*Update - Please note that Taiwan has now lifted the entry restrictions for nationals of many countries around the world, including the UK. A special entry permit is no longer required and it is not necessary to quarantine upon arrival. Visitors are asked to exercise caution and consideration for seven days after travelling to Taiwan.
Special Entry Permission – Summary of Process
- Your university/language centre will contact you to outline the stages and timeline for issuing the special entry permit after you have submitted a signed ‘Terms of Agreement’ form and admission letter to the Education Division and been entered into the online scholarship system.
- If you do not hear from your university/language centre, please make contact with the institution to check your name has been located in the system and inform the Education Division of any issues.
- Your university/language centre will submit their list of foreign students to the Ministry of Education in Taiwan for approval.
Booking Quarantine Accommodation (updated on 2022/6/13)
Please note that all entry requirements and quarantine measures are subject to change and are based on the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announcements; please refer to their website at any stage: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/xPj4hm0pClVP5EJv9TOjlQ?typeid=158
https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Category/QAPage/SbkmnM5v0OwdDMjJ2tI_xw#
- The quarantine requirement for new arrivals to Taiwan (15th June onwards) is 3 days in quarantine accommodation followed by an additional 4 days of ‘self-management’, during which time public transport, university campuses and other crowded public spaces must be avoided and masks should be worn.
- Universities may be able to arrange quarantine accommodation for students; alternatively the students can book their own quarantine accommodation.
- As conditions and regulations can vary a great deal depending on the quarantine accommodation, we recommend checking certain details beforehand. For example, some facilities allow residents to order supplies for delivery, whilst others do not. A few quarantine rooms are windowless, while others can be very spacious with plenty of windows or even a balcony.
- Once the list of students has been approved by the Ministry, you will receive a code / reference number from your university/language centre. The Consular Division can use the code to identify approved visa applicants.
- Upon receipt of the code, you are able to apply for a visa to enter Taiwan.
- You should submit your visa application in accordance with the instructions on the website: https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk_en/post/3831.html
- You will need to include evidence of a flight reservation, but this does not need to be a fixed booking as arrival dates may be unconfirmed at that stage.
Visa Types
- If you will stay in Taiwan longer than 180 days and have already obtained a valid health certificate, you may apply directly for a Resident Visa.
- If you will stay in Taiwan less than 180 days and/or have not obtained a health certificate, you can apply for a General Visitor Visa. (If necessary, you can then undergo the health check in Taiwan and convert to Resident visa.)
- Once you have a Resident visa, you can apply for the Alien Resident Card (ARC) of Taiwan.
- Please be aware that if you enter Taiwan on a 90-day Visitor visa, you will need to convert the visa to Resident type or extend the Visitor visa before this time period has elapsed. Overstaying the visa, even if inadvertently or due to delays, will result in a fine and an instruction to leave Taiwan by a certain date.
- When your visa is issued, you will need to report the visa number to your university/language centre, along with confirmed flight information. We recommend sending a scanned picture of the visa as well. From this point, your university/language centre will require at least five working days to enter your details into the immigration system and finalise approval for your special entry permission.
- A special entry permit will be sent to you electronically. Please print the permit in colour, along with any other specified documents.
- Flights must arrive at Taoyuan Airport, Taipei.
- At the airport, you will need to log on to the online Quarantine System for Entry prior to boarding your flight. (From the 15th August onwards, a pre-departure PCR test is no longer required.)
- You will be met at the airport and helped to buy a sim card for test & trace.
- You will then be taken by bus to your quarantine accommodation.
- Arrivals must undergo PCR / lateral flow tests as required during the quarantine and self-management periods.
*Please note that all entry requirements and quarantine measures are subject to change and are based on the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announcements; please refer to their website at any stage: https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Bulletin/Detail/xPj4hm0pClVP5EJv9TOjlQ?typeid=158
https://www.cdc.gov.tw/En/Category/QAPage/SbkmnM5v0OwdDMjJ2tI_xw#
Also…
- Your university/language centre should provide you with detailed information on pre- and post-arrival procedures. In case of any discrepancy, the information from the institution takes precedence over this document. Please direct any questions to your language centre in the first instance.
- Your university/language centre will likely have additional administration for you to complete (forms etc.) that is not included in this summary.
- Regulations / procedures can change at short notice. We will do our best to update this page promptly.
