Hi all, really I am sorry if this has been already talked about, but I DID look for the information before posting this, really!
I took a job at a bushiban and they told me that they could have me work at their location as a “textbook writer of english books” but it sounded as though they could get me an ARC, so I thought “sure, whatever…fine” and now they learned that I have to have 2 years of documented teaching experience (I have one) and so I had to make a trip to HK for a visa run.
My company was very apologetic and they told me they will pay for all future visa runs until they become “legal” which they told me would be in a “few months”, however they seem to know nothing about visa procedures, and after scouring the internet, I am little the wiser myself.
I want to get a 60 day visa so that I can find a school that can sponsor an ARC so that I can work legally, but I hate those 30 day landing permits. Is there a viable way to obtain a 60 day? I know that I need the photos, proof of financial statements, a “trip itinerary” (I am visiting a Canadian friend here and staying with him).
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I wish I had known about the 60 day BEFORE coming here, but I came from Thailand after doing a TEFL-TESOL certificate course and a friend told me to come to Taiwan, and so I hopped on over, but I’ve been rushed since then.
1st:
Welcome, I hope you enjoy your time here and congrats with the job offer!
2nd:
You will have to leave. You can’t get a visitor visa while on this Island. Need to do a visa run. I would suggest Bangkok, as I have 2 visa success stories from there. Stay away from Hong Kong if you are trying for a 60 day.
3rd:
Try to get your potential employer to start a work permit for you. Have them give you an offer letter and bring that with you to Bangkok.
Keep in mind that workarounds such as this are illegal and may result in your deportation if caught teaching instead of writing books.
In any case, visa free stamps cannot be exchanged for any other visa within Taiwan. An extensible visa (i.e. most visas you get at an overseas office) can be exchanged for a resident visa within Taiwan. So if you do go on a visa run, you are better off getting a visitor visa before returning. If you enter again on visa-free entry then you will have to do another visa run once your work permit is approved.