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jmax_nz
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
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 Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 2:29 am Post subject: Visas for Taiwan.. |
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Hi all,
I am leaving from Australia in early August to teach in Keelung, I have signed a contract with a school there. I have never done this kind of thing before so it feels good to leave my mundane office job and live and work in a totally new culture and environment its really exciting.
I would like to get some information regarding Visas, I am originally from NZ but have been residing in Australia for the last six months. I�m pretty sure I don�t have to fly back to NZ to get a 60-day visitor visa and that I can get one issued from the TECO office in Sydney, is this the case? Also how long does it take for the TECO to issue your visa and return your passport?
I have purchased my return ticket from Brisbane is it true that you need to prove to the Taiwanese TECO that you have US $2500 in your bank account I have just about $1500 Australian saved up I hope this will be enough. I�m just a bit worried that I have purchased a ticket but I will be unable to be issued with a 60-day visitor visa. Does anyone know if the embassy is strict in this matter.
Well if anyone else is starting in Keelung around mid August lets keep in touch.
Regards Jmax_nz� |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 5:23 am Post subject: Re: Visas for Taiwan.. |
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| jmax_nz wrote: |
| I am leaving from Australia in early August to teach in Keelung, I have signed a contract with a school there. |
This goes against the advice that most people would give, but there is no reason to automatically assume that it was a mistake to do this.
I do have a question though. As I say, the advice on every message board about Taiwan is to get here first and not sign before you have a chance to check out the school. Did you not know about this advice, or did you know about it and decide that you would prefer the contract upfront? I am not passing judgement, I am just curious as to why you have made a decision that goes against the advice that most people would give.
| jmax_nz wrote: |
| I�m pretty sure I don�t have to fly back to NZ to get a 60-day visitor visa and that I can get one issued from the TECO office in Sydney, is this the case? |
That's correct. You can get a visa to Taiwan from any of Taiwan's TECO offices.
| jmax_nz wrote: |
| Also how long does it take for the TECO to issue your visa and return your passport? |
I assume that the turnaround would be about a week. Three days at the least, ten days at the most.
| jmax_nz wrote: |
| I have purchased my return ticket from Brisbane is it true that you need to prove to the Taiwanese TECO that you have US $2500 in your bank account I have just about $1500 Australian saved up I hope this will be enough. I�m just a bit worried that I have purchased a ticket but I will be unable to be issued with a 60-day visitor visa. Does anyone know if the embassy is strict in this matter. |
This will really depend upon which TECO office you go to and how lucky you are as far as which clerk serves you. Be nice is my suggestion and you will probably get what you want.
You may have difficulty getting a 60 day, but this is the best visa if you can get it. Most people come on a 60 day, but some TECO offices now require people to jump through hoops to get it. If you can't get a sixty then go for a 30 day. You already have your school lined up so will be able to process everything within 30 days.
Don't come without a visa and get a landing visa as it is not possible to change this into a resident visa within Taiwan. The TECO office may suggest this, but don't go for it. If they definitely won't give you a 60 then insist on at least a 30 day visitors visa in your passport. |
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Xenophobe
Joined: 11 Nov 2003
Posts: 163
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 10:14 am Post subject: |
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| Is your contract with a buxiban or a real school? If it is with a real school, the TECO should issue you a resident visa about one week after you submit your contract, work permit and passport (the MOE or school will issue these former well before your departure). You then have to apply for your ARC, 15 days after arriving. If you are working for a buxiban, you should get a 60 day Tourist Visa. Depending how fast the school works, you should be able to get everything done in a month to change the tourist visa into a resident visa and not have to make a visa run to Hong Kong. |
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jmax_nz
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2005 11:27 pm Post subject: |
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| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
I do have a question though. As I say, the advice on every message board about Taiwan is to get here first and not sign before you have a chance to check out the school. Did you not know about this advice, or did you know about it and decide that you would prefer the contract upfront.
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I signed the contract before I starting reading up about Taiwan and EFL teaching abroad and the various recommendations not to sighn a contract before you leave. I had ten contracts sent to me from various parts of the world this seemed to be the best one, there classes started mid-august so they had to know fairly soon if I would be going. Also the reason for this school is the pay is fairly OK NT$58000, they are a large school and they have other Kiwis and Aussies that work there. So I thought why not, well you can only learn from your mistakes if it�s bad.
| Xenophobe wrote: |
Is your contract with a buxiban or a real school? If it is with a real school.
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The contract is with a real school, it is fairly large I think it is about 4,500 students, teaching hours are no more than 25 per week, and each foreign instructor has a Taiwanese aid. |
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BigMooseJohn
Joined: 27 Jul 2004
Posts: 16
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| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:28 am Post subject: Agent in Taiwan |
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If your agent is Supreme, you will be OK.They do support you and try hard.
If your agent is IACC, then you will need a lot of good luck. |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 1:39 am Post subject: |
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You may be letting yourself in for some trouble.
Please read this.
Link to Success!
The easiest way to get a multiple entry visa is to apply through a travel agent for business purposes.
Multiple Entry Visa's for Taiwan!
One of the hardest lessons learned by so many new teachers on Taiwan is not to use agents to find work. They are unnecessary and reduce the salary and benefits of any job that you may get through them.
Good luck!
A. |
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Ki
Joined: 23 Jul 2004
Posts: 475
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| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 4:52 am Post subject: |
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Just tell as the name of your school/recruiter. Then we can advise you further. If you want to renege on your contract do it now before you start work and before you get your ARC through them. Do it now and you cannot be penalised. There probably is even a one month probationary period anyway. They won't hesitate you if they find you unsuitable for whatever reason, justified or not.
But maybe it will be okay, if it is NOT with a recruiter. You need to tell us. Some places will tell you anything to get you. My kindy tried to tell me that I don't need to run away when the police come. I'm able to walk. As if I didn't know any better.
Can you borrow any money from your friends for a couple days for your 'proof of funds'? I don't think there is any set amount but having A$3-4,000 would look a lot better than just A$1500. Another trick is to put your $1500 into another bank and get ATM receipts for both accounts, thereby proving that you have A$3000. You should have gotten the receipt(s) before purchaising the plane ticket. |
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jmax_nz
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 8
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| Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2005 5:46 am Post subject: |
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I�m not to sure of the actual name of the School but these are the details of the job and as BigMooseJohn mentioned Supreme Group seem to be OK.
| BigMooseJohn wrote: |
If your agent is Supreme, you will be OK.They do support you and try hard.
If your agent is IACC, then you will need a lot of good luck.
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Job details are as follows, this is all I know about the school plus the other details in the contract I don�t yet know their name is this a bad thing?
| Job Details wrote: |
Elementary school in Taiwan Start Aug /2005
we need 15 new English teachers for the new semester starting on Mid August, 2005.If you are interesting this teaching position,we are more than welcome your apply .
Our school is located in northern of Taiwan which is a waterfront and tourist city, 20 km to Taipei. Low costs in living and nice place for leisure hour. We are a Catholic private school, founded nearly 50 years from kindergarten, elementary to high school of around 4,500 students with discipline. In present our school has 35 foreign English teachers in total for the bilingual department.
It's a full time job of one year contract(renewable), duty hours 09:00-17:00 or 10:00-18:00 Monday to Friday, less than 25 teaching hours per week. Excellent working environment .
The salary and benefits briefly as followings
1. Around $1,850 USD per month
2. Holiday paid
3. Free airport pick-up
4. Airfare reimbursement
5. Free dormitory and free school lunch
6. National Health Insurance
7. Work Permit/ARC Provided
8. Renewed Bonus of NT$15,000 .
Teacher Manager
Supreme Group Taiwan office
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All in all the job seems to be very good as they provide accomdation and lunch as well, if I knew more before signing the contract maybe in would of been better to just go over and try my luck over there instead.
Jmax_nz |
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AP
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 9:38 am Post subject: |
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I saw this job too and was seriously thinking about taking it. And I might still, but something I noticed when I inquired further they sent me pictures of the dormitory. It seemed a little small to me. Also lots of office hours. I'm might be going to Taiwan the first week in september and checking things out.
Ask them for photos they should be able to provide them for you.
Question to other posters: What is the best way to maximize down time and office hours with earning potential and time off? |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:18 am Post subject: |
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One thing that another poster mentioned, and something that bears mentioning again.
Although school supplied accomodation can make things easier when you first arrive, it can cause problems later on. Sometimes it is best that your employer doesn't know where you live. Often having your own accomodation in your own name can be better than school supplied accomodation. If at some stage in the future you want to leave the school, you will not only need to find a new job, but also a new place to live. |
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Greenislander
Joined: 25 Mar 2005
Posts: 24
Location: Taipei
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| Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 5:40 am Post subject: |
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| clark.w.griswald wrote: |
| Sometimes it is best that your employer doesn't know where you live. Often having your own accomodation in your own name can be better than school supplied accomodation. If at some stage in the future you want to leave the school, you will not only need to find a new job, but also a new place to live. |
This is good advice! |
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