Visa/ARC
Navigate the visa and ARC process, ensuring compliance with regulations during your stay
*Announcement:
- While we do our best to provide information, be mindful that you are responsible for maintaining your legal status in Taiwan during your study.
- You should obtain a visa to enter Taiwan. A visa allows you to stay in Taiwan for longer term to avoid disruptions during your study period.
- If you will be studying at NTU for one academic year or longer, be sure to also read through information on the Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
- If you hold a Mainland China passport, information on this page does not apply to holders of Mainland China passport.
- Mainland China passport holders need to obtain an Entry Permit to enter Taiwan. Failure to obtain a visa will result in the cancellation of the eligibility for exchange/visiting student status. Information is provided to you through email.
Visa
Apply for a visa from the consular office of the Taiwan Embassy or Mission in your area. The consular office would be able to provide information on the application process and materials required.
To locate the Embassy or Mission in your area, please refer to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://en.mofa.gov.tw/ > Embassies & Missions.
If you plan to stay at NTU for one academic year or longer, we strongly recommend that you obtain a Resident Visa. You will need to convert your Resident Visa to an ARC either within 30 days of entering Taiwan with the Resident Visa or within 30 days of receiving the Resident Visa while in Taiwan.
For more details with VISA, please contact Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Address: 3-5F, 2-2, Sec.1, Jinan Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City
- Tel: (02)2343-2888
- Visa inquiry Hotline: (02)2343-2885; (02)2343-2895
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30-17:00
- Website: http://www.boca.gov.tw/
- E-mail: post@boca.gov.tw
Visitor Visa Extension
If your Visitor Visa is not remarked as “no extension”, you can apply for an extension at the National Immigration Agency with a Certificate of Enrollment.
For one-semester exchange or visiting students, to get a certificate of enrollment, refer to Academics > Enrollment/Registration.
If you are a degree student, you should be converting to ARC instead of extending a Visitor Visa.
Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
The Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) serves as an ID card which proves legal resident status in Taiwan and allows enrollment in various services, such as the National Health Insurance and mobile data plans. You should take good care of it and take steps to renew it before the expiration date.
If you plan to stay at NTU for one academic year or longer and entered Taiwan:
- With a Resident Visa, you can and must apply for the ARC within 30 days of arrival date
- With a Visitor Visa, you can and must apply for the ARC before your Visitor Visa expires.
International students who have entered Taiwan with a Resident Visa, or obtained Resident Visa through visa change in Taiwan, are required to apply for Alien Resident Certificate through the online application system within 30 days after arrival or issue date of Resident Visa within Taiwan respectively.
Apply for the ARC online directly at the National Immigration Agency’s Students Online Application System.
ARC Extension/Renewal (for degree students)
- Please apply for ARC extension within 30 days before your ARC expires if you will continue your study at NTU.
- If you plan to leave Taiwan during your studies, please make sure your ARC will still be valid at the time you return to Taiwan before your departure. Please apply for ARC extension online if necessary.
For more details with ARC, please contact the National Immigration Agency
- Website: http://www.immigration.gov.tw/mp.asp?mp=2
- Address: No.15, Guangzhou St., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
- Business Hours: Taipei Office: Monday to Friday 8:00 – 17:00
- Other Branch Office: Monday to Friday 8:00 – 17:00
- Tel:
- Main Line: (02)2388-9393
- Automatic Answering Line: (02)2370-2797
- Manual Answering Line: (02)2389-9983
- Foreigners In Taiwan Hotline: 1990 (English, Japanese, and Mandarin services available)