Job Discussion Forums

[travellingchad]

So I am flying to Bangkok for a month vacation in September. The return flight to the US is in early October and I plan on skipping my connecting flight to SFO from Taipei to begin work.
First question is whether customs will let you through with a connecting flight ticket 3 hours later...
Second question - I have heard October is a bad month to look for a job... I really am not that worried but I don't have too many funds to get by on till I do.. Just enough I am hoping...
What is everyone's advice?

[sbettinson]

hmmm.

Whether or not customs let you in is a tricky one. Quite often they don't want to see your onward ticket but then it is luck of the draw. Quite often the airline want to see a ticket before they let you on the flight to Taipei. You could buy an onward ticket to Hong Kong which is only cheap and then get it refunded once inside Taiwan. That is an option if you want to be safe.

The funds I would say are a problem and are going to make you more desperate in your job search. You may end up taking the first thing offered and it might end up being a bad experience. Again, luck of the draw.

Try to have as many funds as possible. Your aim should be to find a job within your 60 days visa limit so you should have enough funds to cover you for this period. Cheap hostels and food shouldn't burn up your cash too much. Most people come here with around US$1,000+ to allow for start up costs, job search and tying you over for one month before getting your first pay check. You will need 2 months deposit and 1 month in advance for your rent on an apartment. That is the big blow to the pocket.

I don't know about October being a bad time but it isn't the best time. There are obviously peak times but there are always jobs going in Taiwan.

Before you come, plan everything out in terms of cashflow, an escape route in terms of a return flight home. It is a small percentage but some don't like life here or don't find a job and need to go back home. Allow for this as a possibility. You don't want to be stuck here with no money, no job and no way home!

If all is well on the planning just arrive with a 60 day visitor visa, a sense of adventure and an open mind. You'll be fine.

Good luck and enjoy Thailand.

Shaun

[Aristotle]

You should have no problems checking through customs with a ticket that departs on the same day you arrive so long as you meet the requirements.
Many business people do this and it would benefit you greatly to get a Multiple Entry Visa for business purposes before you arrive. Just tell the immigration officials you are meeting a friend for lunch in Tao-yuan before you head out ( if they ask). You will be given a 30 day landing visa if the passport you are traveling on is on the list!.