Regulations for Overseas Students (International Students and Overseas Chinese Students) Participating in Taiwan’s National Health Insurance (NHI)

Legal Basis:

According to Article 9, Chapter 2 of the National Health Insurance Act, anyone holding a valid residence permit in Taiwan and staying in Taiwan for a full six months is required to enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program.

Taiwan Regulations:

All foreign students studying in Taiwan who have obtained the ARC and have resided in Taiwan for six consecutive months (meaning continuous stay for six months after entering Taiwan, or having left Taiwan only once for no more than 30 days, with the total period of residence - after deducting days spent abroad - amounting to six months) must enroll in the National Health Insurance (NHI) program through their school or the local district office where they stay. The monthly fee is NT$826.

In addition, foreign nationals can be attached to their employed spouse or direct blood relative and apply for insurance as dependents at their spouse’s or direct blood relative’s insurance agency.

National Health Insurance (NHI) is compulsory. Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements must register according to regulations. Failure to enroll will result in a fine ranging from NT$3,000 to NT$15,000. Enrollment will be retroactively processed from the date eligibility began. No insurance benefits will be provided until fines and fees are fully paid. If the fine is not paid by the specified deadline after the written notice, the case will be referred for compulsory enforcement.

(Official website of the National Health Insurance Administration: http://www.nhi.gov.tw/)

Enrollment / Register:

For overseas students enrolling for the first time:

After holding the ARC for six months, please bring one 2-inch photo, the original ARC, and photocopies of both the front and back sides of the ARC to the Office of International and Cross-Strait Cooperation (OIA - 5th floor - Famin Building) to complete the enrollment procedure.

For international students applying NHI through the school, NHI fees are as follows:

• First semester: will be counted from September of the current year to February of the following year.
• Second semester: will be counted from March to August (NT$826 per month * 6 months = NT$4,956)

Insurance Transfer

Students transferring NHI due to company internship, graduation, or school transfer must complete NHI transfer procedures at the Office of International and Cross-Strait Cooperation.

After enrollment in the NHI, international students will receive an NHI card. Students may use their NHI card and ARC to seek medical treatment at NHI-contracted hospitals or clinics. However, students will still need to pay the registration fee and some parts of medical expenses by themselves.

If you are transferring NHI insurance to Lunghwa University of Science and Technology (LHU), please apply for an insurance transfer certificate from your original unit/company and bring the original and a copy of both sides of your ARC to the OIA’s insurance staff to complete the insurance application process.

Withdrawal from Insurance

Students who will leave Taiwan due to graduation, suspension, or withdrawal from schools must apply for insurance cancellation and refund procedures at the Office of International and Cross-Strait Cooperation (5F - Famin Building).