Frequently Asked Questions for Current Students
Q1: Is there a difference between a student visa and a resident visa? Which one will the embassy in my home country issue me?
There are only two types of visas: (1) visitor visa for people planning to stay in Taiwan for less than 180 days, and (2) resident visa for people planning to stay in Taiwan for over 180 days. The embassy will issue you a resident visa with remarks of FS, meaning international students.
Q2: International students need to apply for the ARC renewal and pay the ARC application fees. Is it required for the international students to do so every year?
Yes, for the international students, it's their responsibilities to extend the validity of the ARC annually and to pay for the ARC application fees required by the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan).
Q3: For the international students, how to change address on the ARC after leaving the hostel?
After leaving the hostel, the international students must immediately change their ARC address through the ARC website online. This online step requires applicants to upload proof of their new address.
Q4: How does an international student get proof of address?
There are two scenarios. Case 1, The address of the TIGP student dorm will be the new address after students have signed the dorm contract, and they can use the dorm contract as proof. Case 2, when a student rents a new apartment, he/she will sign a rental lease/contract with their landlord. The address of the apartment will indicate on the rental lease contract, which will be the new address. Students can use that as proof and upload it to the ARC online system.
Q5: What is the procedure to change the ARC status from others to students?
The Bureau of Consular Affairs Office is in charge and issuing the resident visa. When a student gets the resident visa, he/she will be able to apply for the ARC.
Q6: The health certificate required to apply for the ARC, must it be from a student’s country of origin? Can students get a health certificate in Taiwan?
When applying for the ARC resident visa, the health certificate from a student’s home country must attest by the embassy. Otherwise, students cannot get a resident visa. If students arrived in Taiwan already but do not have health certificates certified by their embassy from their home country, they can only get a visitor visa by providing Taiwan’s health certificate.
Q7: Will the ARC be provided along with a resident visa or do students need to apply again?
The ARC will issue to those students who hold the resident visa.
Q8: When to apply for the student status certificate? What is the purpose?
TIGP students usually apply for the student status certificate when attending an international conference, which requires a visa application.
Q9: Regarding affiliations, which should go first? TIGP or the partner university?
The affiliation order is flexible, based on the conclusion between the thesis advisor and the student.
Q10: In the case that students are faculty members in their respective universities, can they add the affiliation from the respective universities when publishing a paper?
Please discuss this issue with your thesis advisor. We respect it only if the thesis advisor agrees with it.
Q11: When will students apply for the TIGP certificates? After graduation?
Once students receive the Ph.D. diploma from his/her university, they are eligible to apply for a TIGP certificate.
