How to do LLC Company Registration in Taiwan

Can Foreigners Register an LLC in Taiwan?

Yes. Foreigners can register a Taiwan limited company (有限公司) under the Company Act with one shareholder and one director, and 100% foreign ownership is allowed, subject to foreign direct investment (FDI) approval. The limited company is Taiwan’s LLC equivalent. The Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals exempts a foreign investor from restrictions on domicile, nationality, and capital contribution under the Company Act.

Foreign investment into Taiwan is active. From January to August 2025, Taiwan’s Department of Investment Review approved 1,433 FDI projects worth US$8.47 billion, per the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Project count fell 4.53% year over year, while approved value rose 59.73% over the same period in 2024, per the MOEA.

Why Register a Limited Company in Taiwan?

A Taiwan limited company gives foreign founders limited liability, flexible single-owner structure, no statutory minimum capital, and access to Taiwan’s tax treaty network. Shareholders’ personal assets stay separate from business liabilities, and liability is capped at the capital each shareholder contributes.

• Limited liability protection. Shareholder liability is limited to the capital contributed, per Company Act, Article 99.
• Single-owner flexibility. One shareholder and one to three directors are permitted, and none need to be residents, per Company Act, Articles 98 and 108.
• No statutory minimum capital. Capital must be paid in full but no floor is set, per Company Act, Article 100.
• Tax treaty access. Taiwan had 35 signed and effective comprehensive income tax agreements as of its September 2024 announcement, per the Ministry of Finance.
• R&D credits. Qualifying research and development (R&D) spending earns credits under the Statute for Industrial Innovation (full section below).

Founders weighing Taiwan against other hubs can compare it with the Singapore LLC registration process and Japan LLC registration process.

What Are the Requirements to Register a Limited Company in Taiwan?

You need one shareholder, one to three directors elected from shareholders, a physical registered business address in Taiwan, FDI approval for foreign investors, and a certified public accountant (CPA) capital verification report after injection. Virtual and registered-office addresses are permitted for many business types, but the address must be zoned for commercial use, and some regulated industries cannot use them.

Does a Taiwan LLC Need a Local Director?

No. Shareholders and directors of a limited company do not need to be Taiwan residents or nationals. Company Act, Article 108 attaches no residency or nationality clause to directors, unlike Article 40’s domicile rule for unlimited companies. The Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals, Article 15 exempts foreign investors from Company Act restrictions on domicile and nationality.

The real local-presence requirement is an agent for litigious and non-litigious matters and a tax-responsible person, not a resident managing director. A supervisor, if one is appointed, must have a Taiwan domicile, but that rule does not extend to directors, per the Company Act. Foreign founders without local ties usually meet this through a professional agent service.

What Is the Minimum Capital Requirement for an LLC in Taiwan?

There is no statutory minimum capital for a Taiwan limited company. Company Act, Article 100 only requires that subscribed capital be paid in full at formation, with no fixed amount, following the 2009 abolition of the former minimum. A CPA must issue a capital verification report after the funds are injected.

The Department of Investment Review still checks that capital is adequate for the stated business scope. Founders who plan to work in Taiwan through the company need a separate work permit, and authorities expect capital sized to the operation, so set the amount against your actual business plan rather than the statutory floor of zero.

How Do You Register an LLC in Taiwan? (Step by Step)

The full sequence runs: name reservation, FDI approval, preparatory account and capital injection, MOEA registration, tax registration, account conversion, then post-registration compliance. Each step is short and ordered below.

Step 1: How do you reserve a company name with the MOEA?

Submit one to five Chinese names in priority order to the MOEA Department of Commerce; the Chinese name is mandatory and an English name is optional. Check availability on the MOEA online company inquiry portal before you file to avoid rejection. You can screen candidate names with Commenda’s company name checker first.

Step 2: How do you obtain foreign investment approval?

File a foreign investment application with the Department of Investment Review under the MOEA, which must approve the investment before a foreign national invests, per the Statute for Investment by Foreign Nationals, Article 8. The review confirms the nature and amount of your capital contribution.

Step 3: How do you open a preparatory bank account and inject capital?

Open a preparatory bank account using the approval letter and your identification, then transfer the agreed capital. Foreign directors may need to appear in person at the bank. The bank issues a confirmation, and a CPA then issues the capital verification report.

Step 4: What do you submit to the MOEA for registration?

Submit the full registration package to the MOEA: Articles of Incorporation, shareholder list, director consent forms, proof of registered address, the CPA capital verification report, IDs or passports, and the FDI approval letter. The documents section below lists each item and who issues it.

Step 5: When do you receive the registration certificate?

The MOEA reviews the application and issues your company registration and certificate once the package is complete. This confirms the limited company is formed under the Company Act.

Step 6: How do you complete tax registration?

Register the company with the National Taxation Bureau to obtain your uniform business number and VAT registration. This activates your business tax account for bi-monthly filing.

Step 7: How do you convert the preparatory account to a corporate account?

Convert the preparatory bank account into a permanent corporate account after tax registration. Some banks require the company’s tax status to be marked “in business” before they allow the conversion.

Step 8: What post-registration compliance follows?

Enroll employees in Labor Insurance and National Health Insurance (NHI), set up bookkeeping, begin the bi-monthly VAT cycle, and file the annual CIT return by the end of May. A compliance calendar keeps these deadlines tracked by entity.

What Documents Do You Need for Taiwan LLC Registration?

You need the Articles of Incorporation, a shareholder list, director consent forms, proof of registered address, the CPA capital verification report, IDs or passports, the FDI approval letter, and a power of attorney if a representative files for you.

Do foreign documents need notarization or an apostille?

Foreign-issued documents generally need notarization, and because Taiwan is outside the Hague Apostille Convention, authentication typically runs through the Taiwan representative office, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) or Representative Office (TECRO), in the issuing country rather than an apostille, per Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) guidance. Notarization confirms the signature; authentication confirms the document for use in Taiwan. The decision rule is simple: where the document was issued determines which TECO or TECRO office authenticates it.

How Long Does It Take to Register an LLC in Taiwan?

MOEA registration usually takes about 10 to 15 business days once documents are complete. For foreign investors, the full sequence from name reservation to bank conversion typically runs 4 to 8 weeks, because FDI approval and bank steps add time.

The two most common delay points are capital verification and name reservation, so prepare both early.

How Much Does It Cost to Register a Company in Taiwan?

Government filing fees are modest. The MOEA registration fee is calculated against paid-in capital with a statutory minimum, so most of the budget sits in professional and document costs rather than state fees. The variable items are CPA capital verification, document notarization and authentication, a registered address, and professional service fees.

Exact amounts depend on your capital and chosen providers, so price them against your own setup rather than a flat quote.

Taiwan LLC vs Company Limited by Shares: What Is the Difference?

A limited company (有限公司) suits small foreign-owned operations with few owners; a company limited by shares (股份有限公司) suits businesses planning outside investors, share transfers, or stock incentives. The two differ in shareholders, directors, and liability structure under the Company Act.

The entity vs EOR calculator helps weigh an entity against an employer of record if you are not yet sure you need a company.

What Taxes Does a Taiwan LLC Pay After Registration?

A Taiwan limited company pays 20% corporate income tax, 5% VAT filed bi-monthly, a 5% surtax on undistributed earnings, and withholding on outbound payments. Taxable income at or below NT$120,000 is exempt from CIT, per the Ministry of Finance.

How does dividend withholding work for foreign shareholders?

The company withholds tax at distribution and remits it to the National Taxation Bureau, generally at 21% for non-resident shareholders, per the Ministry of Finance. Treaty residents can apply reduced rates under one of Taiwan’s 35 effective double taxation agreements (DTAs) as of 31 December 2024, claimed through the treaty application or refund procedure with the tax bureau. Note that Taiwan signs these as tax arrangements given its diplomatic status, so check the Ministry of Finance treaty list for your country.

What R&D Tax Incentives Can a Taiwan Startup Claim?

Qualifying companies can credit up to 15% of R&D spending against current-year CIT, or elect a 10% credit each year over three years, with the total capped at 30% of tax payable, under the Statute for Industrial Innovation, Article 10. The election is irrevocable.

Adjacent investment credits exist for smart machinery, 5G, and cybersecurity spending under the same statute, which can stack with the R&D credit for tech-oriented companies that plan their investments carefully.

How We Help You Register Your Taiwan LLC

Commenda’s incorporation service handles Taiwan entity formation end to end, from name reservation and FDI approval through document preparation and tax registration, so foreign founders clear the multi-agency sequence once rather than guessing at it. After formation, Commenda’s entity management platform keeps the company compliant, with filing deadlines, documents, and statutory obligations tracked in one place.

Expanding across Asia at the same time? Compare Taiwan with the Singapore and Japan registration guides before you commit.

Book a demo and get a clear formation plan and timeline for your Taiwan entity.