• London 2012 Olympics
• The GREAT campaign
• Visas to the UK
• UK Youth Mobility Scheme Q&A
• About the UK
• Working in the UK
• Studying in the UK
• Holidays in the UK
• Royal Wedding 2011
• Diamond Jubilee 2012

Visas

The UK Border Agency processes all visa applications to the United Kingdom.  You can find out whether you need a visa and how to apply through the UK Border Agency website.

How to apply for a UK Visa

Find out where and how to apply for a UK visa in Taiwan.

The UK continues to welcome Taiwanese students

• UK education has a reputation worldwide for outstanding quality and a tradition of innovation.
  
• The UK is the top study destination for international students and there are over 455,000 international students studying at UK universities.
  
• Recent changes in student visa policy are aimed at discouraging visa abuses, while making processes easier for genuine students, who bring many benefits to the UK as well as gaining from the high quality of UK education.
  
• In 2011, the UK Border Agency processed approximately 3500 student visa applications from Taiwanese. 99% of all applications were successful. Recent changes to the visa system have introduced a more streamlined application process for ‘low-risk’ applicants, including Taiwanese student applicants. This, together with the selection of Taiwan as only the second destination in Asia to be eligible for the Youth Mobility Scheme, demonstrates that the UK welcomes Taiwanese visitors to the UK, for work, study or leisure.
  
• Other changes to the UK student visa system designed to protect and build on the global reputation of the UK as one of the top international study destinations in the world, whilst minimising the abuse of the student immigration system. This also benefits the reputation of students who have studied in the UK, who will be recognised as the brightest and the best students.
  
• These changes included tougher requirements for lower level students and sponsors in order to stamp out abuse in the system.
  
• The final student visa changes, which will come into effect in April 2012, include the closure of the Post Study Work Route. In practice, approx. 50% of those using this route were in unskilled work completely unrelated to their studies.
  
• Whilst the PSW route is closing, graduates who wish to stay on and work in the UK will still be able to do so if they have a skilled graduate level job offer from an employer who is a licensed sponsor with the UK Border Agency, earning £20,000 or more. This new route is designed to allow students to enhance the skills they learned at university and gain practical experience, so they are even better qualified when they return to Taiwan.
  
• Further, we are launching a new graduate entrepreneur visa aimed at students who have been identified by UK universities as having developed world-class innovative ideas and entrepreneurial skills. Those who qualify will also be able to stay on and work in the UK after their studies.
  
• From January this year Taiwanese young people aged between 18 and 30 are also eligible to apply for a Youth Mobility Scheme visa to the UK. 1,000 YMS visas are available to Taiwanese applicants each year.
  
• Taiwanese who are visiting the UK for periods of 6 months or less, who do not intend to work also enjoy visa free access to the UK, this includes students who are going for courses of 6 months or less.
  
• Students who wish to study 100% English language courses also benefit from the extended student visitor visa which allows them to study in the UK for up to 11 months.