NIA Taipei City Service Center Hosts Vietnamese Seminar on Residency Regulations with 600 Participants. The Taipei City Service Center of the National Immigration Agency (NIA) recently collaborated with the Taipei City University of Science and Technology to host a seminar in Vietnamese about residency regulations. Nearly 600 Vietnamese students enthusiastically participated. To prevent newly arrived Vietnamese students from falling victim to scams involving complex Chinese legal terms, the NIA conducted the entire seminar in Vietnamese. The session aimed to help students understand Taiwan’s residency laws, enhance their anti-fraud awareness, and ensure the personal and property safety of international students in Taiwan.
The seminar was conducted by NIA immigration officer Yan Pei-Ying, originally from Vietnam. She moved to Taiwan years ago as a bride, later obtained Taiwanese citizenship, and became an immigration officer. Yan explained the residency laws in fluent Vietnamese, which the students found thoughtful and engaging, leading to many enthusiastic questions.
NIA Immigration Officer Yan Pei-Ying explained residency regulations in Taiwan and promoted anti-fraud measures in Vietnamese. (Image/From NIA website)
Vietnamese Students’ Stories: Passion for Culinary Arts and Life in Taiwan
Two first-year students from the Department of Culinary Arts at Taipei City University of Science and Technology, Chen Guo-Hao and Wei Thi Anh Nguyet, shared their passion for cooking, particularly enjoying Taiwan’s fried chicken and stinky tofu. They chose Taiwan for its safe and friendly environment and the opportunity to intern in Taiwan’s culinary industry. Their ultimate goal is to open a Vietnamese restaurant after graduation. Both students expressed that the seminar greatly enhanced their legal knowledge and boosted their confidence in living in Taiwan.
NIA Immigration Officer Actively Engages in Q&A Sessions with International Students. (Image/From NIA website)
Vietnamese Students Lead in International Enrollment Amid New Southbound Policy
In recent years, the New Southbound Policy has successfully attracted international students, with Vietnamese students making up the largest group, followed by Indonesian and Malaysian students. Many international students work part-time to cover living expenses. The immigration officers highlighted various forms of exploitation associated with human trafficking and cautioned against lending personal identification documents or engaging in seemingly easy money-making schemes. Activities such as collecting suspicious parcels or withdrawing cash from ATMs could lead to legal violations.
The NIA also emphasized that penalties for overstaying in Taiwan have increased to NT$10,000–50,000, resulting in the loss of residency qualifications and financial burdens.
Support for International Students and Fraud Prevention
Su Hui-Wen, Director of the Taipei City Service Center, remarked that studying in Taiwan offers invaluable experiences and welcomes students from around the world to engage in learning and cultural exchange. She reminded international students to report any suspected human trafficking cases by calling the NIA’s “Ring to Save” hotline at 02-23883095.
Additionally, as scams continue to evolve, Su advised students to remain vigilant and contact the anti-fraud hotline "165" to verify suspicious situations to avoid falling victim to fraud.
This event reflects Taiwan’s commitment to providing a safe and supportive environment for international students while strengthening their understanding of legal and safety measures.
