Job Discussion Forums

[sbettinson]

Hi guys,

Once you have your visa in place to come to Taiwan for the first time I would like to know the best form of flight arrangements.

I am currently looking at an open return ticket coming from the UK to Taipei. It is possible to change the return date as long as you give 24 hours notice but the ticket is only valid for a maximum stay of 12 months.

If I book this to come out say on 3rd Nov 2004 and return on 3rd Nov 2005 will customs look at me suspiciously if I only have a 60 day visa and a return flight 365 days after I enter. I presume that I should be looking at getting a ticket that returns to Hong Kong or has onward travel to somewhere else within the remit of the visa duration?

It may take me a few weeks to land a job in Taiwan so I will be staying for more than a year once my contract starts rendering any open return flight useless anyway.

Please help me with any advice/personal experience as I am confused.

Thanks in advance.

Shaun

[phil82]

Shaun,

I had the same problem when I came here. I booked an open return flight leaving the UK in January and I booked a return for March as I only had a 60 day visa. When I got a job and an ARC I changed this return date to January.

However, when I arrived here the immigration officials weren't interested in any return dates only that I had a ticket booked for a flight out of Taiwan.

This is only my experience, maybe other officials will check so I think it's worthwhile to book your return within in 60 days and then change it.

As for your other point, it took me a few weeks to find a job and as my ticket is a one year return I will have to leave before I have finished a year at my school. My school are fine with that though, I only leave a week before the end of semester anyway. I wouldn't worry about not being able to stay for the full year because the price of two one-way tickets is usually more expensive than a return.

[sbettinson]

Phil,

You're a star. Thanks for the advice.

I'll book the flight for return within 60 days as I don't want any officials on my back unnecessarily and as Aristotle rightly says, "There is no consistency" which I think applies in most countries anyway.

TTFN

Shaun