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somanyroads
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 3:41 am Post subject: Visa Run |
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Hey, I've got to go on a visa run with my wife to HK around the 24th and I had a few questions regarding it. We want to go in the morning (flight leaves Taipei at 8am) and return that evening (8pm).
Is one day enough time to get our visa?
I will be applying for a 60 day business visa (is this correct?) My work permit should be ready on the 18th or so. My wife will be applying for a student visa (she has just enrolled for chinese classes at the uni in tainan and will get the papers saying so this week hopefully).
Is there any other paperwork that we'll need to get our visa's? (ie bank statements, letter from my school)
Is there anywhere that we can get the applications from beforehand?
We came into the country on a 2 week return ticket and so only got landing visas. The return portion of our ticket will be expired when we leave to go on the visa run.
Will we need to show a ticket out of the country when we go to HK, either at the visa office or when we come back to taiwan (we didn't have to show one when we landed)? If we do need to, what should the date on it be? My wife's chinese classes don't start until january and they run for two months, and I'll have work permit for longer than 60 days. Thanks for any info.
Cheers |
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Fortigurn
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:03 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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| somanyroads wrote: |
Hey, I've got to go on a visa run with my wife to HK around the 24th and I had a few questions regarding it. We want to go in the morning (flight leaves Taipei at 8am) and return that evening (8pm).
Is one day enough time to get our visa? |
If you want to pay a lot of money for your visa, yes it is possible. But don't bank on it. You will probably be told that your visa won't be available until the next day. |
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wombat
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 134
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:19 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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Your situation is a rather confusing one, and I don't want to alarm you, but you may have some problems.
Yes it has always been possible to get your visa processed within one working day. Provided that you get there before a certain time in the morning (may be 10am), and stipulate that you want a same day visa, then you can return in the afternoon (may be after 3pm) to pick up your visa. I haven't been personally for a long time, but it is pretty safe to assume that the above still holds true.
Provided that your wife has all of her paperwork in order then she should have no trouble securing a Visitors Visa for study purposes. I believe that she will need a letter from her school (must be an accredited government institution), and a bank statement showing a certain amount of money in order to cover her living expenses (I believe that this amount may be NTD100,000). Possibly someone who is here on such a visa might be able to fill you in on all of the details.
Your visa may prove more troublesome. Firstly, I doubt that you would be applying for a business visa unless you have the relevant documentation to prove that you are here for the purposes of conducting business. Most likely you would be applying for a visitors visa for the purposes of travel. If you have an invitation letter from your school then you may be able to apply for a Visitors Visa for the purposes of accepting work. If you have the relevant paperwork from your school then you would be applying for a Resident Visa for work purposes.
The talk recently has been that it has become more difficult to obtain a 60 day visa from the Hong Kong office solely for the purposes of travel. Apparently, the office has been more willing to hand out 30 day visas for this purpose, or even to suggest that a 30 day landing visa should be appropriate. Unfortunately neither of these is likely to be sufficient for your purposes.
Adding to this has been the apparent change in legislation that requires you to apply for your Resident Visa outside of the country. Assuming that this is now the case, then you would have to leave the country again in about a month or so in order to transfer your visitors visa into a resident visa.
In reading your post you seem to suggest that you will actually have your work permit in hand before you go to Hong Kong. If this is the case then you can pretty much ignore the above and move straight through to processing a Resident Visa at the Hong Kong office. This is a relatively new procedure (starting from October 1st, 2004) and as such I cannot be sure that you would be able to have it processed in a day. It normally takes around 7-10 days when done here in Taiwan, but I am not sure if that is due to some neccessity or just beauracracy. When done in Taiwan you only need the work permit from the CLA, but I am unsure of what the Hong Kong office may require.
Please let us know how you go as this will help others in your situation in future.
As far as your tickets, well that is also tricky. Considering the fact that your wife can extend her Vistors Visa for study purposes from within the country, and assuming that you are returning on your one year Resident Visa, then I don't think that you would have any trouble coming back on a six month or even one year return ticket if that is what you want to do. |
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somanyroads
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 4:54 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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We arrived in taiwan on the 28th, I got a full time job a week later, did my health exam, got that back on thursday and my school sent away my Work permit application that day. They were told they would have that back in a week, so I should have it when we go to HK.
| wombat wrote: |
If you have the relevant paperwork from your school then you would be applying for a Resident Visa for work purposes.
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So the relevant paperwork is the work permit? or is there other paperwork? Should I bring my contract along?
| wombat wrote: |
When done in Taiwan you only need the work permit from the CLA, but I am unsure of what the Hong Kong office may require.
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Is it possible to call the Taiwan consulate in HK to get the information from them?
My school is still under the impression that they apply for my ARC when we come from HK with a 60 day visa. Who can they call to get the up-to-date procedure from?
| wombat wrote: |
Yes it has always been possible to get your visa processed within one working day. Provided that you get there before a certain time in the morning (may be 10am), and stipulate that you want a same day visa, then you can return in the afternoon (may be after 3pm) to pick up your visa. I haven't been personally for a long time, but it is pretty safe to assume that the above still holds true.
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So it's probably safer to get a flight in the morning and return in the afternoon the next day, especially considering that I won't be getting just a tourist visa?
| wombat wrote: |
As far as your tickets, well that is also tricky. Considering the fact that your wife can extend her Vistors Visa for study purposes from within the country, and assuming that you are returning on your one year Resident Visa, then I don't think that you would have any trouble coming back on a six month or even one year return ticket if that is what you want to do.
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We don't have a ticket at the moment and would prefer not to buy one now if we don't have to. If we do have to buy one, we just want to buy a cheap one way to Bangkok and then refund it when we come back to Taiwan. Will we be having to show a ticket at the visa office or the airport?
As for my wifes studies, she is at the University here in Tainan which I assume is government accredited. When she applied for classes they asked her for a proof of funds to cover her living expenses, I think they asked for US$2000, but they accepted a letter from my school saying that I was a full time employee and that I would be able to support her, along with a copy of our marriage certificate. Should this be sufficient when she applies for her student visa?
I forgot to ask in the last post as well about costs for the visa's? Can we download this info from anywhere along with the applications?
Thanks |
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wombat
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 134
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 6:32 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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Your biggest problem, as I am sure that you have already realised, is the uncertainty of answers given to your questions. Had you been processing this documentation a couple of months ago then the answers would have been straightforward. As changes have been made just recently, it is quite difficult for anyone to answer your questions with any certainty.
| somanyroads wrote: |
| We arrived in taiwan on the 28th, I got a full time job a week later, did my health exam, got that back on thursday and my school sent away my Work permit application that day. They were told they would have that back in a week, so I should have it when we go to HK. |
This is inline with a standard application for a 'Work Permit'. The CLA are normally very efficient in processing these applications (achieving in a week what previously took the MOE a month to do). Provided that your school submitted the application correctly, you could be pretty certain that the documentation will come through as promised.
From the above I surmise that you will be applying for a Resident Visa for work purposes.
| somanyroads wrote: |
| So the relevant paperwork is the work permit? or is there other paperwork? Should I bring my contract along? |
If I were you I would take everything that the HK office may ask for. I would take the work permit, my contract, a letter from the school offering you the job, my original degree, a copy of the health certificate, a bank statement, and of course my passport.
According to BOCA, the people who previously issued the Resident Visas here in Taiwan, you need the work permit, and the completed application.
Here is what I get from the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) themselves, although this information is relevant to those who are applying for a resident visa in Taiwan:
| Quote: |
Eligible Persons
Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other legal travel documents, who intend to stay in the Republic of China for more than six months for the purpose of joining family, pursuing studies, accepting employment, making investments, doing missionary work, or engaging in other permissible activities.
Requirements
1. A passport valid for at least six months;
2. A duly completed application form with one photo;
3. Supporting documents or official letters of approval from a competent authority of the ROC; and
4. Other relevant documents.
5. Health Certificate if applicable
Visa Validity
A Resident Visa is valid for three months.
Duration of stay
Resident Visa holders are required to apply for an Alien Resident Certificate at the city/county police headquarters nearest to their residence in the ROC within 15 days after their arrival. They may stay in the ROC as long as the Alien Resident Certificate remains valid.
Fee
1. NT$ 2,200(US$ 66)for single entry; NT$3,000(US$90 )for multiple entry.
2. The Visa application fee is NT$3,600(US$100) for US citizens.
3. For foreign nationals from the countries with which the ROC has entered into reciprocal agreements, the Resident Visa is issued gratis.
Remarks
If foreign nationals who have entered the ROC with Visitor Visas are subsequently legally employed in the ROC, they may make the necessary change from their Visitor Visa into a Resident Visa in this country directly.
The above regulations do not apply to blue collar workers or those who enter the ROC via the visa exemption program. |
I would suggest that you contact BOCA yourself by phone before you leave for Hong Kong and see what advice they can give you:
Taipei Office
Office Hours : 08:30~17:00
Week : Monday ~ Friday
Tel: (02)2343-2888
3~5 Fl., 2-2 Chi-Nan Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei , Taiwan, ROC
The information below is from the Canadian-Taiwan Office. It is from a while ago but seems to be accurate.
| Quote: |
1. Eligible persons:
Foreign nationals, who hold ordinary passports or other travel documents, intend to stay in the Republic of China for more than six months for the purpose of joining family, pursuing studies, accepting employment, making investment, doing missionary work, or engaging in other activities.
2. Requirements:
(1) A passport valid for at least six months;
(2) One duly completed application form (Form V-1);
(3) Two recent photos (2" X 1.5" passport size);
(4) Supporting documents or official letters of approval from a competent authority of the ROC;
(5) Itinerary or fly ticket issued by travel agency; and
(6) Personal Bank Statement. |
SOURCE: http://www.taiwan-canada.org/english/service/resident.html
| somanyroads wrote: |
| Is it possible to call the Taiwan consulate in HK to get the information from them? |
Yes. You could also try contacting the Hong Kong office yourself:
Hong Kong
Chung Hwa Travel Service Hong Kong
40th Floor, Tower One,
Lippo Centre No. 89
Queensway, Hong Kong
香港金鐘道89號力寶中心第1座40樓
Tel: (002-852) 2525-8315
Fax: (002-852) 2810-0591
[email protected]
SOURCE: http://www.buxiban.com/teachTW03.asp#a5
| somanyroads wrote: |
| My school is still under the impression that they apply for my ARC when we come from HK with a 60 day visa. Who can they call to get the up-to-date procedure from? |
The schools contact on all of this should be BOCA and they can be contacted at the details I sent you earlier.
It is true that you will need to apply for your ARC when you get back to Taiwan. This will be done at the nearest Foreign Affairs Police Centre.
Assuming that you have been given the work permit and been processed for a Resident Visa, you will be coming back into Taiwan on a one year visa. I am confused by the schools suggestion of a sixty day visa as that is just a standard Visitors Visa for tourism which can be obtained without a work permit.
| somanyroads wrote: |
| So it's probably safer to get a flight in the morning and return in the afternoon the next day, especially considering that I won't be getting just a tourist visa? |
If that is convenient for you then yes. I would make sure that you get a ticket for which you can change the return date. It may be a bit more expensive, but would be cheaper than losing the return portion due to problems in Taiwan and then having to buy another one way for a later date.
| somanyroads wrote: |
| We don't have a ticket at the moment and would prefer not to buy one now if we don't have to. If we do have to buy one, we just want to buy a cheap one way to Bangkok and then refund it when we come back to Taiwan. Will we be having to show a ticket at the visa office or the airport? |
Your plan seems like a good one. The legislation states that you have an outbound ticket when coming to Taiwan. As we all know, they seldom check this, but it is better to be safe than sorry. The possession of an outbound ticket from Taiwan may also impress the visa office in HK so keep it handy and mention that you have it.
| somanyroads wrote: |
| As for my wifes studies, she is at the University here in Tainan which I assume is government accredited. When she applied for classes they asked her for a proof of funds to cover her living expenses, I think they asked for US$2000, but they accepted a letter from my school saying that I was a full time employee and that I would be able to support her, along with a copy of our marriage certificate. Should this be sufficient when she applies for her student visa? |
As far as I am aware, this is the only accredited univerity in Tainan for foreign language studies:
Chinese Language Center (CLC) /
National Cheng Kung University in 1982 1, Ta-Hsueh Rd., Tainan(701),
Taiwan, ROC
Tel: 886-6-274-0715 ext.52040
Fax: 886-6-274-0715 http://www.ncku.edu.tw/~lang/langcenter/english/
[email protected]
| somanyroads wrote: |
| I forgot to ask in the last post as well about costs for the visa's? Can we download this info from anywhere along with the applications? |
Previously yes, but due to the recent changes this information is now obsolete. You can download an application for a Resident Visa here, but this may not be useful for the HK office. It is a PDF document so you need Acrobat reader.
http://www.boca.gov.tw/~boca2000/form/VisaAF_Ls.pdf |
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Fortigurn
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:03 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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| Quote: |
You could also try contacting the Hong Kong office yourself:
Hong Kong
Chung Hwa Travel Service Hong Kong
40th Floor, Tower One,
Lippo Centre No. 89
Queensway, Hong Kong
香港金鐘道89號力寶中心第1座40樓
Tel: (002-852) 2525-8315
Fax: (002-852) 2810-0591
[email protected] |
Please note that this is a horrible place which is extremely unreliable when it comes to providing accurate information. Unfortunately it also happens to be the place where you have to go.
But do not trust the information they provide. Please attempt to verify it from another source. When applying for our visas, we had two consulates correct information provided by Chung Hwa Travel.
One of them (the US Consulate in HK), informed us that Chung Hwa was always sending people to them with inaccurate information.
We had a nightmare of a time trying to get our resident visas (it took three months, all up, and three trips to HK), all because of inaccurate information supplied by these people. |
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somanyroads
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2004 4:33 am Post subject: Re: Visa Run |
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Hey, thanks for taking the time to respond to my questions. I'll be sure to write up my experience when we get back.
Last couple of questions,
| wombat wrote: |
| Quote: |
Eligible Persons
Fee
1. NT$ 2,200(US$ 66)for single entry; NT$3,000(US$90 )for multiple entry.
2. The Visa application fee is NT$3,600(US$100) for US citizens.
3. For foreign nationals from the countries with which the ROC has entered into reciprocal agreements, the Resident Visa is issued gratis.
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Do you know if canada has this reciprocal agreement?
| somanyroads wrote: |
| . When she applied for classes they asked her for a proof of funds to cover her living expenses, I think they asked for US$2000, but they accepted a letter from my school saying that I was a full time employee and that I would be able to support her, along with a copy of our marriage certificate. Should this be sufficient when she applies for her student visa? |
Will the BOCA be able to answer this question if we call them? or is it a different department? We prefer not to give out bank statements as we need to borrow money to have the a statement with enough money in it.
Thanks again. |
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somanyroads
Joined: 20 Sep 2004
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:33 pm Post subject: No Problem |
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Hey, my wife and I just got back from our visa run and it was a piece of piss. We got the visa office before 11, all they wanted for my resident visa was 2 pictures and my work permit letter. My wife just had to give 2 pictures, proof of funds and the letter from the university. I paid the express service for my Resident visa (normally takes 2 days, so express is next day) and the student visa normally takes one day. Since we got our applications in before 11am we were told we could pick up our visas at 10am the next day. Next day we showed up at 10, got our passports back, with a paper stapled inside that we were to take to the BOCA at CKS airport, and headed to the airport to get our flight back here. Got to CKS airport got our visa stickers and walked through. All too easy I think. We also didn't bother getting an onward flight to anywhere (long story) but we were never asked to show it anywhere as we suspected. Thanks to all who posted replies to all my questions.
Cheers |
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Fortigurn
Joined: 29 Oct 2003
Posts: 390
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:12 pm Post subject: Re: No Problem |
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| somanyroads wrote: |
| Hey, my wife and I just got back from our visa run and it was a piece of piss. We got the visa office before 11, all they wanted for my resident visa was 2 pictures and my work permit letter. My wife just had to give 2 pictures, proof of funds and the letter from the university. I paid the express service for my Resident visa (normally takes 2 days, so express is next day) and the student visa normally takes one day. Since we got our applications in before 11am we were told we could pick up our visas at 10am the next day. Next day we showed up at 10, got our passports back, with a paper stapled inside that we were to take to the BOCA at CKS airport, and headed to the airport to get our flight back here. Got to CKS airport got our visa stickers and walked through. All too easy I think. |
I envy you. We had a nightmare job of it. Mind you, this was mainly because the rules changed half way through.
We were there at 9:30 in the morning, and we weren't served until just after 11:30, which delayed our applications' processing time. When we went, there were at least 60 people crowded into the place, many on the floor.
| Quote: |
| We also didn't bother getting an onward flight to anywhere (long story) but we were never asked to show it anywhere as we suspected. |
We were checked for an onward or return flight twice, on two separate trips, by the HK airport xiaojies. |
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Taylor
Joined: 24 Oct 2003
Posts: 384
Location: Texas/Taiwan
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| Posted: Fri Nov 26, 2004 6:48 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Readers,
I think we all realize that hundreds of people depend on this confusion for their careers. (If it were too simple, lots of folks would be unemployed.) So obviously those who could make the process clearer are the LAST ones on earth who would do anything about it.
The bureaucracy can be maddening. At least we have the Internet to share information and experiences! Best wishes to all!!!
Taylor |
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