Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin accepting entrepreneur visa applications at end of July
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will roll out a new entrepreneur visa scheme on July 31, 2015, and start accepting applications from foreign entrepreneurs at its overseas missions. The new visa scheme is being introduced in accordance with Executive Yuan policy in an effort to turn Taiwan into a center of innovation and entrepreneurship in the Asia-Pacific region, a policy goal advocated by President Ma Ying-jeou, and bolster Taiwan’s leading position in the global innovation and entrepreneurship value chain.
Entrepreneurship and innovation have in recent years become key business drivers around the world. The new visa scheme and accompanying residency requirements, which compare favorably to those in other countries, are intended to attract global talent and startups to Taiwan. The aim is to shorten the time needed for foreign nationals and groups to start up businesses in Taiwan, combine local resources with international creativity, invigorate the local startup environment, and boost economic growth.
The new visas will initially be made available to foreign nationals, and to entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and Macau. Entrepreneurs from mainland China, however, are not currently included in the scheme. People eligible to apply may do so either as individuals or groups by sending their applications to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (ROC) or its overseas missions. Eligibility and documentation requirements are stipulated in the Examination Directions of Entrepreneur Visa Qualification for Foreign Nationals issued by the Investment Commission of the ROC Ministry of Economic Affairs. Applications received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its overseas missions will be forwarded to the commission for review, the outcome of which will, along with the relevant ROC visa regulations, determine their success.
While applicants from Hong Kong and Macau will be subject to the same review process, application requirements, residency rules, and so forth as other applicants, their applications should be sent to the Bureau of Hong Kong Affairs or the Office of Macau Affairs under the Mainland Affairs Council, or to the Ministry of the Interior.
Further information:RESIDENT VISAS FOR ENTREPRENEUR
