Job Discussion Forums

cspitzig · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

I recently accepted a position in Taiwan. I am having difficulties with the visa.

I had thought that $2000 in my account was required for entry on a visitor visa. I have that. My last statement was under that amount. The woman at the Taiwanese embassy said that might be ok that my bank balance is higher than my statement. However, since in an earlier call, she had said something about needing more that $3000 for a 40 day stay. I booked the stay for 40 days because I was just planning to cash in the ticket to Singapore. I can get my balance above $3000, but it might take time-my flight is March 5. Do people get their visas rejected for having less than $3000 in the bank? Also, someone had said that credit card statements were good for showing available money, but the woman at the embassy disagreed. Another wrinkle is that I have an online bank-I don't get paper statements. Are they satisfied with something I've printed out?

Also, apparently I need a letter of employment from my current employer? I just turned in my notice at my current job, so I don't think they would want to give a letter of employment. Do people actually get their visas rejected for not having a job in another country?

I understand I can enter the country without a visa(or on a landing visa?), but then I'd have to leave the country and come back in. So, this visa thing isn't enough to STOP me coming to Taiwan. But, I'd rather avoid this mess(and expense) when I'm still a mess from the move(and trying not to blow money).

Mangosteen · Joined: 12 Oct 2007 Posts: 13

BigWally · Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2008 4:27 am Post subject:

$2000 in your bank should be more than enough money to satisfy TECO, I had less than $1000 in mine, and they didn't even ask to look at my bank statements....

Get the 60 day visitor visa, don't go the landing visa route, it will just cause you more hassles in the end, and end up costing you more money...

Bring in a recent paycheck from your employer to use for proof of employment...

The TECO offices are often more bark than bite, they can just be a real pain in the ass to deal with sometimes...you should book your stay for closer to 60 days, rather than just 40, with 40 days they may only grant you a 30 day visitor visa....maybe book for around 50-55 days

cspitzig · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

I thought of another possibility. What do any of you think of lying and saying I don't have a job? I mean, maybe I quit with the expectation of getting another job when I get back. Maybe I have rich parents and don't need to work.

I am just not used to lying to governments, but that seems to be an official part of how foreigners work in Taiwan. So, I don't know what the good lies are.

They plane tickets are already booked. I didn't think the time mattered, since I was just going to get it refunded when I get there.

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Do you know anyone that owns a business, anyone at all, who would be prepared to write you a bogus letter? Now, that would be a much better lie.

pest2 · Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 170

Unless u have rich parents or access to another source of loan income, you would be crazy to come to Taiwan with less than 3000$US. They have those regulations for a good reason, no doubt. Teaching in Taiwan is costly and often, Im sure, people dry up their funds and get stranded here without a job... U have a job lined up now, but jobs here have a high turn over rate and if u lose it, u have to pay an arm and a leg looking for a new one...

Go to Korea if you are that broke.

blystone95 · Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 4 Location: texas

Man somebody offered me a job in Taiwan. His name is Robert Phillips. He keeps telling me the pay is higher in Taiwan than in South Korea.
Have you ever heard of Robert Phillips? I don't have thousand of dollars to go over to another country at all. Now, if I did I surely would not go to another country unless I needed a job.
I need one really badly.
I want to be able to teach

Pattie Smile

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

May I suggest you go with a recruiter. Whilst many do not like them for various reasons, there is a positive side, large schools like HESS will give you hours and a contract, help with housing etc, It is one of the "safer" ways to travel especially if its your first time overseas, relying on your self, do not have a large bank balance etc.
Use it as a base from which later you can spread your wings, get better jobs, decide if you like it etc.
Commit to a one year contract, don't think it will be a party. It certainly will not be like home regardless of where you go. Large schools also have the advantage of having other teachers around who are in similar situations or have been.

The name you gave rings a bell, some like him others don't, be prepared to try it, he is an agent as such is making money from placing you. Will the job be a bed of roses, I doubt it, BUT it is a job. You take a chance with these things, most work out, some are bad, but you still get paid. Use the first year as an introduction, it can only get better from there.

Before anyone shouts that I am pro large organisations let me explain, I came here 15 years ago, with no job lined up, with less than 300 pounds in my pocket, those days the Internet was small, little info about jobs existed, and most teachers here were backpackers doing a money refuel.
The landing was hard and took time to find work etc, but I was prepared for it. What I am saying is a lot of people are not, especially just graduating students who are weary about living overseas.

As to which is better, Taiwan or Korea - its debateable, money wise perhaps Korea, people wise perhaps Taiwan.

atiff · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 66

BigWally · Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 4:41 pm Post subject:

no offense taken...good advice...just passing along first hand info...

and from what 'i've heard, read, and seen its true, they are often autonomous offices, running with their own set of rules...i've also heard the ones in the US can be even more difficult to deal with than the ones in Canada...

cspitzig · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 56

Irritatingly, the visa got rejected. I got this information by voicemail, so I don't know why. I understand that landing visas can also be rejected. Since this would be a MAJOR problem, I really don't want this to happen. Why are landing visas rejected?

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

Erm hard one, terrorist, spy, undesirable, sex offender, political blacklist, are the normal reasons. Inability to show you can support yourself. No onward ticket etc might also be used.
14 day landing visas are noramlly given out though, so unless your name comes up at immigration on a list, and you have an onward flight you should get it.
Rejection of your application sounds bad, you can inquire as to the reason, but they dont have to give you an answer.? did you comply with all of their hurdles?