You can now apply to enter Taiwan as a foreign student

As Taiwan travel restrictions ease, international students are now able to start the process of applying for entry.

This follows the approval of the Central Epidemic Command Centre (CECC) on August 21, upon the submission of a plan by the Taiwan Ministry of Education (MOE).

The MOE sent a letter to colleges and unis stating that they would now allow international students without residence permits to begin their entry applications to Taiwan. This would mean about 13,000 students will be allowed in this fall semester which includes those enrolled in degree programmes, Huayu Enrichment Scholarship awardees, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Taiwan Scholarship recipients. 

This comes at a time where Taiwan reports zero local COVID-19 cases for the first time in three months. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung stated only one imported coronavirus case with no local infections just yesterday. With this in mind, what are some key things to know about the lifting of Taiwan travel restrictions? We take a look below:

Information for the lift of Taiwan travel restrictions 

The MOE said because of the pandemic and the variants, international students would have to quarantine for 14 days and pass a PCR test. The government encourages incoming students to stay at official quarantine centres but it’s not mandatory.

You would need to submit the following:

• your passenger name (should be identical to passport name);
• your date of birth (or passport number)
• date of when your test was taken.

The test methods accepted include PCR, real-time PCR, RT-PCR, RT-qPCR, NAA, NAAT, NAT, LAMP, COVID-19 RNA or a SARS-CoV-2 RNA test. You’ll also need to show when your date of test report was issued in English or Chinese.

If you’re coming from low and medium-risk areas, your school can offer one-room dorms off-campus or arrange your stay at an epidemic prevention hotel that includes meals.
Source: Sam Yeh/AFP

Quarantine costs

If you have a recent travel history to high-risk areas (India, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Peru, Israel, Myanmar, Indonesia and Bangladesh), you must stay at a quarantine centre. If you’re coming from low and medium-risk areas, your school can offer one-room dorms off-campus or arrange your stay at an epidemic prevention hotel that includes meals. 

For a quarantine room, it would cost you approximately US$55 a day which would amount to US$770 over the course of two weeks. The Ministry of Health and Welfare in Taiwan announced that they would allocate housing to each student in these centres a day before they enter the country.

Transport arrangements

In all cases, schools have to arrange for you to be transported in special epidemic prevention vehicles to your quarantine stay. You’re not allowed to take your own transport to the location of your quarantine. 

If you aren’t able to return to school, the MOE will approve flexible degree programme arrangements. Source: Sam Yeh/AFP

New dorm measures 

As announced by the MOE, there will be strict school dorm management measures. This includes strict entry and exit access, regular body temperature check, health education promotion, preventative materials (masks, gloves, and so on), and daily sterilisation and sanitisation. 

School officials have been instructed to monitor your health status every day and report results to the health department. You should always keep at a 1.5 metre distance indoors and one metre outdoors from other students. You also need to wear your masks when in close contact. 

Flexible arrangements

If you aren’t able to return to school, the MOE will approve flexible degree programme arrangements. This means they will instruct schools to allow flexible courses, credit waivers and other options to help you complete your studies before the end of fall semester. 

The Ministry of Education says international students enrolled at schools here can now begin the application process for entry into Taiwan.

— ICRT News (@ICRTNews) August 24, 2021

All related expenses will be subsidised by the MOE depending on your schools’ implementation status. Keep in mind to always wash your hands and have adequate cough etiquette.