Job Discussion Forums

[timothy81]

Hi
I am planning to move to Taipei from the US in September
I am a recent college grad and am planning to spend a year or to over there

I have a friend teaching in Taipei and he suggested that it would be best to get a 60 day visa before leaving so that I will have enough time to find a job and get my paperwork sorted out for a work visa (he hadn't done this before he left and it was a hassle after he got there)

I was just wondering if anyone had gotten a 60 day visa through a Taipei office either here in the US or anywhere else and if maybe you could give me some idea of how it works, how long it will take and what I should/should not say?

It would be nice to have sense of the process before I call the office in Washington

thanks for any replies

[reddrake]

It seems to be pretty straight forward. This may not be the cheapest option - but it does seem to eliminate a lot of the hassle....Cheers

http://taiwan.visahq.com

[steve_c]

Hi Timothy,

Like your friend, I would recommend the 60-day Visitor visa. Although I found a job 2 weeks after I arrived, it took time for the school to apply and receive my work permit, and then I had to apply for my Resident Visa. I eventually received my Resident visa 15 days before my Visitor visa expired (And then I had to apply and wait for the ARC).

I got my Visitor visa by mail, since I lived 250 miles from the nearest TECO (in San Francisco). For me, it was a surprisingly quick and painless procedure. I just made sure to include copies of the documents they requested, and I sent it registered mail, including a postage-paid registered mail return envelope. I mailed it on a Friday, and had my visa the following Wednesday.

You probably already know this, but when you apply for your visa do not mention anything about looking for work. You're a tourist, plain and simple. Make sure your return ticket/outbound itinerary shows a departure date of more than 30 days but less than 60 days later to ensure they give you the 60-day visa.

As I said, I didn't apply in person, but I imagine you'll have no problems if you're friendly, cooperative, and have all your documents in order.

[JZer]

Well the New York office gave me a hassle.

1)The basics are that you need $3000 in a bank account.
2)two you are going to tourism, mention nothing about finding a job as a teacher.
3)two passport photos
4)pay the fee

Visa processing fee is $131 (for both visitor and resident visa and for single- and multiple-entry visa). You may pay cash. In case of application by mail, money order and certified checks are also acceptable. Please make the money orders or certified checks payable to: TECO New York (Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York)

[linzbc]

[linzbc]

[JZer]

Yes, of course you need two passport photos. The visa will have your photo on it.

[Ki]

I have got the 60 day visa before with the 3k being in two different accounts. Yes, I used the obvious trick here. But the requirement is there for a good enough reason. You need to have this money for start up and living costs for the first couple months until you find a job AND have worked for them for more than a month. Otherwise you might end up desperate enough to sign on with a recruiter through lack of options.

[TJA]