TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部) announced on Monday (June 16) a comprehensive support plan for Taiwanese students caught in limbo by recent changes to United States visa and entry policies. The ministry has unveiled initiatives to facilitate these students' return to Taiwan's higher education system, working with local universities to provide emergency auditing opportunities that would allow affected students to continue their academic progress without losing valuable time in their educational journey.
In its official statement, the education ministry acknowledged that evolving international circumstances and the U.S. government's recent modifications to its foreign student visa review procedures have disrupted the educational plans of numerous Taiwanese students preparing to study in America. Senior officials from Taiwan's education ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA, 外交部), Taiwan's diplomatic agency, have established urgent communication channels with their American counterparts to verify that the suspension of new student visa interview appointments represents a worldwide policy shift rather than one targeting Taiwanese applicants specifically.
The American Institute in Taiwan (美國在台協會), which functions as the de facto U.S. embassy on the island in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, has confirmed it will honor all previously scheduled visa interviews despite the broader suspension. Taiwan's education officials have issued practical guidance for affected students, urging them to maintain regular communication with their American universities and to promptly report any visa complications that might impact their enrollment status. For students unable to secure the necessary visas in time for the upcoming academic year, the ministry recommends consulting with their U.S. institutions about deferring admission to a future term.
Recognizing the heightened scrutiny now facing foreign student visa applications to the United States, the ministry has expressed its readiness to welcome these students back to Taiwan's educational system, coordinating with local universities to provide special auditing arrangements where students can earn officially certified credits that may later transfer to their American degree programs. Several Taiwanese universities continue to accept applications for their mid-year transfer examination process during the current summer break, offering another pathway for affected students to continue their education without delay.
This option is particularly relevant for students who have already completed their freshman year at American institutions and now face visa uncertainty for their sophomore studies. To streamline the information flow and minimize confusion during this challenging period, Taiwan's education ministry has worked with participating universities to establish a centralized information hub, creating a single point of contact where students can access comprehensive details about all available educational alternatives. ◼