SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS WITH PREVIOUSLY EXPIRED VISAS:
On August 21, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced that as the pandemic has continued to subside in Taiwan and the 2021 school semester is about to start, after evaluation, it will allow again overseas students pursuing degrees and the recipients of the Huayu Enrichment Scholarship in the new semester to apply to enter Taiwan.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) adopts appropriate coordinating measures complying with the foregoing CECC’s border control adjustments. Foreign students whose special entry permit visa (remarks with “FS - SPECIAL ENTRY PERMIT FOR COVID-19 OUTBREAK”) expires during the strict border control measures between 19 May to 23 August 2021, the expiry date of the visa will automatically extended to 30 November 2021 and eligible to enter Taiwan with no need of refiling a new visa.
Please note that currently only students in formal degree programs or enroll in the Division of Preparatory Programs for Overseas Chinese Students(僑生先修部) and recipients of the MOFA Taiwan Scholarship(外交部臺灣獎學金), Mandarin Language Enrichment Program(華語文獎學金) and others under specific bilateral programs sponsored by MOE or MOFA and approved by the CECC may enter the country.
* Special requirements for student visa applications during the COVID-19 pandemic:
1. Universities and colleges must apply to the Ministry of Education (MOE) regarding the entry of incoming international students. Upon review and approval, the MOE will forward the entry list to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) then the latter will notify the Taipei Representative Offices overseas.
2. Students shall contact the school and obtain a copy of the related MOE Letter as well as its attachments(教育部核准各校學生來臺名冊之公文及附件).
3. Provide the issue date and the reference number of the MOE Letter (10 digits: 臺教高(二)字第xxxxxxxxxx號) when making an appointment for visa application with this office;
I. Qualification:
1. To apply for a bachelor’s program, applicants must be high school graduate (grade 12)with an above average grade on every semester.
2. Applicants must be able to speak and understand foreign languages such as English or Chinese depending on the chosen program.
II. Requirements:
| Require documents | Description | |
| 1 | Accomplished & signed application form | Please access to website: https://visawebapp.boca.gov.tw for online application, then print out. |
| 2 | Two (2) photos | Photos size: 2” x 1.5”, with a white color background, taken within six(6) months |
| 3 | Passport | Valid for six (6) months with blank pages |
| 4 | PSA Birth Certificate | (1)PSA Marriage Certificate is for married female applicant.(2) Non-Filipino visa applicants may not need to submit birth certificate and marriage certificate. |
| 5 | Letter of admission from a Taiwan’s university/college | (1)Must be issued by the school’s registrar.(2)Electronic letter is acceptable. |
| 6 | Highest education diploma and transcripts | (1)Must be authenticated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).(2)For diplomas and transcripts issued in other country, the original documents should attach with a Chinese or English translation to be authenticated by the R.O.C.(Taiwan) Overseas Missions with consular district over the country in which the documents were issued and the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the R.O.C. (Taiwan). |
| 7 | Health Certificate for Resident Application | The health certificate should be issued within 3 months by one of the accredited hospitals designated by the Centers for Disease Control of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of the R.O.C. (Taiwan). |
| 8 | Evidence of financial support (either of personal or family bank statements or proof of full scholarship) | (1) Bank statements showing transaction history provided by the applicant or his/her relatives within the second generation (grandparents, parents and siblings).(a) In case the bank account is opened in the last six (6) months, other income evidence such as the sponsor’s monthly salary or tax payments will be required.
(b) Bank statements by the applicant’s relatives must be submitted along with the birth certificate which may prove the relationship of relative. (2) Bank statement must be issued within 30 days with at least Php 200,000.00 maintaining balance to cover six-month basic cost of living in Taiwan plus tuition fees of one academic year (average minimal living costs for a single person living in Taiwan is about NT$12,388 approximately PHP 20,000 per month according to Taiwan’s official report of 2020). (3) Proof of having a full scholarship provided by a government or a school is acceptable, which indicates the duration and the amount of the monthly stipend. |
REMARKS:
- Obtaining a school admission permit does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. On the other hand issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry to Taiwan.
- All documents submitted to this office should be original and with 1 set of photocopies on A4-sized paper.
- Other additional documents may be required during processing.
- The applicant will be scheduled for an interview if required.
- Please refer to " Visa Fees and Processing Time" on the website.
