Student Visa In Taiwan: The Ultimate Guide

Studying in Taiwan? Get ready for an academic adventure filled with night markets, bubble tea study sessions, and yes—the student visa process.

But don’t let the paperwork scare you away from your Taiwanese dreams.

In this guide, we’re breaking down the student visa application into bite-sized boba pearls you can easily swallow.

Why Study In Taiwan?

International students find it usually easy to live in Taiwan. With the diverse culture and rich history, the country welcomes international students with open arms.

One of the reasons why students prefer to study in Taiwan is because there is always ‘green mother nature’ around the corner.

While some areas are known for the impressive mountains for hiking trips, other areas are known for the forests, sandy beaches, lagoons, and architectural history.

In terms of higher education, the low tuition fees in universities and colleges in Taiwan are also big pull factors for students.

Due to new government policies, it is now possible to receive high-qualitative study programs in Taiwan for a more affordable price.

It is also good to know that the Ministry of Education o f Taiwan has launched programs for higher education, providing ease of application, as well as studies for foreign students to study in Taiwan.

The country also has scholarships available even to international students.

Besides the low tuition fee, the country is also cheap in itself. The cost of living is quite reasonable and, depending on your lifestyle, you can also get to travel to different countries in Asia cheaply since they are so nearby. A great way to start exploring the world!

What Are The 7 Main Reasons To Study In Taiwan?

Taiwan Is A Wealthy Country

Taiwan has an average wealth level per adult well above most countries in the Asia-Pacific. This means that students who study there can expect not only high-quality education but also economic opportunities which are rare elsewhere on the continent.

According to the 2016 Wealth Report, Taiwan’s average wealth level per adult is similar to that of Western Europe, at $172,847.

Taiwan attributes its success as a wealthy country with wealthy individuals to its high-income economy. Out of its population of about 23.52 million, 356,000 people are millionaires.

Students in this part of Asia are likely to experience plenty of opportunities, which could offer them greater salaries in the future compared to other areas around the world.

It Is A Welcoming Place For Expats

Taiwan is consistently ranked as one of the best places in the world to live for expats. Why? It boasts stunning countryside, delicious food, phenomenal coffee shops, and general financial ease, making it a delightful place to live.

Despite its wealth, it’s also quite an affordable place to live, eat, work, and play.

But the biggest reason it is such a popular expat haven is thanks to the welcoming locals.

Despite the potential language barrier, friendly interactions with the locals combined with one of the healthiest work-life balances in the world make Taiwan a top destination for expats—and for students.

Taiwan Is Rich In Culture

Taiwan is a country that is rich in culture. Many traditional festivals are celebrated throughout the year, and the people of Taiwan are proud of their heritage. One of the most popular festivals is the Lantern Festival, which is held in February or March.

This festival celebrates the New Year, and participants release lanterns into the sky to symbolize hope for the future.

Another important festival is the Moon Festival, which takes place in September or October. This festival celebrates the fall harvest, and it is a time for families to come together and share food and drinks.

One of the most popular dishes at this festival is moon cake, which is a pastry that is filled with sweet red bean paste.

The people of Taiwan are also known for their art and music. Many traditional dance performances are popular throughout the country, and the music of Taiwan is distinctive and unique.

The government of Taiwan has recognized the importance of culture and has made efforts to preserve it. This is evident in the many museums and historic sites that can be found throughout Taiwan.

The Country Is Safe And Secure

Taiwan is a peaceful country with a stable government, making it more of a safe place to live and study than other places around the world. It ranks as the 18th safest country in the world and has a low risk of natural disasters.

In addition, Taiwan has a well-developed healthcare system and ranks as one of the top countries for medical care.

This makes it an ideal place to live. Crime rates are also low in Taiwan, so if you are looking for a safe and comfortable place to call home, Taiwan is a great choice.

Taiwan Provides Great Opportunities For Technology

If you want to study and work in technology, Taiwan is the place to be. The 2016 Times Higher Education ranking put three Taiwanese universities on its global list of 150 for having the most employable graduates in technology.

What makes Taiwanese tech graduates work-ready? Their highly ranked STEM programs combined with their industry partners give students a competitive edge.

In tech-based careers, having both classroom know-how and an industry-savvy nature can push you to the forefront of opportunity.

The Taiwanese government has created several programs to help promote the growth of the technology industry, including financial incentives and incubation programs.

Taiwan is also home to many leading technology companies, including Foxconn, Asus, and Acer. These companies offer excellent opportunities for students to gain experience and learn from some of the best in the industry.

You Can Study In English

Many students choose to study in English in Taiwan, as the language is widely spoken and there are many opportunities to use it. The country also has a well-developed education system, with a wide range of quality educational institutions available.

Students can choose from a range of programs, including those offered by universities, colleges, and language schools. Many universities in Taiwan offer accessible programs for English-language speakers.

Taiwan’s Tunghai University offers a unique experience for English speakers with 9 colleges; 34 departments; 35 Master’s programs; 14 Ph.D. programs; 17,000 students; 500 teachers; top national rankings.

It is the only university in Taiwan to offer a kindergarten through Ph.D. program.

Taiwan Offers Plenty Of Scholarships

Tuition fees are often what stop people from pursuing their dream to study abroad. Luckily, there are several scholarships and financial aid opportunities available for international students looking to study in Taiwan.

With Taiwan’s recent push to attract 30,000 international students, the Taiwanese Government offers generous scholarships to international students who want to learn Chinese and pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in Taiwan.

Taiwan Student Visa

Foreign students who wish to pursue their studies in a Taiwanese educational institution will need a Taiwanese student visa.

Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), is a great place to study, for various reasons. For one, it has a great quality of education and high standards of living and it is a safe place to live in.

Second, Taiwanese universities offer a lot of courses in English, and, of course, the people there are said to be very friendly to foreigners.

Additionally, you’d be able to explore its diverse and interesting culture and the breathtaking natural beauty of this Asian island.

What Are The Types Of Taiwan Student Visas?

The Taiwan student visa is a type of Resident visa (the type of visa issued for long-term stays). The types of Taiwan student visas offered are:

Taiwan student visa for full-time foreign students (Ph.D., MA, BA, high school or below)
Taiwan student visa for international exchange students
Taiwan student visa for overseas Chinese students wishing to study in Taiwan (at a Taiwanese university, college, vocational school, high school, or lower)
Taiwan student visa for foreigners wishing to learn Mandarin Chinese

What Are The Requirements For A Taiwan Student Visa?

When applying for a Taiwan student visa, you must have several documents to support your application, such as:

Taiwan Student Visa Application Form completed online, printed, and signed
Your passport, which is valid for at least 6 more months and has at least three blank pages
Two passport-sized pictures of yourself, taken within the past six months and affixed to your application form
Proof of enrollment in the Taiwan educational institution where you will be studying.
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.
Health Certificate issued in the past three months (original and photocopy).

Before you apply for a Taiwan student visa,

You must get a Health Certificate from a hospital appointed by the Centers for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Taiwan or a hospital in your home country.
If you receive a health certificate from a non-Taiwanese hospital, you must have it legalized by a Taiwanese diplomatic mission.

For Full-Time Foreign Students

If you will study in a Taiwan high school or a lower level, you must be from a Taiwan visa-exempt country.
Proof of financial support, if applicable (original and photocopy)

For International Exchange Students

Proof of enrollment of the school or university in which you are already enrolled (original and photocopy)
For a senior high school student: Letter of approval by the Taiwan Ministry of Education

For Mandarin Chinese Language Students

A Certificate of enrollment and registration issued by one of the Mandarin Chinese Learning Centers.
Proof you have finished four months of studies and registered for at least another three months.
Proof you have attended at least 15 hours of classes weekly (Monday to Friday)Record of attendance, proving you have not missed more than a quarter of the overall class hours (original and photocopy)School transcripts (original and photocopy)A study plan.
Proof of financial support, if applicable (original and photocopy).

For Overseas Chinese Students

If you are an overseas Chinese student wishing to study in Taiwan, you must be determined by the Overseas Community Affairs Council as a qualified overseas Chinese student.
You need an approval letter issued by the Overseas Community Affairs Council and a notice of assignment issued by the Ministry of Education.

This is not an exhaustive list of documents required for a Taiwan student visa. The Taiwan authorities may request additional documents that they see fit on a case-to-case basis.

All the documents you submit have to be in either English or Chinese. If they are not, they must be translated by an official translator and authenticated by a Taiwan overseas diplomatic mission.

How To Get A Taiwan Student Visa?

There are two ways through which you can get a Taiwan student visa:

Before you arrive in Taiwan, at a Taiwanese diplomatic mission (embassy, consulate, etc).
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: At A Taiwanese Diplomatic Mission

The application procedure for getting a Taiwan student visa while you are still in your home country is as follows:

Complete the Taiwan Student Visa Application Form online (here). Print it and sign it.
Collect the required documents.
Submit the application form and the documents at a Taiwanese diplomatic mission in person within 30 days.
When you complete the application form, you will have to select which diplomatic mission you will apply to from a dropdown menu.

You may apply to any mission, but you are advised to apply to the one in your country. If there’s no Taiwanese diplomatic mission in your country, apply to the nearest one.
Wait for the Taiwan student visa to be processed

Collect your passport. If your application was approved, your visa will be affixed to your passport
After entering Taiwan, apply for a Taiwan residence permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days.

Applying In Taiwan: At The Bureau Of Consular Affairs (Boca)

You may apply for a Taiwan student visa after you arrive in Taiwan only if you have received a Taiwan Visitor Visa for studying purposes.

If you are in Taiwan simply for tourism or visiting purposes, you won’t be able to get a student visa once you arrive in the country.

If you do meet the criteria to apply for a Taiwan student visa at the BOCA, you must do so at least 8 work days before your current visa expires.

If your visa application is approved, you must apply for a Taiwan residence permit at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days.

Applying As A Student Of Mandarin Chinese

If you want to study Mandarin Chinese in Taiwan, you must first enter the country with a Visitor Visa to study Chinese.

After you finish four months of studies, you may apply to turn your Visitor Visa into a Resident (student) visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs. You have to apply at least 8 days before your current Visitor Visa expires.

After getting the Taiwan student visa, you must apply for a Taiwan residence permit as well.

Residence Permit For Taiwan Student Visa

Once you receive a Taiwan student visa, the next step is to get a Taiwan residence permit.

It is the residence permit, known as an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), that allows you to remain in the country long-term, not the student visa itself.

To get a Taiwan ARC, you must apply at a local service center of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days of arriving in Taiwan :

Complete an online application, which is available on the website of the Taiwan National Immigration Agency.
Print the application form and take it to an office of the National Immigration Agency along with the following documents:
Your passport, with the Taiwan student visa (Resident Visa), affixed.
Your Student ID Card or a Certificate of Enrollment at your educational institution.
A recent colored picture of yourself (2-inch x 2-inch).
Payment for the ARC fee.

What Are The Taiwan Student Visa Fees?

Taiwan visa fees are as follows:

If applying to a Taiwan diplomatic mission:

Single-Entry Resident Visa: NT$2,107
Multiple-Entry Resident Visa: NT$4,213

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 a three-year duration: NT$3,000
For overseas Chinese students: NT$500

What Is The Duration Of A Taiwan Student Visa?

Since the actual Taiwan student visa is more of an entry visa, it is usually valid for up to three months.

However, to be allowed to stay in Taiwan long-term, you must get an Alien Residence Certificate, which can be issued for one, two, or three years, at the Immigration officer’s decision.

Can You Extend A Taiwan Student Visa?

Yes, you can but not by default. Neither the Taiwan student visa by itself nor the ARC for studying purposes automatically allows the holder to work.

To be allowed to work in Taiwan as an international student, you must obtain a Taiwan work permit from the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).

However, before that, you also need to get a Consent Form for Work Permit Application from your school, which states that you either need the job because you have difficulty sustaining yourself financially or you will do research work related to your studies.

Conclusion

You’ve officially crossed the student visa off your Taiwan to-do list. Give yourself a pat on the back—or better yet, treat yourself to some Taiwanese street food.

Now, go seize that academic adventure you’ve been dreaming of.

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