Student Visa
How to Apply for Resident Visa?
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Introduction
If you will live in Taiwan for study, you’ll typically need a visa to enter and an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) to reside legally after arrival. The ARC serves as your local ID and is required for services like telecom plans and National Health Insurance. Students who enter with a Resident Visa must apply for an ARC within 30 days of arrival; students who enter with a Visitor Visa must convert/adjust status before the Visitor Visa expires.
Visitor Visa (短期簽證)
A Visitor Visa is for short-term stays (commonly 60 or 90 days); some categories are extendable up to a maximum stay of 180 days. Whether a Visitor Visa can be extended depends on your visa type and endorsement. Extensions and related stay matters are handled by the National Immigration Agency (NIA).
When is a Visitor Visa relevant for students?
Short programs or language study that initially use a Visitor Visa.
If you start with a Visitor Visa but later study long-term, you must change to a Resident Visa/ARC before the Visitor Visa expires (do not overstay).
Resident Visa (居留簽證)
A Resident Visa is for stays over 180 days (e.g., degree programs, long-term study). After entering Taiwan on a Resident Visa, you must apply for your ARC within 30 days. Resident Visa requirements (documents, photos, fees) are listed by Taiwan’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA); you complete the form at visawebapp.boca.gov.tw and submit to a Taiwan mission (TECO/embassy) before travel, unless you’re eligible to change status in Taiwan.
Typical BOCA items include (examples; exact lists vary by case):
Online visa application form (with barcode) and signature
Passport valid ≥ 6 months, and recent passport photos (size 45×35 mm, white background)
Admission/Enrollment proof and other supporting documents required for your student category
Visa fee (per BOCA schedule)
Always follow the latest checklist for your specific student type (Bachelor’s, Master’s/PhD, Exchange, Mandarin study, etc.).
Step-by-Step: ARC Application
Who needs this?
Students who entered Taiwan with a Resident Visa, or students who obtained a Resident Visa in Taiwan by converting from another status. You apply for ARC within 30 days of arrival or issue date.
Where to apply:
NIA Online Application System for Students: https://coa.immigration.gov.tw/coa-frontend/student/entry (official NIA portal).
General steps (summarized from NIA guidance and university advisories):
Create/Log in to an NIA account at the student ARC portal and select the appropriate application (new ARC, extension, or change).
Prepare uploads commonly including: passport bio page, Resident Visa page (or in-Taiwan Resident Visa approval), enrollment/registration proof, residence address in Taiwan, and a compliant ID photo. Specific items depend on your case; follow the NIA system prompts.
Submit the application and pay the fee online as instructed by NIA.
Follow NIA instructions for collection. Some universities note that you download the e-receipt/e-residence permit and bring it to the local NIA Service Center for pickup of your ARC card; always follow the latest NIA notice shown in your case status.
Deadlines & reminders:
Apply within 30 days (Resident-Visa entrants) or before your Visitor Visa stay expires if converting. Do not overstay.
Mind your ARC expiry: renew before the end date to maintain legal residence and access to services.