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skunk_booty
Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 5:48 am Post subject: HK visa/misc questions |
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OK.. I've come to the end of my first month in Taiwan, and I have to go on a Visa run to Hong Kong. I wasn't able to get a 60 day visa (its a very long and boring story), so my questions are, When I go to HK, do I just get a tourist visa? If not, where do I go in HK to sort out my 60day visa?
Also, I need to get a return ticket to HK.. anyone one know any good travel agents in either Taipei or HK?
If anyone knows any other issues I should be aware of here.. post them please.. I'm having a bit of a nightmare.. no job yet and the apartment I was going to move into has fallen through... |
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Aristotle

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 5:57 am Post subject: |
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You can continue to get landing visas if you can not get a Multiple Entry visa. I would recommend that you try to get a better visa and if you fail just get a landing visa and try again next time. Eventually you will figure out a way or just get lucky.
Good luck,
A. |
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wombat
Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134
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Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:34 pm Post subject: |
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Aristotle wrote: |
You can continue to get landing visas if you can not get a Multiple Entry visa. |
This is bad advice if you are intending to work legally. Landing Visas cannot be transferred over into Resident Visas. As it currently stands Tourist Visas can be transferred over into Resident Visas within the country (although this will apparently change after October 1st), and this is why everyone who is planning to accept work in Taiwan actually arrives on a Tourist Visa.
If you have a job lined up for a legal position then get some paperwork from your school showing that you will be coming back in to accept work with them. Either get a 60 day tourist visa, or in light of the impending changes, arrange all of the paperwork so that you can apply for a Resident Visa from abroad and arrive back in Taiwan on your Resident Visa - all fully legal. |
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skunk_booty
Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 3:34 am Post subject: |
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Cheers for the advice.. but just how would I get a 60 day visa? I was already aware I could keep getting landing visas (not exactly a great solution).. I just need to know where to go when I get to Hong Kong...
How strict are they there? How would I apply for a Resident Visa abroad?
As I still haven't found any legal work... am I in trouble?
As a side issue.. do they really want real teachers here or just live wire Americans with no experience? (no offence intended to any livewire Americans!)
Thanks again..and sorry if I'm missing something very obvious... |
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wombat
Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 4:42 am Post subject: |
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skunk_booty wrote: |
Cheers for the advice.. but just how would I get a 60 day visa? How strict are they there? How would I apply for a Resident Visa abroad? As I still haven't found any legal work... am I in trouble? |
Most people secure a Visitors Visa of 30 or 60 days duration, on the auspicies of travelling here in Taiwan. If you have already been here for a visa period of 30-60 days, then I expect that you may experience some difficulty in securing a 60 day visa. I guess that the visa office recognizes that most people don't need so long to travel around Taiwan, and that you must be doing something other than travelling. I expect that they will most likely suggest that 30 days should be long enough to complete your travels in Taiwan, and as you can now get a 30 day landing visa, I am sure that this is what they will recommend.
This is why I suggested either getting a letter from an employer, or applying for your resident visa from abroad. You best ensure that you have prepared everything for a resident visa, the requirements for which you can get from the visa office here in Taiwan.
skunk_booty wrote: |
As a side issue.. do they really want real teachers here or just live wire Americans with no experience? (no offence intended to any livewire Americans!) |
Yes 'real teachers' are wanted here, but you will most likely find that legal positions will provide you with the respect that you feel you deserve. |
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Aristotle

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Wed Sep 22, 2004 11:23 am Post subject: |
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I just need to know where to go when I get to Hong Kong...
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This is what AIT says. They may be one of the best examples of everything that is wrong with America but they do have some good info at times.
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After receiving the work permit, you must apply for a resident visa. If you arrived in Taiwan with a Visitor�s Visa, you may change your visa status without departing Taiwan by applying at the Bureau of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taipei, Taichung or Kaohsiung. If you entered under the Visa Waiver Program or received a Landing Visa, you must depart Taiwan to apply for a Resident Visa. Most Americans who are already in Taiwan go to Hong Kong and apply at the Chung Hwa Travel Service, 4th Floor, East Tower, Bond Center, #89 Queens Rd., Central Hong Kong, tel. 852-2-525-8315.
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http://www.ait.org.tw/en/uscitizens/Employment.asp
You arrived a little late in the season and you an experienced teacher. Those two issues may be why you are having trouble finding a job.
Good luck,
A. |
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skunk_booty
Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 28 Location: Taipei
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 6:11 am Post subject: |
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Thanks guys I appreciate it a lot. Sorry if I sounded a little p*$$ed off, but I'm getting jaded with all those demo lessons, which I think are about as useful as a fart in a bag.
Thanks again |
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Aristotle

Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan
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Posted: Thu Sep 23, 2004 12:06 pm Post subject: |
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Glad to be of service.
If you continue to have problems finding work drop me an email.
[email protected]
Good luck,
A. |
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