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Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Here for the long haul or Newbies just off the boat, nearly every foreigner on Taiwan has to make at least one visa run. If you have a recommendation post it here so others may benefit from your experience.
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brian · Joined: 15 May 2003 Posts: 299

Well I guess that there is no surprises that I have voted for the minimum number of visa runs.

Personally, I cannot stand the inconvenience of visa runs, and am happy that it is now possible to renew resident visas without the need to leave the country. Organizing flights, unpaid time off work, transfers to and from the airport, hotel stay and the visa application process are all things that I am happy to leave behind.

Sure one could consider that each visa run could be a holiday to a different country but in reality it rarely works out this way. You normally need to travel by yourself. Generally it is all business, all rush, during which you see very little except for the inside of the visa office and the airport terminal. Add to this the costs of loss of income, airport transfers, airline ticket, and accomodation costs, and it seems clear why working legally here is such a viable option. Finally, the possibility that your application could be rejected at any time and for almost any reason without explanation, and there 'romance' of visa runs becomes somewhat tarnished.

As I seem to have said a lot recently, each to their own I guess, but I know what suits me the best. I realize that for those that work illegally these visa runs are a necessary evil, and I suppose that you would come to get used to them. But I really just dont get why one would go to all of this trouble when there is a simpler option available.

EOD · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 167 Location: Taiwan

Lantoa Island
One of my favorite visa runs was to Hong Kong. Not the city itself but Lantao Island. The new airport is located on the opposite side of the island as the country park. In the park there are numerous free camping grounds with all the amenities. Just bring a tent.
A twenty-minute bus ride over the mountain from the airport, Bui O on the beach is exceptionally nice in the spring and fall. The bus fare was about 20Hk$ and that is the only required expense. Everything else you can bring with you and BBQ on the beach or buy in the canteen. Another 20 minutes down the road on any bus on that side of the island will bring you to what I always called Silvermine Bay when I was a HK resident. In the small tourist town of Silvermine Bay you will find all the amenities of a beach town including a nice beach. 5 star dining to market food is available up and down the board walk. There are also a number of Hotels in Silvermine Bay ranging in price and quality. The cheapest can be had for about 100HK$ a night for a room with hot water and TV. The price goes up from there.
Hydrofoils are available to whisk you away to Central 24 hours a day and there are several quaint little pubs in town for those looking to socialize.
I was always fortunate enough to have a multiple entry visa. I got it through my travel agent in New York years ago and now have a permanent residency certificate. I have never seen the inside of a visa office and made over twenty visa runs. I have also never had my employer sponsor my ARC except for myself of course.
I have to agree with Brian in that having to make a visa run to get a new visa would not be my ideal weekend abroad. A little planning ahead goes a long way.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

Star Cruises offers a one night cruise that counts as legally exiting the ROC. It is not possible to get a visa on the ship however you may be eligible for a 30 day landing visa upon return.
The current price is about 3000 to 4000 NT and includes a shared room and and food. They also have dinner shows and activities.
Contact Start Cruises in Taipei or any travel agent for information.
02-27310808

alamuerte · Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2003 2:09 pm Post subject:

had a very plesant time in hong kong last week,
left taipei friday morning 8:00 a.m.
back in taipei saturday night 8:00 p.m.
drinking beer at the ferry docks reminded me
of the years i spent in vancouver

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

I wasted a good part of my youth on those docks. Next time try Lueng Quai Fung in the Mid Levels. No ocean view but nice all the same.
There used to be a very nice hostel up on nearby Mount Davis as well.
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Pop Fly · Joined: 15 Feb 2003 Posts: 429

Took a run to Vancouver last spring. I thought it prudent as getting a visa in your home country is the only way to gaurantee you get a 60 day. Well, midflight, Taiwan decided to close its borders to all Canadians because a few peole in Toronto had SARS. I got stuck in Canada for an extra week and had it not been for a Vancouver news broadcast airing my dilemma and pointing a camera at a muckety-muck at the YVR TECO, I'd have been there alot longer. They called me the next day to come and pick up my passport.

davidpaulcoombs · Joined: 17 Oct 2003 Posts: 10

Thought I'd visit my Japanese friend and get my new visa in Tokyo. No one in Tokyo's TECO speaks English. They don't speak much Japanese either. There was a lot of head shaking and "they say they can't do it" Confused

They didn't seem to understand why I had a letter of employment. They thought I was applying for an ARC. I had to explain the whole absurd visa --> ARC process to my friend who finally convinced them to issue me a 60-day visa. What a hassle.
If you must do a visa run to Tokyo, bring a very patient Chinese or Japanese-speaking friend.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

If you are American try Sato travel agency at the nearest US military base in Japan. If you apply through them in Japan the TECO office will assume you are US military and give a multiple entry visa no questions asked. The travel agency will take care of everything so long as you buy a ticket from them.
Sorry this is a little late,
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