Last year, Taiwan announced that it was ramping up its international recruitment target with a goal to attract 320,000 foreign students by 2030 – a notable jump from the previous target of 200,000 by the end of the decade.

The government has put aside a budget of NT$5.2 billion (US$166 million) for the effort, which is meant to focus on recruitment for critical skill areas in technology sectors such as semiconductors. Taiwan further hopes that roughly two-thirds of foreign graduates (210,000) will stay on in the country to work after graduation.

That additional budget will be used to fund 10 regional student recruitment centres in key Asian student markets including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It will also support expanded scholarship programmes and improved student services.

And now Taiwan has taken steps to expand post-study work rights for visiting students. As of 1 January 2024, the Minister of Interior is offering foreign graduates of a Taiwanese university a streamlined process for obtaining a one-year residency extension for purposes of seeking employment after their studies. Graduates will have an option to stay on for a second year as well.

This effectively doubles the previous job-seeking period allowed for foreign graduates. At the same time, Taiwan has also eased its visa process for new students, extending the period for the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) from the previous one year to a new maximum of three years. This means that foreign students no longer need to renew their ARCs annually.

Taiwan's Ministry of Education pegged the country's foreign enrolment at nearly 130,000 students prior to the pandemic.

For additional background, please see:

• "Taiwan ties new international recruitment goals to labour shortages"
• "Taiwan’s foreign enrolment getting a boost from Southeast Asia"