Job Discussion Forums

[rbos]

I'm hoping to come to Taiwan on a 60-day visitor visa to look for work, but on the visa application I noticed it asks you to list someone who lives in Taiwan as a reference.

I decided to contact the Los Angeles Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office to find out if I'm really required to list a reference, since I don't think I have one - I've never even been to Taiwan before. They told me that I still had to put someone in Taiwan down as a reference (and it looks like I even have to put down their Taiwan national ID number/ARC permit number too - it also sounds pretty intrusive if you ask me).

Does anyone know if there's an alternative around having to list someone as a reference??? Do all TECO branches strictly require this?

[Dr_Zoidberg]

I had the same thing happen to me when I came to Taiwan almost 7 years ago.

Ignore it. Pretend you never asked them anything.

[yamahuh]

I've never been asked to supply that info at any TECO office and I've been to a few. Toronto - Manila - Hanoi - Hong Kong... I've been asked for pretty much everything else at one point or another though.

[Dr_Zoidberg]

The Toronto office asked me for a reference just like the OP is now being ask by the LA office.

They insisted they needed one. When I handed in my application without one they insisted again, but took my passport and money.

When I picked it up two days later, they simply returned my passport with the visa in it and said nothing.

rbos, here's how to play the face game with Taiwanese officials: Never question their decisions, but instead defer to their authority by asking if there is an alternative. And when they stonewall you, pretend nothing was said, smile and say thank you.

Of course it was a different story last year when I got married and Toronto TECO was being deliberately obtuse - it's amazing how quickly they cave when confronted by an ROC citizen.

[yamahuh]

I think it depends on the day and how pissy the desk clerk is feeling.
The TECO in T.O has never asked me for a reference but last year they did ask me to supply bank statements, proof of departure and an itinerary.

Doesn't help when you've got 4 or 5 'visitor' visas in your passport I guess...

[annmt]

What documents should be submitted for 'purpose of visit'? I have the plane tickets and everything else but they seem to want something from a travel agency... is there anything I can submit in lieu of this? Will a letter from the school work?

[ptm234]

The Ho Chi Minh city office asked me for a letter from a Taiwanese resident inviting me to visit Taiwan with proof of residency.

DO NOT give them a letter that you will be working there.

[yamahuh]