At least some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a substrate for packaging a semiconductor device. The substrate includes a first dielectric layer having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, a first patterned conductive layer adjacent to the first surface of the first dielectric layer, a second patterned conductive layer adjacent to the second surface of the first dielectric layer and electrically connected to the first patterned conductive layer, and an external connection pad tapered from a top surface to a bottom surface. The second patterned conductive layer includes a pad and a trace adjacent to the pad. The external connection pad is disposed on the pad of the second patterned conductive layer. A bottom width of the external connection pad is greater than or equal to a width of the pad of the second patterned conductive layer.