An epitaxial structure for GaN-based LEDs to achieve better reverse withstanding voltage and anti-ESD capability is provided. The epitaxial structure has an additional anti-ESD thin layer on top of the p-type contact layer within traditional GaN-based LEDs, which is made of undoped indium-gallium-nitrides (InGaN) or low-band-gap (Eg<3.4 eV), undoped aluminum-indium-gallium-nitrides (AlInGaN). This anti-ESD thin layer greatly improves the GaN-based LEDs' reverse withstanding voltage and resistivity to ESD, which in turn extends the GaN-based LEDs' operation life significantly.