I’m looking to get an APRC, I meet the 5-year continuous stay requirement (I checked at the Immigration Office), but I’m currently in Taiwan on the Visa Exemption/Landing Visa. I asked 3 people at the NIA if I can convert my visa to an APRC. 2 said yes. But the last woman, Miss Huang, apparently in charge of these affairs, said I can’t.
I did hold an ARC until last month, but I quit my job and hence my ARC because I was planning to go home to the UK. But the situation has recently changed - I found a job which I really want to do, but they can’t/won’t/dont know how to apply for a work permit and ARC/APRC for me.
I asked my old school can they do me a favour, or re-hire me temporarily. No go on that.
So I’m wondering what my options are? I could find a job with another buxiban, then once I get my ARC with them, convert that to an APRC, then quit that job. Or apply for an APRC with the buxiban… don’t know if I can do that? Or is there any other options? I’d rather not have to go through all that bother, but if that’s the only way…
Meanwhile, I’ve submitted the police check in the UK, so I’m waiting on that.
[quote=“drak”]I’m looking to get an APRC, I meet the 5-year continuous stay requirement (I checked at the Immigration Office), but I’m currently in Taiwan on the Visa Exemption/Landing Visa. I asked 3 people at the NIA if I can convert my visa to an APRC. 2 said yes. But the last woman, Miss Huang, apparently in charge of these affairs, said I can’t.
I did hold an ARC until last month, but I quit my job and hence my ARC because I was planning to go home to the UK. But the situation has recently changed - I found a job which I really want to do, but they can’t/won’t/dont know how to apply for a work permit and ARC/APRC for me.
I asked my old school can they do me a favour, or re-hire me temporarily. No go on that.
So I’m wondering what my options are? I could find a job with another buxiban, then once I get my ARC with them, convert that to an APRC, then quit that job. Or apply for an APRC with the buxiban… don’t know if I can do that? Or is there any other options? I’d rather not have to go through all that bother, but if that’s the only way…
Meanwhile, I’ve submitted the police check in the UK, so I’m waiting on that.
Thanks for any advice[/quote]
If you don’t have an ARC, you can’t get an APRC. Supposedly, any break (even a few days) between ARCs does not qualify you for the 5-year continuous stay requirement.
[quote=“drak”]I’m looking to get an APRC, I meet the 5-year continuous stay requirement (I checked at the Immigration Office), but I’m currently in Taiwan on the Visa Exemption/Landing Visa. I asked 3 people at the NIA if I can convert my visa to an APRC. 2 said yes. But the last woman, Miss Huang, apparently in charge of these affairs, said I can’t.
I did hold an ARC until last month, but I quit my job and hence my ARC because I was planning to go home to the UK. But the situation has recently changed - I found a job which I really want to do, but they can’t/won’t/dont know how to apply for a work permit and ARC/APRC for me.
I asked my old school can they do me a favour, or re-hire me temporarily. No go on that.
So I’m wondering what my options are? I could find a job with another buxiban, then once I get my ARC with them, convert that to an APRC, then quit that job. Or apply for an APRC with the buxiban… don’t know if I can do that? Or is there any other options? I’d rather not have to go through all that bother, but if that’s the only way…
Meanwhile, I’ve submitted the police check in the UK, so I’m waiting on that.
Thanks for any advice[/quote]
Well, you kind of fall into the grey area as it pertains to qualifying for the APRC. The way the law is written as it pertains to the 5 year continuous residency requirement is purposely vague and open to interpretation, as you have already experienced. Here’s how I interpret it…Once an individual has legally resided in Taiwan on an employment based ARC or a marriage based JFRV ARC for 5 continuous years at a minimum of 183 days per year for each of those five years…that individual has a window of 2 years past the 5 year mark in which they are qualified to apply for the APRC. So, theoretically, you should be able to apply for and be approved for the APRC within two years after your last work-permit/ARC ended regardless of your current visa status because you made the 5 year finish line. You should be able to apply for the APRC on a visitor visa or even a visa exempt status. The way other people get their “clocks” reset on the APRC is by having an ARC for less than the required 5 years and allowing their ARCs to expire which necessitates reprocessing and never reaching continuous 5 years of ARC/residency status. According to you, you’ve met the 5 year residency requirements and therefore should have 2 years to still apply and get the APRC.
Good luck and please keep all of us informed on your progress.
One of the requirements for an APRC application is a copy of your current ARC, so I’m thinking it’s essential that you hold an ARC.
I think most people who apply for an APRC have 5 or more continuous years of ARC, then they still hold an ARC when they apply. Or maybe, they leave taiwan for less than 2 years, then come back, apply for an ARC, then convert it.
The immigration office really just refused to allow me to apply on my current visa status… which is unfortunate for me.
And I know I can’t convert my visa status now to an ARC, so it requires me to fly out to Hong Kong or wherever.
[quote=“drak”]Thanks for the long reply northcoast surfer.
One of the requirements for an APRC application is a copy of your current ARC, so I’m thinking it’s essential that you hold an ARC.
I think most people who apply for an APRC have 5 or more continuous years of ARC, then they still hold an ARC when they apply. Or maybe, they leave taiwan for less than 2 years, then come back, apply for an ARC, then convert it.
The immigration office really just refused to allow me to apply on my current visa status… which is unfortunate for me.
And I know I can’t convert my visa status now to an ARC, so it requires me to fly out to Hong Kong or wherever.[/quote]
Alrighty then,here’s my recommendation.
Leave Taiwan and come back in on a visitor’s visa.
Return to Taiwan and apply for a job, get a work-permit and employment based ARC.
While you’re doing this, get the federal background check completed and the rest of the APRC checklist items started or completed.
Apply for the APRC.
Quit your job once you have the APRC or continue working on the APRC with an open-work permit.
One last question. Did you earn and report the minimum required income of $420,000 for your 5th year of residency? What’s your income for 2011?
The police check is already being processed, office in the UK received it yesterday.
I’ve just been informed in a teacher job interview that I can convert my visa exempt status to an resident visa/ARC without leaving the country. First I’d heard of that, maybe the rule was changed, but they seemed to be pretty sure of that. Less complications.
