Bringing a non-Taiwanese, non-US spouse to Taiwan

I am likely to be transfered to Taipei within 18 months for my job. I have an interesting situation. My girlfriend lives in Vietnam and I was hoping to eventually marry her. The problem is, I don’t know the exact date of my transfer.

I can tell you that there is no chance of getting a spousal visa to the US approved in Vietnam in the timeframe we would need. So in order to join me in Taipei, she would have to fly from from Vietnam to Taipei.

I’ve asked my work for some advice, but they haven’t actually assigned me a formal moving agent yet, so all I can get is informal answers.

Does anybody know if it’s possible if we got married in Vietnam to bring her to Taiwan when I move? I’m not sure what visa she would get. Could she work or go to school on that visa? I am a US citizen with no Taiwanese permanent residency. She is a Vietnamese citizen. No US green card or other foreign residencies.

Taiwan has barriers against spouses with PRC citizenship residing in Taiwan. But citizens of other countries shouldn’t have such difficulties, though on a practical level you may have to jump through more hoops since your bride-to-be is Vietnamese rather than a Westerner. Having lots of official paperwork (e.g., at least an English translation of your marriage certificate, correspondence from your employer) will likely be necessary.

With her residency based upon her marriage to you, she would not be able to work. (There would probably be few job opportunities for her here anyway.) She would, however, be able to enroll in Mandarin classes or a university.

One of you should contact the closest Taiwan office in Vietnam:
[ul][li]Hanoi, tel. (002 84 4)3833 5501[/li]
[li]Ho Chi Minh City, tel. (002-84-8)38346264[/li][/ul]