Laws and Regulations Retrieving System

Article 1

This regulation is promulgated according to Article 25 of the University Act, Article 26 of the Junior College Act, Article 4-1 of the Vocational Schools Act, Article 3-1 of the Senior High School Act, and Article 6 Paragraph 3 of the National Education Act.

Article 2

An individual of foreign nationality, who has never held a nationality status from the Republic of China and who does not possess an overseas Chinese student status at the time of his/her application, is qualified to apply for admission under this regulation.

An individual of foreign nationality, pursuant to the following regulations and who has continuously stayed overseas for no less than 6 years, is also qualified to apply for admission under this regulation. However, an individual who plans to apply for study at a department of medicine, dentistry or Chinese medicine must have continuously stayed overseas for a period no less than 8 years.

1. An individual who has a nationality status from the Republic of China at the time of his/her birth but does not hold a household registration must state this on his/her college application.

2. An individual who has had nationality status from the Republic of China but has no R.O.C. nationality at the time of his/her application shall have an annulled status regarding his/her R.O.C. nationality for no less than 8 years after an annulment of his/her R.O.C. nationality by the Ministry of the Interior.

3. Regarding individuals mentioned in both of the above subparagraphs, they must not have studied in Taiwan under the status of an overseas Chinese nor received placement permission for an academic school year by the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students.

According to the Education Cooperation Framework Agreement, a foreign national who was selected by a foreign government, organization, or school, and does not hold a household registration from the time of their birth is not subject to the limitations as prescribed in the preceding 2 paragraphs after receiving the approval from the designated authorized government educational institutions.

The six and eight year calculation period as prescribed in Paragraph 2 shall be calculated from the starting date of the semester (Feb. 1st or Aug. 1st) as the designated due date for the time of study.

“Overseas” as prescribed in Paragraph 2 is limited to countries or regions other than Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau; the term “continuously” means that a individual may stay in Taiwan for no more than a total of 120 days per calendar year.

An individual, who has both foreign and R.O.C. nationalities and has applied for an annulment of his/her R.O.C. nationality before Feb. 1st, 2011, the effective date of this amendment, is then qualified to apply for admission under the original regulation as an international student and is not subject to the limitation as prescribed in Paragraph 2.

Article 3

Upon completion of the course of study, at a school in Taiwan, to which an international student has applied, the student's admission to higher academic levels shall be handled in a manner identical to the procedures of admission for local students, except that an application for master’s degree or higher level of graduate studies can be processed under the rules of each individual school.

Article 4

The quotas for admission allocated for international students at universities, two-year technical colleges (hereinafter referred to as “Universities/colleges”）, five-year technical colleges, subsidiary technical colleges of universities, senior high schools, and private junior high and elementary schools should be no more than ten percent of the number of positions allocated for these schools for local students each year. The number should be calculated into the total number of positions at each school, yearly and reported to the designated authorized government educational institutions for ratification.

If the quotas for admission, which have been allocated for local students have not been filled, a university/college may give the quotas to international students according to the total number of designated yearly positions that are open for international students.

The quotas for admission, as prescribed in Paragraph 1, do not include international students with a non-degree status.

Article 5

Universities/colleges are responsible for establishing international student recruitment regulations upon the approval of the Ministry, and creating a set of entrance rules according to the regulations that outline the degree programs offered, quotas for the admission, qualifications and requirements, means of reviewing or screening and other related information.

Article 6

International students applying for admission to a university/college shall submit their applications directly to the school of their choice during the school's designated application period. Those applicants found qualified through a review or screening process will be granted admission by the school. The following documents shall be submitted:

1. Application Form

2. The highest-level certificate or equivalent academic attainment and transcript issued by an international education institution (A copy of the translation in Chinese or English is necessary if the original diploma is in a language other than Chinese or English), which must be authenticated by a ROC embassy, consulate, representative office or other agencies authorized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Taiwan, ROC., (hereinafter referred to as “a Taiwan’s overseas representative office”) or presented by the applicant’s former school, which is to be directly mailed to the intended institutions in a sealed envelope.

3. Validated financial statements by financial institutions, also mailed directly to the intended institution in a sealed envelope, indicating that sufficient funds are available to support that applicant during his/her stay in Taiwan.

4. Other documents as required by the university or college.

The highest-level certificate or equivalent of academic attainment issued by an international education institution as stipulated-above in Subparagraph 2 of the preceding paragraph, must be in accordance with the MOE “Regulations Regarding the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Academic Credentials for Institutions of Higher Education” except for those issued by Taiwan’s overseas educational institutions.

In the event there is any doubt regarding the documentation of any international documents as being unauthenticated by one of Taiwan’s overseas representative offices in Subparagraph 2 & 3 of Paragraph 1 during the evaluation process of applications from international students, schools may require that these international documents be authenticated by one of Taiwan’s overseas representative offices; schools may apply to a Taiwan overseas representative office for evaluation assistance regarding documents to be authenticated by one of Taiwan’s overseas representative offices.

Article 7

An international student who has completed a bachelor’s degree or higher degree in Taiwan and who applies for a master program shall be exempt from the rules listed in Article 6, first paragraph, item 2, provided that a graduation certification and transcript for each consecutive semester issued from the institutions in Taiwan are enclosed.
International students who have graduated from schools that enroll foreign residents in Taiwan, or from bilingual programs affiliated with local high schools must submit graduation certificates and transcripts for each academic semester to apply for admission under Article 6, and are exempt from the rules listed in Article 3 and Article 6,paragraph1, items 2.

Article 8

Universities/colleges shall prepare a roster of admitted and registered international students, and shall submit it to the MOE for acknowledgement by November 30th of each year. The roster shall include the student’s name, nationality, class standing, field/department, or graduate school to which they belong. In addition, the roster should also identify the recipient of the Taiwan Scholarship and or other scholarships sponsored by the Ministry.

Article 9

International students may not apply for bachelor programs designed for returning education students, part-time, in-service courses of Master programs, or other programs, which are restricted to night classes and classes during holidays. International students who have received an Alien Residence Certificate, Permanent Residence Permit, or are enrolled in an international program, which is ratified by this Ministry, are exempted from this Article.

Article 10

While an international student who has been admitted to a university, college, senior high school or private junior high school and has arrived at the campus after less than one-third of the first semester has passed is allowed to enroll for the first semester. If the student arrives at the campus after more than one-third, he/she will only be allowed to enroll for the second semester.

Article 11

International students who are approved for an internship after graduation in Taiwan by designated authorities may afterwards extend their international student status for no more than one year after graduation.

During the course of study in Taiwan, international students, who are approved for initial household registration, resident registration, naturalization or restoration of their R.O.C. nationality, will lose their international student status and shall withdraw from school.    

International students who withdraw from university/college after admission due to behavior issues, poor academic performance or a conviction under the Criminal Code may not thereafter apply again for admission under this regulation.

The transfer of an international student from one school to another school shall be regulated and handled by rules of the individual institutions.

Article 12

Upon the condition that it will not interfere with their normal educational activities, universities/colleges may sign agreements for academic cooperation with foreign schools. This allows the schools to recruit and accept international students as exchange students or part-time, using the current international student enrollment procedures.

Article 13

All levels of schools that plan to establish a special program for international students in response to an International Academic Cooperation Scheme or to work with students with special needs must file an application with the MOE for ratification in accordance with the regulations regarding the Student Admission Quotas and Resources.

Article 14

In order to grant support to outstanding international students at universities/colleges, the Ministry shall set up or subsidize the universities/college to set up international student scholarships.
Universities/colleges shall set up scholarships or assistant financial aid at their own expense to encourage international students to study in Taiwan.

Article 15

Universities/colleges shall designate units or personnel to take responsibility for handling international student applications, consultation, liaison, and other related matters. In addition, these units or personnel shall reinforce the arrangement of home stay for international students, and assist them to learn the language and culture in order to improve their knowledge of this country.
Universities/colleges shall host such activities as to foster international exchange, globalization on campus, or other events, which will be helpful to the interaction between international and local students from time to time, during each academic year.

Article 16

Junior high schools, senior high schools, 5-year colleges, junior colleges affiliated with universities (hereinafter referred to as “secondary educational institutions”) and elementary schools shall make proposals for admitting international students to study in Taiwan, except for the admission of those who hold a legal residence status in Taiwan pursuant to Article 19. Such proposals shall be submitted to designated authorized government educational institutions by November 30th of each year; and only after approval, will admission be granted. Authorized government educational institutions within municipalities and counties/cities shall submit their individual school rosters, which have been approved for granting student admission, to the MOE for filing by December 31st of each year.

The foregoing proposals shall include the establishment of International Student Affairs offices, the facilitation of Mandarin language and culture enrichment programs, and accommodation arrangements for international students.

The nationalities and the quotas for the admission of international students as stipulated in Paragraph 1 shall be specified, if necessary, by the Ministry of Education (MOE) after its consultation with the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Secondary educational institutions or elementary schools may admit international students for short-term study in Taiwan for less than one year, with the approval from designated authorized government educational institutions.

Article 17

Unless otherwise specified in Article 19, international students applying for admission to secondary educational institutions or elementary schools shall submit the following documents directly to their intended institutions before the individually stated deadlines. Applications must go through an examination review or screening process, as to their eligibility before admission is granted.

1. Application form.

2. The highest-level certificate and transcript issued by an international education institution (A copy of the translation in Chinese or English will be necessary, if the original diploma is a language other than Chinese or English), must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas representative office or presented by the former school (mailed directly to the intended institutions in a sealed envelope).

3. Validated financial statements by financial institutions, also mailed directly to the intended institution in a sealed envelope, indicating that sufficient funds are available to support that applicant during his/her stay in Taiwan.

4. Documents of the eligibility of a legal guardian in Taiwan.

5. Power of Attorney by parents or any other legal representative to the guardian in Taiwan, which must also be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas representative office.

6. Letter of Agreement by a legal guardian in Taiwan, which must be notarized.

7. Additional documents, as required by individual educational institutions.

The certificate and the transcript issued by an international educational institution as stipulated-above in Subparagraph 2 of the preceding paragraph and must be in accordance with the MOE “Procedural Guidelines for Verification and Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications,” except for those issued by Taiwan’s overseas educational institutions.

In the event there is any doubt regarding the documentation of any international documents as being unauthenticated by one of Taiwan’s overseas representative offices in Subparagraph 2 & 3 of Paragraph 1 during the evaluation process of applications from international students, schools may require that these international documents be authenticated by one of Taiwan overseas representative offices; schools may apply to a Taiwan overseas representative office for evaluation assistance regarding documents to be authenticated by one of Taiwan overseas representative offices.

Article 18

The legal guardian in Taiwan who is addressed in the previous article, must be a national citizen of the Republic of China, and must submit a clean criminal record issued by the police department, as well as a tax report for the latest year, issued by the Revenue Service, indicating a total annual income of more than NT$900,000.
Those who meet the foregoing eligibility requirements may act as legal guardians; however, there is to be only one guardian for each international student.

Article 19

An international student who has legal residency status in Taiwan and wishes to apply for admission to a secondary educational institution or elementary school shall submit an application to a school near their domicile, accompanied by the documents listed below. After a completing screening test by the school and obtaining approval to register for admission, these international students shall be listed on a roster prepared by the school and sent it to designated authorized government educational institutions for acknowledgement. The following are the needed required Documents:
1. Application form
2. A photocopy of the student's Alien Residence Certificate or Permanent Residence Permit
3. The highest-level certificate and transcript issued by an international education institution (A copy of the translation in Chinese or English is necessary, if the original diploma is in a language other than Chinese or English), which must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas representative office or presented by the applicant’s former school, which is to be directly mailed to the intended institutions in a sealed envelope. Applicants for the first grade, of the first semester, at elementary schools are not required to provide such documents, as mentioned above.
The certificate and the transcript issued by an international education institution as stipulated-above in Subparagraph 3 of the preceding paragraph must be in accordance with the MOE-promulgated “Procedural Guidelines for Verification and Recognition of Foreign Educational Qualifications,” except for Taiwan overseas educational institutions.

In the event that there is any doubt regarding the documentation of any international documents as being unauthenticated by one of Taiwan’s overseas representative offices in Subparagraph 2 & 3 of Paragraph 1 during the evaluation process of applications from international students, schools may require that these international documents be authenticated by one of Taiwan overseas representative offices; schools may apply to a Taiwan overseas representative office for evaluation assistance regarding documents to be authenticated by one of Taiwan overseas representative offices.

If an international student referred to in Paragraph 1 applies to a school which is unable to accept the student’s application because of its full enrollment, the student may apply to other designated authorized government educational institutions as a referral, to a school whose enrollment quota has yet to be reached.
According to the results from the screening process undergone by secondary educational institutions or elementary schools as referred to in Paragraph 1 of this Article, these schools may ask the designated authorized government educational institutions to allocate international students to either enroll in or audit at a designated school. Auditing shall be limited to one year only. Students who are auditing and have passed their examinations will be granted enrollment status.

Article 20

Article 21

Article 21-1

International students shall pay for their schooling fees in accordance with the following regulations:

1. Students admitted to educational institutions pursuant to the previous article shall pay for their schooling fees in accordance with the same standards that apply at their individual institutions.

2. Students admitted to educational institutions pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 2 shall pay for their schooling fees in accordance with the Education Cooperation Framework Agreements.

3. The fee standard for international students other than those found in both subparagraphs above shall be regulated by their individual institutions and reported to the designated authorized government educational institutions for approval. The fee standards shall not be lower than those of private schools of the same level.

International students who were accepted for admission before Feb. 1st, 2011, the effective date of this amendment, shall pay for their schooling fees in accordance with the original regulation during the applied educational period.

When registering with their intended institutions, new international students must attach medical and injury insurance policies, which they purchased in foreign countries, covering a valid period of no less than 4 months starting from the day when they entered Taiwan.　Returning international students must attach policies regarding Taiwan national health insurance and other pertinent coverage plans.
The foregoing insurance policies purchased in foreign countries must be authenticated by a Taiwan overseas representative office.

Schools or designated authorities shall immediately handle the cases in accordance with the regulations if international students violate the Employment Services Act after investigation.

Article 22

When international students are suspended or discontinue their schooling, or by any other reason that causes them to lose student status at the school, the school must notify the Service Center, National Immigration Agency, the Ministry of the Interior, Bureau of Consular Affairs of the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs, the police department of the local municipal government, and send copies of notification to this Ministry.

Article 23

The designated authorized government educational institutions may, if necessary, visit institutions that admit international students.　Any institutions found in violation of the regulations herein shall be subject to penalty, pursuant to the pertinent laws and regulations.

The designated authorized government educational institutions may adjust institutions’ enrollment quotas for international students, as conditions require, if institutions are not pursuant to Article 21-1.

Article 24

The application procedures, as well as scholarship, management and assistance, suspension, discontinuation, notification of a student’s status change or revocation for international students who want to study language at Mandarin training centers which are affiliated to universities/ colleges are applicable to Article 6 paragraph 1 item 1, item 3, item 4, Article 14, Article 15, Article 21 and Article 22.

Article 25

The document formats for Article 6 paragraph 1 item 1, Article 17 paragraph 1 item 1, and Article 19 paragraph 1 item 1 shall be set by the individual schools. The document formats for Article 17 paragraph 1 item 5 and item 6 shall be set by the Ministry .

Article 26

These Regulations take effect upon the date of publication.

The amendment hereto promulgated on December 30, 2010, shall take effect on February 1st, 2011.