Job Discussion Forums

Thembe · Joined: 07 Jul 2004 Posts: 2

Thanks for the previous info about where to get the visa. I have one more quick question for you veterns out there. If I come to Taiwan on a 60 day tourist visa, do I need to show them a ticket out of the country or is it ok to come on a one way ticket?

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

There is no clear verdict on the outbound ticket issue. Like so many things in Taiwan they you we do things it this way and then do whatever they feel like. It really depends on how sticky the immigration officer is who handles your passport at the airport. Some people are forced to buy a ticket just to get through customs others have no problem at all.
I would suggest that if you don't want to buy an outbound ticket prior to your arrival that you bring enough cash with you to cover the cost of buying one at the airport.
If they make you buy an outbound ticket then it is just a few minutes delay.
Good luck and a safe journey,
A.

daily chai · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: Brussels

Aristotle is right to recommend the safe route. I entered ROC three times on a tourist visa with no return ticket. DH entered once with the same--he has a EU passport. Tt was never enforced for us. Once in HK the gate agents wanted to see my outbound ROC ticket. I told them I was leaving through a Star cruise to Okinawa. The airlines have no right to monopolize your travel. Search for their site--it's there (Keelung-Ok cruise).
As backup I had printed out their website and highlighted that they do not provide tickets out of country to non-Malaysian nationals (pretty sure that was it). I think Star originates from Malaysia, but don't quote me. That is a really killer back up! You already have travel plans but you can't, by law, show a ticket because gosh darnit you haven't entered ROC yet to procure one. Also had LP Taiwan tabbed to the page where it discusses the cruise. The agent was convinced and let me go.
--HTH!

monoxide · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 22

the travel agent i bought tickets through recommended not travelling without a return ticket because the airline might refuse to board me without one. apparently they can be fined quite a bit (and pass those fines on to you) if they violate visa laws. or at least, thats how i understood it. i decided that it wasn't worth the risk, and spent $1100(US) on a round trip ticket with a 2 month stay. this guaruntees me a ride home if i can't find a job.

i don't believe theres a single poster who would say you won't be able to find a job within 2 months. so, for me its just insurance. plus, theres a chance i might be able to get the return ticket delayed for a year.

of course, if the airline tries to give me any crap and ask me to pay some extra fees, i'm gonna say screw 'em and just buy a one way back when i need it.

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

It's probably best to buy a one year open return ticket. This way you are meeting the government requirement and you are likely saving money as well. Look at the price of a one way ticket versus a return. It's about 3/4 or more the price of a return. Get the ticket and set a date for your "return." When you get here, cancel that date and leave it open. Then you can reschedule for much later when you go home to visit the folks (or, as many do before a year is up, go home for good).

PS. Although this will set me, once again, in Seeburn's sight line, I'll reveal some important facts about him. He is a repatriated former expat who resided here for a period (he admits) that did not exceed 9 months. Furthermore, he has not resided here in Taiwan for over a year. He entered Taiwan once and left it once. I'm not sure why he feels he can talk generally about an issue with which he has so little direct experience. The veteran advice is that of caution.

Rice Paddy Daddy · Joined: 11 Jul 2004 Posts: 425 Location: Japan

I had to have a outbound ticket before the airline staff would let me board the plane in both Australia and Philippines when going to Taiwan.

Not always but sometimes you do need an outbound ticket.

jason_seeburn · Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Posts: 399 Location: Toronto

monoxide · Joined: 09 Jun 2004 Posts: 22

i've got a round trip just to be safe. i know aristotle will say i'm being naive, but i prefer to play by the stated rules rather than the unstated. the website i read expressly states that a return ticket is necessary and that visitor visas cannot be changed into resident visas. obviously, this means i simply extend my visitor visa until the paperwork goes through for the resident visa/work permit/ARC.

Rice Paddy Daddy is proof that airlines can stop you without a return(or continuing) ticket. theres another post somewhere thats similar to this. someone said they printed out a page from the website where you book boat tickets from taiwan. basically, the webpage stated that tickets must be bought on taiwan, so that was his 'return ticket' even though he hadn't actually bought one.