Job Discussion Forums

[hugebritneyfan]

I'm in the process of getting a visa for working in Taiwan. The employer told me not to get a working visa in my home country, but rather a traveler's visa instead (then they would be responsible for the working visa once I'm in Taiwan). However in order to do this, I must prove a departure from Taiwan within 60 days of my arrival (and therefore must buy a ticket out and either keep or cancel it). Is it normal for people hired by institutes to be told to do this?

[Taylor]

Hello,

This has been common practice for at least 15 years.

See if you can get an 'open' ticket to show that you will be going on to another country. Hong Kong might be a good choice.

It's been several years since I've needed to do anything like this, so hopefully those with more recent experience can give more tips & suggestions.

In what city will you be working? Overall, this is the better way to do the process. It will let you have a 'Plan B' in case some major issues come up with you and your prospective employer.

Keep the questions coming!

Taylor
Kaohsiung (10 years)

[PDXPTH]

I just arrived in Taiwan to visit a friend (and look for full-time work). I opted to spend the $131 for a Visitor's Visa good for 60-days because it is transferrable to a 1-year Alien Resident Card (ARC) if/when I find a job and sign a contract. That's really the main benefit. The 30-day tourist visa cannot be transferred, which means you have to find a job, sign up for the ARC, and then leave the country (to Hong Kong, for instance) and then come back again. More of a hassle, as well as more expensive in the long run.

And yes, I did have to book a return flight home within that 60 days. I figure it gives me two options: 1) I can still keep it and use it if, for any reason, I either don't like it here or can't find a job (unlikely on both counts); and 2) I can pay about $150 to change the departure date on my flight, plus the difference in ticket price, if any, and still utilize the return flight for an end-of-contract trip home and pocket the cost of travel home usually offered by some employers.

[Ki]

The cost of travel home is very unusual to be offered by employers in Taiwan. When it is offered you can be sure that you will pay for it in the end in the form of a lower salary. It is usually a ploy offered by recruiters and perhaps chain schools. I got duped this way when I first came here.

Prepare to not be offered any kind of flight subsidy. And if you are offered one then take it for granted your salary is substandard.

[JZer]