Job Discussion Forums

[brian]

In light of new information that has come to light regarding this subject, I have started a new thread for the post regarding the requirement of an outbound ticket for air travel.

In answer to a request for further clarification on a number of points raised, please find the following. Of particular interest in the following post is the fact that:
1. Taiwan does have policy that requires foreign nationals have proof of onward passage to be permitted to enter Taiwan.
2. Taiwan immigration may refuse entry to foreign nationals who cannot meet the requirements under this policy.
3. Airline companies have their own policies in line with these government regulations in checking documentation at check in and refusing carriage of passengers that cannot meet the requirements under these policies.
4. That airlines can indeed be held responsible for the costs incurred in the deportation of foreign nationals that they transport to Taiwan in the event that the carrier has not exercised due care in checking the passengers documentation.

While these policies are clearly in place and are enforced on what appears to be a random basis, it is possible that some foreign nationals do arrive in Taiwan without proof of onward passage. Considering that you could be turned away at the check in counter at your point of departure or refused entry at the point of arrival here in Taiwan, it would seem very unwise to travel without this documentation.

First let�s consider Taiwan�s policy on the matter. It is clear that proof of onward passage is a legislative requirement of entry to Taiwan. In the absence of such documentation foreign nationals may be refused right of entry and/or deported. The legislation places the burden of carriage and responsibility of costs out of the country on the carrier that brought you here. Your carrier may have indemnified themselves against these costs in their �Terms and Conditions�, however they would no doubt need to recover these costs from you through civil action in your home country.

Taiwan Immigration Policy

http://www.immigration.gov.tw/e_immig/eng/4.htm

Article 17
Aliens may be banned from entering the State if they:
Have used a visitor visa but do not have an air or steamer ticket for a return trip or a trip to the next destination or have not secured an entry visa for the next destination; or

Article 34
Aliens may be forcibly deported if they:
Have entered the State and have been found violating any of the provisions of Article 17 that bans entry into the State; or

Article 41
The captain of an aircraft or vessel, or the transport service proprietor shall be responsible for arranging transport on the day in question or of the earliest run to deport passengers, sailors, or flight crew on board his aircraft, vessel, or other means of transport, if they:

Have been banned from entering the State pursuant to the subparagraphs of the first paragraphs of Articles 17 and 7; or

During the time in which the people enumerated in the subparagraphs of the preceding paragraph are waiting for deportation, the Authority shall designate shelters and/or be responsible for looking after them. except for the provisions prescribed in the first subparagraph, the concerned transport service proprietor shall pay for the
expenses incured.

http://www.immigration.gov.tw/e_immig/eng/2.htm

Article 47
When deporting unregistered nationals or aliens, The BOI shall assign
officers to escort the subjects to airports/seaports, monitor their exit, and
hand over their documents to the captain of the aircraft or vessel for
safekeeping. In case of possible resistance of deportation or abscond, the
BOI shall assign officers to escort them to the destined country or area.

Chapter 5 - - Responsibilities of Transport Service Proprietors and
Immigration Guidance.

Article 48
Related expenditures that shall be borne by transport service proprietors,
as stated in paragraph 2 of article 41 of the Law, shall include commodations, living, medical expenses and the fees paid by the competent authorities for attendance.

Airlines

Next, let�s look at the refusal of carriage policies of a couple of key airlines that fly to Taiwan. Of course their policies cannot be too specific due to the fact that they relate to many countries around the world, however if we look at these from the context of attempting to enter Taiwan without proof of onward travel (i.e. ability to meet the country of arrival � Taiwan � requirements for admittance), they are very clear in their right to refuse carriage.

Europe�s KLM

http://www.klm.com/nl_en/index.jsp

ARTICLE 8. REFUSAL OF AND LIMITATION ON CARRIAGE

1.
Carrier may refuse carriage or further carriage for reasons of safety or order or if, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, Carrier determines that such action is necessary:
(a) in order to comply with any applicable laws, regulations or orders of any state or country to be flown from, into or over;
(h) because the passenger does not appear to be properly documented;
(i) because the passenger may seek to enter a country through which he may be in transit, or for which he does not have a valid entry document;
II. the person presenting the ticket cannot prove that he is the person named in the 'NAME OF PASSENGER' box, in which cases Carrier reserves the right to retain such ticket.

Australia�s QANTAS airlines

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/conditionsCarriage

1. Conditions of Contract

A. Qantas carries passengers on flights (or other modes of transport where indicated) in Australia, New Zealand and elsewhere on contracts that consist of:

� these Terms and Conditions;
� Qantas General Conditions of Carriage (Passenger and Baggage), available on request, and any applicable tariffs filed by Qantas with regulatory bodies;
� International conventions and Australian and New Zealand laws; and
� Qantas' oral or written directions to passengers.
In the event of any inconsistency between these Terms and Conditions and the General Conditions of Carriage, the General Conditions of Carriage shall prevail.

E. You must:

� comply with all applicable government travel requirements, including obtaining visas to enter the countries to which you are travelling; and
� check in by the required check-in time.

6. Check In

6.1 Before Check In
You must ensure you have your ticket (or a booking for an electronic ticket), baggage, all necessary travel documents and anything else you need to travel.


8. Qantas May Refuse to Board or Carry You

8.1 Denied Boarding
Even if you have a ticket and a confirmed reservation, Qantas may deny you boarding because we have no seats available. Qantas may also deny you boarding or refuse to carry you and may confiscate your ticket and/or boarding pass, without liability on its part:

� to comply with any applicable law, regulation or order
� because you cannot prove you are the person specified on the ticket on which you wish to travel
Qantas may also deny you boarding (but accepts no liability in the event that you do board and you suffer loss or damage as a result):

� because you do not appear to have all necessary documents (see 6.1)
In any of the abovementioned situations in this 8.1, Qantas may remove you from a flight, even after you have boarded, without any liability on its part.

11. Right to Refuse Carriage

Qantas reserves the right to refuse carriage to any person who seeks to travel in violation of applicable law, tariffs or the General Conditions of Carriage, or is otherwise in breach of these Terms and Conditions, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or it is necessary for the safety or comfort of other passengers or for the protection of property.

12. Refusal of Entry and Fines

12.1 Refusal of Entry
You may be refused permission to enter a country. If a government orders Qantas to return you to your place of origin or remove you to another country:

� you must pay for the return or other fare, and
� Qantas may set off any refund owing to you for unused flight coupons against the amount of that return or other fare (if unpaid).
12.2 Passenger Indemnity for Fines, Penalties and Expenses
If Qantas is ordered to pay any fine or penalty at any time, or incurs any expense, costs, loss or damage ("losses") because of your failure to comply with any law, regulation, order or with any of these written conditions or any term of the contract, or because of your behaviour or because of any health or medical condition, you must fully indemnify Qantas for all losses plus all legal costs and other expenses incurred. Qantas may set off any refund owing to you for unused flight coupons against any such amounts.

Finally, as the proponent of entry to Taiwan doesn�t require proof of onward travel is a Canadian national, please find the following information in regards to applying for a visa to come to Taiwan from Canada.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Canada

http://www.taiwan-canada.org/english/service/exempt.htm

Requirements:
(1) a passport valid for at least six months at the time of entry. (Unless otherwise stipulated by treaties or agreement)
(2) a confirmed return air (steamer) ticket or an air (steamer) ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed air (steamer) seat reservation for his (her) departure.
(3) no criminal record verified by the airport or seaport police.

In conclusion, yes it is possible to arrive in Taiwan without an outgoing ticket, but whether it is worth the trouble is up to the individual to decide. Surely it is the same as driving while intoxicated in most western countries - it is illegal, it is immoral, it is clearly the wrong thing to do; yes you can probably get away with it a number of times and have a laugh with your mates about how you evaded the authorities; but in the end it will no doubt catch up with you!

[Pop Fly]

All well and good Brian. Solid advice. However, it should be known that you can indeed enter the country without proof of onward travel. As I have stated in another thread, I am here right now without an onward ticket.

It is likely that you can get away with an itinerary only.

However, Brian makes a good point. If you have the budget for a return ticket, then get one. But if you are on a shoestring, you can get in on a one-way ticket. Back yourself up with an itinerary for a ticket to Bangkok saying you will leave about 40 days after your arrival. You should have no problem.

But let me say again....if you can afford the return ticket, buy it.

Why take the chance unless you really have to. I did and I got back in without a problem. And my last entry was during SARS and I am Canadian. The border was, for all intents and purposes, closed to Canadians at the time. I slipped the immigration guy a couple of Taiwanese phrases (PeySe PeySe) and he laughed and stamp stamped and I was thru. And as usual, the customs guys practically carried my bags to the bus for me. CKS has been the easiest airport I have ever been thru. And I have been thru it 6 times.

[alamuerte]

from my perspective the issue isn't the guy here who lets you
into the country (or not), it's the guy there who lets you on the plane
(or not). where did you board the plane for your return here, pop?

[Pop Fly]

[jason_seeburn]

OK

[MixtecaMike]

A further question on this. As I will be coming from Mexico (I am Australian, not Mexican) I suppose I should be even more careful about not looking like an illegal. I can not really afford a return ticket, so had thought about buying the cheapest ticket out of Taiwan, to Hongkong I think. However in Brian's post it says a "steamer" ticket will do. As there are no steam-powered airplanes does this mean I could get a ferry ticket to somewhere? Any ideas if this would be cheaper than an HK airticket?

[brian]

Aristotle would the best man to answer this I think.

There is apparently a midnight cruise that you can do with a company Star Cruises. Contact information is available elsewhere on this board. My understanding is that as the cruise enters international waters, when you return to Taiwan you are considered as rearriving and can therefore get an extension on your visa.

I believe that someone else has mentioned that this doesnt apply to 30 day landing visas.

Also, I would assume that you would be unable to actually apply for a visa via this route so am not sure how suitable it would be. If you are here on a tourist visa and take this trip at the end of the visa, do they have some method of actually processing a visa on board or do they just give you a thirty day landing visa when you get back. Aristotle could you fill us in on the details.

Finally, I believe that there is a ferry from the north of the island (around Keelung) that goes to Japan. If you are adverse to flying this might be a possibility.

Aside from all of this, a trip to Hong Kong or Bangkok would likely prove to be the most convenient option.

[Pop Fly]

If you've been following these boards, you may recall a jousting match between Brian and I on the subject of Kojen. I frequently mentioned a friend of mine's continuing hardships with this school. Well, his hardships are now over. He, did, however, need to do a second visa run because Kojen(Head Office) dragged their vindictive heels so much.

The good news for this forum (information wise) is that he opted to do the cruise for a 30 day extension on his 60 day multiple entry visa issued him in his US passport. It cost him 4000NT for the cruise that, he says, was the most horrifying experience of his life. He tossed (N. American "tossed", not Brit. "tossed" ) more than the ship did as the swells of the sea were crashing into his 4th deck portal.

Anyway, it is a gambling boat...takes about 18 hours....there is beer and a magic show....food I guess....you share a berth with 3 others, but my friend didn't have anyone else in his. (I think, I'll try to get him to post his experience and other valuable info).....sounds like a cheap alternative to HK and BKK. For those who choose to work here illegally, this would be a great option. As well, those who find themselves inextricably mired in red tape by the graphite commandos that run KOJEN or other such employers.

I will try to post a link here later, but.....

I am not sure how this knowledge would help someone stuck at the airport without proof of onward travel. I guess what I would have done then is bought a ticket to HK at the airport, then entered Tw on my TECO-purchased 60 day multiple entry visa.

[brian]

Pop Fly that�s good news about your friend, and it is great to get a first hand experience about the cruise. We need to thank Aristotle for bringing this to our attention.

[Aristotle]

I think what it really comes down to is how much of a racist idiot the immigration officer is who handles your passport. If you look like what they like to see, expect an easy ride.
If you are of African or South Asian decent you can expect to be hassled and refused entry even if all you paperwork is in order.
I have in my possession a report for a South African English instructor teaching at a National University that was refused entry for no reason whatsoever. The fact that he had been teaching in a National University and had letters and documentation to prove it was irrelevant. What did this individual do you ask, he tried to bring his dark complectioned- African wife and children into Taiwan as dependents and ended up getting them all barred from entry by immigration officials at the airport.
Foreigners who travel with Chinese spouses and children can expect to be harassed as well. Most people in this category are forced to go though immigration separately to avoid being harassed by the immigration officers.
If you are the typical WASP, single and unemployed you can expect a pass with very little effort.
Welcome to Taiwan,
A.

[TaoyuanSteve]

To Pop fly:

It is doubtful that J-S will provide you with any rational explanation regarding the savings of a one-way versus a roundtrip, open-ended return ticket. This topic is getting old. I pointed out long ago how there is a savings to be had on roundtrips vs one-ways and he suggested (without evidence) that round-trips cost double that of one-way tickets. I pointed out that the one ways cost 3/4 the cost or more of a roundtrip and how that, on a recent trip "home," I elected to purchase another open round-trip ticket instead of a one way precisely because of the cost savings. This was lost on J-S who prefers to see forum discussions as something to be "won."

In summary, point taken that entry into Taiwan is possible on one-ways. I just don't think it's a) worth the risk to play with regulations b) very smart from a financial standpoint.

[Pop Fly]

[jason_seeburn]

Pop Fly wrote:

[Fortigurn]

[alamuerte]

i said i wouldn't get involved in the "debate" but here i am.
i'm here now, taipei. jason (chris) get a fu#ckin' life, it's over for you.
life has passed you by. toranta' was never my cup of tea but try to make something of it.
as to the star cruise deal, the boys here say you have to have
the visitor visa not the landing visa to extend it, via the international
waters run.
i'm in the taipei hostel, ( gawd, if any of you twenty somethings are still awake, let's talk) this is an ongoing topic believe me.
the newest scam is to have two return bookings for hong kong.
that is, in series. so that they're on a 28 day cycle and .....no i'll wait till the trollers mull it over...
well it looks like my worst fear has been realized.
i have to put a spin on something i have to 'contribute'.
well boys i have a job here ( taiwan ) and that makes me a player.
so 'let's rock' as al bundy would say.