Taiwan

Entrepreneur visa (Startup Terrace). A 2-year residence visa for founders with outside validation — venture funding, a government startup subsidy, an accredited incubator seat, or a qualifying patent or competition prize.

Free, with the law behind every answer

Entrepreneur visa (Startup Terrace)

A resident visa and residence card for 2 years, extendable in 2-year increments once the business shows annual sales of at least NT$3,000,000, operating expenses of at least NT$1,000,000, or at least 3 full-time Taiwanese employees.

Who qualifies

Any one of: at least NT$2,000,000 (about $63,000) in funding from a VC, a government startup fund, or approved crowdfunding — or NT$1,000,000 (about $31,500) if the applicant founded the enterprise directly; a government subsidy of at least NT$3,000,000 (central) or NT$1,000,000 (local); admission to a recognised incubator or startup park; an invention or design patent; or a prize in a recognised startup, design, fashion, or film competition.
Entrepreneur Visa (Startup Visa)
A high-school diploma or above; no employer or prior business registration is required.
Startup Terrace — entrepreneur visa

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

Does it fit your family?

One question, from the program’s own rules.

Savings you could move or invest?

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Savings: About $63,000.
Time: 4–8 weeks: about 8 working days for the Investment Commission review, then visa issuance.
Cost: NT$1,600–3,200 in visa fees, roughly NT$1,000–2,200 for the residence card, plus optional consulting fees of $1,500–5,000.
The hard part: Convincing the Investment Commission’s reviewers that the funding source, patent, or competition genuinely meets the innovation bar — a subjective review.

Dollar figures are converted from the local currency at the rate the program’s research used; the official figure is in the local currency.

Citizens by 2033.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
2 years, renewable for 2 years at a time.
2029
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 2 years.
2031
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 2 years.
2032
Permanent residence
Five consecutive years of legal residence with at least 183 days in Taiwan each year, good conduct, and income above twice the minimum wage or enough assets. Student time does not count. Foreign professionals can apply after 3 years, and after 1 year with NT$6 million income.
2032
Apply for citizenship
With a language test and a civics test.
2033
Citizenship

Language: Basic proficiency in the national language, tested with the knowledge test below.
Civics: A basic test of language and of the rights and duties of citizens.
Time away: Legal residence of more than 183 days in each of at least five consecutive years.
Two passports: It depends on the rules at the time and on your home country.

Two-year permits renewed while the business meets its targets; the ordinary five-year roads to permanence and citizenship apply.
How long the decision takes isn’t published; we allow a year.
Whether you can keep your current citizenship depends on the rules at the time and your home country.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: 183 or more days a year makes you a Taiwan tax resident on worldwide income.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Apply through Taiwan’s Startup Terrace programme.Open startupterrace.sme.gov.tw ↗
Gather these documents.
- Proof of savings: at least $63,000
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health cover for the move

Postern can run this for you.

$900for your first year as a founding member. Then $399 a year, automatically.One membership, the whole family. Bank accounts and help putting your plan into action are included.

Postern runs it for one adult US citizen already lawfully in Taiwan with a home in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Hsinchu City, Hsinchu County, Keelung City, Yilan County, Miaoli County, Hualien County, Changhua County, Nantou County, Chiayi City, Chiayi County, Yunlin County, Penghu County, Kinmen County, Lienchiang County, Pingtung County, Taitung County, never previously a PRC or ROC citizen, recommended by a recognised incubator: entrepreneur application, passport verification, residence card, NHI enrollment and recurring two-year business extensions supported by at least NTD 1 million of actual annual operating expenses; also covers Taichung City through the center serving the home district and Kaohsiung City through its second service center; Tainan City is covered through the center assigned to the home district.

20 steps, from the first paper to the passport. You do 4 of them: send what we ask for, sign, and show up. We run the rest, and keep every permit renewed on time. Opening your bank accounts there is included, whether you move now or keep the plan ready. Government fees, record fees and other costs you approve are extra.

Run it for my family →

ISSUED TO

YOUR FAMILY

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POSTERN