Moving to Taiwan in August - Looking for a job on a visitor visa to convert to an ARC

[redhead_traveler]

Hey guys, I am going to Taiwan in August but I only have a one way ticket to Taiwan and no other flights outbound to show I am leaving the country. I will have my MA in TESOL and a BA in Linguistics.

I looked up the visa requirements for Taiwan and it said this:

Countries eligible for Visa-exempt entry:
The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 90 days：Andorra, Australia (Effective from January 1, 2015 for one year) , Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, U.K., U.S.A. and Vatican City State.

The nationals of the following countries are eligible for the visa exemption program, which permits a duration of stay up to 30 days：Malaysia, Singapore.

Requirements: 1.a passport with validity of at least six months upon entry .
‧visa-exempt entry only applies to foreign visitors holding formal passports (i.e. ordinary, official/service and diplomatic passports), not including those holding emergency, temporary, other informal passports or travel documents.
‧Japanese passport holders with their passports valid for more than 3 months are eligible for visa-exempt entry.
‧US passport( including emergency passport) holders with their passports valid for the period of intended stay are eligible for visa-exempt entry.
2.a confirmed return air/sea ticket or an air/sea ticket and a visa for the next destination, and a confirmed seat reservation for departure.
3.non-criminal record and not prohibited by the local authorities to enter the R.O.C.
Duration of stay:

1. The duration of stay starts from the next day of arrival and is not extendable. Foreign visitors must depart by the end of the said duration. Please click here for " Penalty for overstay".
2. Visa-exempt entry cannot be converted to other types of visas, unless the following exceptions:.
   A. Foreign visitors entering the R.O.C. through visa-exemption may only apply for converting to visitor visas within their legal stay at the Bureau of Consular Affairs or branch offices of MOFA in case of: severe acute diseases, natural disasters or other force majeure reasons, which hold them back from leaving the R.O.C. In addition, white-collar professionals who have obtained the work permits within their legal stay may apply for work visas, together with their spouse and minors (under age 20) entering the R.O.C. at the same time.
   B. For U.K. and Canadian passport holders, please refer to “Notice for British ＆ Canadian Passport Holders Who Enter Taiwan Visa-Free and Apply for an Extension of Stay”.(doc檔案)
   Ports of entry:
   Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, Taipei Songshan Airport, Taichung Airport, Chiayi Airport, Tainan Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport, Taitung Airport, Hualien Airport, Kinmen Airport, Magong Airport, Keelung Harbor, Taipei Harbor, Taichung Harbor, Kaohsiung Harbor, Hualien Harbor, Shuitou Harbor and Fuao Harbor.

Do you think I will need to buy like a roundtrip ticket to Hongkong before I arrive in Taiwan or it will be okay to buy that ticket after I arrive? Has anyone had experience with this before? Moving to Taiwan without a job lined up first?

Thanks for your help!

[Belgian_Pie]

If you’re lucky you could enter Taiwan, or even get passed check-in at your local airport. Then you’re not allowed to work, you could land a job, getting you a work permit, then get a resident visa in HK or something, after which you possibly could get an ARC.

[redhead_traveler]

@Belgian Pie

If you’re lucky you could enter Taiwan, or even get passed check-in at your local airport. Then you’re not allowed to work, you could land a job, getting you a work permit, then get a resident visa in HK or something, after which you possibly could get an ARC.

Yeah, but what does getting lucky involve? Is this the only way? I’m thinking I will find a job within the first month of me landing so I could just go on assumptions and buy a roundtrip from Taiwan to Hongkong a month from my arrival date.
Thanks for the response!

[loulabelle33]

I came from the UK as visa exempt but I had to show an outbound ticket when checking in. I had one to Hong Kong which I shall cancel and get a refund.

[redhead_traveler]

@loulabelle33

I came from the UK as visa exempt but I had to show an outbound ticket when checking in. I had one to Hong Kong which I shall cancel and get a refund.

Thanks for the input! This is what I needed. I figured I would buy a ticket to Hong Kong as well, but canceling sounds much easier than just actually going on it a month from my arrival date. lol Cheers!