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Global Are you an Overseas Chinese Student?
If you are residing overseas and would like to pursue further studies in Taiwan, you can either apply the joint admissions, i.e., individual application or united distribution, organized by the University Entrance Committee For Overseas Chinese Students (UECOCS), or the individual recruitment hosted by different universities. For both channels, apart from academic requirements, you will have to meet the eligibility of being an overseas Chinese student and get validated by the Overseas Community Affairs Council, ROC (OCAC). For university’s individual recruitment, you can apply as an international student as well. However, once you have chosen to apply as either of the student statuses, you have to maintain it throughout the whole study. In general, foreign students usually choose to apply as “overseas Chinese students”, because they will entitle to have more benefits and assistance during their study in Taiwan. Overseas Chinese Students Overseas Chinese students refer to students of Chinese descendants residing outside Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and the Republic of China. Even though they were born outside Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and China with other nationalities, as long as they are with Chinese ethnicity, they are considered as overseas Chinese students. Eligibility for application If you were born outside Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and China and meet one of the following requirements, as well as stay in Taiwan for no more than 120 days in a calendar year (from 1st January to 31st December), you are eligible to be an overseas Chinese student to pursue further studies in Taiwan. 1. Resided outside Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and China since birth and until the time of admission application. 2. Resided outside Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and China for more than 6 consecutive years, counting backwards from the application deadline, or 8 years if you are applying for medicine, Chinese medicine or dentistry departments, and have a permanent or long-term overseas residence certificate. Take the admission exercise in 2022 as an example. The following is the calculation of overseas residency requirement set by UECOCS and Ministry of Education, Taiwan, for overseas Chinese students: If you do not meet the 6-year or 8-year overseas residency requirement until 31st August of the same year as the application deadline, you can still submit an application by filling in an affidavit. 6 Benefits of being an overseas Chinese student If you choose to pursue further studies in Taiwan as an overseas Chinese student, you are entitled to have the following 6 benefits: 1. You are entitled to have 70 choices of departments in your priority list when joining the UECOCS’s united distribution, meaning that you will have 70 chances of being allocated a place for study; 2. You are entitled to enjoy the same tuition and miscellaneous fees as local students in Taiwan; 3. You are eligible to apply for the scholarships and financial aids provided by the Taiwan government and the OCAC exclusively for overseas Chinese students; 4. You are entitled to enjoy 50% discount offered by the OCAC for your medical insurance premiums during the first 6 months upon arriving in Taiwan; 5. If you are a disadvantaged student and have the low-income certificate issued by recognized parties, you are entitled to receive the OCAC’s subsidy, which is 30% of your national health insurance premiums; 6. You are entitled to receive the counseling service provided by the OCAC during study and after graduation. ★ For further details, please visit the website of OCAC and the Regulations Regarding Study and Counseling Assistance for Overseas Chinese Students in Taiwan.
Global How to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)?
To read more: Entry Visa (Resident Visa) for Overseas Chinese Students As mentioned in the article above, if you are an overseas Chinese student, a resident visa can allow you to enter Taiwan. You must apply for an ARC, which serves as an identification card for you to stay in Taiwan. Application should be made through the "Students Online Application System” of the National Immigration Agency within 15 days after arriving in Taiwan. Two pathways to apply for an ARC After being admitted by a Taiwanese university or college, apart from receiving a “notification of admission” or “admission permit”, you will receive a “notification for new students” sent by the admitting university or college, and you will be requested to complete the registration process within a certain period of time. If your date of entry falls into the university registration period, you can go to the university to complete the registration first, and then go online to apply for an ARC. This ARC will be in the form of an IC card with 1- year validity. However, if you enter Taiwan far before the registration period, you will need to apply for an ARC before completing the registration process. Yet, this ARC is an electronic one and only valid for 6 months. You will need to extend your ARC and replace it with an ARC IC card. To read more: The next step for being admitted by UECOCS - Notification of Admission Application procedure 1. Fill in the online application form. 2. Scan the required documents as shown below and upload to the application system. 3. The reviewing period is normally 5 working days. Once the application is approved, settle the application fee of NTD500 online or at any convenience store (1-year validity is usually granted unless for scholarship recipients). 4. ARC collection – For those who have not yet completed university registration: a. Download the electronic ARC (valid for 6 months); b. Apply for ARC extension after completing school enrollment but before the electronic ARC expires. For those who have completed university registration: Download the payment receipt; and collect the ARC ID card at the chosen National Immigration Agency service counter with the payment receipt 3 days after approval. Extension or Reissuance of ARC If an electronic ARC is granted, you will need to extend your ARC and replace it with an ARC IC card after completing school registration. Or if you need to extend your stay due to academic requirements, or have any changes in your personal information, e.g. change in residential address or attending school, or in case of loss or damage, you are required to extend or re-issue your ARC. In any cases, the extension should be made within 30 days before your current ARC expires, or within 15 days if you have any updates in your personal information or need to re-issue your ARC. Procedure 1. Go to the "Students Online Application System” of the National Immigration Agency and fill in the required information. 2. Scan the required documents as shown below and upload to the application system. 3. The reviewing period is normally 5 working days. Once the application is approved, settle the application fee of NTD500 online (for extension or reissuance due to damage or loss, or change in Chinese name, date of birth, sex or photo) or at any convenience store. Information updates such as change in residential address or attending school is free of charge. 4. Download the payment receipt and collect the new ARC at the chosen National Immigration Agency service center 3 days after approval. You will need to present the payment receipt and return the old ARC. ★ To note: If you fail to apply for an ARC within 15 days after arriving in Taiwan, or fail to update your personal information like change of residential address or attending school, you may be posed to a fine of NTD2,000 – 10,000. If you fail to apply for ARC extension within 30 days before its expiration, in addition to the penalty, you may be required to leave Taiwan and re-apply for a resident visa to enter again. ★ For details about ARC, please visit National Immigration Agency.
Global Entry Visa (Resident Visa) for Overseas Chinese Students
If you are an overseas Chinese student, and got admitted in any full-time degree programs in Taiwanese universities or colleges, you will need to obtain a “Resident Visa” before entering Taiwan. Resident Visa There is no "Student Visa" in Taiwan, instead, there is "Resident Visa" and "Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)". If you are holding a non-Taiwanese passport, the resident visa will allow you to enter Taiwan, while the ARC will allow you to stay in Taiwan to undertake college study. To read more: How to apply for an Alien Resident Visa (ARC)? Here is the procedure for obtaining a resident visa after being admitted by a Taiwanese university or college: After you have received the notification of admission or an admission permit from a Taiwanese university or college, you need to apply for a resident visa at the nearest ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad before entering Taiwan. In general, a resident visa is valid for 3 months, and is usually used for single entry only. The normal processing time is 3 days. If you have already got an ARC, or a Taiwanese identity card or passport, then you do not need to apply for a resident visa. Required documents 1. Application form – To be filled online and printed out; make sure the bar code is also printed. 2. Two passport-size color photos – With a white background and taken within past 6 months. 3. Passport (original and photocopy) – Valid for 6 months with blank pages. 4. Health certificate – Issued within 3 months by any designated hospital in Taiwan or authorized overseas hospital. Health certificate issued by authorized overseas hospitals should be authenticated by an ROC overseas mission. You may refer to the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control for the health checkup items required. 5. Diploma and transcript of your highest academic credentials (original and photocopy) – For the certificates that are issued using languages other than Chinese and English, they must be attached with a Chinese or English translation verified by the ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad. 6. Proof of financial support (original and photocopy) – It can be a bank statement of you own bank account, or your parents’ bank account within the last 3 months. For the latter, you will need to provide copies of your birth certificate and your parents’ identity cards. 7. Other documents as requested. For those admitted through the Ministry of Education (MoE) or the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students (UECOCS) 8. Notice of admission (original and photocopy) issued by MoE or UECOCS. To read more: The next step for being admitted by UECOCS - Notification of Admission For those admitted through university’s individual recruitment 8. Admission permit (original and photocopy) issued by the admitting university. 9. Proof of your identification (original and photocopy) as an overseas Chinese student, issued by the Overseas Community Affairs Council, R.O.C (OCAC). Application fee The visa application fees for overseas Chinese students from different countries are as follows: Notes In case you are coming from a visa-exempt country in which its citizens are allowed to stay in Taiwan for 6 months legally, or with any visa that is not for the purpose of undertaking studies, you may not be able to apply for a resident visa or an extension of stay after entering Taiwan. ★ For details, please visit the Resident Visa for Overseas Chinese Students of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Global The next step for being admitted by UECOCS - Notification of Admission
If you are an overseas Chinese student and have participated in the joint admissions organized by the University Entrance Committee For Overseas Chinese Students (UECOCS) in order to pursue further studies in Taiwan, no matter whether it is “individual application” or “united distribution”, you will receive a "Notification of Admission” after being admitted. What is it? What it is used for? 3 Purposes of Notification of Admission "Notification of Admission” is the official letter issued by UECOCS to overseas Chinese students who have been admitted by Taiwanese universities or colleges through joint admissions. You will be informed to collect it at the ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad, or the offices of Overseas Community Affairs Council, ROC (OCAC) in your country that received your application. In brief, the “Notification of Admission” has the following three major purposes: 1. For university registration In general, the new school year usually starts in September. The admitting university will normally notify you by phone, email or letter of the relevant information about the entry and registration of new students. You are required to enter Taiwan within the specified time, and bring the "Notification of Admission" to the admitting university to complete the registration procedures before the start of the semester. You may also take the initiative to contact the admitting university for the registration information if necessary. 2. For the application of Resident Visa Resident Visa is the single-permit entry visa for degree-pursuing overseas Chinese students to enter Taiwan. You need to apply for it at the ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad in your country with the "Notification of Admission" and other required documents before entering Taiwan. ★ To read more: Entry Visa (Resident Visa) for Overseas Chinese Students 3. For the application of Alien Resident Certificate Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) is the identification card for overseas Chinese students to stay in Taiwan. You will need to apply for the ARC within 15 days after arrival. Application should be made through the "Students Online Application System” of the National Immigration Agency with the "Notification of Admission" and other required documents. ★ To read more: How to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)? Loss and replacement If you still cannot receive the "Notification of Admission" before the end of August, or unfortunately lost it, please contact UECOCS (E-mail: overseas@mail.ncnu.edu.tw; hotline: 886-49-2910900; Fax: 886-49-2911182) for re-issuance. You will need to indicate your application number, the reason for not being able to receive or lose the "Notification of Admission", and your current address. UECOCS will reply you as soon as possible to assist in re-issuance.
Global Working in Taiwan after graduation
If you, either a foreign or overseas Chinese student, wish to stay and work in Taiwan after graduation, you must have a valid work permit from the Ministry of Labor before starting a job. There are two channels for you to apply, including by wages and work experience; and the new rating system for foreign and overseas Chinese students to work in Taiwan. By wages and work experience This method allows foreign professionals of 7 categories, as specified by the Ministry of Labor, to work in Taiwan. These talents may not necessarily graduate from a Taiwanese university or college. Among the work categories, you may be employed for specialized or technical works as defined by the Ministry of Labor. Before undertaking the job, you are required to possess a Master’s degree or above; or a Bachelor’s degree with at least 2 years of work experience in the specific field. Besides, your average monthly salary should not be less than NT$47,971. Moreover, each type of work requires different qualifications and documents for application. ★ For more information, please visit EZ Work Taiwan. By the new rating system for foreign or overseas Chinese students to work in Taiwan This method allows foreign and overseas Chinese students, who have studied and graduated from one of the Taiwanese university or college, to work in Taiwan. If you apply through this channel, you will be assessed based on 7 criteria, including education level, salary, work experience, job qualifications, Chinese language proficiency, other languages proficiency or overseas residing experience, and scholarship award or academic results during study. Your intended employer also needs to comply with the government’s industrial development policies. A minimum of 70 points is required for obtaining a work permit in Taiwan. Table 1 shows the scoring criteria and the required documents for the application of a work permit. Application It is the employer who would like to hire you to get a work permit for you. He or she can apply for your work permit by one of the following ways: 1. Online application – Go to “Work Permit Application Webpage for Foreign Professional” of the Workforce Development Agency of the Ministry of Labor, upload required documents and settle the application fee online or at any post offices. 2. Paper application – Download the application form according to different types of work, fill in the form, submit the required documents to the Workforce Development Agency of the Ministry of Labor (Address: No.39 Zhonghua Rd., Sec. 1, 10 Fl., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City) and settle the application fee at the reception counter or any post offices. Application fee (new hire or extension) NT$500 per case. Processing time Given that all the required documents are complete and both the employer and employee have met the assessment criteria, the processing time of different application methods is as follows: 1. Online application – 7 working days 2. Paper application – 12 working days Period of validity The maximum validity for each work permit is 3 years, and it can be extended 4 months before the end of the employment, or two-third of the employment duration if it is less than 6 months; whereas there is no limit to the number of extensions. Re-issuance If the work permit is unfortunately lost, you or your employer can apply for replacement of the work permit either by paper application or online application through the same online system. You will need to provide information about the case number and validity of your work permit, your name and passport number, as well as the reason for replacement. The re-issuance fee is NT$100. ★ For more information, please visit EZ Work Taiwan.
Global Global Elite Program (GEP), College of Management, Tunghai University
The Global Elite Program (GEP) of the College of Management, Tunghai University, is an innovative AACSB-accredited undergraduate business program open to both global and local students admitted by the college’s six departments. Once joined the GEP, the global student will benefit from a smoother study in the first two years with comprehensive English-taught required courses while continuing to make progress in Chinese for taking Chinese-taught courses at the student’s department more easily in later years. The GEP also offers intensive TOEFL/IELTS/GMAT courses to enhance the student’s English skills besides exclusive multicultural activities. 5 Major Features of GEP There are five major features of the GEP, which include: 1. Comprehensive English-taught core courses in business and management; 2. Chinese-taught courses at the student’s majoring department; 3. Global general education in the first two years; 4. Interaction with students from the college’s six departments; 5. One-to-one study and career advice from the GEP mentors. 5 Main Advantages of GEP The following are five main advantages of the GEP: 1. Fast-track admission to leading universities worldwide; 2. Optional time and cost saving for earning two degrees; 3. Flexible curriculum across disciplines in management; 4. Intensive courses for English proficiency tests; 5. Multicultural exposures and activities exclusive for GEP students. 2 Choices of Study Plans The GEP global student has two options for the study plan. The 3 2 plan allows the student to continue to pursue the master’s degree at Rutgers University, the top-ranked partner school in the US or beyond in Years 4 and 5. The 4 N plan provides the student with a fully flexible curriculum over the four years of study in Taiwan, where the global student will enhance professionalism in business and management in both English and Chinese languages. Entry Requirements The following are the entry requirements of the GEP: Application period From now on until 31 May 2022. Online Application Online application is only accepted. Please fill in the online application form at https://ithu.tw/a83 and upload all required documents before the deadline. Each applicant may apply for up to 2 departments. Admission Results Release Date Early July 2022. More Information Please visit https://ithu.tw/a82 for more information about the GEP and its application brochure.
Global Tuition fees and benefits of OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree)
★ To read more: 2022 Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP) 2-Year Associate Degree (Application deadline: 30 April 2022) To encourage overseas Chinese students to come to Taiwan to learn professional skills, the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) established the Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP) in 1963 so that these students, after finishing their leaning, can go back to their hometown to facilitate local economic development, and expand trade interaction with Taiwan. Over decades, OYVTP has nurtured over 20,000 people in various industrial fields around the world. Starting from this year, in response to 4 major global industrial trends, namely manufacture, information technology, long-term care management and advanced vehicle technology, OCAC has upgraded the original OYVTP into the 2-Year Associate Degree Program. With more internship opportunities, it is hoped that more talents can be cultivated for the growing industries. Tuition and Miscellaneous fees of OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) The following are the tuition and miscellaneous fees of OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) in USD. Scholarship and Financial Aid If you are an overseas Chinese student and got admitted to the OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) Program, you can enjoy the scholarships and financial aids offered by admitting universities. Please refer to the admission brochures or check with individual universities for information. In addition, OCAC also provides various subsidies and assistance to OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) students with details as follows: 1. You will receive the Study Scholarship of NT$20,000 (about US$714) per semester for 2 years. 2. If you have good grades, or awarded any prizes in competition, you can receive the Good Academic Performance and Conduct Scholarship of NT$5,000 (about US$179) per semester. 3. When you arrive in Taiwan as a new student, you will get NT$500 (about US$18) as the airport reception subsidy (allocated to the admitting university for handling). 4. After you arrive in Taiwan, you have to obtain overseas compatriot insurance for the first 6 months before joining the National Health Insurance (NHI). OCAC will support 50% of your premium contribution, i.e. NT$580 (about US$21) in total. ★ To read more: Healthcare Insurance in Taiwan 5. If you have the low-income certificate, the OCAC will subsidize 50% of your contribution for the NHI premium, i.e. NT$413 (about US$15) per month. ★ To read more: Healthcare Insurance in Taiwan 6. You will get NT$400 (about US$14) per year as Lunar New Year food allowance (allocated to the admitting university for handling). 7. If you get the chance to work part-time during study, OCAC will support you NT$2,200 (about US$79) per month as work-study allowance. 8. If you encounter any emergency or difficulties during study, you may apply for OCAC emergency comfort relief. Therefore, you only need to bear part of the tuition and miscellaneous fees, internship materials fees, accommodation fees, living expenses, health insurance premium, license examination fees, as well as travel expenses to and from your hometown, then you can enjoy Taiwanese education and learn professional skills with peace of mind. 6 benefits of OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) The following are the 6 benefits to become OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) students: 1. Learning Mandarin OCAC provides free Mandarin online courses to OYVTP (2-Year Associate Degree) students, so for the students whose Mandarin levels are not satisfactory, they can receive remedial Mandarin education. 2. Acquiring Skills Apart from obtaining an Associate Degree after the 2-year study, through practical training, students can acquire both professional knowledge and skills required by the designated industry, which is beneficial to their career development in future. 3. Working part-time legally during study OCAC will assist enterprises in signing MOU with universities to provide students with the opportunity to work part-time. After obtaining a work permit from the Ministry of Labor in Taiwan, students can work 20 hours of part-time job during class period; while during winter and summer vacation, students can work without time limit and receive the basic salary in accordance with the Labor Standards Act. ★ To read more: Doing Part-time Job while Studying in Taiwan 4. Pursuing further studies After graduation, students can pursue further studies in Taiwan. They can be admitted to the third year of a degree program and obtain a Bachelor degree after 2 years of study. Students can also pursue further studies in any overseas sister universities and apply for credit transfer or exemption, and may even obtain a joint degree. 5. Employment and entrepreneurship guidance available After graduation, students can apply for a work permit in Taiwan using the 7 scoring criteria or by the mid-level skill path. They can also search for suitable jobs on the Talents Platform established by OCAC. If they are interested in starting a business, they can apply for the entrepreneurship loan provided by the OCAC Overseas Credit Guarantee Fund. 6. Scholarships and learning support available Please refer to the above section“Scholarship and Financial Aid”for the scholarships and leaning support offered by OCAC. ★ Source: 2022 OYVTP degree online enrolment area
Global 2022 Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP) 2-Year Associate Degree (Application deadline: 30 April 2022)
The Overseas Youth Vocational Training Program (OYVTP) has been reformed into a 2-Year Associate Degree Program and is now open for applications. All overseas Chinese students who have completed 6-year high school education (or equivalent) can apply. Once selected, he or she can receive a 2-year technical training in a Taiwanese university in the coming September and awarded an Associate Degree after completion. Starting from 2022, the Overseas Community Affairs Council (referred as "OCAC") has enhanced the curriculum of the previous OYVTP, which is a 2-year Diploma Program, and upgraded it into a 2-year Associate Degree Program based on 4 increasingly needed industries around the world, namely manufacturing, information and communications technology, vehicle advanced technology and long-term care management, hoping to nurture talents for enterprises in Taiwan and worldwide. Eligibility If you are a graduate of the local 6-year high school system (or equivalent), as long as you meet the following two criteria, and validated by OCAC, you are qualified for being an overseas Chinese student and eligible to join the Associate Degree Program: 1. You were born and stayed abroad until now, or have remained abroad for the last 6 consecutive years without staying in Taiwan for more than 120 days in any one calendar year; 2. You possess a permanent or long-term residence certificate in an overseas country. Required documents You are required to submit the following documents before the deadline: 1. Application Checklist (to be placed at the first page of the application packet) 2. Three copies of the application form with photos attached (to be printed out from the application system or available at OCAC designated overseas Chinese groups/individuals). 3. A copy of the identity card or passport of foreign residency, or a copy of the ROC (Taiwan) passport including the "Overseas Chinese" endorsement page. 4. Copies of graduation certificate or certificate of completion (if you are a fresh graduate, please provide proof of study and submit the graduation certificate at the time of admission). 5. Official transcripts for the past 3 years (the location of the school and the length of schooling must be indicated; the one for the current semester is exempted if you are a fresh graduate). 6. An affidavit. 7. A shipping and handling fee of no more than USD20. The originals of Items No. 4 and 5 should be submitted to ROC Embassies and Missions Abroad or OCAC designated overseas Chinese groups/individuals for verification. A Chinese translation must also be submitted if the document is written in languages ​​other than Chinese and English. 4 Main subjects There are 9 Taiwanese universities offering 13 classes in 4 main subjects, including “Smart Manufacturing”, “Information and Communications Technology”, “Vehicle Advanced Technology” and “Long-term Care Management” for the 2022 OYVTP 2-Year Associate Degree Program. Details are as follows: Admission results release date The results of admission will be released in July at the OCAC website. ★ For more information, please visit the OCAC website.
Global Doing Part-time Jobs while Studying in Taiwan
As an international or overseas Chinese student, if you wish to do part-time jobs (both on-campus or off-campus) while studying in Taiwan, you are required to apply for a "work permit" from the Workforce Development Agency of the Ministry of Labor through the university you are attending. Your working time should not exceed 20 hours per week, except during summer and winter vacations. If you are a foreign student coming to Taiwan to learn Chinese, you can only make such application after having studied for one year or more. Please note that if you hold a job without a work permit, you may be fined from NTD30,000 to NTD150,000 (USD1,070 to USD5,357) and expelled from Taiwan immediately. So please make sure you have a valid work permit before starting to work. Online application system Only online application is available. If you are applying for the first time, please set up an account on the Work Development Agency EZ Work Permit and follow the instructions in the user manual to submit an application. Here is the flow chart showing the application procedure of a work permit: Required documents to upload 1. Student ID card, 2. Passport, 3. Alien Resident Certificate (both front and back covers), 4. Any documents required by your university. Application fee NTD100 (about USD3.3). Payment method There are 3 ways of payment for you to choose in the application system: 1. At any Post Offices – after settling the payment, you are required to login to the system and input the “Remittance Date”, “Post Office Code” and “Receipt Number” into the system. 2. Via ATM – you will need to acquire the serial number of payment from the university first before settling the bill via any ATM machines or WEB ATM. 3. Via Taiwan PAY – if you have a Taiwan PAY account, you can scan the generated QR code with your mobile phone and input your password for payment. Collection After you have submitted the online application, it will go to your department or university for review before further sending out to the Workforce Development Agency for final approval. Once your work permit is granted, you will receive a notification email to download the work permit from the Workforce Development Agency website within 8 calendar days. Period of validity The maximum validity period of a work permit is six months. For the applications made in the fall semester, the work permit will expire on March 31st of following year, while for the applications made in the spring semester, the work permit will expire on September 30th of the same year. The work permit of a graduate will normally end on June 30th. If you are pursuing graduate studies, you can apply for an extension to September 30th by providing the graduate school admission documents. Re-issuance You can apply for re-issuance of a work permit on the same system if the original is lost. Fill in the information as required and click “Work Permit Re-issue”. The re-issuance fee is NTD100 (about USD3.3). For further details, please visit EZ Work Taiwan.
Global Healthcare Insurance in Taiwan
If you are going to study in Taiwan, whether you are coming as an international student or overseas Chinese student, you will be required to apply for health insurance that can cover any medical treatment in Taiwan if necessary. There are two kinds of health insurance available for you, “Medical Insurance” and “National Health Insurance (NHI)”. You need to enroll in “Medical Insurance” for the first 6 months in Taiwan while you don’t have an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC). Once you have stayed in Taiwan for more than 6 months and obtained the ARC, you will need to enroll in NHI. The insurance premium for both schemes are generally included in tuition fees, and are charged once per semester. The first semester ranges from September to February of the following year, while the second semester ranges from March to August of the same year. Medical Insurance In general, universities will help foreign students apply for Medical Insurance at the time of registration. The premium is different between Overseas Chinese Students and international students, in which 50% of the premium for Overseas Chinese Students is subsided by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC), while there is no subsidy for international students. Insurance premiums in 2022 The premiums in 2022 are as follows, Insurance coverage While the insurance policy is still effective, if you need to seek medical treatment due to an injury or illness, you can go to the clinics or hospitals contracted with NHI throughout Taiwan. You are advised to check the insurance coverage to make sure your medical treatment is included. You will need to pay all medical expenses first and then apply for reimbursement within a said period of time. The maximum claim amounts, which is on pay-as-you-go basis, are set out as follows: Compensation After you received medical treatment, you will need to prepare the following documents and go to the respective office of the university you study for compensation: Compensation application form, Payment receipts, Certificate of diagnosis, Photocopy of passport, Photocopy of ARC, Photocopy of bankbook cover. National Health Insurance (NHI) According to the Taiwan government, if you have a valid ARC, and stayed in Taiwan for over 6 consecutive months, or exited Taiwan once for less than 30 days and adding up to 6 months excluding the number of days away from Taiwan, you will be required to enroll in NHI. Assuming you entered Taiwan on September 1st. The following table outlines different scenarios of possible stay in Taiwan and the estimated eligible start date of joining NHI, NHI coverage Once you subscribe NHI, you can enjoy the healthcare services offered by the NHI-contracted clinics or hospitals around Taiwan, with a registration fee of about NTD50 to 420 (around USD2 to 15) for each medical visit. You may need to pay other fees as required by the clinics or hospitals as well, yet most of the treatment and medication cost is largely subsidized by the Taiwan government. The NHI coverage includes both inpatient and outpatient care, prescription drugs, traditional Chinese medicine, dental services and home nursing care. You may check the NHI Website for details. Insurance premium in 2022 You will have to pay 60% of the NHI premium in each semester, while 40% will be subsided by the Taiwan government. If you are an overseas Chinese student and come from an underprivileged family, you can apply for OCAC’s subsidy with a low-income certificate issued by governmental or official units. Once your application is approved, you will need to contribute 30% of the premium only. Here is the table for NHI premiums in 2022, Low-income certificate Documents needed for the application of a low-income certificate: Proof of long-term illness of family members. Proof of family members in school. Proof of family’s low income (tax exemption, retirement, comprehensive social security assistance, etc.). Proof of allowances (e.g. school textbook assistance, student travel or tuition fees subsidies, etc.). Proof of rent. University Health Centers Generally, most of the universities in Taiwan have on-campus health centers, which provide simple medical service for their students. They also provide newly-admitted students with simple basic health checks, including height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision, hearing, oral cavity, urine, X-ray examination and blood tests, etc.
Global The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL)
The Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language (TOCFL) is a set of standardized Mandarin proficiency tests developed for non-native speakers of Chinese such as foreigners and overseas Chinese. It was developed by the National Taiwan Normal University and administered by the Ministry of Education, Taiwan, through the Steering Committee for the Test of Proficiency-Huayu (SC-TOP). It is the only officially recognized Chinese proficiency test in Taiwan and is widely accepted in many corporate and government sectors. Format The TOCFL has been standardized and developed under the strict scrutiny of researchers and scholars in the fields of linguistics, language teaching and testing. The authentic materials used in the TOCFL are extracted from materials in daily life, such as advertisements, public announcements, notices, letters, time schedules, and weather broadcasts. These diverse texts are derived from different fields, including literature, science, art, astronomy and history. The TOCFL is divided into four sub-tests: TOCFL Listening, TOCFL Reading, TOCFL Speaking, and TOCFL Writing, and is available in both traditional and simplified character versions. Different sub-tests have different full scores and passing scores. Please refer to Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language for reference. Level of proficiency There are basically three proficiency bands: Band A, Band B, and Band C, and each band is sub-divided into two levels making a total of six levels: Level 1 to Level 6. Those who have learnt for 240-720 hours or know 500-1000 Chinese characters can register for Band A. In order to encourage more people to improve their Chinese proficiency, the level “TOCFL-Novice” was later created for the beginning learners who have learnt Chinese for at least 60 hours. Candidates can choose the level that best suits their Chinese language proficiency and learning background for each sub-test they want to take. The following table sets out the suggested learning hours of Mandarin Chinese, and suggested vocabulary base at each level. Purposes of TOCFL As an international or overseas Chinese student, the TOCFL results will serve as the assessment of your Chinese proficiency for: Applying for Taiwan Scholarship and Huayu Enrichment Scholarship. International students applying for academic programs at colleges and universities in Taiwan. Overseas Chinese Students applying for admission to a university in Taiwan through the University Entrance Committee for Overseas Chinese Students (UECOCS). Enhancing your competence and career development in dealing with trades and businesses with Chinese people. Obtaining bonus points for international and overseas Chinese students who wish to work in Taiwan after graduation to apply for a work permit from the Ministry of Labor. Testing centers To meet the demand of numerous international Chinese learners, TOCFL tests are organized frequently in Taiwan and around the world. As of January 2022, there are 37 test centers across 27 countries and 21 centers in Taiwan. Here is the list. For more information about TOCFL, and the schedule for the tests organized in Taiwan and overseas, please check Test of Chinese as a Foreign Language.
Global Getting around Taiwan
Taiwan has the well-developed, reliable and safe transportation network, making it easy to get around the island. Among cities There are 4 main means of transportation for students to use when they travel among cities, namely intercity buses, Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail and domestic flights. Intercity Buses Also known as long-distance highway buses, which are mostly run by private companies. They carry passengers to different counties and cities through provincial and national highways. Intercity buses shuttle through major cities every day. Some even provide 24-hour service, so it’s convenient to take. Tickets can be purchased online or directly at the bus stations. ★ Kuo-Kuang Motor Transport ★ Ubus ★ Ho-Hsin Bus Taiwan Railway Taiwan Railway has been providing conventional transportation service to people in Taiwan for over 135 years. The 3 main lines form a loop around the island connecting most of the major cities, with 10 small branch lines providing commuter services into the cities. There are several 7 types of passenger trains, in which Taroko and Puyuma Express offer the highest speed of 130 km/h, taking about 3 hours and 41 minutes from Taipei City to Kaohsiung. The fares are highly regulated and strictly distance and train-class based. ★ Taiwan Railway Taiwan High Speed Rail Taiwan High Speed Rail has been providing safe and fast transportation services for Taiwan’s commuters for more than 14 years. It goes along the west coast of Taiwan, from Nangang to Taipei, Banqiao, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Miaoli, Taichung, Changhua, Yunlin, Chiayi, Tainan, and Zuoying. Its speed can reach up to 300 km/h, taking as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes from Taipei City to Kaohsiung, providing an efficient and express transportation service to many people traveling from northern to southern part of Taiwan within 1 day. It offers up to 50% discount on standard class reserved seats to domestic college students, who should present a valid student ID card when boarding. ★ Taiwan High Speed Rail Domestic flights Domestic air routes in Taiwan are quite developed, with a total of 16 domestic airports all over Taiwan. Taking a flight is almost as usual as taking an intercity bus, especially during holidays, flights are always fully booked. Students are advised to reserve an air-ticket in advance to secure a seat. Fares vary by distance and airlines. ★ China Airlines ★ Daily Air ★ EVA Air ★ Mandarin Airlines ★ Tigerair Taiwan ★ Uni Air ★ Starlux Airlines Within cities As to traveling within cities, students can use city buses, Mass Rapid Transit, public bicycle, and taxi. City buses City buses are the most common yet indispensable modes of public transportation in all counties and cities in Taiwan. Every city has its own bus network, with numerous routes covering every district, forming an extensive network of bus service in downtown and remote areas. They are very frequent and convenient to take. The fares of some city buses are collected based on fare zones, while some are calculated based on mileage of travel. All fares can be paid with EasyCard or Cash, yet no change is provided. EasyCard users are entitled to special discounts when transferring between Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and buses. ★ Taipei City Bus Info ★ Taichung City Bus Info ★ Tainan City Bus Info ★ Kaohsiung City Bus Info Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) There are five MRT systems in Taiwan, namely Taipei Metro, New Taipei Metro, Taichung Metro, Taoyuan Airport Metro, and Kaohsiung Metro, which are the most efficient mode of transportation in the cities. Their punctuality, comfortability and well-connected network are welcomed by many people in Taiwan. All fares are distance-based. ★ Taipei Metro ★ Taichung Metro ★ Kaohsiung Metro ★ New Taipei City Metro ★ Taoyuan Airport Metro Public Bicycle There are public bicycle rental services offered throughout Taiwan to encourage a healthy lifestyle with exercise. YouBike is one of them. Yellow YouBikes can be easily found in the streets and alleys. Students can rent it in one place and return it in another. It is suitable for short-distance use, and the rental is bearable. ★ YouBike Taxi Taxis in Taiwan are mostly yellow in color and can be found in most of Taiwan's cities. They provide comfortable, convenient, yet more expensive service than other transportation means. Fare is distance-based and charged slightly different in each city. There may be other fees like waiting fee, night allowance, trunk usage fee or other surcharge incurred. ★ Taiwan Taxi ★ M-Taxi ★ Yoxi Taxi