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VISA

A.Republic of China (Taiwan) Visa Introduction

If you plan to study Mandarin in Taiwan, please pay attention to relevant visa matters. Carefully review the following points. Note that obtaining an admission permit does not guarantee the issuance of a visa for entry into Taiwan, nor does it ensure that you will be allowed to change to a residence visa after entering.

1. Visa Categories

Visas issued by the Republic of China (Taiwan) are classified into four types based on the applicant's purpose of entry and status:

  • Visitor Visa (VISITOR VISA): A short-term visa allowing a stay in Taiwan for up to 180 days.
  • Resident Visa (RESIDENT VISA): A long-term visa allowing a stay in Taiwan for more than 180 days.
  • Diplomatic Visa (DIPLOMATIC VISA).
  • Courtesy Visa (COURTESY VISA).

2. Validity Period (VALID UNTIL or ENTER BEFORE on the visa)

This refers to the period during which the visa holder can use the visa to enter Taiwan. For example, if the visa states "VALID UNTIL (or ENTER BEFORE) APRIL 8, 1999," the visa becomes invalid after April 8, 1999, and can no longer be used.

3. Duration of Stay (DURATION OF STAY)

This refers to the length of time the visa holder is allowed to stay in Taiwan after entering. The duration starts from midnight on the day following the date of entry.

Common durations include 14 days, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. If you hold a visa with a stay duration of 60 days or more without restrictive annotations and need to extend your stay, you must apply for an extension at a local service office of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) under the Ministry of the Interior before your stay period expires.

A resident visa does not specify a duration of stay. You must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) and a Re-Entry Permit at a local NIA service office within 15 days from the day after entry or within 15 days from the issuance of a resident visa in Taiwan. The residency period will be based on the validity of the ARC.

4. Number of Entries (ENTRIES)

Visas can be either Single-Entry (SINGLE) or Multiple-Entry (MULTIPLE).

5. Visa Number (VISA NUMBER)

Travelers must enter this number on the Arrival/Departure (E/D) Card upon entry.

6. Remarks

This section includes codes indicating the purpose of entry or the applicant’s status. The visa holder must engage in activities consistent with the permitted purpose of entry.

(Visa Annotation Code Table)

B. Additional Reference Information

1. Relevant Information from the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

  • Website: http://www.boca.gov.tw
  • Address: 3rd–5th Floor, Central United Office Building, No. 2-2, Section 1, Jinan Road, Taipei City (Office Location)
  • Service Hours:
    • Application counters for passports, visas, and document authentication are open Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 17:00 (No lunch break).
    • Closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays.
  • Visa Inquiry Hotline: +886-2-2343-2885, +886-2-2343-2895 (Lunch break: 12:30 – 13:30)
  • Document Authentication Inquiry Hotline: +886-2-2343-2913 ~ 4
  • Visa Fax Number: +886-2-2343-2883, +886-2-2343-2893
  • E-mail: post@boca.gov.tw

National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior – Taipei Service Center

  • Website: http://www.immigration.gov.tw
  • Address: No. 15, Guangzhou Street, Taipei City (Office Location)
  • Service Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:30 (No lunch break)
  • Main Line: +886-2-2388-9393
  • Automated Inquiry Hotline: +886-2-2370-2797
  • Operator Inquiry Hotline: +886-2-2389-9983
  • Fax Number: +886-2-2361-1598
  • E-mail: boi@immigration.gov.tw

National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior – New Taipei (Banqiao) Service Center

  • Website: http://www.immigration.gov.tw
  • Address: No. 168-1, Minzu Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City (Office Location)
  • Service Hours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:30 (No lunch break)
  • Main Line: +886-2-89647960, +886-2-89646937, +886-2-89648463, +886-2-89647905, +886-2-89648373, +886-2-89648128, +886-2-89647169
  • Fax Number: +886-2-89647208

2. Applying for a Visitor Visa

Foreign nationals who have received an admission permit from our center may apply for a Visitor Visa at the nearest Embassy, Consulate, or Representative Office of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with the admission permit issued by our center.

Instructions for Applying for a Visitor Visa:

Required Documents Explanation
  1. Original and photocopy of the admission permit issued by a Mandarin Language Center affiliated with a university recognized by the Ministry of Education.
  2. Original and photocopy of the study plan.
  3. Original and photocopy of financial proof.
  4. Original and photocopy of the passport.
  5. Visa application form with two 2-inch color photos taken within the last six months attached.
  6. Other documents as required on a case-by-case basis.
  1. Original and photocopy of the admission permit issued by our center.

   1-2. Classes must be attended at least 15 hours per week,                 from Monday to Friday.

  1. The study plan should include the motivation for learning Chinese and the study plan details.

  2. Examples of financial proof include a bank statement or an overseas remittance certificate.

  3. The passport must be valid for at least six months and must have blank pages.

  4. The applicant must personally sign the visa application form for confirmation. The photo background must be white. The form can be obtained at the visa counter of the Bureau of Consular Affairs or downloaded from the bureau’s website.

Application Procedure

Foreign nationals intending to study Mandarin in Taiwan must submit the required documents along with the visa fee to the Republic of China (Taiwan) Embassy, Consulate, or Representative Office in their home country, permanent residence, or designated jurisdiction to apply for a Visitor Visa for entry into Taiwan.

Important Notices

  1. Visa issuance is a sovereign decision of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The government has the right to deny visa applications without providing a reason. Visa fees are non-refundable for rejected applications.

  2. Those who enter Taiwan with a visa exemption or a landing visa, those whose visa purpose is not for Mandarin study, or those already residing in Taiwan under a different visa status cannot change their visa purpose to "Mandarin study" after arrival.

  3. Individuals holding a Visitor Visa for "Mandarin study" with a "No Extension" remark may apply for a convertible Visitor Visa after entering Taiwan. An admission permit is not required for this application, but applicants must submit:

    • A certificate of enrollment, proving continued study.
    • A class attendance record, showing no more than one-fourth of total class hours missed (including absences and leave requests).

  4. Students who have studied in Taiwan for at least 4 months and have registered for at least 3 additional months may apply for a Resident Visa if they meet the requirements. The application must be submitted at least one week before the expiration of their current Visitor Visa at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) or one of its regional offices (Central, Southern, or Eastern Taiwan).

    • Processing time: 7 business days.
    • For more details, refer to the official "Resident Visa Application for Foreigners Studying Mandarin in Taiwan" page.

  5. Original documents submitted will be returned after verification. If additional documents are requested, applicants must provide them within 2 weeks, or the visa application will be denied. Visa fees are non-refundable in such cases.

  6. Visa Fees:

    • Visitor Visa Fee: NTD 1,600 (USD 50)
    • Reciprocal Processing Fee: NTD 4,454 (USD 131) (Applicable only to U.S. citizens)
    • Conversion to an Extendable Visitor Visa: Additional Special Processing Fee: NTD 800 (USD 24)

 

3.Extension of "Visitor Visa" Duration

The "Visitor Visa" issued based on the center’s Admission Permit is typically valid for 60 days and can be extended up to 180 days. The visa extension process must be completed at least 10 days before the visa expires by following these steps:

  1. Regular program students should obtain a Certificate of Enrollment (including attendance record) from the Mandarin Center.
  2. Visit the National Immigration Agency (NIA) Service Station in your place of residence (Taipei City or County) to apply for a visa extension of 60 days (or 30 days).
    • Required documents: Certificate of Enrollment (with attendance record) and passport.
    • Students who have been studying Mandarin in Taiwan for over two years must also provide a study purpose and plan.

Important Notes

  1. Failure to extend the visa before expiration will result in a fine of NTD 600, and the student must leave Taiwan within 7 days after the visa expires.

    • Students must complete the visa extension before the visa expiration date.
    • Holders of a Resident Visa must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within 15 days of arrival, or they will be fined.

  2. Exchange students and recipients of the Ministry of Education (MOE) special scholarship for one year do not need to wait four months before applying for a Resident Visa.

    • Exchange students can apply with a certificate issued by the school.
    • MOE scholarship recipients can apply with an MOE official document and Certificate of Enrollment (with attendance record).
    • Upon their first visa extension, they can apply for a Resident Visa instead, which allows a stay of up to one year, depending on the actual exchange or scholarship period.

  3. If the issued Visitor Visa states "No Extension," students must:

    • Before the visa expires, submit a Certificate of Enrollment, Study Plan, and Proof of Financial Support to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to convert the "Non-Extendable Visitor Visa" into an "Extendable Visitor Visa."
    • After obtaining the Extendable Visitor Visa, apply for a visa extension at the NIA Service Station in Taipei City.

Application for a "Resident Visa"

Students who have studied Mandarin in Taiwan for at least four months (including study time at other MOFA-recognized Mandarin centers) and intend to continue studying for at least three more months can apply for a Resident Visa.

Steps to Apply:

  1. Pay tuition fees for the next term.

  2. Obtain two copies of the Certificate of Enrollment (including attendance record) from the Mandarin Center.

  3. At least two weeks before the visa expires, submit the following documents to the MOFA to apply for a Resident Visa:

    • Passport (valid for at least six months, with blank pages) and one copy
    • Certificate of Enrollment (including attendance record)
    • Proof of Financial Support (at least NTD 70,000; e.g., bank statement, remittance proof, or scholarship certificate)
    • Health Certificate (valid within three months)
    • Application fee: NTD 3,000 (USD 100); for U.S. citizens: NTD 4,400 (USD 146)
    • Two recent passport-size photos (taken within six months)
    • For overseas Chinese students: Two photos and two copies of the Certificate of Enrollment

  4. After receiving the Resident Visa, visit the NIA Service Station in Taipei City (or County) to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC):

    • Required documents: Passport, Resident Visa, Certificate of Enrollment (including attendance record)
    • ARC application fee: NTD 1,000 (valid for one year)
    • Students who have studied Mandarin in Taiwan for more than two years must also submit a study purpose and plan.

Additional Important Notes:

  1. To apply for a Resident Visa, the passport must be valid for at least six months.
  2. Holders of an ARC who change their residential address must report the change at the NIA Service Station in Taipei City (or County). Failure to do so will result in a fine of NTD 3,000–5,000.
  3. Students who have held a Resident Visa for four months must enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program at the local district (township, city) office.
    • Failure to enroll in the NHI will result in a fine of NTD 3,000–15,000 and mandatory back-payment of insurance fees from the date the student was eligible.