Taiwan July 3, 2026

Thai Companies Investing in Taiwan 2026: FIA, Visas, and Tax Made Simple

Q: Can a Thai company own 100% of a Taiwanese company?

Yes, in almost any industry that is not on the Negative List (the list of prohibited/restricted businesses, such as aviation, telecommunications, and certain media), provided it first passes Foreign Investment Approval (FIA) from the Department of Investment Review (DIR). Taiwan's principle is "liberalization as the rule, review as the exception," so foreign investors may hold up to 100% in most cases. An important caution for Thai companies: if the shareholding structure contains Mainland Chinese capital (directly or indirectly) totaling more than 30%, the investment may be classified as "Chinese investment," which falls under a far more restrictive system, and the DIR will conduct a "look-through" review along the entire chain of ownership. You should therefore clear up the structure before filing.

Q: What is the minimum registered capital to set up a company in Taiwan?

In principle, Taiwan has no minimum registered capital (the general requirement was abolished back in 2009); the capital simply needs to be sufficient to cover the establishment costs and working capital. However, there are "practical capital thresholds" tied to work permits: if you want to hire one foreign manager, you must have paid-in capital of no less than NT$500,000, with foreign capital at least one-third; hiring a second person requires increasing the capital to NT$5,000,000; and after the first year, renewal of the work permit is tied to average sales, which must reach NT$3,000,000 per year. After obtaining the FIA, you generally must bring the capital into Taiwan within 1 year and file for capital verification with the DIR through a CPA.

Q: How long does the FIA take?

For an investor with no Chinese-capital component, obtaining the FIA (Foreign Investment Approval) generally takes about 6–8 weeks, and completing the company's incorporation takes roughly 8–10 weeks. Once the FIA is granted, the investor must bring the capital into Taiwan within 1 year and apply for "capital verification" with the Department of Investment Review (DIR) within 2 months after the transfer is complete (specifying the purpose of the transfer as code 310). If there is a Chinese-capital component, the process will be much longer and more complex, because the DIR will conduct a look-through review of the shareholding structure, so you should build in extra time in your timeline.

Q: Does a Thai company benefit from the Thailand–Taiwan double taxation agreement?

Yes, and it is a truly tangible advantage, because Thailand and Taiwan already have a comprehensive double taxation agreement (DTA) in force covering all types of income. The main benefit is a reduction in the dividend withholding tax from the standard 21% rate (generally down to a single-digit level up to around 10%, depending on the shareholding proportion), as well as easing the tax burden on interest and royalties, and setting rules on "Permanent Establishment" (PE) to prevent being taxed twice in both countries. On the Taiwan side, the credit method is used. That said, the actual rate applied depends on the provisions and the tax residence certification documents, so you should verify the case-specific rate with an advisor before structuring.

Q: Which visa should a Thai executive relocating to Taiwan use?

If you have high-level qualifications, I recommend the Employment Gold Card, a "4-in-1" card that combines a work permit, resident visa, ARC, and re-entry permit in a single document. Its standout feature is that it requires no employer sponsor; once you hold the card, you may work for any company or even start your own business, and the "law" field is one of the 10 eligible fields. In addition, there are tax benefits and a fast track to permanent residence (APRC). General employees, meanwhile, use a Work Permit + resident visa + ARC as usual, with the employer (a Taiwanese legal entity) being the one who files.

Po-Chang Yu (Raymond Yu) Chief Lawyer / Founder and CEO of Louis Group Thai Companies Investing in Taiwan 2026

Over the past two years, the questions I have been getting from Thai entrepreneurs have shifted direction noticeably. Where Thai clients once asked "where in ASEAN should we build our factory," today a considerable number of them are instead asking "how do we invest in Taiwan." The reasons are not complicated. Taiwan is the hub of the global semiconductor and ICT supply chain, so establishing a base here means getting closer to customers, suppliers, and upstream technology. Combined with the New Southbound Policy, through which Taiwan has continuously pushed two-way relations with Thailand, doing business in Taiwan for a Thai company, whether to reach Taiwanese consumers, set up an R&D base, form a joint venture with a technology partner, or plug into the electronics supply chain, has become an increasingly serious strategic option.

But as a lawyer who has handled cross-border work among Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam throughout my career, I must caution that registering a company in Taiwan follows a legal logic quite different from Thailand's, especially when it comes to investment approval, shareholding structure, and the sensitive issue of Chinese capital. In this article, I have therefore gathered the keywords Thai people commonly search for, from the FIA, work visas, and the Employment Gold Card through to taxation, and placed them back into a genuinely practical context, updated with the latest laws and policies for 2026.

Key Takeaways

100% ownership allowed: A Thai company can generally own 100% of a Taiwanese company; the Foreign Investment Approval (FIA) is the core gateway.
No general minimum capital: There is no across-the-board minimum registered capital, but visa and work-permit thresholds apply in practice.
Executive relocation: Managers relocate to Taiwan via the ordinary Work Permit or the Employment Gold Card.
Use the tax treaty: The Thailand–Taiwan double taxation agreement lowers withholding tax — do not overlook it.

1. Choosing Your Legal Entity: Subsidiary, Branch Office, or Representative Office

The first step in setting up a company in Taiwan (or what many people search for as opening a company in Taiwan) is choosing the right type of legal entity, because it determines your tax burden, your liability, and the approval procedures. There are three main options.

Subsidiary — a Taiwanese legal entity separate from the parent company in Thailand. Shareholders have liability limited to the amount invested. The popular forms are the "Limited Company" or the "Company Limited by Shares." This is suitable for those who want to conduct a full-scale business while limiting the parent company's risk. Establishing a subsidiary must go through the FIA (explained in the next section).

Branch Office — has no separate legal personality; it is merely a branch of a foreign head office. Its key advantage is that after-tax profits can be remitted back to the parent company without an additional layer of dividend withholding tax, so it often has an edge when it comes to repatriating profits. Note that establishing a branch does not require an FIA; instead, it is filed through the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

Representative Office — may only carry out activities that generate no revenue, such as coordination, market surveys, and signing contracts on behalf of the head office. It cannot issue a Uniform Invoice or sell goods or services in Taiwan. It is well suited as a starting point for those who still want to test the market before making a real investment.

2. The FIA: The Heart of Foreign Investment in Taiwan (Foreign Investment Approval)

If you choose to set up a subsidiary or to acquire shares in a Taiwanese company, the one thing you cannot avoid is the FIA (Foreign Investment Approval), issued by the Department of Investment Review (DIR) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Taiwan's principle is "liberalization as the rule, review as the exception": foreign investors may invest in almost any industry, except for items on the Negative List (the list of prohibited or restricted businesses, such as aviation, telecommunications, and certain types of mass media).

In practice in 2026, obtaining an FIA for an investor with no Chinese-capital component generally takes about 6–8 weeks, and completing the company's incorporation takes roughly 8–10 weeks. Once the FIA is granted, the investor must bring the capital into Taiwan within 1 year and apply for "capital verification" with the DIR within 2 months after the transfer is complete (specifying the purpose of the transfer as code 310).

An important caution for Thai companies: Taiwan has strict rules for reviewing "Mainland Chinese investors" that are separate from ordinary foreign investors. If your Thai company has Chinese shareholders (directly or indirectly) totaling more than 30%, or is controlled by Chinese capital through a company in a third country, the investment may be classified as "Chinese investment," which falls under a far more restrictive Positive List system, and the DIR will conduct a "look-through" review along the entire chain of ownership. Therefore, before filing, you should clarify your shareholding structure thoroughly.

3. Registered Capital and the Procedure for Registering a Company in Taiwan

A popular question is "how much registered capital do I need?" The answer is that in principle there is no minimum capital (Taiwan abolished the general minimum registered capital requirement back in 2009); the capital simply needs to be sufficient to cover the establishment costs and working capital. However, there are "practical capital thresholds" that Thai entrepreneurs must know, because they are tied to work permits.

If a newly established company (or branch) wants to hire one foreign manager, it must have paid-in capital of no less than NT$500,000, and foreign capital must account for at least one-third.
If you want to hire an additional foreign employee (a second one), the paid-in capital must be increased to NT$5,000,000.
After the first year, renewal of the work permit is tied to business performance, with average sales required to reach NT$3,000,000 per year.

The procedure, in summary, is: reserve the company name (in Chinese) → apply for the FIA from the DIR → open a preparatory account and transfer capital from abroad → file for capital verification → prepare the articles of incorporation and appoint directors → register the incorporation of the company and register for tax. Capital verification must be certified by a Taiwanese licensed CPA, so you should plan your timeline to align with the remittance deadlines.

4. Visas and Work Permits: From the Ordinary Work Permit to the Employment Gold Card

Once the company is set up, the next issue is "people." Many people search for the term Taiwan business visa, but a clear distinction must be drawn: a short-term business visa is used only for visits, negotiations, or observation; it does not cover actually working. To manage the business or work in Taiwan, what you need is a work permit. Every foreign national working in Taiwan must have a Work Permit. For general professional occupations, the minimum salary threshold is around NT$47,971 per month, along with qualifications in education and experience, with the employer (a Taiwanese legal entity) being the one who files and takes responsibility. Once the Work Permit is obtained, you then apply for an ARC (Alien Resident Certificate) with the same validity period, and the spouse and minor children may apply for dependent residence rights.

But for executives or senior specialists, I usually recommend considering the Employment Gold Card (which Thai people call the Taiwan Gold Card), a "4-in-1" card that combines a work permit, resident visa, ARC, and re-entry permit in a single document. Its standout feature is that it requires no employer sponsor; once you hold the card, you may choose to work for any company or even start your own business.

Latest update for 2026: The amended Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals (promulgated on September 24, 2025) takes effect on January 1, 2026, relaxing the criteria and expanding the benefits. For example:

The income threshold for the "economic / science and technology" category is around NT$160,000 per month.
Tax benefits: a reduction in personal income tax on the portion of salary exceeding NT$3 million.
A fast track to permanent residence (APRC): after completing 3 years of residence (or just 1 year if income is NT$6 million per year or more).
Spouses may apply for an open work permit on their own without needing an employer, and more eligible professional fields have been added.

5. Taxes in Taiwan: The Numbers Thai Companies Must Calculate Before Deciding

Before investing, you should understand Taiwan's main tax structure.

Profit-Seeking Enterprise Income Tax — the standard rate is 20% of net profit.
Business Tax (similar to VAT) — the standard rate is 5% (exported goods and services are at a 0% rate).
Dividend withholding tax paid to foreign shareholders — the standard rate is 21%, but it can be reduced under the double taxation agreement (see the next section).
Capital Gains: the transfer of shares of a company limited by shares that has already issued share certificates is in principle exempt from income tax, incurring only a Securities Transaction Tax of 0.3% of the sale price, which is a significant advantage compared with many countries. That said, it may also be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT at a rate of 12%, with a basic income exemption threshold of NT$600,000).

Another point Thai companies like is that Taiwan has no foreign exchange controls on the repatriation of dividends: foreign investors approved by the DIR may convert dividends into foreign currency and remit them out freely (although the central bank, the CBC, may limit the daily NT$ conversion quota in cases involving very large amounts).

6. The Thailand–Taiwan Double Taxation Agreement: An Advantage Thai Companies Should Not Overlook

The good news that many people are unaware of is that Thailand and Taiwan already have a comprehensive double taxation agreement (DTA) in force covering all types of income. This is a truly tangible advantage for Thai entrepreneurs, because the DTA helps reduce the dividend withholding tax below the standard 21% rate (generally lowered to a single-digit level up to around 10%, depending on the shareholding proportion), as well as easing the tax burden on interest and royalties, and setting rules on "Permanent Establishment" to prevent being taxed twice in both countries. On the Taiwan side, the credit method is used to eliminate double taxation. That said, the actual rate applied must be determined according to the provisions of the agreement and the tax residence certification documents, so you should verify the case-specific rate with an advisor before structuring.

7. Practical Cautions for Thai Entrepreneurs

From experience, I summarize the pitfalls I encounter most often as follows.

First, the Chinese-capital structure must be cleared up first. If your ownership chain contains more than 30% Chinese capital at any layer, it may be classified as Chinese investment and get caught up in a far more difficult process. This must be checked from the very beginning, not fixed at the time of filing.

Second, choose the legal entity to match your profit-repatriation plan. If the goal is mainly to repatriate profits to Thailand, a "branch" may have the edge in not having a double layer of dividend tax; but if you want to limit risk and build a legal presence in Taiwan, a "subsidiary" is more suitable. You should weigh this from day one.

Third, align your capital timeline with capital verification. The capital transfer must be made in the investor's name, into the preparatory account, and the amount must match what was filed. If you miss the timing, it may affect both the incorporation and the work permit application.

Fourth, always check the Negative List first. Some industries limit the foreign shareholding proportion or require special licenses. Do not invest until you have confirmed that your business is open to foreign entry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can a Thai company own 100% of a Taiwanese company?

Yes, in almost any industry that is not on the Negative List (the list of prohibited/restricted businesses, such as aviation, telecommunications, and certain media), provided it first passes Foreign Investment Approval (FIA) from the Department of Investment Review (DIR). Taiwan's principle is "liberalization as the rule, review as the exception," so foreign investors may hold up to 100% in most cases. An important caution for Thai companies: if the shareholding structure contains Mainland Chinese capital (directly or indirectly) totaling more than 30%, the investment may be classified as "Chinese investment," which falls under a far more restrictive system, and the DIR will conduct a "look-through" review along the entire chain of ownership. You should therefore clear up the structure before filing.

What is the minimum registered capital to set up a company in Taiwan?

In principle, Taiwan has no minimum registered capital (the general requirement was abolished back in 2009); the capital simply needs to be sufficient to cover the establishment costs and working capital. However, there are "practical capital thresholds" tied to work permits: if you want to hire one foreign manager, you must have paid-in capital of no less than NT$500,000, with foreign capital at least one-third; hiring a second person requires increasing the capital to NT$5,000,000; and after the first year, renewal of the work permit is tied to average sales, which must reach NT$3,000,000 per year. After obtaining the FIA, you generally must bring the capital into Taiwan within 1 year and file for capital verification with the DIR through a CPA.

How long does the FIA take?

For an investor with no Chinese-capital component, obtaining the FIA (Foreign Investment Approval) generally takes about 6–8 weeks, and completing the company's incorporation takes roughly 8–10 weeks. Once the FIA is granted, the investor must bring the capital into Taiwan within 1 year and apply for "capital verification" with the Department of Investment Review (DIR) within 2 months after the transfer is complete (specifying the purpose of the transfer as code 310). If there is a Chinese-capital component, the process will be much longer and more complex, because the DIR will conduct a look-through review of the shareholding structure, so you should build in extra time in your timeline.

Does a Thai company benefit from the Thailand–Taiwan double taxation agreement?

Yes, and it is a truly tangible advantage, because Thailand and Taiwan already have a comprehensive double taxation agreement (DTA) in force covering all types of income. The main benefit is a reduction in the dividend withholding tax from the standard 21% rate (generally down to a single-digit level up to around 10%, depending on the shareholding proportion), as well as easing the tax burden on interest and royalties, and setting rules on "Permanent Establishment" (PE) to prevent being taxed twice in both countries. On the Taiwan side, the credit method is used. That said, the actual rate applied depends on the provisions and the tax residence certification documents, so you should verify the case-specific rate with an advisor before structuring.

Which visa should a Thai executive relocating to Taiwan use?

If you have high-level qualifications, I recommend the Employment Gold Card, a "4-in-1" card that combines a work permit, resident visa, ARC, and re-entry permit in a single document. Its standout feature is that it requires no employer sponsor; once you hold the card, you may work for any company or even start your own business, and the "law" field is one of the 10 eligible fields. In addition, there are tax benefits and a fast track to permanent residence (APRC). General employees, meanwhile, use a Work Permit + resident visa + ARC as usual, with the employer (a Taiwanese legal entity) being the one who files.

The opportunities in Taiwan are real, but the rewards go to "those who are prepared." The Louis Group legal advisory group has offices in Taiwan (Taipei and Taichung) and Bangkok, with a team that can communicate in Chinese, English, and Thai, ready to support Thai companies from FIA applications, company registration, and visas and work permits through to structuring cross-border taxation. If you are considering this step, our Taiwan–Thailand team would be glad to walk alongside you in every decision.

This article is general legal information and does not constitute legal advice for any specific case. For actual planning, please consult a specialist lawyer and rely primarily on the latest announcements from the relevant Taiwanese government agencies.