USCIS-APPROVED REGIONAL CENTER · TAIWAN
EB-5 Program in Taiwan: Your Path to a U.S. Green Card
The EB-5 program provides Taiwanese citizens and their immediate families with an established, direct route to lawful permanent residency in the United States through a qualifying economic contribution. By allocating capital to a job-creating U.S. commercial enterprise, Taiwanese program participants can secure Green Cards, unlocking long-term living, educational, and business opportunities across the country.
- TEA Capital Threshold $800,000 USD Standard (non-TEA): $1,050,000 USD
- Visa Availability Current No country backlog for applicants from Taiwan
- Family Coverage Direct Green Card Spouse and unmarried children under 21
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EB-5 Visa Requirements for Taiwanese Citizens
Qualifying for an immigrant visa under the EB-5 program requires satisfying clear statutory benchmarks established by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):
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Targeted Capital Deployment
Fulfilling the minimum threshold of $800,000 USD in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or qualifying Infrastructure Project ($1,050,000 USD in non-TEA areas).
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Job Creation
Creating or preserving at least 10 permanent, full-time positions for authorized U.S. workers.
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Complete Provenance
Demonstrating the lawful origin and transparent audit trail of all deployed capital.
Legal Nuances and Local Consular Agreements
Because the United States maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, consular processing is conducted through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) in Taipei. The AIT administers immigrant visa interviews and document reviews according to federal standards. Crucially, under U.S. immigration law, individuals born in Taiwan are charged against Taiwan’s separate geographic quota rather than mainland China's allocation, ensuring distinct procedural treatment.
Specific Documentation Required in Taiwan
Building an unassailable evidentiary record requires verified documentation certified by local authorities:
- Household & Civil Records: Full Household Registration Records (Huji Tengben) detailing family relationships, along with English-language Police Criminal Record Certificates issued by the National Police Agency.
- Commercial & Asset Records: Corporate registration records from the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), share certificates, and property titles authenticated through local district courts or notary offices.
- Certified Translations: Official English translations for all traditional Chinese documents, prepared and certified in accordance with USCIS evidentiary rules.
EB-5 Processing Times and Visa Availability from Taiwan
Strategic planning requires an understanding of petition review timelines and annual quota distributions.
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Form I-526E Adjudication Timeline
Form I-526E is the initial filing evaluated by USCIS to confirm the legitimacy of the allocated capital and the viability of the commercial project. Processing times vary depending on agency caseloads. However, participants selecting projects in designated rural or high-unemployment TEAs can benefit from priority processing mechanisms under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, expediting the initial review phase.
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Current Visa Status and Backlogs for Taiwanese Nationals
According to the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, the EB-5 visa category for applicants born in Taiwan remains "Current." Unlike applicants subject to mainland China's substantial retrogression queues, Taiwanese nationals face no visa backlog. Once Form I-526E is approved, an immigrant visa number is immediately available, allowing participants to proceed directly to consular processing at the AIT or file for concurrent adjustment of status if already residing legally in the United States.
Source of Funds and Capital Transfers from Taiwan
Taiwanese applicants document the origin of their capital on three fronts: proof that the assets were lawfully generated, records issued by the National Taxation Bureau, and transfers executed within the Central Bank of Taiwan foreign exchange framework.
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Justifying Local Wealth for USCIS Compliance
USCIS requires comprehensive proof that all allocated assets stem from legitimate commercial, professional, or personal channels. Taiwanese participants must trace the historical accumulation of their funds, documenting lawful proceeds derived from:
- Executive salaries, dividends, and corporate distributions from Taiwanese enterprises.
- Real estate sales, capital gains, or stock market liquidations.
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Tax Filings and Certifications with the National Taxation Bureau
Financial transparency is validated using records issued by the National Taxation Bureau (NTB) under the Ministry of Finance. Key documentation includes:
- Individual Income Tax Assessment Notices (Zonghe Suodeshui Hexiao Tongzhishu) covering at least the preceding five fiscal years.
- Certificates of Estate and Gift Tax payment or tax exemption where applicable.
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Regulations by the Central Bank of Taiwan for Outward Remittances to the U.S.
Cross-border financial transfers are governed by the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) [CBC]. Taiwan maintains an annual foreign exchange ceiling (currently up to $5 million USD for individuals) for outward remittances without requiring prior ad-hoc CBC approval. Large capital deployments are coordinated through authorized foreign exchange banks (Chiding Yinhang). A transparent, direct wire transfer from the participant’s verified account to the U.S. project’s escrow account satisfies both CBC compliance and USCIS anti-money laundering (AML) requirements.
Profile of a Typical Taiwanese EB-5 Program Participant
Taiwanese applicants arrive at the program for consistent reasons. What follows sets out the family motivations and the domestic context that drive participation.
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Primary Motivations for Family Relocation
Taiwanese participants are predominantly tech sector founders, C-suite executives, and high-net-worth business leaders from hubs such as Taipei, Hsinchu, and Taichung. Their engagement is driven by:
- Higher Education Advantages: Providing children with access to leading U.S. universities, resident tuition benefits, and unrestricted post-graduation domestic employment authorization.
- Unrestricted Global Mobility: Obtaining a U.S. Green Card that provides permanent, secure residency without the structural constraints of temporary visas (such as F-1 or E-2).
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The Local Economic Context Driving Participation
While Taiwan maintains a world-leading advanced manufacturing and technology economy, evolving regional geopolitical dynamics and international trade pressures motivate affluent families to diversify both personal residency and financial holdings. Deploying funds into a vetted U.S. commercial enterprise provides a dollar-denominated asset hedge while securing a transparent, legally protected route to permanent residency in the United States.
Where your capital goes
Every Open EB5 project sits in a USCIS-approved Targeted Employment Area, structured for compliance and job-creation strength.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum capital requirement for applicants from Taiwan?
$800,000 USD for projects in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA) or qualifying infrastructure project, and $1,050,000 USD for standard non-TEA projects.
What documents are required for applicants from Taiwan?
Building an unassailable evidentiary record requires verified documentation certified by local authorities: Household & Civil Records; Commercial & Asset Records; Certified Translations.
Is there a visa waiting list for citizens of Taiwan?
According to the U.S. Department of State Visa Bulletin, the EB-5 visa category for applicants born in Taiwan remains "Current." Unlike applicants subject to mainland China's substantial retrogression queues, Taiwanese nationals face no visa backlog. Once Form I-526E is approved, an immigrant visa number is immediately available, allowing participants to proceed directly to consular processing at the AIT or file for concurrent adjustment of status if already residing legally in the United States.
Does the EB-5 Green Card cover my family?
Yes. A single qualifying capital contribution covers the principal applicant, their spouse, and all unmarried children under 21 years of age.
Talk to an EB-5 specialist about Taiwan
Book a complimentary 30-minute discovery call. We assess your eligibility, review your source-of-funds structure, and walk you through qualifying TEA projects with independent U.S. immigration counsel.