I’m a Canadian student studying in Kaoshiung and I came here on a visitor’s visa with multiple entry and 60 day duration. I have been here 5 weeks and just came back from a week vaccation in Hong Kong. I was suppose to go with my friend to get my visa renewed today (cuz we’re keeners), but I slept-in. When my friend came back from the visa office, she was told that since she left the country her visa was valid for 60 days again and so it’s too early to renew…Doesn’t the 60 days count from the date you first arrive???
This makes no sense to me…I believe one of the reasons you re-new a visa is to ensure that the person is still in the country for the same purpose the visa was granted - leaving the country and coming back doesn’t support this. I don’t like getting screwed because of false information. Is this true to your experience?
A six months, sixty-day multiple entry visa can last about 8 months, when you return a few days before expiry of the six months, you can stay 59 more days. If it’s an extendable, most sixty days are, and if you have a reason for extension, you don’t need to leave Taiwan at all, you just go to the FAP station and have it extended for 60 days … and the same rule applies, when leaving the country for a day and returning to Taiwan before the expiry date you can still stay 59 days … how’s that sound …
Multiple entry visas are granted for stays up to 60 or 90 days. They will be granted with an expiration date up to five years from the issue date. Each time you enter, you may stay for up to 60 or 90 days stay (i.e. this time limit is per visit, not total duration of all visits). If you wish to stay longer you can either go on a short trip out of the country, or you can apply for an extension. A 60 day visa can be extended twice per visit. A 90 day visa can be extended once per visit. You can enter as many times as you want up until the expiration date of the visa, and each time you can stay the full 60 or 90 days, and each time you can extend the stay once (90 days) or twice (60 days) for up to 180 days per visit.
I went to MOFA today to apply for an ARC, but I was told that it was 98% sure that I would be denied, as I’ve already studied Chinese for a total of 19 months. The very nice young woman (what a shock!) there told me that these days, if it’s close to two years, they usually won’t grant an ARC and not to waste my money. She then pointed out that my visa was multiple entry and that if I left and returned before April 30 (the final entry date on the visa) that it would automatically start the new two-month visitor visa! I had no idea I could do that, and I’m leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow, coming back on Sunday. She said I could just keep getting that visa renewed for another six months by showing my proof of enrollment and attendence.
Even though I’m really bummed about the ARC, I’m happy about this news. And as soon as I enter university, there won’t be a problem getting the ARC. I still can’t figure out why they think that two years is enough time to study Chinese and be good at it…
Jlick, you seem to have all the info! You rock So, let me ask you, because I want to be very clear: My original visa issued on Oct. 31, 2006 has a date of April 30, 2007 to “enter before.” I went to Hong Kong over the weekend, and when I came back, I asked the guy at immigration if a new 60-day stay started, and he said yes. He said to go for an extension a couple weeks before that date is up. So, if I get the first extension in June, then I can go back in August for another one, right? That should get me up into October. Then what happens? Must I apply for a brand-new visa then, or do I just make another trip out on this same visa, and when I get back the whole thing starts over?
Yes, you could extend your current 60 day entry up to two times. They don’t guarantee that you will get any extension but if you have a good reason you should get them. I’m kind of surprised your visa was multiple entry though, because student visas are usually only single entry. Lucky you. If you leave again and want to re-enter any time after April 30, you will need to get a new visa.
Hi all, I am in Taipei right now for a month, that’s how long I am allowed to stay without a visa. Will be going back to Malaysia mid May and then come back at the end of the month. I intend to apply for a visitor visa, the longest one they have. I am hoping to apply for the visa in Singapore since it is nearer to where I am at.
Am I allowed to apply for a Taiwan visa in Singapore when I am holding a Malaysian passport? A few American friends of mine actually got theirs in Hong Kong. I sent an email to the office in Singapore asking about this and they said since I don’t have a Singapore residential status, I should go to the office in Malaysia, which is practically a 5 hours drive from where I live. Any help/advice would be much appreciated!
Thanks much! Here’s hoping no problems getting the visa extended twice. And yes, I was very surprised when the Hong Kong visa office gave me multiple entry. I had to go through a grueling interview about why I even wanted one, since I’d been in Taiwan longer than a year already. I’m going to Osaka for the next one!
As usual, it appears that the rules are different depending on what passport you have. Those with western passports can apply at any overseas representative office while those from certain countries must apply only in their home country or a specified country’s office for a visa. Malaysia is not on the official lists requiring special treatment, but it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s an unwritten rule to that effect. That said, I wouldn’t trust a single email to be authoritative about requirements.
The official lists of ‘special’ countries: boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=183 … e=114&mp=2 (note that there are two lists, so keep scrolling to see all the countries affected.)
I sent another couple of emails to the Singapore’s representative office and what they are telling me basically is that if I am on a visitor’s Visa and an employer decides to hire me and gets me a work permit, there is still no way I can start work unless I change my Visitor’s Visa to Residence Visa. I’m fine with that really, only the Residence Visa is about 10 times more of a hassle to apply for than the Tourist one. Might as well consider getting a western passport while I’m at it.
Is that what people do? Apply for a residence visa when they are holidaying/hunting for jobs in Taiwan? Sorry for my newbie-ish questions, the ink in my passport is still wet afterall!! :help:
I’m a noobie. I have a multiple entry visa and I recently extended it for an extra two months. However, the visa expired two weeks ago. Does the extension allow me to leave the country and re-enter?
I sure hope so. I’m headed to Thailand on Sunday for work
Most people apply for a visitor’s visa and then change it to a resident visa after all the paperwork is done. It is illegal to work prior to getting the work permit approved, but many employers will expect you to start work immediately.