Visa
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
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