1. International nongovernmental organizations (INGOs) may set up a nonprofit social organization (also known as social association) for the purpose of promoting culture, academic research, medicine, health, religion, charity, sports, fellowship, social service, or other public welfare issue in accordance with the Civil Associations Act. To set up a local social association, file an application with the bureau of social affairs of the relevant local government (contact information is provided below); to set up a national-level association, file an application with the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations of the Ministry of the Interior. Note:national-level associations must be initiated by at least 30 adults possessing R.O.C. (Taiwan) nationality or who work in Taiwan and come from more than seven municipalities, cities, or counties.
2. When an organization files an application with required documents to the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations, it will, in principle, receive a response from that office within two months. Where the application requires consultation with other government authorities, the review period may be extended by two months. After being approved to form a social association by the Ministry of the Interior, an INGO is required to complete its formation and submit an application in writing to the Ministry of the Interior to receive an accreditation certificate.
3. After a social association is approved and registered by the competent authority, it may apply to register as a legal person with a district court in accordance with the law. (Click here for information on district courts in Taiwan.) The association is then required to send a photocopy of the registration certificate to the competent authority for its reference within 30 days of completing registration as a legal person.
4. After the competent authority approves the establishment of an association, the INGO may begin operating as per its articles of incorporation, recruit volunteers, and obtain government procurement rights. However, if the INGO wishes to solicit donations in Taiwan, it must first complete registration as a legal person to become a public welfare association.
To set up a national-level civil association, please follow this procedure:
Step 1:Elect whether to establish a local or a national-level civil association.
Step 2:For the latter, proceed to the National-Level Civil Association Information Management System (in Chinese only) to complete an online registration and file related application information (Go to The Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations. Click “Apply to Establish an Organization,” then click “New Application,” then “Apply as a Civic Association,” and finally “Register”).
Step 3:After completing registration, print the following information from the system and mail the printed copies to the Ministry of the Interior (one signed original and one photocopy of each):
1. National-level civil association application form
2. National-level civil association draft articles of incorporation
3. Overview of the regional distribution of initiators for organizing a national-level civil association
4. List of initiators
5. Photocopies of the National ID Card or Alien Resident Certificate of all initiators
6. Related application documents can also be downloaded for use from the website of the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations (Go to The Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations). Click “Form Download,” then “Civil Association Application,” and finally “Register.”
1. National-level civil association application form
2. National-level civil association draft articles of incorporation
3. Overview of the regional distribution of initiators for organizing a national-level civil association
4. List of initiators
5. Photocopies of the National ID Card or Alien Resident Certificate of all initiators
6. Related application documents can also be downloaded for use from the website of the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations (Go to The Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations). Click “Form Download,” then “Civil Association Application,” and finally “Register.”
Step 4:After receiving approval from the Ministry of the Interior, the national-level civil association is required to complete formation within six months and submit an application in writing to the Ministry of the Interior to obtain an accreditation certificate and official seal. The required documents (in Chinese only) are as follows:
1. Original copy of the registration application form
2. Application for a chairperson election certificate
3. Meeting minutes of the first meeting of the first assembly of the members
4. Meeting minutes of the first meeting of the first joint meeting of directors and supervisors
5. Resumes of directors, supervisors, and personnel
6. Articles of incorporation
7. Site usage agreement
8. Annual work plan and budget sheet for revenues and expenditures
9. List of members
1. Original copy of the registration application form
2. Application for a chairperson election certificate
3. Meeting minutes of the first meeting of the first assembly of the members
4. Meeting minutes of the first meeting of the first joint meeting of directors and supervisors
5. Resumes of directors, supervisors, and personnel
6. Articles of incorporation
7. Site usage agreement
8. Annual work plan and budget sheet for revenues and expenditures
9. List of members
Notes:
1. For detailed information on the establishment of a national-level civil association and required documents, please consult the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations.
2. To set up a local civil association, consult the bureau of social affairs of the relevant local government. Links to their contact information are provided below:
1. For detailed information on the establishment of a national-level civil association and required documents, please consult the Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations.
2. To set up a local civil association, consult the bureau of social affairs of the relevant local government. Links to their contact information are provided below:
3. For basic information on leasing office space, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
4. Regulations:Civil Associations Act and Regulations on the Approval for the Establishment of Social Associations (in Chinese only.)
4. Regulations:Civil Associations Act and Regulations on the Approval for the Establishment of Social Associations (in Chinese only.)
![]() Department of Cooperatives and Civil Associations, Ministry of the Interior
Telephone:Ministry of the Interior service hotline 1996 / (02)2356-5424 Address:7F, No. 5, Xuzhou Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City Website:Click here |