Taiwan student visa (resident visa for foreign students)

The resident visa is for full-time students admitted under the Ministry of Education's Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan. Admission comes first: universities issue the admission permit that the visa application relies on. Senior high schools and lower levels accept only students from visa-exempt countries (including the trial visa-exempt nations Brunei, North Macedonia, the Philippines and Thailand).

Those who enter Taiwan visa-free, with a landing visa or on a visitor visa issued for another purpose cannot apply for a student resident visa or an extension on study grounds, and part-time students are not eligible.

Besides the form, photos and passport, BOCA requires a health certificate issued within three months by a hospital designated by Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control or by a foreign hospital (foreign certificates must be authenticated by a Taiwan mission), the admission permit, the highest diploma with transcripts for each year, and proof of financial support. Diplomas and transcripts in languages other than Chinese or English need a translation, authenticated by a Taiwan mission.

Missions may also ask for a statement of purpose, parental consent and a guardian in Taiwan, a guarantee letter, a police criminal record certificate or a language certificate.

Submit bank statements or remittance records of the student or of relatives within the third degree of kinship (grandparents, parents, siblings). If a relative provides the funds, add a document proving the relationship. The balance must cover at least six consecutive months of living costs at the time of application. Scholarship certificates must state the duration and exact amount.

Resident visas are valid for three months. Within 30 days of the day after arrival (or of the issue date, if the visa was granted inside Taiwan) you must apply at an NIA service centre for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and re-entry permit; your permitted stay is the validity of the ARC. According to the NIA, the ARC fee for students is NT$1,000 per year of validity, plus NT$2,200 for those who entered on a visitor visa; processing takes five working days and payment is due within five working days of approval.

An admission permit does not guarantee a visa, and a visa does not guarantee entry. BOCA may refuse without giving reasons; the fee is not refunded. If documents requested during in-country processing are not submitted within seven days, the application is turned down.