To shorten time required for starting an arc, by restraining damage when an electrode contacts with a base material, in a touch start control method of non-consumable electrode arc welding.

During a period of the time t2 to t4, the electrode is moved forward and contacted with the base material, and the electrode is moved backward thereafter, and is separated from the base material at the time t5, and the arc is generated. An initial distance Li between the electrode and the base material, a first advance distance L1, a first advance speed W1 of a low speed and a second advance speed W2 of a high speed are set, and a second advance distance L2=Li-L1 is calculated, and the electrode is moved forward at the second advance speed W2 up to the time t3 of reaching the second advance distance L2, and is moved forward up to contacting at the time t4 with the base material by switching to the first advance speed W1 thereafter. Thus, since an advance movement speed of the electrode becomes a high speed in the first place and becomes a low speed from the middle, damage by contact with the base material is restrained, and the total time of the advance movement cab be shortened.