When studying in Taiwan (including at National Taiwan Sport University - NTSU), whether you need a visa depends on the duration of your study and your passport nationality.

 

Short-Term Study / Exchange (Less than 90 Days)

Passport holders from visa-exempt countries can enter Taiwan without a visa for short-term courses (such as a 1-quarter Mandarin course or a short summer exchange):

• Up to 90 Days Visa-Free: Passport holders from around 60 countries, including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, EU/Schengen countries, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and others.
• Up to 30 Days Visa-Free: Passport holders from Singapore, Malaysia, and select countries.
• Up to 14 Days Visa-Free (Pilot Scheme): Passport holders from the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, etc.

Important Limitation: Visa-exempt entry cannot be extended or converted to a student resident visa from inside Taiwan (with very rare exceptions for UK/Canadian passport holders).

 

Full Degree & Long-Term Study (More than 6 Months / Full-Time Degree at NTSU)

Everyone needs to apply for a Visa before coming, regardless of nationality.

If you are enrolling in a full-time degree program (Undergraduate, Master's, PhD) or a exchange program longer than 6 months:

You must apply for a Resident Visa for Study at a Taiwanese overseas embassy, consulate, or representative office before entering Taiwan.

Entering Taiwan under visa-free status or a tourism visa will not allow you to apply directly for a student Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) once you arrive.

 

Who Needs a Visa Prior to Entry?

You must apply for a visa (Visitor Visa or Resident Visa) prior to travelling if:

• You hold a passport from a country that is not on Taiwan's visa-exempt list (e.g., Vietnam, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc.).
• You plan to study in Taiwan for longer than your allowed visa-free period (e.g., any full-time degree student at NTSU).

 

Where Can You Find Official Information?

For the most accurate and up-to-date lists, check the following official government portals:

 

Official Visa & Entry Policy: Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan

(Check the sections under "Visa-Exempt Entry" and "Resident Visas for Foreign Students")

 

Online Visa Application Portal: Taiwan Overseas Visa Online Application System