Taiwan Student Visa - The Definitive Guide

At times when a student is willing to study abroad, there are certain formalities that they require to fulfil in order to be able to acquire education. The permit acquired for this purpose is what is known as a student visa. A student visa for Taiwan is issued at the time when the applicant is looking forward to pursuing a course from Taiwan. There are several other benefits to this visa as well. It is also classified into different types as per the type of the program. There are short term and long term student visa and the validity will differ as per the type too. Initially, it is obtained with a validity of 3 months which is supposed to be extended once you reach Taiwan.

In order to apply for the visa, it is important that you first meet the eligibility criteria. The process for the visa application is mainly offline, it starts by filling out the Taiwan student visa application form online. However, before applying for the visa, you need to apply to the University or the college you are looking forward to acquiring your course from. The process is given as follows:

1. You can start by visiting the official website of Taiwan Immigration.
2. You can then fill out the visa application form for Taiwan student visa.
3. When the form has been filled out correctly, download and print the form.
4. Attach the photographs as per the photo specifications.
5. Attach the supporting documents as per the list of documents provided.
6. Submit the form to the visa application centre
7. Pay the required visa fee and wait for the final verification

At the time of filling out the form, you need to make sure that the information provided on the visa application form checks out with the details on your passport and other documents. If there is any incorrect or unverifiable information, there are chances that the visa application may get rejected. This kind of visa rejection can even affect your future applications for any kind of Taiwan visa or any other country as well. To avoid the same, you can even pursue consultation from the professionals to make sure not to make a mistake that could have consequences.

The eligibility criteria are the parameters that are to be met in order to apply for the visa. Some of the important parameters are listed as follows:

• You must have sufficient funds
• You must possess or have access to sufficient funds to be able to cover your stay and other expenses in Taiwan.
• Bank statement or any equivalent document is to be submitted as well as proof of the same.
• If you have a sponsor, evidence of their financial stability must be made available and should be sufficient to support your education.
• The guarantor documents should also be legitimate and submitted at the time of application.
• The visa application must be submitted considering the time required for the processing and the beginning of your academic year.

• You must have confirmed admission in Taiwan
• You must have applied to the institution or the university you are looking forward to acquiring the course.
• Your admission must be confirmed and you must have the necessary documentary proof of the same.
• Other valid documents, educational and others should be made available.
• The documents must be completed and the CCVI must be applied for in time.
• The educational documents must be verifiable.
• You should have proof of your previous highest education degree.

• You must meet the health requirements
• You must be healthy enough to travel to Taiwan.
• You must perform a medical test before travelling to the country and provide a relevant documentary proof.
• You must be within the age limit to be able to apply for a student permit.

• You must meet the character requirements
• You must be visiting with education as your primary purpose.
• You must be of good character and have genuine intentions behind studying in Taiwan.
• You need to provide a relevant documentary proof for the same as well in the form of a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC).

There are different kinds of documents required as per the type of the visa. Different kinds of educational documents are also required in the process. Some of the common documents are listed as follows:

• Original passport with validity at least 6 months ahead of the date of travel
• Completely filled visa application form
• Two photos as per the photo specifications
• Travel Itinerary
• Proof of confirmed travel dates - Air tickets
• Sponsorer’s proof of employment - Letter of remittance, ITR
• Proof of accommodation - Invitation letter

• Two copies must be provided
• Photo size: 2 inches x 2 inches.
• Coloured copy must be provided.
• The face must cover about 60-70% of the frame - 32mm x 36mm.
• Head should well-centred.
• A gap of 2mm to 6mm must be kept between the top of the head and the frame.
• The picture must not be older than 6 months.
• The background must be white
• Neutral expressions
• Glasses are not permitted.
• Headgears are not allowed except for religious reasons.
• Clothing shouldn’t match the background.

The processing time required for the issuance of the student visa for Taiwan is about 3 to 5 days. The time will still vary depending on certain factors like the workload at the consular office, the staff availability, whether the documents are complete or the rest of the documents are yet to be submitted and others. The time increases and decreases affected by these parameters. An additional factor that might affect if there is a requirement document attestation for educational documents.

The fee for a student visa for Taiwan varies based on various aspects. It is to be paid to the visa application centres along with the service charges. Also, you must pay the fee only in cash, else if you do not have access to a visa application centre branch, you can send in the fee with a demand draft. The fee for enrollment of the course is paid separately to the institution in Taiwan. It is to be paid to confirm your admission in the institution.

After filling out the application form and at the time of submission, you need to take care of a few things -

• The documents to be submitted must be in good condition and there is no need for an appointment for the submission. 
• The completely filled and signed visa application form can be submitted to the visa application centre or directly to the Consulate. 
• You can submit the documents to your nearest branch of the visa application centre.
• The application form must be submitted in person. If in case you are more than 200 miles (300 km) away from the Consulate, or if you do not have access to a nearby visa application centre, you can mail the documents through a registered courier service. 
• If you are mailing the documents, you must make sure to mail them in a special envelope and the parcel must be self-addressed and prepaid so that you can get your documents and passport back safely.
• If there are any other requirements to be fulfilled or if there are any mistakes in the application, the embassy or the agency must be informed.
• If there are any changes related to the application, for instance, change in marital status or birth of a child, you must inform the embassy/agency.
• You can even check the status of the application and the processing in the meantime. 
• If there is a change of plans, you can withdraw the application.
• The visa fee is generally not refundable.

To check the status of your student visa for Taiwan, you will have to visit the official website of the visa application centre you have applied through. You can then enter your birth date and application number and know the status of your visa. Although, you can even check the status offline by calling the visa application centre.

When the processing is done and you have your visa, there are certain things that must be kept in mind. There are guidelines to be followed that are provided along with the visa. Some of the important ones are listed as follows:

• Before you travel
• Note the visa expiry date as well as the number of entries permitted. You must not stay in the country beyond this period.
• You should travel to Taiwan within the validity of your visa.
• Make sure to carry a copy of your passport and other travel documents while you are in the country.
• Issue health insurance and travel insurance from a certified company.

• At the Border
• Get your documents checked and your passport verified.
• Obtain the entry stamp on your passport.
• Consult the airport authorities for any kind of assistance required.
• Check your visa copy for other guidelines and rules to be followed.

• When you enter Taiwan
• Ensure not to get involved in any kind of activities that are not permitted to a non-Taiwan resident. You may get into trouble otherwise.
• You can study, work as well as tour the country on this visa (if permitted).
• The tourist prohibited areas must be stayed out of.
• Make sure you don’t overstay and apply for a visa extension in time.
• You need to apply to the National Immigration Agency in Taipei for the extension of the visa within 15 days of entry as per the enrollment period of your course.