Job Discussion Forums

Mary Ann Davis · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 30 Location: Asia

1. Is this correct? Come to Taiwan w/ a visitor�s visa rather than a free visa? (US free upon arrival 30 days visa.) It would be a lot easier to just fly to Taipei/KHH & use the free 30-day one. Getting a visitor visa would mean a trip to Delhi, perhaps Thailand. (I'm on the mainland).

2. Learning from my mistakes: seems to me that you need a notebook/laptop to connect w/ work. I tried recruiters, newpapers, etc., but I think the boards are best. I'd like to buy a laptop on the mainland to bring with me so I could connect immediately. Internet shops are hard to find. Agree/disagree?

3. Cash on hand. How much, minimum? (I am frugal.)

Thank you a lot. Mary Ann

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

Hi Mary Ann,

I'll answer your questions but remember that they're just one opinion. There will probably be more to chose from.

You'll need a 60 day visa. It's the only one that can be exchanged to a working visa. However there seems to be something strangeness afoot that may require you to leave the island to get your working visa anyway. Someone else may have some information.

I would wait and buy the computer here. Almost without exception, everyone I know has needed repairs on their laptop within the first few months. I think it would be easier to have it repaired where you bought it.

If you don't have a network here, I think finding a job on the internet is the most practical way to do it.

I strongly suggest that you buy a cheap phone as soon as possible. You will probably need help with this because I think you need an ARC to be able to buy phone service.

Money:
A studio will cost you 6-7 thousand, a bigger place up to 15. (I'm assuming you're not in Taipei and don't want a big apartment.) Renting the apartment will require three month's rent up front.

Eating locally and fixing your own food you might spend as little as 3,000 a month. I'm a hedonist with food allergies, so I buy a lot of organic and Western food (and have a Starbucks addiction) so spend about 12,000 a month.

If you take taxies figure about 300NT a day. The bus (if there is one) would be 30-40 a day. Walking is free and a scooter might be 10-20 thousand.

Getting your ARC will cost you about 6,500- if I remember correctly . (1,000 for the medical check, 4,500 for the Work Permit and 1,000 for the ARC)

BigWally · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 12:58 pm Post subject: Re: Setting Up Shop in Taiwan

MomCat · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 297

BJ · Joined: 03 Dec 2003 Posts: 173

Supermarket for drinks, and food stuffs like milk, eggs etc cost me approx 1000 a week, I normally eat a local restaurant meal for around 100 a day, and a breakfast for around 50. So aye around 300nt a day, 10 US dollars is about right. You can live cheaper of course, a sandwich and bean milk for breakfast around 25nt, a lunch box around 60 NT, and a takeout for dinner around 60 total 5 US. Whilst enough to survive easily it would be a little boring:)
But add in those cups of coffee, or juices, occasional good meals out etc and the cost rises you can easily get the cost up to over 500nt a day average.

BigWally · Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 5:17 pm Post subject:

I have to admit that I'm a tea addict, and I always drink at least 1 if not 2 per day, which adds about $80 to my daily food expenses...