First of all sorry if this is the wrong section to ask but there are so many sections on this great board so I just chose this one. I am coming in Jan to teach, I am doing the unthinkable and getting a job before I come, I know its not the best idea, but I just think its the best way for me to go. If I am planning to come for 12 to 18 months and I already have a job that is going to get me the work permits and stuff, do I have to have a return ticket to enter the country or can I just come in on a one way flight.
No you need a return ticket to show to the visa office when you apply for your visa. There are plenty of threads concerning this, better check it all out and talk with your employer before you make that ticket.
Relly, to safe you the search here is the website for the Bureau of Consular Affairs where you should find all related information: http://www.boca.gov.tw/english/index.htm . Welcome to Taiwan … 
It depends on the type of visa you apply for / you will get.
In three entries to Taiwan, i have only had to show a ticket once. My first time. Since then, I have shown them an itinerary depicting a flight out. This has worked well so far.
That said, I am in Bangkok right now on a visa run. I put the paperwork in this AM and was not asked for proof of exit. But I think it’s cuz I frazzled the poor girl woth lots of other things, she may have simply forgotten to ask. So, this thead is perfectly placed for me anyway. As I am in an internet cafe that doubles as a travel agent (and massage parlor and hostel and restaurant), I have asked the laoban to print me an itinerary showing intent to exit.
Will know more in an hour…keep watching…
Well, I got it. 60 day, single entry.
No one asked me for any onward travel docs.
Now…some interesting news. You can get same same day service here in BKK. It cost me 2200Baht and I picked up my passport 2 hours later.
I also discovered a hostel a stone’s throw from the TECO. 200 Baht a night. So an overnight visa run is entirely possible here in the land of a million (and 1 {mine}) smiles. I will be creating a knowleadge base post, but not at 2 baht a minute. 
ToeTravels
Cathay Pacific won’t let you on the plane if you don’t have either a resident visa or an onward ticket. Other airlines are less anal.
I posted on this on another forum a while ago in response to a similar question that was raised.
In light of new information that has come to light regarding this subject, I have started a new thread for the post regarding the requirement of an outbound ticket for air travel.
In answer to a request for further clarification on a number of points raised, please find the following. Of particular interest in the following post is the fact that:
- Taiwan does have policy that requires foreign nationals have proof of onward passage to be permitted to enter Taiwan.
- Taiwan immigration may refuse entry to foreign nationals who cannot meet the requirements under this policy.
- Airline companies have their own policies in line with these government regulations in checking documentation at check in and refusing carriage of passengers that cannot meet the requirements under these policies.
- That airlines can indeed be held responsible for the costs incurred in the deportation of foreign nationals that they transport to Taiwan in the event that the carrier has not exercised due care in checking the passengers documentation.
While these policies are clearly in place and are enforced on what appears to be a random basis, it is possible that some foreign nationals do arrive in Taiwan without proof of onward passage. Considering that you could be turned away at the check in counter at your point of departure or refused entry at the point of arrival here in Taiwan, it would seem very unwise to travel without this documentation.
First let
Royal Thai Air tried to insist that I needed an outbound ticket, but I managed to convince the customer denial representative that my ticket was sitting in my room in Taipei. Whatever.
Others who are less mature in years and who are less accomplished liars may have more trouble.
hexuan wrote:
That’s strange because I managed to get away with it with Cathay on my visa run last week. Perhaps they are slacking.
[quote=“Dangermouse”]hexuan wrote:
That’s strange because I managed to get away with it with Cathay on my visa run last week. Perhaps they are slacking.[/quote]
Would have been even stranger if you got stopped at immigration and deported. 
Be careful with these e-tickets and itineraries issued by travel agents…
Once with an e-ticket I was OK, the next time the airline phoned up the other carrier with which my e-ticket was issued and found that it was cancelled. The travel agent had issued it and cancelled it.
I had to blag and beg to get on the flight. They said that I would have to pay for a flight when I arrived in Taipei if there was a spot check. Which can happen.
If you don’t have a ticket out, you won’t get deported. They will just make you buy a ticket. However I was informed that the airline that takes you into Taiwan are responsible for you if you don’t have a ticket. Hence the checks at the check-in.
Now I’d just buy a refundable ticket and not have to worry about any crap at the airport…
If one encounters this obstacle with Cathay, one should request Cathay’s form Indemnification. With this form the passenger indemnifies Cathay from any harm/damages caused by one’s failure to have a return or outward ticket to show when entering Taiwan on a CX flight.
Note, however, that if one hasn’t a ticket for departure from Taiwan, Taiwan’s immigration officials may require one to purchase a ticket prior to entry, or simply refuse one entry.
If one has a ticket for departure from Taiwan but for whatever reason does not have the same on one’s person when checking in with Cathay (or other airlines), one should simply go to the appropriate airline’s service desk and request an itinerary printout showing one’s scheduled flight and departure from Taiwan.