Job Discussion Forums

[queenmulan]

Hello fellow teachers,

I was just offered a teaching position in Taiwan and am now applying for the famous 60 day visitor's visa.

I'm appplying from Canada. According to TECO, I need to write a so called personal letter stating what my intentions are for getting a visitor's visa, meaning why am I going to Taiwan. Clearly, we all know that we are applying for this type of visa in order to apply for a resident's visa once we get there. However, to get a visitor's visa, does it mean that I have to BS in the letter ( I thought I'd tell them that I'm going on backpacking trip for about a month and a half)? They also require a copy of my bank statement. Does anyone know how much I'm suppose to have in my bank account (what is the minimum they require)?

Thanks to whoever can respond. Someone probably already asked this question, but there are way too many discussions going around and I've already read about 7 pages and can't seem to keep track. Sorry for the babble...

[kait]

Wow, I just arrived 2 months ago, and I didn't need to provide a bank statement. Sheesh!

Definitely don't tell them that you're hoping to find work once you're here. They know the truth as well as you do, so the goal is to make it easier for them to pretend they don't know.

Just tell them you are visiting friends or doing sightseeing.

I don't know how much money they would expect you to have. I suppose one could argue that you're planning on charging most of your trip because large credit card debt is a cultural norm for Westerners.

[Aristotle]

Mark for business purposes on the visa application and apply for the visa through the travel agent you intend to purchase the ticket from.
Tell your travel agent you will not pay for the ticket until you get the visa you want.
Good luck,
A.