepreneurial park:
- A photocopy of the collaboration agreement, contract or MoU etc. (covering the provision of incubator services, operational guidance, or business cultivation etc.) signed by the applicant and the park or incubator in which the applicant has received approval to locate itself.

If you have been awarded a patent either in Taiwan or overseas:
- A photocopy of a patent certificate issued by Taiwan’s Intellectual Property Office, MOEA or a photocopy of a patent certificate issued by a patent issuing agency in a foreign country.

If you have been awarded in a leading domestic or overseas business start-up or design competition, or have had an application approved to participate in a government project to encourage overseas entrepreneurs to invest in Taiwan:
- A photocopy of a Ministry of Science and Technology Innovation & Startups Award of Excellence certificate, or
- A photocopy of a Small and Medium Enterprise Administration (MOEA) Taiwan Innovation Competition (TIC) award certificate, or
- A photocopy of a DEMO God Awards award certificate, or
- A photocopy of a Red Dot Awards award certificate, or
- A photocopy of an iF Design Awards award certificate, or
- A photocopy of a Good Design Awards (G-Mark awards) award certificate, or
- A photocopy of an IDEA award certificate, or
- A proposal for an entrepreneur venture in Taiwan that has been approved by the Taiwanese government.

If you have invested at least NT$1 million in the enterprise:
- An investment authorization letter, and a letter confirming the amount of investment, issued by the government agency responsible for approving foreign investment (or another agency commissioned to undertake this task on its behalf).
- The corporate registration document (or document confirming amendment thereof) or permit allowing establishment of a foreign-owned company (or document confirming amendment thereof).

Restricted Nationalities


No nationality is officially restricted

dual citizenship


Dual citizenship is recognized in Taiwan. You are not required to renounce your previous nationality to become a citizen of Taiwan.


Documents Required


  • Two passport-size photos
  • Original and photocopy of passport
  • Professional and academic certificates
  • Medical Certificate
  • Certified copy of Business License or Incorporation documents
  • Original Police Clearance Certificate
  • dual citizenship Yes
  • Family members included No
  • land ownership Yes
  • Physical residence required Yes
  • Personal visit required Yes
  • Language skills required No
  • Interview required No
  • Investment Single $16,000
  • Investment Family 4 $16,000
  • Minimum annual income -
  • Time to citizenship 60
  • Time to permanent residency 60
  • Visa-free countries 146
  • Financing available No

Country details

Taiwan
TWD
886
Taipei
Asia
Chinese (Taiwan), , ,
22,894,384
The Republic of China, usually called Taiwan, is a partially recognized sovereign state in the Far East of Asia. It has maritime borders with China (officially the People’s Republic of China) to the west, Japan to the northeast, and the Philippines to the south. The Republic of China only manages several islands, mainly the island of Taiwan (or Formosa), along with several small archipelagos such as the Penghu (or Pescadores Islands), Kinmen (or Quemoy), Matsu, Pratas and Taiping. Taiwan is not a member of the United Nations, being the most populous state and the largest economy of the states outside of the UN.

The state has about 23 million inhabitants. Its capital is Taipei, and its most populated city is New Taipei City, which surrounds the capital. Its official language is Mandarin Chinese, along with other recognized languages such as Hokkien, Hakka, Formosan languages and Yami. Its official currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (TWD).

Visa Free Travel

With your new passport from Taiwan you'll be able to access 146 countries visa free
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Taxes

Individuals who have a domicile in Taiwan and spend at least 31 days in Taiwan are considered tax residents. In addition, foreign individuals who stay at least 183 days in Taiwan are also considered tax-residents, regardless of their permanent domicile.

Tax-residents and non-residents are subject to tax on their Taiwanese-source income.

Tax residents’ income is subject to personal income tax at progressive rates up to 45% on income exceeding NTD 10,310,001. Non-residents are taxed at a flat rate of 18% on income derived from salaries and wages and 20 % on the rest.

Foreign source income may be subject to tax at a flat rate of 20%, if foreign-sourced income is equal to or more than NTD1 million, with basic income exceeding NTD6.7 million. A tax credit may be available for foreign tax paid.

Interest income is usually subject to a final withholding tax of 15%. Dividends received by a tax resident are taxed only once, at the personal level.

Capital gains from the sale of real estate are usually treated as ordinary income and subject to normal personal income tax rates. However, if a taxpayer fulfills certain requirements, taxable income under NTD4,000,000 may be tax-exempt and over NTD4,000,000 may be subject to a reduced rate of 10%. Capital gains from the sale of shares are not subject to taxation.

Taiwan's Executive Yuan announced plans to vote Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) rules into legislation in 2018, however as of 2019, details have not yet been announced and the law has yet to be promulgated.

Taiwan levies a land value tax at progressive rates from 1% to 5.5% on urban and rural lands. A transfer tax between 4% and 6% is levied on the transfer of real property deeds. There is an estate and gift tax on worldwide assets of Taiwanese-domiciled individuals. There is no tax on net worth in Taiwan.

V.A.T. standard rate is 5%. Certain products and services are zero-rated.

Regarding corporate taxation, resident entities are subject to a 20% tax on their worldwide income, irrespective of source. Taxable income up to NTD120,000 may be tax exempt and undistributed profits may be subject to a surtax of 5%.

To learn more about Taiwanese corporate taxation, legal framework and tax treaties, check out incorporations.io/taiwan.

This should not be construed as tax advice. We have access to a global network of qualified attorneys and accountants who can give you the proper advice for your particular circumstances. Contact us for further information.

  • Property tax Yes
  • Transfer tax Yes
  • Inheritance tax Yes
  • Net worth tax No
  • CFC law Yes
  • Tax residency days 183
  • Personal income tax rate 45%
  • Capital Gains tax rate 45%
  • Investment income tax rate 45%
  • Territorial taxation Yes

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