Job Discussion Forums

[Ferfichkin]

Anyone can feel free the answer this question, but since I'm Canadian, and since I'm not sure whether or not the answer is the same in every country, I would be most interested in hearing about the experiences of other Canadians.

It's a pretty simple question, but I don't know the answer. I was just wondering how long it took the Taiwanese consulate in Canada to process your visitors visa. Was it a day, a week, or am I looking at a longer wait? I'm planning on leaving for Taiwan in 6 weeks and I just realised that I have no idea how long the visa process takes. I imagine it's pretty quick, but what do I know? I live in Ottawa, maybe that will make things easier, what do you guys think?

Also, in order to get a 60 day visitors visa, is it easy or do they ask you a thousand questions? Did anyone have a problem or was anyone refused a 60 day visitors visa?

Any information about this, especially from Canadians, would be really appreciated.

Thanks,
fich

[Pop Fly]

It's been awhile and things can change, but you should be able to do it overnight. Make sure you can prove that you have some money ($2000) and get an itinerary from a travel agent proving you have an outbound ticket (or an actual outbound ticket).

The longest it will take is a week.

[Ferfichkin]

Thanks for the help Pop Fly. What proof of funds are they looking for, will a receipt from a bank machine do?

fich

[Pop Fly]

[Zen-Poet]

Hi Ferfichkin,

Perhaps I might be of some assistance. These are the steps that I went through to get my Visitors Visa when I did it a year ago. I apologize in advance for the length but I�ve tried to make it as detailed as possible.

If you don't have a passport or if you have less than six months left on your current passport, you'll need to get a new one. It takes between seven (7) to ten (10) business days to get a new one. You can pick up the application at any post office. You'll need to get a set of passport pictures done (that'll cost you about $20) and you'll need to get the application signed by a notary - if you don't know anyone in person, I'd suggest your family doctor. Go to your nearest passport office and turn in all the paperwork. It'll cost you $85. I'd suggest going early in the morning if you don't want to wait in line for a hour or more. They try to get all new applications processed and have the passport to you in one week but you need to give it up to ten days.

Ok, if you already have your passport taken care of, then your next step is to apply for a 60 Day Single (or Multiple, if you wish) Entry Visitors Visa from your nearest TECO (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office) location. In your case, here�s the address:

TECO, Ottawa Office
World Exchange Plaza
45 O�Connor Street, Suite 1960
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4
Phone: 613-231-5080
Fax: 613-231-7235

Now, in order to get the Visa, you'll need to show them the following: 1) a return flight ticket with the return date being within 60 days of your arrival date, 2) a recent bank balance showing a minimum of about $2000, 3) your passport, 4) two identical passport photos, and 5) $55 in cash, which is the cost of the Single Entry Visa (the Multiple Entry Visa is more expensive - $110).

Return Flight
Ok, here's what you do. You book a return ticket to Taipei (CKS is the airport code) with a return date within 60 days of your arrival in Taiwan. Once you are here, and have your ARC, you can change the return date on the ticket for up to one year from the original flight. Here's the catch - you need a paper ticket to show to the TECO office, so make sure that you get issued a paper ticket.

Bank Statement
Best thing to do is the same day or the day before you are going to the TECO office, go into your branch and ask them to give you a balance statement with the bank's stamp and address etc. on it. Tell them what you need it for and they'll know what to do. I'd make sure that you show a balance of at least $2000.

Visa Fee
When I came, I came on a Single Entry Visa, which was the cheapest ($55). You can also apply for a Multiple Entry Visa, but that will cost you $110. The choice is yours but for my money, the Single Entry Visa is the way to go. You will need to bring this money in cash with you when you go to the office!

At the TECO Office
Here is the website address for the Visitor Visa information: http://www.canada-taiwan.org/english/service/visitor.html

When you go into the office, you will tell that that you want to apply for a 60 Day, Single (or Multiple, if you�d rather) Entry Visitor Visa. If you tell them that you are coming to Taiwan to teach, you will have to go through a different application process and there are some tax implications and additional processing time required. I will not advise you one way or the other in that regard; that decision is yours to make. They will give you a form to fill out.

Once you fill out the form, and pay the money, they will need to hold on to your passport while they process your application. It takes three (3) business days to process the Visa application and you'll likely want to pick it up in person, so be prepared to make two trips to the office.

Once you have your Visitors Visa, you've done everything that you need to do in terms of jumping through bureaucratic hoops to enter Taiwan.

I hope that helps.

Good Luck!

[markholmes]

It doesn't have to be a return ticket, it can be an onwards ticket Hong Kong or Bangkok. So basically you look like you are doing a stopover in Taiwan.