Job Discussion Forums

[Chinup]

Hi guys!

Basic background;
I am looking to teach English in Taipei for 1yr+
I plan to come to Taipei in March 2010, then look for work when I arrive
I will be on a 60 day (non renewable) visitor VISA during my job search

My questions are;

1/ If I manage to find work on my Visitor Visa, I will then have to convert to an ARC in order to work legally. However apparently proof of residential address is required on an application for ARC (telephone bill, lease agreement, etc). The thing is, I will probably be staying in a hostel at the time, and would only wish to secure an apartment once I secure a teaching job with a school (and I'm hoping the school will help me look). What would I do - put down the address of the hostel I am living at as my residential address? How would I prove this?

2/ I have read that it may take 1-2 months to complete the processing of an ARC, mainly due to the processing of the work permit by the school. Is it common practice for the school to request the new teacher to teach while the ARC is still being processed? Is this advisable and how would I respond to such a request?

3/ My visitor Visa will expire if the processing of the ARC drags on. I have read that it is possible for you to extend/obtain a 60-day visitor visa right there in Taiwan; "You can do so at the BOCA near NTU Hospital MRT. However, you must have a work permit in hand in order for BOCA to give you the visa." However can I get this extension with a "non-renewable" 60-day Visitor Visa? - I am reading conflicting answers.

4/ If the answer to q.3 is that I have to do a VISA RUN, then do I tell the consulate (at the suggested places like Hong Kong, Okinawa, Bangkok...) that I am seeking a 60 day Visitor Visa for sightseeing purposes? I know that this is recommended if you are coming from US, Canada, Uk and Austalia (my country). But is the "sightseeing" reason still applicable when getting a visa in the "visa run" cities. Would I just be honest and say that I am having my work permit processed?

Thanks for your help