Mandarin Learning & Education Center (MLEC)  National Taiwan Ocean University

Q1. How do I apply and what are the procedures?

For international students who would like to apply for Mandarin language courses at MLEC, the procedures are as follows:

1. Application:

Please prepare all materials with a soft copy, save them in one PDF file and send it to our email: ntouclc@email.ntou.edu.tw 

Application process, please refer to: https://r083.ntou.edu.tw/p/412-1100-10045.php?Lang=en

2. Review:

The Center will review all applications after the submission deadline and arrange placement exams if necessary.

3. Issuing/Receiving Certificate of Admission:

Applicants whose applications have been reviewed and who have also completed the placement exams will receive a Certificate of Admission issued by the Center 30 days after the application deadline.

Q2. Should I pay for registration in advance? And how? Is the application fee refundable?

The applicants are required to pay a 1,000 NTD application fee. We will email the account information when we receive your application and confirm all of your documents. The application fee is non-refundable.

Q3. Enrollment and related matters

Students who have received the Certificate of Admission must check in at the designated place and time stated on the certificate. All required documents, certificates, and fees must be submitted on the day of enrollment.

Q1. How do I apply for the Visa to Taiwan?

Please take the Certificate of Admission issued to you by MLEC and apply for your visa at the nearest ROC embassy, ​​​​consulate or representative agency. 

Q2. Can I not apply for a Visitor Visa for Studying Chinese?

Yes. However, we strongly recommend that if your course lasts more than four weeks, you apply for a Visitor Visa for Studying Chinese in case you need to leave Taiwan to apply for a new visa.

Q3. Any other options for studying Chinese without a “Visitor Visa for Studying Chinese”?

1. Visa-Exempt Entry: If you're from a country eligible for Taiwan's visa-exempt program (e.g., 90-day visa-free entry), you may enter Taiwan without a visa. However, this stay is non-extendable, and you must leave Taiwan before the exemption period ends. This option is suitable only if your course duration fits within the exemption period.

2. Tourist (Visitor) Visa: Some students enter Taiwan on a general tourist visa. However, you cannot convert a tourist visa into a student visa in Taiwan. This visa is not recommended if you plan to study for over a month.

Q4. Do I need to provide any documents if I don’t need to apply for a Chinese language study visa?

For those who do not need to apply for a Chinese language study visa to come to Taiwan, please provide one of the following supporting documents (choose one): 

• A copy of your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)

• A copy of your Working Holiday Visa

• A copy of your Tourist Visa

• Visa-Exempt Entry

Q5. Can I obtain a visa to enter Taiwan if I have received my admission?

Receiving an admission notice allows you to apply for a visa, but it does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Taiwan (ROC) embassies or missions abroad are responsible for reviewing your application and will determine whether you qualify for a visa and which type of visa can be granted.

Q6.  When should I enter Taiwan if I am applying for a language study visa to study Chinese?

According to the Ministry of Education regulations, you must register for a Chinese language course lasting at least 2 months to be eligible for a language study visa. Students entering Taiwan for this purpose are advised to arrive no earlier than one week before the course starts. Arriving too early without proof of enrollment may cause problems with visa extensions and could result in rejection by the National Immigration Agency.

Q7. If my visitor visa for studying Chinese is not enough to complete an academic semester. What can I do?

You can apply for a visa extension at your local National Immigration Agency office before your visa expires. For example, if you reside in Keelung City, you should go to the Keelung Service Center of the National Immigration Agency.

Q8. When should I extend my visa, and what documents do I need to prepare?

We recommend that you apply for a visa extension at least 7 days before your current visa expires. To extend your visa, please follow these steps:

• Visit the MLEC Office to apply for your Certificate of Enrollment and Attendance Record.

• Bring both documents and your passport to the National Immigration Agency to submit your visa extension application.

Q9. What can I do if my visa cannot be extended?

If your visa states “No Extension”, you can take your Certificate of Admission and Certificate of Enrollment to exchange for a new one at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Q10. When should I change my visitor visa to a resident visa? What should I do?

Students who study Chinese in Taiwan for 4 months and need to continue their studies for at least 3 months can change their visitor visa to a resident visa. For more information, please visit: https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5385/7244/7250/7317/%E5%B1%85%E7%95%99/181946/

Q11. Can I work in Taiwan if I hold a Visitor Visa for Studying Chinese?

No. Students holding a Visitor Visa for Studying Chinese are not permitted to work in Taiwan. Engaging in employment while on this visa is considered illegal. Violators may face fines and deportation by the Taiwan government. Additionally, MLEC may be held jointly and severally liable for the violation.

Q12. If I really need a job, when can I apply for a work permit?

Students who have studied Chinese in Taiwan for at least one year are eligible to apply for a work permit. Please note that even with a valid work permit, students are only allowed to work up to 20 hours per week. For detailed information on how to apply for a work permit, please refer to: https://ezworktaiwan.wda.gov.tw/en/

Q1. Do I need to purchase insurance while studying in Taiwan?

Yes. According to the Ministry of Education, ROC (Taiwan), all international students are required to have accident or medical insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay in Taiwan (from the date of arrival to the date of departure).

Q2. Should I join Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI)?

Yes. If you are staying in Taiwan for more than six months, you are required to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program.

Q3. What does the National Health Insurance (NHI) cover?

NHI covers outpatient care and medical treatment expenses. However, you are responsible for paying the registration fee at the clinic or hospital yourself.

Q4.  Should I cancel my NHI enrollment before leaving Taiwan?

No. Once your residence permit expires, your NHI enrollment will be automatically cancelled. However, when applying for an extension or preparing to leave Taiwan, we recommend that you confirm with the staff whether you need to take any action to cancel the insurance.

Q1. Can I get a refund if I cancel before the course starts?

Yes. Students who submit a refund application before the course begins are entitled to a 90% refund of the paid tuition.

Q2. What if I cancel after the course starts?

If you apply for a refund after the course has started but before one-third of the total class hours have passed, you are eligible for a 50% tuition refund.

Q3. Can I get a refund if I cancel the course late?

No. If more than one-third of the total class hours have passed, you are no longer eligible for a tuition refund.

Q4. What happens if the course is cancelled by the school?

If a course is cancelled due to insufficient enrollment or for reasons not caused by the student, the full tuition will be refunded without interest.

Q5. Is the application fee refundable?

No. Miscellaneous fees, such as the application fee, are non-refundable.

Q6. How do I apply for a refund?

Refund requests must be made in person at the MLEC office before 16:00 on the refund deadline day.

Q7. What documents are required for a refund application?

You must prepare and bring the following documents:

• Refund Application Form (to be filled out on-site) Download here: https://r083.ntou.edu.tw/p/412-1100-10034.php?Lang=en

• Original Payment Receipt

• Photocopy of the Visa 

• Photocopy of the cover page of your Taiwan bank passbook (account number and branch name must be clearly visible)

Q1. Can I live in the school dormitory?

Yes. If you need accommodation, please select “Yes” on the Application Form for Enrollment. Alternatively, you can apply for dormitory housing after receiving your enrollment permit, but please note that the application deadline is 20 days before your arrival at NTOU.

Q2. Where is my classroom?

The Chinese learning classroom is usually in MLEC (ECG Rm. A310). The specific classroom number will also be noted in the course information brochure.

Q3. Where is the Mandarin Learning & Education Center (MLEC)?

Please refer to:  https://r083.ntou.edu.tw/p/412-1100-10041.php?Lang=en

Q4. How to Open a Bank or Post Office Account in Taiwan?

All types of payments from the university—such as work-study wages, dormitory fee refunds, scholarships, etc.—are not issued in cash. Instead, they are deposited directly into the recipient’s bank or post office account to ensure consistent and efficient processing. Therefore, new students are required to open an account at a nearby post office (if you already have a post office account, there is no need to open a new one).

To open a deposit account in Taiwan, bring your foreign passport with a valid entry visa (or entry stamp) and your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) to a post office or bank in person.

If you do not yet have an ARC, you must first apply for the "Basic Information Form of the ROC (Taiwan) Uniform ID Number" at your local office of the National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior. In general, you can also apply for an ATM card when opening an account, which makes it easier to deposit, withdraw, and transfer funds. However, procedures may vary slightly between different post offices or banks, so please consult the respective institutions for detailed regulations.

For information on how to open a post office account, please refer to:
https://www.post.gov.tw/post/internet/B_saving/index.jsp?ID=3010102