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ramakentesh
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 145
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 Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:54 am Post subject: Another visa issue |
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My visa issues continue. I was told that tourists can only get a single entry (not multiple entry as applied for) visitor visa and that if this has the nature of my visit listed as tourism, i may need to do a visa run to Hong Kong to change it a resident working visa.
Everyone ive spoken to has told me that you only need to do this for other types of visas or for the shoret period where you dont need a visa, and that the visitor visa doesnt need a visa run outisde the country to change it to a resident visa.
Is this guy right ro wrong??? |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:21 am Post subject: |
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That is a good question. One of the biggest problems with Taiwan's visa issuance policies is that they lack consistency and may be changed at any time by the officials in charge at the office you are applying to.
Race, nationality and demeanor play a large part in the decision made concerning your visa application.
Try to get a multiple entry visa for business purposes.
Taiwan Multiple Entry Visa!
If you could give a few more details it may help.
What kind of visa do you have right now?
Have you submitted an application for an ARC?
How much time do you have left on your current visa?
Which office did you go to and what is the name of the person you talked to?
Good luck!
A. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:54 am Post subject: Re: Another visa issue |
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| ramakentesh wrote: |
| I was told that tourists can only get a single entry (not multiple entry as applied for) visitor visa |
What you were told is not exactly correct. It is possible to get a multiple entry visitors visa for tourism purposes, but it is extremely difficult. You would need to prove, no doubt, that a multiple entry was required and that a single entry was insufficient. That would be difficult to do if you were claiming to just be a tourist in Taiwan.
| ramakentesh wrote: |
| and that if this has the nature of my visit listed as tourism, i may need to do a visa run to Hong Kong to change it a resident working visa. |
Provided that you have a visitors visa for tourist purposes then you can change this to a resident visa in country. This is a certainty. What is your source that tells you otherwise?
| ramakentesh wrote: |
| Everyone ive spoken to has told me that you only need to do this for other types of visas or for the shoret period where you dont need a visa, and that the visitor visa doesnt need a visa run outisde the country to change it to a resident visa. |
That is correct. If you arrive without a visa and get a landing visa then this is not able to be extended nor changed into a different type of visa in country.
Be wary of the business visa that Aristotle touts. It is not a widely used visa, and in fact Aristotle is the only person that I know of who promotes this type of visa. He normally recommends it as an alternative to working legally with an ARC and suggests that a business visa is a good alternative. I haven't seen the evidence for this and therefore cannot agree that it would be a good move. |
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ramakentesh
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:41 am Post subject: |
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Its actually the taipei cultural office that is telling me that i have to do a visa run if my visitor visa has 'tourist' listed on it if i want to change it to an ARC - and if i put business on my visitor visa application they have informed me that i would have to demonstrate that i have a business reference or employer in taiwan.
Since everything else ive read says that i can change it inside taiwan without leaving the country, im just gonna wing it and see if this is the case.
Worst case scenario, how cheap are return flights to hongkong? |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 9:57 am Post subject: |
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| ramakentesh wrote: |
| Its actually the taipei cultural office that is telling me that i have to do a visa run if my visitor visa has 'tourist' listed on it if i want to change it to an ARC |
That's what I feared.
It may sound strange but you can't always believe what they tell you. I find that the more you speak with them the more confused you will get. The best thing is just to go the proven route and do what most people do. Hop on an airplane with a visitors visa and go from there.
| ramakentesh wrote: |
| - and if i put business on my visitor visa application they have informed me that i would have to demonstrate that i have a business reference or employer in taiwan. |
And this is why I don't see the business visa as a feasible option. |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:06 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Try to get a multiple entry visa for business purposes.
Taiwan Multiple Entry Visa!
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It is hard to emphasize enough how much easier your life on Taiwan will be if you have a Multiple Entry Visa for business purposes. There are business people and teachers who have been living and working on Taiwan with these types of visa for a very long time.
The occupational government on Taiwan views non Chinese business people as tolerable and lets them go pretty much unharassed as visitors.
Use a travel agent and inform them that you will not pay for your tickets unless you get a multiple entry visa for business purposes.
Good luck!
A. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2005 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| Aristotle wrote: |
| It is hard to emphasize enough how much easier your life on Taiwan will be if you have a Multiple Entry Visa for business purposes. There are business people and teachers who have been living and working on Taiwan with these types of visa for a very long time. |
Firstly, to secure this type of visa you would need to lie to the visa office, and find a company in Taiwan willing to lie in a letter sponsoring you to come here. You basically need to concoct a whole story about how you will be doing business - when you won't.
How is that easier than just applying for a standard visitors visa?
Secondly, even if you do secure a business visa, it does not entitle you to work here, it just entitles you to be here. So if you work on a business visa you would be working illegally and without health insurance benefits etc.). As well all know, if you are caught working illegally without an ARC then you will likely be deported.
Finally, there is not a proven and established channel of allowing teachers to change from a business visa to a resident visa.
Why go to all that trouble, when there is a simple process that everyone else follows without too much trouble? |
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ramakentesh
Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 145
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 8:43 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks heaps Clark - thats what i thought as well - the more i ask the more confused they and I seem - so ill go with the visitor visa. Thanks again for all your help and advice. |
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Union Jack
Joined: 09 Jul 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:35 pm Post subject: |
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I must agree with Clark on this. I think that to make a story and get references for a business visa is a waste of time. I just hope the goverment does not find out. I think that it is better to stick to the truth as in the long term it is a better option and it will save you a lot of time. In all my years here I have never seen anyone with a business visa.
Union Jack |
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Union Jack
Joined: 09 Jul 2005
Posts: 15
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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| By the way I would not believe all the things that Aristotle says. I also think that the occupational goverment is an interesting concept but come on Aristotle wake up. Times have moved on. |
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AP
Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 1:13 pm Post subject: |
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Can you work legally on a tourist visa?
Can you change a tourist visa into any kind of ARC, i.e. student, business... in country? |
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Aristotle
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 1388
Location: Taiwan
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject: |
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What the above posters fail to mention is that this is Taiwan.
A multiple Entry Tourist Visa is the best visa you can get just for asking. A little preparation goes a long way here.
Don't be too concerned with the legalities of working on Taiwan neither the local population nor the government have any respect for their own laws. Find a way that works for you and that you feel comfortable with. Obviously having never been to Taiwan before puts people at a disadvantage that is the main reason why people should not take a job from overseas and should get a multiple Entry Visa for business purposes.
The visa system for non Chinese nationals is designed to maximize the the ability of the occupation government to extort money from the local population as employers of non Chinese on Taiwan.
Good luck!
A. |
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clark.w.griswald
Joined: 06 Dec 2004
Posts: 2056
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| Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2005 4:24 pm Post subject: |
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| AP wrote: |
| Can you work legally on a tourist visa? |
No.
| AP wrote: |
| Can you change a tourist visa into any kind of ARC, i.e. student, business... in country? |
You seem a bit confused.
An ARC is an identity card and therefore a visa does not get changed into an ARC.
Also, just for clarification, there is no such thing as a tourist visa in Taiwan. Minor matter, but it is probably best to stick with the correct terminology.
You can change a Visitors Visa for tourism purposes into a Visitors Visa for study purposes, or even a Resident Visa for work purposes, within Taiwan.
The business visas are somewhat seperate, and I cannot comment on whether or not one can be converted in Taiwan. I have been here for over a decade and I am yet to meet anyone who has ever had a business visa. To my knowledge people on business visas are restricted to those foreigners who come to Taiwan for trade shows and the like, not teachers! I suggest that you forget about the business visa if you are going to be here to teach, as it just serves to confuse. |
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