TaiwanBusiness and self-employment

Taiwan entrepreneur visa

Resident Visa for Entrepreneur (Entrepreneur Visa)

In short

Founders who want to set up or run a start-up in Taiwan apply for the Entrepreneur Visa online through the National Immigration Agency's Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform. After the Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs confirms eligibility, the NIA invites the applicant to collect the resident visa at a Taiwan mission within six months.

Apply on Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform (National Immigration Agency) checked 24 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Resident visa valid three months
Fee
US$66Single-entry resident visa applied for abroad; multiple entry US$132. NT$2,200 / NT$4,400 inside Taiwan. Not refunded if refused.
Processing time
Eight working days for resident visas processed in Taiwan, after the eligibility review
Where to apply
Online application, then visa at a Taiwan mission (or BOCA if already in Taiwan)

Who cannot use this route

People currently staying in Taiwan as blue-collar workers may not apply for an entrepreneur resident visa. The detailed eligibility criteria are set and checked by the MOEA Investment Commission as part of the online review; BOCA's visa page does not list them.

Documents at the visa stage

Bring the online visa form printed with its barcode and signed, two colour passport photos (45 x 35 mm, white background) pasted on the form, the passport valid for at least six months with a copy of the bio-page, the Passport Submission Notice and any other documents the authorities request case by case. Applicants already in Taiwan add copies of their visitor visa and entry stamp.

Required documents

Identity

  • Passport valid at least six months and copy of the bio-page

Other

  • Online entrepreneur application on the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform
  • Passport Submission Notice issued by the NIA after approval
  • Online visa application form with barcode, signed; two colour photos 45 x 35 mm

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Other

  • Other supporting documents as requested

Two-stage procedure

First, submit the entrepreneur application electronically on the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform. The Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) reviews whether you meet the entrepreneur criteria. If you do, the NIA sends a Passport Submission Notice, and within six months you take it with your passport, the visa application form and two photos to a Taiwan embassy or representative office, or to BOCA if you are already in Taiwan.

  1. Register on the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform and submit the entrepreneur application.
  2. Wait for the MOEA Investment Commission's eligibility review.
  3. On approval, receive the Passport Submission Notice from the NIA.
  4. Within six months, apply for the resident visa at a Taiwan mission.
  5. Enter Taiwan and apply for the ARC within 30 days.

In Taiwan

Entrants on a visitor visa for employment, investment, business or tourism can apply for the resident visa in Taiwan, at BOCA or its regional offices, eight working days before their stay ends. Resident visas are valid for three months. Within 30 days of the day after arrival (or of the issue date, if the visa was granted inside Taiwan) you must apply at an NIA service centre for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and re-entry permit; your permitted stay is the validity of the ARC.

Frequently asked questions

Who reviews the Taiwan entrepreneur visa?

The Investment Commission of the Ministry of Economic Affairs checks eligibility; the visa itself is then issued by a Taiwan mission or BOCA.

How long do I have to collect the visa after approval?

Six months from the NIA's notice.

Can I apply from inside Taiwan?

Yes, if you entered on a visitor visa for employment, investment, business or tourism; apply eight working days before your stay ends.

Can blue-collar workers in Taiwan apply?

No. People currently staying in Taiwan as blue-collar workers may not apply for the entrepreneur resident visa.

What happens if my stay expires during processing?

If your stay ends while a resident visa application in Taiwan is pending and it is refused, you alone bear the overstay penalty, so apply eight working days before your stay ends.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Taiwan

Visits and short stays

  • Tourist visa Maximum stay: 14, 30, 60 or 90 days per entry as stated on the visa; 60- and 90-day visas without a "no extension" remark can be extended at the NIA up to six months in total
  • Family and friends visit visa Maximum stay: As stated on the visa; 60- or 90-day visas can be extended up to six months in total
  • Medical treatment visa Maximum stay: As stated on the visa; 60- or 90-day visas can be extended at the NIA, and hospitalised patients can receive further extensions

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: As stated on the visa (14, 30, 60 or 90 days per entry)
  • Investor visa Validity: Resident visa valid three months; stay as stated on the ARC

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: Duration of the ARC, renewed during studies
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: Visitor visa stay as granted, extendable at the NIA; residence (ARC) possible after four months of study

Work

Family

Residence

  • Permanent residence Validity: Permanent, but may be revoked if average residence falls below 183 days a year over the last five years

Online travel permits

  • e-Visa Maximum stay: 30 days, single entry, not extendable

Faster processing

Taiwan visa guide