The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City now only accepts applications from students with an official diploma.

This change is due to instructions from Taiwan's foreign affairs authority and its education division, as well as Vietnam's decision to stop issuing provisional graduation certificates.

Before, students could submit either a diploma or a provisional certificate for their visa application.

Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training made this change in a circular signed on March 9, which merged the provisional certificate and exam results certificate into one document. The new rule took effect on April 24.

Schools must now give students their diplomas within 30 days of receiving their exam results certificate.

One parent expressed concern that their child might not be able to enroll on time. They hope the issue is resolved soon because it is not the students' fault. The parent is worried about the deadline for enrollment.

Students are looking for information about studying in Taiwan.

The head of the education division at TECO in Ho Chi Minh City confirmed that many Vietnamese students are having trouble with the visa process.

The visa policy is decided by Taiwan's foreign affairs authority, which informed the education authority about the new requirement. If Vietnamese schools still issue provisional certificates, the education ministry needs to inform TECO in writing. The education ministry's role is crucial in this process.

Some universities in Taiwan will discuss the issue with the education ministry to help students get admitted.

The Ho Chi Minh City education department has sped up the process and given diplomas to about 280 students who are going to Taiwan. Other students will get their diplomas next week.

Taiwanese universities usually start on September 7, but some students need to arrive earlier for registration and other procedures. The exact dates vary, but most students arrive between August 29 and 31. The universities also have orientation and residency paperwork.

Taiwan's rules allow students to enroll if they arrive before a third of the semester has passed, but each university sets its own deadline.

In 2025, there were 52,974 Vietnamese students in Taiwanese colleges and universities, which is an increase from the previous year.

Vietnam has been the largest source of international students for Taiwan for several years, making up about 30% of the total.