i realize this stuff has probably been covered before, but i am tired of searching for the info and would really appreciate it if you folks would answer a few simple questions for me. i am planning on moving to taiwan in the near future and try my hand at teaching.
do i apply for a visitors or residents visa?
can i do this online? do i have to go to the office here in the US? i keep seeing things about getting the visa after you arrive in taiwan…
what are the fees involved?
ive got the passport stuff done. am i forgetting anything else as far as legal entry into the country is concerned?
do i have to purchase a round-trip plane ticket to satisfy the visa requirements?
any guidance is greatly appreciated. this stuff can be a bit confusing to the first-timer.
[quote=“Hondu Grease”]1. do I apply for a visitors or residents visa?
2. can I do this online? do I have to go to the office here in the US? i keep seeing things about getting the visa after you arrive in Taiwan…
3. what are the fees involved?
4. I’ve got the passport stuff done. am i forgetting anything else as far as legal entry into the country is concerned?
5. do I have to purchase a round-trip plane ticket to satisfy the visa requirements?[/quote]
You can’t apply for a resident visa until you have a work permit. Most people will (if they can) come on a landing visa, then make a visa run to a nearby country once a work permit is in the works. US citizens can come for up to 30 days just for showing up. However, landing visas are not extendable and not convertible to other visa types.
No you can’t do it online. You can get visas at any TECO office in the US.
Landing visas are free. Visitor and resident visas vary depending on various factors but are typically more than US$100.
To come on a landing visa you just need a passport that still has at least 6 months before expiring, and an outbound ticket.
Visitor and landing visas require you to have an outbound ticket. In practice, immigration usually won’t ask for proof if you have pink skin. However, most airlines will not allow you to board if you don’t fulfill all the entry requirements because they will have to take you back if you aren’t let in. The usual workaround is to buy a refundable ticket to Hong Kong and cash it in later.