1. Introduction
   As of July 1, 2023, Taiwan Entrepreneur Visa application must be submitted online, and the validity has been extended to 2 years! As global startup trends are growing and predictable, the Taiwan government has provided an Entrepreneur Visa to attract and support international startups and innovative entrepreneurs to start businesses in Taiwan since 2015. The advantages of Entrepreneur visa includes: no need to set up a business beforehand, 2 years residency, extension without leaving Taiwan, availability of group application and the applicants are eligible to apply for Youth Business Start-up Loan. The Entrepreneur visa is suitable for entrepreneurs who are interested in developing Taiwan market or starting a business in Taiwan.
2. Qualifications
   According to the Review Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals:
   1. Individual Application
      An individual applicant should meet at least one of the following criteria:
      I. Has secured investment from a domestic or overseas venture capital, secured investment from the Executive Yuan National Development Fund Startup Angel Project, or obtained funding of at least NT$2 million in investment (fund-raising) from a government-approved domestic, foreign, or international startup fund-raising platform.
      II. Has physically stationed in within one year, or is physically stationing in the following startup parks or startup incubators, and has been recommended by such parks or incubators:
      i. International start-up parks and projects approved by the central or local governments in Taiwan.
      ii. The central or local government-operated startup incubators in Taiwan, or those registered in the MOEA (Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C.) international startup incubators and approved and announced by the MOEA.
      iii. Foreign startup incubators recognized by the central or local governments in Taiwan.
      III. Has been awarded an invention patent in a foreign country or an invention/design patent in Taiwan, or can demonstrated other evidence of professional expertise.
      IV. Has obtained plant variety rights, or animal name registration in Taiwan, but does not include those implemented by rights assignment or authorization.
      V. Has won an award in a leading domestic/international business start-up or design competition, or received approval of the project of encouraging overseas entrepreneurs to invest in Taiwan from the Taiwan government.
      VI. Has been shortlisted or awarded in indicative domestic/international fashion shows, film festivals, or style awards.
      VII. Possesses such other innovation capability as may be specified or recommended by the central competent authority.
      VIII. Has established an enterprise that complies with the Directions of Recognition for Startups with Innovation Capability with at least NT$ 1 million investment in Taiwan and has been serving as the legal representative, manager or director of that enterprise
   2. Group(Team) Application
      I. The applicant who has not established an enterprise in Taiwan shall meet at least one of the above criteria except for the item VIII. 
      II. For the applicant who has already established an enterprise in Taiwan that complies with the Directions of Recognition for Startups with Innovation Capability, the members of the team or group shall be serving as legal representative, executive officers or managers of the enterprise, and the members shall have invested a combined total of at least NT$1 million in such enterprise.
      III. The size of a group (team) shall be less than 3 people.
3. Application Process & Required Documents :
   1. Online Application Process
      Please enter the system of "FOREIGN PROFESSIONALS ONLINE APPLICATION PLATFORM" from the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of Interior, 
      Fill in the registration information, and receive account certification email confirmation, log in to the platform to apply and follow-up case payment, replacement parts, download documents or receipts and other operations.
      
   2. Required Documents

I. Required Documents for Foreign Applicants

i. One recent 2-inch passport photo taken within the past 6 months.
ii. A passport with a remaining validity of at least 6 months. 
iii. Documentary proof of meeting the qualification requirements specified in "the Principles for Reviewing Foreigners' Qualifications for an Entrepreneur Visa and Alien Resident Certificate in Taiwan" as outlined in Annex 5. In the case of team applications, an Entrepreneur Team Intent Letter should be additionally submitted.

II. Required Documents for Hong Kong/Macao Applicants

i. One recent 2-inch passport photo taken within the past 6 months.
ii. Proof of Hong Kong or Macau permanent residency status (a passport or permanent resident identity card with a validity period of at least 3 months).
iii. Documentary proof of meeting the qualification requirements specified in "the Principles for Reviewing Foreigners' Qualifications for an Entrepreneur Visa and Alien Resident Certificate in Taiwan" as outlined in Annex 5. In the case of team applications, an Entrepreneur Team Intent Letter should be additionally submitted.

Form 1: Supporting Documents List, applicants should meet one of the qualifications below:

4. Extension Application

When the applicant's business enterprise in Taiwan meets at least one of the criteria listed below, the applicant may apply for an extension within four months before the expiry date of his/her Alien Resident Certificate and submit the qualification review documents specified in Appendix via Foreign Professionals Application Platform. The maximum permitted period of each extension may not exceed two years: 
(1)The sales revenue of the applicant's enterprise for the most recent year, or the average for the most recent three years, is at least NT$3 million.
(2)The operating expenses of the applicant's enterprise for the most recent year, or the average for the most recent three years, is at least NT$1 million.
(3)The applicant's enterprise employs at least three full-time Taiwanese nationality employees.
(4)The applicant's enterprise can demonstrate some other category of operational performance that leads the industry competent authority to determine that the enterprise is making a positive contribution to Taiwan's economic development.

5. Contact Information

E-mail: stli_entr.visa@iii.org.tw