Residence Visa Application
Please refer to the official website of Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan, for latest information and regulations:
Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) Application
※ Foreign nationals entering the ROC with a residence visa must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) within thirty (30) days from the day following their entry into the ROC. Those who fail to apply as required shall be subject to a fine according to the law.
- Required documents (First-time Application)
- Passport
- Residence Visa
- Admission letter
- Current student proof *
- E-file of headshot photo
- A proof of residence in Taiwan (e.g. rental contract)
- Required documents (First-time Application)
※Applications for extending residence should be submitted within three (3) months prior to the expiration of the residence period.
※ Please refer to the official website of National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior, for latest information and regulations.
- Required documents (Extension)
- Passport
- Current ARC card
- Current student proof *
- E-file of headshot photo
- Required documents (Extension)
* You have to pay the registration fee to apply the student certificate for the new semester. If your ARC is going to be expired, please notice the announcement in the Facebook group about bill-taking for the registration fee or contact the officer of OIA for help.
New Int'l Students' Group Medical Insurance
According to Article 22, “Regulations Regarding International Students Undertaking Studies in Taiwan”:
When a new international student registers, they shall submit proof of being covered by a medical and injury insurance policy which is valid for at least six months from the date that they entered Taiwan. Current students shall present documentary proof that they have joined Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Plan.
New International Students’ Medical Insurance are provided to purchase for the new students first coming Taiwan. The international student insurance policy that costs NT$3,000 for 6 months, when arriving in Taiwan. The valid day of the insurance will begin on the first day of the new semester after international students arrive in Taiwan and clear their expenses.
Therefore, if a student decides to take this insurance instead of any other insurance, the student shall be liable for the situation that he/she may not be covered by any insurance policy before the “New International Students’ Medical Insurance” becomes effective.
※ If the student is not enrolled in NHI after the six months of medical insurance, the student can keep purchasing the medical insurance for individual months until the student can take NHI. (Fee: NT$500 per month)
※ For this kind of situation, please must apply to OIA in advance and finish the payment before your medical insurance lose efficiency.
※ Individual-Application Period: The first week of each new semester (every September or February).
※ The required documents for insurance claim are as follows.
- Application form with signatures
- Hard copy of your passport
- Hard copy of you post office passbook
- Hard copy of your ARC card
- Certificate of diagnosis
- Receipt from the clinic
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Following Taiwan government regulations, international students must register for health insurance during their stay in Taiwan. Students staying in Taiwan with a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) for over six months continuously must enroll in National Health Insurance (NHI). Students must register for Group Medical Insurance if they do not have NHI.
A person who has, after receiving an ARC, stayed in Taiwan for six consecutive months (starting from the ARC issue date), or exited Taiwan only ONCE, for fewer than 30 days, within a period amounting to six months after the number of days that they have been away from Taiwan is deducted.
Students will have to pay the insurance premium during the registration of each semester (every January and August). The insurance fee for each student is NT$4,956 for one semester (NT$826 per month) (the premium rate is subjected to change).
Payment: NTD 4,956 for one semester (NT$826 per month)
In January: Pay for the spring semester (specifically from Mar. to Aug.)
In August: Pay for the fall semester (specifically from Sep. to Feb.)
※ New students who first time enrolled in NHI may have a different period of payment depended on the first continual 6 months he/she stay in Taiwan.
For more information, please refer to the official website of National Health Insurance Administration.
