If you plan to study Chinese in Taiwan this is a great way to stay in Taiwan legally (and you can even work illegally on the side with less potential legal hassles as long as you are enrolled in a ‘government approved’ language school or university). Normally, prior to arrival in the R.O.C., students will apply for a 60-day Visitor Visa at the nearest ROC Representative Offices in their home country.

     Having a multiple-entry visa is more convenient than a single-entry visa because when you first arrive you may need to leave Taiwan once or twice before your ARC is approved (most students get an ARC if they plan to study at a University or school for a year or more) but is not that easy to obtain a multiple entry visa for some. Students can extend their visas in Taiwan by obtaining a certificate from a government approved school stating they have attended classes for ten hours per week. After 180 days, a student must either leave the country or apply for a resident visa. To get a resident visa (aka Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) as a student, you must have already studied for at least 4 months at a 'government approved school' and have proof of prepaid tuition for another 3 months in the future.

     In general, one must submit a letter of acceptance from the language school that s/he will be attending, as well as documentation indicating sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their period of study in Taiwan. (You normally have to supply a bank statement showing you have at least NT$100,000, approx. $3,000USD.) Passport-sized photos are also required. Sometimes students may also be asked to show their return air ticket.

     You will generally receive a visa through the school but you must show the proper documentation (and make sure it has a stamp from the school!) from the school, passport photos, and proof of enrollment (and do this several days prior to your visa expiration date) in order to receive a visa when traveling to a nearby country’s consulate office to receive a new entry visa. Furthermore, you must attend classes on a regular basis and too many tardies can actually jeopardize your visa so only serious students should attempt this method.

     However, there is one 'special' school in Taipei, C.L.I., Chinese Language Institution of R.O.C. (formerly known as “Flag School” or “Flag”) which will give you paperwork/documentation to allow you to stay for up to 6 months as with any other language school, and to show the consulate in another country when you go on your visa run which will show you are enrolled in Chinese classes, but the beauty of this situation is you don’t actually ever have to go to classes! (http://www.clivisa.com.tw).  

    They have worked out some kind of informal/under the table situation with the government and they prefer if you don’t ask too many questions, but other than the rare occasions when you may get a call telling you that a police inspector may make a visit to their “school” you don’t actually have to visit their location until you are ready to apply for a new visa (normally every 2 months.) You still have to leave the country and get a new visa to replace the old one. You'll still get a two month visa...but it will be EXTENDABLE! No more flying out of the country every two months for a new visa. You go to the Foreign Affairs Police every two months, show them you study Chinese by your proof of enrollment and they will stamp your passport for two more months, up to six months.

      See the 'Language Study' chapter for a list of Government approved schools in your county.