Job Discussion Forums

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

I phoned the Australian Taiwanese cultural office and they directed me to their website for information on how to apply for a 60-day visitor visa. I followed all the instructions carefully, then lodged the application.
I received an email that evening telling me that I had not included a full medical or police check with the application. I was told that I had not followed the instructions on the website correctly
I replied to the email to explain that the instructions did not mention either of these points and that perhaps they should update their website. They reply and tell me to get these two documents and they will process my application - no comment is made about the fact that their website does not mention these details.
So off i went for a medical and i got the police check done for a nice $40 australian.
I resubmitted my application.
That evening i receive another email again being informed that i had not followed the instructions on the website and that i had submitted a state police check, when a federal police check (cost of $60-80) is required.
And this is all for a visitor visa that im applying for on the auspice that i will be arriving in taiwan for tourism!
Any advice anyone??
Does this sound correct or are they just trying to make it hard for me?

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

This is all new, and I suspect that it is tied to the 60 day visa. If you went for a thirty day then you would probably find that the process would be less stringent.

If the process you have stated is now the norm then I would think the best thing to do would be to arrive here without a visa and get an landing visa at the airport here. It is only good for thirty days, is not extendable, and is not convertable into a resident visa should you get a job, but it is much cheaper and pressure free.

Once you have found a job you can then prepare the paperwork for a resident visa and apply for the resident visa in Hong Kong or somewhere. This is certainly not the norm, but then what they are asking you for hasn't been the norm in the past either.

Chefintaipei · Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 30

I agree with Griswald, sounds like they're making it hard for you. Not that it'll make you feel any better but I've just arrived in Taipei a couple of weeks ago from Oz. I applied to the TECO in Sydney and they didn't ask me for a police check or medical (and I'm a pommie!!). However, I did have to buy a return ticket before applying for the 60 day visa which at the time I thought was a bit dodgy but everything went smoothly after all. I think it's a case of one rule for one person and another rule for someone else......welcome to Taiwan!!!

wix · Joined: 21 Apr 2003 Posts: 250 Location: Earth

Exactly which office where you dealing with? Was it Sydney, Canberra or Melbourne? (I think there is one in Brisbane too). Perhaps trying another office might see an end to the hassles.

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

I am guessing that you told them that you want to be a teacher. Foreigners on Taiwan are deemed undesirables and only foreigners who bring in money are openly tolerated.
Foreign teachers are treated as cultural pollution.
Go to the local police station and ask for statement of no criminal history. Should take a few minutes.
Please read this.
Link to Success!

Good luck!
A.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

Different offices, and indeed different people, have different ideas about these requirements. I have never heard of either being a requirement for a tourist visa for Taiwan before though. I think that Wix is onto the right idea. Apparently the Melbourne office is a lot more difficult than the Sydney office. Is it a multiple entry or a single entry? The latter will be a lot more easier to get. Not sure what I can tell you about your emails. Go to the visa office in person. Really it is the best way. Take proof of funds (including a credit card) and the ID of a friend in Taiwan if you can. And smile a lot.

ramakentesh · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Posts: 145

Thanks for the info. I called them and they have changed there mind and now tell me that this isnt required for a visitor visa, only if/when i convert it into a resident visa.
Aristotle - two points. 1. Im not stupid enough to tell them that i am going to be a teacher. 2. in Australia you cant get a statement of criminal record by walking into a police station. If you had taken the time to read my post, in Australia you need to apply in writing for a state/federal criminal records check.

cheers.

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

Wonder · Joined: 29 Jun 2003 Posts: 109

I have to side with Aristotle on this one. Why else would the Taiwanese government make you go all the way to HK or where ever to get a Visitor's Visa, which in most cases is 30 days (exactly like a landing visa), just so you could convert said Visitor's Visa into a resident's visa???? Shocked

I mean, what is that? A make work project?

Why would they make it so difficult unless they were trying to discourage foreigners from working here? The last time I went to HK they grilled me like I was a fricking criminal, and all I wanted was a visitor's visa!!! All of my paper work was done to the letter.

It's a big sham. They change the requirements every three to six months without notice and then put you in the hotseat and try to catch you in a lie by splitting hairs on your response to their useless questions.