Open a Representative Office in Taiwan: Conditions

A foreign company can choose to open a representative office in Taiwan when it simply needs a point of contact in the country, a base from which it will decide when or if it will open a permanent establishment. Our team specialized in setting up companies in Taiwan assists foreign businesses interested in entering the Taiwanese market.

Quick facts
Purpose of a representative office in Taiwan	To establish a local presence for non-profit activities and representation in Taiwan.
Registration	– prepare documents, – submit application and documents to Ministry of Economic Affairs, – receive a registration certificate, – register with the local tax authorities, – open bank account.
Remote registration available (YES/NO)	YES, our Taiwan company formation specialist can help you remotely with a power of attorney.
Activities of a representative office	– market research, – provide training for local staff, – establishing business connections, – advertising and promotion, etc.
Interdicted activities	– signing contracts, – selling goods or services, – making investments, – importing and exporting, etc.
Can hire employees (YES/NO)	YES
General documents required to open a liaison office	– legalized parent company’s incorporation documents, – power of attorney, – lease agreement for office space, – property consent letter, – ID documents for representative agent, etc.
Language for documents	Mandarin Chinese
Related costs	– utilities, – rent, – employees salaries, – office supplies, – maintenance, etc.
Differences from a subsidiary	A subsidiary is a separate legal entity that can engage in profit-generating activities, whereas a liaison office is not a legal entity and is limited to non-profit activities and market exploration.
Differences from a branch office	A branch office is an extension of the parent company and can engage in profit-generating activities.
Transitioning to another legal entity (YES/NO)	YES, our specialists in company formation in Taiwan can help you in this process.
Alternatives	Subsidiaries or branch offices.
Advantages of opening a representative office in Taiwan	– facilitating communication with local market, – cost-efficient way for market research, – fast registration process, – flexibility, etc.
Assistance	We can help you open a company in Taiwan or establish a liaison office with the specific procedures.

What is a representative office in Taiwan?

This type of structure allows a foreign company to establish a presence in Taiwan without creating a separate legal entity. It mainly serves as a point of contact for local clients, suppliers and business partners.

The office cannot sell products, provide paid services or earn revenue from commercial activities in Taiwan.

When do companies open a representative office in Taiwan?

A foreign company can open a liaison office in Taiwan for the following suggested purposes:

conduct market research activities;
provide training or technical assistance/support;
act as a general liaison point for the foreign company in Taiwan;
communicate with local clients and/or business partners.

The general process for company registration in Taiwan does not apply to the representative office as this is not used as a commercial company.

Our team will give you details about the requirements that are in place, and any approvals and registrations that may be required, according to the purposes of the office (even if this will not be used as a legal entity).

What are the requirements to open a representative office in Taiwan?

Here are the most important requirements you need to follow if you want to open a representative office here:

have a valid registration in your home country;
choose a representative to handle your affairs in Taiwan;
provide a local office address and proof of the right to use the premises;
submit the incorporation certificate, a power of attorney and the identification documents;
file an application with Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA).

There is no minimum capital requirement for a representative office in Taiwan.

If you need help with the process, our company formation specialists in Taiwan can prepare the application, check the supporting documents and handle the registration formalities.

Does a representative office pay taxes in Taiwan?

No. If you do not carry out commercial activities or earn revenue, you do not owe corporate income tax or business tax.

The only exception is when the office hires employees. In this case, you will need to pay the applicable payroll taxes and withholding obligations.

Can a representative office in Taiwan be converted into a branch or subsidiary?

Yes. Once they open a representative office in Taiwan and test the market for opportunities, foreign companies can open a branch or a subsidiary as a next step. These are commonly used business forms that comply with Taiwanese business registration, as well as taxation compliance regulations.

Our agents specialized in Taiwan company formation are able to assist foreign companies that are ready to enter the market through a branch or a subsidiary.

How much does it cost to open a representative office in Taiwan?

The registration fee is NT $1,000. Apart from this fee, foreign companies need to consider the costs of translating and authenticating documents, renting office space and professional assistance.

The final amount depends on the company’s circumstances and the documents it needs to provide. We can make you a special offer for our services.

How long does it take to register a representative office in Taiwan?

It takes 3 working days to register a representative office once you submit the complete application. However, you should consider that preparing the documents and arranging the translations take 1-2 more weeks.

The entire process takes around 2-3 weeks, if the documents are in order. Our team can make sure there will be no delays in the registration of the office.

Can a representative office in Taiwan be registered remotely?

Yes, you do not need to travel to Taiwan for the office registration. Our team can handle the application on your behalf.

Prepare the incorporation documents and the power of attorney and we will follow the next steps.

Contact us for more information on how to open a representative office in Taiwan, as well as for details on other business forms.