When starting a business as a foreigner in Taiwan, one will quickly find that there are many barriers and red tape in the way. However, there are a number of foreigners who have found a way to sidestep these problems via Taiwanese spouse. Through our surveys on this subject, we have found that this is the most popular way to start a business for foreign small business owners, especially restaurant owners.
 
        As we explained in our previous post “How to Start a Business in Taiwan,” if you are a foreigner trying to sponsor yourself for a work permit in Taiwan, you need 5 million TWD as starting capital, or about 150,000 USD. That is surely a steep price for poor Larry who only wants to open up a small pancake store. However, Taiwanese people are not subject to this rule. Many foreigners who come to Taiwan already have a Taiwanese spouse/significant other. Once married, a foreigner with an “依親” or “dependent” ARC does not need a work permit, and can work wherever in Taiwan they please.
 
With no need for a work permit, a foreign spouse could then start up a company without needing NT 5,000,000 starting capital, but they would need to wire in money from overseas and obtain FIA (Foreign investment approval) status. This process is costly and time consuming, so it becomes natural for them to set up the company through their spouse. In addition, it is a lot easier to set up a company when you have someone else reading all the Chinese documents for you, especially someone you trust.
 
        So, like a river running down a mountain, many foreigners have found the path of least resistance when starting a foreign company: setting it up under their Taiwanese spouses’ name.
 
A Very short List of foreigners who have started business through their Taiwanese spouses (to be added upon later):
 
La Salsa
莎莎披薩  
Burritos and Pizza, run by an Ecuadorian man.
Address: No. 6-3, Binshan St, Fengshan District, Kaohsiung City, 830
 
Maple Leaf Bistro
楓葉屋瑞芳店
Pizza Restaurants Run by an American (or Canadian)
224, New Taipei City, Ruifang District, Lane 35, Minsheng Street
 
Frog and Pheasant Guest House
青蛙與雉雞民宿
Bed and breakfast run by an Australian
Pingding Rd, Luye Township, Taitung County, 955
 
And many more. You might notice this is a really short list, this is only because at the time of writing we have not had the time/motivation to compile an extensive list, but this is a list of people that I know personally. We will be updating this list soon.
 
If you have any comments or any foreigner run businesses that you would like to add to this discussion, please comment below.