Job Discussion Forums

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

I haven't even arrived in Taiwan yet and already I am witnessing the bureaucracy of the place.

I just called the Visa office in the UK to confirm the price of a visa and also to confirm the documentation.

I was told that I would need an invitation letter for a 60 day visa for tourist purposes but only 3 weeks ago I was told I would need to send through a bank statement showing sufficient funds (around 40 GBP per day.) There was no mention today of a statement being required. How surprising (goalposts have changed.)

I am sending through the original requested documentation and will cross my fingers and toes.

In the event that a letter is required I guess I should think about adjusting my departure date to give me time to organise this. (thank heaven or rather KLM for flexible tickets!)

Anyone else been through something similar?

wombat · Joined: 18 Jun 2004 Posts: 134

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

Thanks for the humorous reply.

I could tell that the girl on the other end of the phone had just plucked that requirement out of the air. The bank statement I could understand as you would need some money to cover you for tourism for 2 months.

As for the letter of invitation I have never heard of someone having to be invited to go on holiday.

They obviously know the reasons why we are going so they just want you to jump through hoops.

My fingers and toes are crossed and I will let you know the outcome.

Cheers!

canadian-girl · Joined: 07 Aug 2004 Posts: 46 Location: yangmei, taiwan

I am in the process of getting my visa as well, but i'm from canada. my company gave me an invitation letter, but apparently, it won't make much of a difference. They no longer require it for a tourist visa in canada. The whole Visa process is enough to make my head spin. Good luck!

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

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

I am applying for a tourist visa and I told them that I was planning to visit Taiwan for up to 60 days as a tourist. As a tourist, why would you need an invitation letter and who the hell would issue it if you don't know anyone in Taiwan who would sponsor the application?

They obviously know the score in that most people going there are planning to teach so they are just being awkward. Why in the space of two weeks for the same circumstances would they say that I first of all need a bank letter and then say I need an invitation with no mention of the original bank statement?

The application is in now and I am just waiting for the reply. They have my contact details and if there are any issues they can call me to 'discuss' or rather inform me of what I need to do.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and I will be relieved once these things come through. It is the first of my hurdles to overcome and perseverance is the name of the game.

S

phil82 · Joined: 25 Apr 2003 Posts: 37 Location: Taoyuan

Shaun,

I think that your situation is simply a misunderstanding. I came here in January on a tourist visa and know a few people who have come from the UK since and we all had no problems.

I'm sure the person at the embassy just misunderstood what you wanted.

Don't worry, you'll get your visa no problem.

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

I think that seems to be the case.

Got a call from the embassy this morning and they said I needed to send a postal order as they don't accept personal cheques. No mention of any other documentation.

I now I have to battle with the massive queues at the post office to get that! Wonder if they might take my visa/debit card over the phone? The office is shut now so I will have to phone tomorrow.

TTFN

Shaun

kait · Joined: 17 Jun 2004 Posts: 93 Location: Lungtan, Taiwan

Well Shaun,

I would like to extend an invitation for you to come to Taiwan. I would have invited you earlier if I had only known you wanted to come. Very Happy

I had some frustration with my Visa process as well. I called to ask about what I would need to send. The lady insisted on sending me a packet instead of explaining it on the phone. This made sense because the list was about 4 items long. Anyway, when my packet arrived, the information was in Chinese. I called her to ask that she finally just tell me over the phone. The woman categorically denied that my packet was in Chinese. "That's impossible. All of our forms are in English!" ARGH!!!

sbettinson · Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Posts: 81 Location: Taichung

Finally got the visas today for me and my girlfriend. Hurrah!

Heading out on Thursday next week. Perhaps will get to meet some of you if you are willing to come out of the shadows!

Adios.

Shaun

vagabon'sean · Joined: 05 Oct 2004 Posts: 5 Location: Mississauga, Ont, CA

[quote="Aristotle"]