Taiwan (Republic of China) · entrepreneur · Leads to settlement
Entrepreneur Resident Visa
By Sam Parks · Last reviewed:
Source check: all 7 official citations reconfirmed 11 July 2026
A resident visa for foreign entrepreneurs starting or running an innovative business in Taiwan, reviewed against the Entrepreneur visa qualification directions.
- Processing time
- Indicative only. Review involves the National Immigration Agency and the relevant economic authorities; check current timelines on the official BOCA and NIA pages.
- Government fees
- Indicative only. Visa and residence fees apply; refer to the official BOCA and NIA pages for current amounts.
- Typical duration
- Initial residence of 2 years; extensions of up to 2 years each subject to continuing to meet the qualification directions.
- Sponsorship required
- No
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
In short
As of 9 July 2026, the Entrepreneur Resident Visa for Taiwan (Republic of China) is an unsponsored Taiwan immigration route. Sources: official Taiwan (Republic of China) government pages, reviewed 9 July 2026.
Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/taiwan/entrepreneur-resident-visa#answer
What is the Entrepreneur Resident Visa in Taiwan (Republic of China)?
Entrepreneur Resident Visa is an unsponsored Taiwan route. Indicative government fees are Indicative only. Visa and residence fees apply; refer to the official BOCA and NIA pages for current amounts; indicative processing time is Indicative only. Review involves the National Immigration Agency and the relevant economic authorities; check current timelines on the official BOCA and NIA pages; typical duration is Initial residence of 2 years; extensions of up to 2 years each subject to continuing to meet the qualification directions. This route can lead to permanent residence.
Verified against Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) on 1 June 2026.
Overview
The Entrepreneur Resident Visa allows foreign nationals to come to Taiwan to start or operate an innovative business. Applications are submitted through the National Immigration Agency Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform and are reviewed for eligibility, with relevant economic authorities assessing the business against the official Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals. The initial residence period is two years, and applicants who continue to meet the qualification conditions may extend their residence in further periods of up to two years each. Blue-collar workers currently in Taiwan may not apply for this resident visa.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Meet the qualification conditions in the official Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals (assessed on a case-by-case basis).Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Apply through the National Immigration Agency Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform, with review by the relevant economic authorities.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Apply for an Alien Resident Certificate within 30 days of arrival in Taiwan.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ✓Not be a blue-collar worker currently staying in Taiwan, who is ineligible for this resident visa.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
Common blockers
- !The business does not satisfy the official Entrepreneur visa qualification directions.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- !Applicant is currently in Taiwan as a blue-collar worker, who may not apply.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- !Failure to maintain the qualifying conditions at extension, which can end the residence.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
Typical evidence
- ·Business plan and documents evidencing the qualifying conditions in the Entrepreneur visa directions.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Proof of investment, funding, incubator acceptance or innovation as applicable to the directions.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Valid passport and supporting personal documents.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
- ·Online application submitted through the Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform.Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) ↗
Application pathway
Assess against the directions
Confirm that your venture can meet the official Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals.
Apply online
Submit the Entrepreneur visa application through the National Immigration Agency Foreign Professionals Online Application Platform.
Collect the visa and enter Taiwan
After approval, collect the resident visa from an overseas mission or BOCA, then enter Taiwan within the validity period.
Obtain the ARC and extend
Apply for an Alien Resident Certificate within 30 days of arrival, and extend residence in up to two-year periods while continuing to meet the qualification conditions.
Official application links
Where to actually go next
These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.
- Official guidanceApplicantUse official Entrepreneur Resident Visa route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Entrepreneur Resident Visa.
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan) · verified
Matches these professions
Also explored by
Compare Taiwan (Republic of China) with
Related routes
Taiwan Employment Gold Card
A combined open work permit, resident visa, ARC and re-entry permit for foreign special professionals in designated fields, not tied to any single employer.
Permanent Residence (Alien Permanent Resident Certificate, APRC)
Permanent residence for foreign nationals who have legally resided in Taiwan continuously for five years, granted by the National Immigration Agency under the Immigration Act.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the initial Taiwan Entrepreneur resident visa valid?+
The initial residence period is two years. Entrepreneurs who continue to meet the conditions in the official Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals may apply to extend residence, with each extension not exceeding two years.
What are the eligibility requirements for the Entrepreneur visa?+
Eligibility is assessed case-by-case against the official Entrepreneur visa qualification directions, which look at innovation, funding, incubation and similar factors rather than a single fixed threshold. Supporting documents are determined individually, and blue-collar workers currently in Taiwan are not eligible. Check the current directions before applying.
How soon after arriving in Taiwan on the Entrepreneur Resident Visa must I get my ARC?+
You must apply to the National Immigration Agency for an Alien Resident Certificate within 30 days of arriving in Taiwan. You then extend residence in periods of up to two years each while you continue to meet the qualification conditions.
Can blue-collar workers already in Taiwan apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa?+
No. Blue-collar workers currently staying in Taiwan are not eligible to apply for the Entrepreneur Resident Visa. The route is for foreign nationals starting or operating an innovative business that meets the official Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in TaiwanHow we verified this
We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.
Primary source: Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taiwan)
Last checked: 1 June 2026