Big trouble in Little China (Visa run fun)

Legal Legal - Work
1

My ARC expires on the 15th Feb (along with my Cdn wife’s and son’s who are on visas under mine).

I am having some trouble because my school has never done a renewal and it sounds like they’ve left it too late, what with CNY and all. The issue is made more complicated in that the government is requiring all my tax forms etc. which I haven’t paid or submitted in the two plus years I’ve been here (lazy, not dishonest). Here are two questions:

I am going to try and run into the tax office on the 14th and make good on all my taxes etc. but that only leaves me with one day before my ARC expires. My boss is hopeful that if we can at least get the paperwork in on the 14th or 15th I can go to the FAP and get an extension. What say all of you about this? Is this scenario possible?

We have Air mile points from Philipine Air, and I’m thinking that if we’re going to have to do a run we’ll go to Manila. Has anyone done a run to the Philipines, and if so is there anything I should know in advance? We don’t have plane tickets out of Taiwan, so what’s the easiest (cheapest, fastest) way to get tickets that will allow us to apply for a visitor’s visa?

I’ve never had to do a visa run, so I’m a tad nervous. I guess it’s a rite of passage for foriegners here though, right?

2

Yes, it is. Go to the FAP on the 14th with as much (relevant) documentation as you can. Be nice, explain your situation and how your school is renewing your current ARC. The extension quite possibly could come.

I know for a fact that you could get an extension in your situation. I also know for a fact it’s possible you might not. Such is life in/on Taiwan.

Hope everything works out. Sounds to me like you shouldn’t have any problem getting an extension though.

3

The police will/should give you a 30 day extension. Sometimes, it all depends on the mood of the person behind the counter. Good luck.

4

I’ve been through this situation twice before, both times due to my employer’s administrative incompetence… The 1st time, it was easier just to apply for a new working permit (rather than extend the existing permit); the 2nd time, I was able to get a 30-day extension on my ARC, and then extend the work permit.