I'm going to study on an exchange program 2010/2011, and I can choose between Taiwan and a few universities on the mainland. I'd like to go to Taiwan since the university I can choose there fits quite well with my chosen education.

The visa for me is no problem, but how does it works for my wife who is chinese citizen? Does anyone know if it's possible for her to obtain a one year visa to Taiwan? If not, what are the options?

If there are alot of regulations and problems for her to get a long term visa for Taiwan I will seriously consider choosing one of the universities on the mainland instead.

Currently, the only way a mainland chinese can go to Taiwan is through a guided tour group.

mrl wrote:I'm going to study on an exchange program 2010/2011, and I can choose between Taiwan and a few universities on the mainland. I'd like to go to Taiwan since the university I can choose there fits quite well with my chosen education.

The visa for me is no problem, but how does it works for my wife who is chinese citizen? Does anyone know if it's possible for her to obtain a one year visa to Taiwan? If not, what are the options?

If there are alot of regulations and problems for her to get a long term visa for Taiwan I will seriously consider choosing one of the universities on the mainland instead.

No that is not possible at this point. Tourist visas for I guess two weeks at most are the only options currently for mainlanders going to TW.

If you are not living in China and your spouse has permenent residency elsewhere it may be possible. However you really need to check with the Taiwan TECO visa offices in the country where you now reside and ask them.

How does Taiwan fit in and not CHina for your chosen education?

That kinda sucks, I'll look more into the universities on mainland then.

SatelliteTV wrote:
How does Taiwan fit in and not CHina for your chosen education?

It's an exchange program, so I can not choose whatever university I like. If I could I would go to Beijing without even thinking for a second (love that city).

I've been told 6 universities I can choose between, 3 on Taiwan and 3 on mainland, among these 6 the one best fitting me is one on Taiwan.

The close second is on mainland, I think it'll be good too

If you want to be with your wife, then you should go second best. Perfection rarely exist in this part of the world.

There is a way for your wife to join you on Taiwan, it is possible my wife (Shanghainese) and I (German) just did it.

What you need is your ARC (Alien Residence Card), which you will receive from the Taiwanese immigration. The process for the card is straight forward, after your arrival your visa needs to be changed since you will become a temporary residen.

With the ARC and your notified and legalized marriage certificate you can apply for a permit for your wife. She can not work with this permit but can join you.

The legalization needs to be done through the Taiwan Strait Organization, it costs NT$ 300,-. If your marriage certificate is not in Chinese than you also need a translation.

The complete process takes about 8 to 12 weeks. Again it is possible and the psychological barrier is actually higher than the bureaucratic