I used to work as a teacher here, but left Taiwan to go home in May and came back in June on a 60-day multiple entry visitor visa. I have been studying at Shi Da since early June and had planned to apply for an ARC in early October after the 4 months of study.
However, I read on this forum that one is not permitted to apply for a student ARC unless he has stayed in Taiwan for 4 consecutive months without leaving. But I have left several times within this period already.
So does this mean I am ineligible to apply for a resident visa although I will have been in good standing at Shi Da for 4 months, and have studied there 4 consecutive months? It doesn’t make any sense, but I would believe it, in Taiwan.
If so, another visa run to get a NEW 60-day multiple entry would be needed, correct?
I have a friend who recently upgraded his Multiple Entry Visa to an ARC after studying 4 months at CCU. He did the same as you, left the island a couple times, but kept his attendance within the limits allowed for missed days. His grades are in the 90% range…
1st trip to get it done, he was told no…waited a day, went back and had no problems.
Rule of thumb here: When at first you don’t succeed, try try again.
the whole thing is hit or miss, I had classmates get it on their first try and others were denied repeatedly. Same grade, same level of attendance. I really think appearance is the difference. The guy who got it on the first try was thinking of becoming a priest and always dressed very conservatively the other guy was in t-shirts and shorts most of the time.
To be honest it really depends on the mood of the person processing your application. I applied for a resident visa after 4 months of studying at NCCU and was denied, on the basis of attendance. However I had only missed on average one class per month which is well below the the number of allowed absenses. I went back a few times to appeal but was just turned down. And as always when I went I was dressed smart in a shirt and trousers, so I don’t think that was the problem.
My schools seems to think the real reason why I was denied a resident visa was because I had previously taught English in Taiwan and so mofa thought that I was a student just so I could stay in Taiwan and teach. Of course this is totally illogical as if I had wanted to stay in Taiwan I could just get a work visa through which ever bushiban using my university degree.
Anywaythe point is it’s very hit and miss. So good luck and let us know the outcome.
Cheers