My friend is coming to Taiwan briefly in April, but he needs to visit China in May for a few months, then he’s planning to come here and stay for a while (probably extend the visitor visa to 6 months etc.) So I’m wondering if it’s possible the immigration can give him a landing visa, although his passport has a visitor visa already? I also heard somewhere that you can use the visitor visa multiple times and it resets the 2 month period?
I have one other question unrelated. If we get married, would he be eligible for an ARC through my ARC? I work here and hold an ARC but he would not be working, just living here with my support. How does it work if we marry in Taiwan? Is there a waiting period?
Thanks a bunch, I’m a long-time lurker here, this is a great community!
I don’t know if one can use visa-free entry (different than a landing visa) if one already has a valid visitor’s visa. My guess would be no. But your post raises some other issues.
Some visitor visas are multiple entry, some are not. Which does he have? If he has a multiple-entry visa, he should use it upon first entry. Then when he returns he can use it again – if it hasn’t expired in the meanwhile. So check the expiration date, too, and let us know that. Also, what’s his nationality?
Yes.
That’s good, because his ARC based on marriage to a foreigner would not permit him to work. He’d have to get a different one to do that here.
You might find it easier to marry outside Taiwan. Hong Kong is a popular choice for foreigners in Taiwan who marry other foreigners. Look around in the marriage forum for more info.
Thanks for your answers… that’s very helpful. Yes, I did mean visa-free entry actually. And he’s American (but born in China… but holds US passport.) I’m American too. He hasn’t gotten the visa yet so I’m not sure if it’ll be multiple. Every Taiwan visa I have ever gotten is multiple though, so I assume he’ll get that too.
So basically if it’s multiple he’ll enter in April, use it, then come back in July or whatever and use it again? And it will still have the two month validity? (and ability to extend to 6 months?)
So I’m guessing during the fall, we can go to HK and get hitched, then apply for his ARC while there? How long would the ARC process take? I assume health check would still be required for this… should we do health check in HK or TW?
Thanks so much, this has been more informative than calling the government offices… blah
Don’t assume that it would be multiple entry. Be sure to specify when getting the visa.
I’m pretty sure that he’ll have to do visa runs vs simply extending the visa. I think simple extensions need a real reason like taking classes (and proof). but I could be wrong and maybe someone else can comment so you can budget accordingly.
You apply for the ARC and do the health check in Taiwan. before the ARC he might need to get a resident visa (in HK?) or is a multiple entry visa sufficient. but you don’t need to leave Taiwan for this IIRC.
