Taiwan immigration
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 Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2005 1:25 pm Post subject: VISA TO TAIWAN / TAIWAN IMMIGRATION GUIDE |
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VISA TO TAIWAN / TAIWAN IMMIGRATION GUIDE
TYPES OF VISAS SPECIAL NOTE: Fees/rules subject to change
1) Visitor Visas
2) Visa Exempt Entry or "Visa Free"
3) Landing Visa
4) Student Visa (Studying Chinese)
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[b]1) Visitor Visas - (Recommended Visa for 'newbies')
a) 2 week (14 days) single entry visa (no extensions permitted)
b) 30 day single entry visa (no extensions permitted)
c) 60 day multiple entry visa (*extendable within 10 days before expiry)
Foreigners who are intending to visit Taiwan for less than six months can enter Taiwan on a Visitor Visa, which is obtained through R.O.C. embassies, consulates, and designated Representative Offices abroad for *'legitimate reasons.'
Those holding a 60 day Visitor Visa may apply for a maximum of two extensions of 60 days each, for a total stay of six months and must do so 10 days before expiry at any city/county police headquarters in Taiwan. 2 months is the norm for most applicants who apply for one in their home country's Taiwan 'consulate', ROC embassy or representative office. It is almost unheard of to get a 60 day multiple entry visa while traveling in Asia and you’ll need to apply at the Taiwan 'consulate', ROC embassy or representative office in your country (they aren’t technically called consulates because officially Taiwan is not a country, only a ‘province or Republic of China’.) Visas are normally issued in one day.
To apply for (and receive) an extension on your 60 day visa, you'll need to fill out an application form, show your original and one copy of your passport, an address of the people you will be staying with in Taiwan that are either citizens or have an ARC, and/or the language school enrollment certificate and/or class schedule if you are studying Chinese at an approved private language center or university. If you are employed in Taiwan, you will need a work permit issued by the proper authorities, and if for medical treatment, you'll need proper documents from a hospital. If you become employeed while on your visitor visa, you may apply for a work visa/resident visa (ARC) in Taiwan but you may have to make a brief 'visa run' to complete the process (but you won't have to return to your home country).
If this process sounds like a bit of a guessing game, it is because the Taiwan government and it’s affiliated overseas consulate visa processing officers are given a lot of latitude with regard to who, how and why they give out visas and they may give a shorter or longer visa depending on a variety of factors including your appearance, your reason for travel (tourism, visiting friends/family, business, medical, transit & language study) and how they feel that day, literally!
However, you must show some compelling reason to stay in Taiwan for 6 months to 5 years as the Taiwan government even admits it doesn’t take more than a few months to see or visit all the major landmarks and tourist destinations as a tourist. If you contact a visa agency they will apply for a long term visa on your behalf and if you have a business or have friends or family who can vouch for you as a member of their business then you may qualify for a long term multiple entry visa without more than a few photos, and a letter from the business talking about your need to travel in and out of Taiwan frequently to scout out potential business contacts, locations, trade partners, etc.. These, along with the small fee and the visa service will take care of everything for you.
The visa may be:
1. ‘single-entry’ -
good for one entry and then you must re-apply for a new visa NT$1,200 per application if applied in the ROC;
US$36 per application if applied overseas.
2. ‘multiple-entry’ -
you may enter and exit the country without needing to apply for a new visa or visiting any consulate office. The visa is valid for up to one year, or up to five years and is free for citizens of those countries that have signed reciprocal agreements with the R.O.C.
*Maximum stay of up to six months
NT$2,400 per application if applied in the ROC;
US$72 per application if applied overseas.
3. US citizens -
The Visa application fee is NT$3,600 (US$100)
4. Group entries -
If more than eight persons wish to enter and exit the ROC as a group at the same time, they may apply for a group visitor visa and each member of the group shall be charged 50% of the original fee.
NOTE: Studying Chinese language at a government-approved language center is a valid reason to be granted an extension on a 60-day visitor visa.
If you hospitalized, you will also be given an extension.
Extensions require supporting documentation ALWAYS.
Requirements:
1.
A passport valid for at least six months. (Unless otherwise stipulated by treaties or agreements)
2.
A confirmed return air (steamer) ticket or an air (steamer) ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed air (steamer) seat reservation for departure.
3.
No criminal record verified by the airport or seaport police (rarely verified/enforced, but still part of legal regulations).
NOTE:
Visitor Visa holders who are permitted to stay in Taiwan for sixty or ninety days and whose visas bear no such remark as "no extension will be granted" may apply at the nearest city/county police headquarters for a maximum of 120 or 90 days of extensions.
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2. Visa Exempt Entry ('Visa Free')
Foreigners may land in Taiwan without a visa but receive a stamp in their passport on arrival for a maximum stay of 2 weeks (with no extensions permitted.)
Eligible countries for application:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands (Holland), Portugal, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, U.K., U.S.A. and Switzerland.
Requirements:
1. A passport valid for at least six months. (Unless otherwise stipulated by treaties or agreements)
2. A confirmed return air (steamer) ticket or an air (steamer) ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed air (steamer) seat reservation for departure.
3. No criminal record verified by the airport or seaport police (rarely verified/enforced, but still part of legal regulations).
Duration of stay:
14 days (no extension is permitted)
Disembarkation ports:
C.K.S. International Airport (Taipei airport located in Taoyuan County), Kaohsiung International Airport, Keelung Harbor, Hualien Harbor, Taichung Harbor and Kaohsiung Harbor.
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3) Landing Visa
This is similar to the 'Visa Exempt Entry' or 'Visa Free' method arriving in Taiwan without a visa, except you will have to pay a small fee and fill out a form to receive the visa (if you are from the qualifying countries for entry), but you will receive a full month instead of only 14 days. You will have to leave Taiwan at the end of the 30 days even if you find employment and apply for a work/resident visa (see 'visa runs'.)
Duration of stay:
30 days (no extension permitted)
A landing visa allows those arriving in Taiwan without a visa to fill out a visa application form on arrival at the airport and to pay a fee to obtain permission to stay for 30 days maximum.
Eligible countries for application:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, the Netherlands (Holland), Poland, Portugal, Spain, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K. and U.S.A.
Requirements:
1. A passport valid for at least six months.
2. A confirmed return air ticket or an air ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure.
3. Completed application form with photo.
4. Visa fee NT$1,200 (countries under the reciprocal agreements shall be issued for free) plus a handling fee of $800 NT. For Americans, Visa application fee of NT$1,500 plus a handling fee of NT$800.
5. No criminal record verified by the airport police (rarely verified/enforced, but still part of legal regulations).
6. You cannot be afflicted with a ‘critical’ or communicable disease.
(This is rarely verified/enforced, this is grounds for immediate deportation, ie. AIDS/HIV)
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4) Student Visas and Studying Chinese
If you plan to study Chinese in Taiwan this is a great way to stay in Taiwan legally (and you can even work illegally on the side with less potential legal hassles as long as you are enrolled in a ‘government approved’ language school or university). Normally, prior to arrival in the R.O.C., students will apply for a 60-day Visitor Visa at the nearest ROC Representative Offices in their home country.
Having a multiple-entry visa is more convenient than a single-entry visa because when you first arrive you may need to leave Taiwan once or twice before your ARC is approved (most students get an ARC if they plan to study at a University or school for a year or more) but is not that easy to obtain a multiple entry visa for some. Students can extend their visas in Taiwan by obtaining a certificate from a government approved school stating they have attended classes for ten hours per week. After 180 days, a student must either leave the country or apply for a resident visa. To get a resident visa (aka Alien Residence Certificate (ARC) as a student, you must have already studied for at least 4 months at a 'government approved school' and have proof of prepaid tuition for another 3 months in the future.
In general, one must submit a letter of acceptance from the language school that s/he will be attending, as well as documentation indicating sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their period of study in Taiwan. (You normally have to supply a bank statement showing you have at least NT$100,000, approx. $3,000USD.) Passport-sized photos are also required. Sometimes students may also be asked to show their return air ticket.
You will generally receive a visa through the school but you must show the proper documentation (and make sure it has a stamp from the school!) from the school, passport photos, and proof of enrollment (and do this several days prior to your visa expiration date) in order to receive a visa when traveling to a nearby country’s consulate office to receive a new entry visa. Furthermore, you must attend classes on a regular basis and too many tardies can actually jeopardize your visa so only serious students should attempt this method.
However, there is one 'special' school in Taipei, C.L.I., Chinese Language Institution of R.O.C. (formerly known as “Flag School” or “Flag”) which will give you paperwork/documentation to allow you to stay for up to 6 months as with any other language school, and to show the consulate in another country when you go on your visa run which will show you are enrolled in Chinese classes, but the beauty of this situation is you don’t actually ever have to go to classes! (http://www.clivisa.com.tw).
They have worked out some kind of informal/under the table situation with the government and they prefer if you don’t ask too many questions, but other than the rare occasions when you may get a call telling you that a police inspector may make a visit to their “school” you don’t actually have to visit their location until you are ready to apply for a new visa (normally every 2 months.) You still have to leave the country and get a new visa to replace the old one. You'll still get a two month visa...but it will be EXTENDABLE! No more flying out of the country every two months for a new visa. You go to the Foreign Affairs Police every two months, show them you study Chinese by your proof of enrollment and they will stamp your passport for two more months, up to six months.
See the 'Language Study' chapter for a list of Government approved schools in your county.
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