How much time does it take to complete the company registration process with the Administration of Commerce (under the Ministry of Economic Affairs)?
Foreign companies can establish their units here as subsidiaries, branches, and representative offices.
- Subsidiaries are generally profit-seeking, and are registered as companies under ROC Company Law. Before setting up subsidiaries, the companies should first conduct a background check of the name of the company to be registered with the Administration of Commerce, MOEA, and also apply for investment approval from the Department of Investment Review, MOEA, and then register with the appropriate government organization in charge of company registration.
- Branch offices are also profit-seeking. Entities registered as companies under foreign laws should first apply for recognition as a foreign company and the establishment of the branch office with the Commerce Department, MOEA. (After receiving permission from the Commerce Department, companies establishing subsidiaries in Export Processing Zones or Science-Based Industrial Parks should register with the Export Processing Zone Administration or the Science-Based Industrial Parks Administration.) The company should thereafter complete their business registration with the local and the municipal authorities.
Representative Offices: When foreign companies are unwilling to establish a subsidiary or branch in Taiwan and are interested in appointing someone to represent the company in a legal capacity, the company may, under Section 1 of Article 386 of the Company Law, report the said representative to the Administration of Commerce, MOEA. For those requiring permanent residency, the said company should set up a representative office under Section 2 of Article 386 of the Company Law.
