Last Updated on 12-30-2023
Welcome to the complete guide of Taiwan student visas! This guide will help you understand the types of student visas, the requirements and qualifications needed, the application process, visa fees, and frequently asked questions. Let’s make understanding Taiwan student visas easy!
Types of Taiwan Student Visa
The Taiwan student visa is within the category of resident visas, which are intended for extended stays. Taiwan offers several different kinds of student visas.
- Overseas students with full-time student visas from Taiwan who are PhD, MA, BA, or lower
- Student visas for Taiwan are available to visitors on exchange
- For Chinese nationals studying abroad who want to attend a Taiwanese university, college, vocational school, high school, or lower, a Taiwan student visa is required.
- For those from outside Taiwan who want to study Mandarin Chinese, a student visa
Taiwan Student Visa Residence Permit
Obtaining a Taiwan residency permit is the next step after being granted a Taiwan student visa. You can stay in the nation permanently with the use of a residency permit known as an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), not the student visa itself. Within 15 days of arrival in Taiwan, you must submit an application at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency in order to receive a Taiwan ARC:
- Complete the online application found on the Taiwan National Immigration Agency website.
- Print the application and bring it, along with the required paperwork, to a National Immigration Agency office.
- The Taiwan student visa (Resident visa) is attached to your passport.
- Your student ID card or enrollment certificate from your college or university
- A current 2-inch x 2-inch colored portrait of yourself
- Making the ARC fee payment
Requirement and qualifications for a Taiwan Student Visa
To support your application for a Taiwan student visa, you must have a number of papers, including:
- Application form
Go to the website: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw . Fill out the application form online and print it out. Make sure the application form shows a bar code on it
- Two color passport-size photos
Paste on the application form two color passport-size photos with a white background taken within 6 months.
- Passport and one photocopy of the passport
The passport must be valid for at least 6 months and there are blank pages left in it. One photocopy of the passport bio-page including the holder’s picture is required
- Proof of enrollment in the Taiwan educational institution
If you are already studying in Taiwan on a Visitor Visa and want to change it to a Resident Visa, you must also include proof of registration and enrollment and school transcripts
- Original and one photocopy of health certificate
- The health certificate should be issued within 3 months by one of the local hospitals designated by the Centers for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the R.O.C. (Taiwan) or a foreign hospital. Health certificates issued by foreign hospitals must be authenticated by an R.O.C. (Taiwan) overseas mission.
- Visit the website of the Centers for Disease Control at https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En for health checkup items and the list of designated local hospitals.
How to apply for a Taiwan Student Visa?
There are two ways through which you can get a Taiwan student visa:
1. Before you arrive in Taiwan, at a Taiwanese diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate, etc).
2. After you arrive in Taiwan, at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or any of its offices.However, in both cases, you must already be accepted in a Taiwanese educational institution before you apply.
Applying abroad
To apply for a Taiwan student visa from your home country, you need to follow these steps:
1. Complete the Taiwan Student Visa Application Form online by filling it out and then printing and signing it.
2. Gather all the necessary documents required for the application.
3. Personally submit the signed application form and documents to a Taiwanese diplomatic mission within 30 days.
4. During the application process, you’ll have to choose a specific diplomatic mission from a provided dropdown menu.
5. While you can select any mission, it is advisable to choose the one in your home country. If there is no Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your country, opt for the nearest one.
6. Wait for the processing of your Taiwan student visa.Once processed and approved, the visa will be stamped in your passport.
8. Upon arriving in Taiwan, within 15 days, apply for a Taiwan residence permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency.
Applying in Taiwan
Only those who have been granted a Taiwan visitor visa for academic purposes are eligible to apply for a Taiwan student visa once they have arrived in Taiwan. You won’t be able to obtain a student visa once you arrive in Taiwan if you are only visiting or traveling there for leisure.
If you do meet the requirements, you must submit an application for a Taiwan student visa at the BOCA at least 8 working days before your present visa expires.
If your visa application is accepted, you have 15 days to submit an application for a Taiwan resident permit at a nearby National Immigration Agency service location.
Taiwan student visa fees
Taiwan visa fees are as follows:
If applying at a Taiwan diplomatic mission
- Single-Entry Resident Visa: US$66
- Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: US$132
If applying in Taiwan
- Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,200
- Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,400
In addition to the Taiwan student visa, you must also pay a fee for the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). The Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) fees are as follows:
For one-year duration: NT$1,000
For two-year duration: NT$2,000
For three-year duration: NT$3,000
For overseas Chinese students: NT$500
Taiwan Student Visa FAQ
How long is a Taiwan visa valid for?
The Taiwan student visa is typically more of an entry visa, with a validity of up to three months. However, for a longer stay in Taiwan, obtaining an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) is essential. The duration of the ARC can be for one, two, or three years, as determined by the Immigration officer. This certificate allows you to reside in Taiwan for an extended period and is crucial for individuals planning to stay in the country for the duration of their studies or for other long-term purposes.
Can I extend my Taiwan student visa?
In Taiwan, while you can extend the student visa for an additional three months, this means the maximum duration of your stay in Taiwan on a student visa is six months. If your study program exceeds this period, obtaining an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) becomes necessary, with the certificate’s validity varying from one to three years.
Moreover, if you require an extension beyond the duration specified in your ARC, you must apply for an extension at the National Immigration Agency at least 30 days before your current ARC expires. This process enables you to legally extend your stay in Taiwan and continue your activities as permitted under the terms of the ARC.
Can I work in Taiwan with a Taiwan student visa?
Yes, that’s correct. By default, neither the Taiwan student visa nor the Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) for studying purposes automatically grants the holder the right to work in Taiwan. If you intend to work as an international student in Taiwan, you must first obtain a work permit from the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
Before applying for the work permit, you will need a Consent Form for Work Permit Application from your educational institution. This form should clearly state that you either require the job due to financial difficulties or that the job is related to research work pertinent to your studies. This process is crucial for international students who wish to engage in employment during their time in Taiwan.
