Vietnamese Students Face Visa Hurdles for Taiwan Amid Graduation Paperwork Changes

Several Vietnamese students aspiring to study in Taiwan are facing difficulties obtaining visas due to changes in graduation paperwork rules. Parents in Ho Chi Minh City have reported their children being denied visas despite holding admission and enrollment notices from Taiwanese universities. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City recently announced that from the 2026 academic year, only candidates with an official diploma will be accepted. This change stems from instructions by Taiwan's foreign affairs authority and its education division, compounded by Vietnam's decision to cease issuing the provisional graduation certificates previously used by applicants awaiting their diplomas. Previously, applicants could submit either an official diploma or a provisional certificate. However, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, through Circular 13/2026 signed on March 9 and effective April 24, merged the provisional certificate and the separate exam results certificate into a single document: the certificate of exam results, issued by the student's school. Schools are now required to issue the diploma within 30 days of the student receiving this certificate. "They have less than a month before they need to be there to enroll. I hope all sides resolve this soon, because it is not the students' fault," one parent stated. Lam Vi Chi, head of the education division and education counselor at TECO in Ho Chi Minh City, confirmed that many Vietnamese students are struggling with the visa process, though he did not provide figures. He explained that visa policy falls under Taiwan's foreign affairs authority, which set the requirement and informed the education authority. He added that if Vietnamese schools are still issuing provisional certificates, the education ministry would need to inform both TECO offices in writing. Some Taiwanese universities are reportedly discussing the matter with the education ministry to facilitate student admissions. An official from the Ho Chi Minh City education department stated that the department has expedited its process, issuing diplomas early to approximately 280 students bound for Taiwan. Others are expected to receive theirs starting next week. Taiwanese universities typically begin their academic year on September 7, but some require students to arrive between August 29 and 31 for registration, health checks, orientation, and residency paperwork. While Taiwanese regulations permit enrollment if a student arrives before one-third of the semester has passed, universities have their own specific deadlines. Data from Taiwan's Central News Agency indicates that in 2025, Vietnamese students numbered 52,974 at Taiwanese colleges and universities, an increase of 13,364 from 2024, marking the first time the figure surpassed 50,000. Vietnam has been Taiwan's largest source of international students for several years, accounting for roughly 30% of the total. Source: VnExpress International