All international students must possess an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) to live in Taiwan while studying. Depending on the student’s country of origin, the ARC application will be completed before or after arriving in Taiwan.
For students that need to apply for an ARC before arriving in Taiwan, please contact the corresponding overseas representative office for more specific information.
In general, students will need to provide the following documents:
- Application form
- Two passport photos
- Passport and photocopy of the passport
- Original health certificate* and one copy
- Original admission permit and one copy
- Diploma of the highest education level achieved and transcripts
- Original financial statement and one copy
International students have to apply for a Resident Visa in their corresponding overseas representative office before coming to Taiwan.
Once in Taiwan, students are required to apply for an ARC within their first 15 days.
Apply online through the National Immigration Agency and prepare the following documents:
- Proof of enrollment
- Passport
- Resident Visa
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of scholarship (only for scholarship students)
- Other documents
- Students who need to change their residence permit content shall apply for a residence permit alteration online through the National Immigration Agency website. Students shall also apply for renewal of their residence permit within 30 days before the residence permit expires.
- If your ARC has changed recently, please bring your new ARC, a photocopy and the Application Form for Student Information Change/Correction to the Registration Section to update your information in the university system. Be sure to update your ARC information with your bank as well.
The Application Form for Student Information Change/Correction
See the System User Guide for further help for applying online.
The ARC fee depends on the length of the permit:
- One-year ARC costs NT$ 1,000
- Two-year ARC costs NT$ 2,000 (only available for scholarship students funded by the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
- Three-year ARC costs NT$ 3,000 (only available for scholarship students funded by the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
The payment can be completed online or at any of the four major convenience stores in Taiwan.