First, does anyone know of new rules regarding changing a visitor visa to a resident visa? Well, apparently there are. I’m starting work at a new school and having to get my multiple entry visa changed to a resident visa. The gov’t says I have to leave the country to get one! I’ve never heard of this before. My school, which is a big one and does this all the time, says it’s the first time this has happened to them. I don’t know anything about this “new rule” and can’t find anything about it on the web. You might know how difficult it can be to get the answer you’re looking for out of your school, but I trust this one. They said it has something to do with The fact that I’m an American and the visa has a “P” stamped on it.
So anyway, I’m off to Macau soon to get a resident visa. Can anyone give me any info at all about going to Macau on a visa run? I’m even having trouble finding the TECO Office’s address! Any place cheapish to stay? Is EVA the only airline that flies there? What to do for a day besides gamble?
Dunno about any new regulations, but I can tell you that Macau Airlines also does the Taipei-Macau route, and I am pretty sure there are others as well.
As for TECO, what I found was:
Taiwanese Trade Office
Al. Dr. Carlos d’Assumpcao, N�. 411-417
Edif Dynasty Plaza, 6 Andar F-K
Macau
Macau
As luck would have it, I just randomly met a guy who just got back from a visa run to Macau! He gave me all the info I need and even gave me a map! So I don’t really need info on that, but the visa topic is still a question.
We may need to do this too.
The new legislation effectively means you can’t change a visitor visa into a residency visa. You must arrive with a woirk visa or leave teh country to get one after you’ve found a school that will hire you.
Are flights to Macau reasonable compared to say H.K or Manila?
I think Manila is a cheaper flight, but all indications are that the TECO office there isn’t very reliable. I’ve heard horror stories about the office in HK, but many people still go there. Macau is one of the most boring places I’ve ever been, but they were very friendly at the office.
Good advice … stay away from the TECO in the Philippines … I got lucky many years ago that I met the than deputy director of the place and he kind of understood my desire to stay in Taiwan for longer than 2 weeks (that’s what you get) as I was planning on marrying soon, I got a 6 months multiple after we had some tea … otherwise it’s a tough place to get things done … and it’s crowded like hell …
HK is also a place that you should avoid unless all your documents or OK, then it’s very easy to get a visa … but the staff are Honkies and not really friendly … well, there are actually few TECO’s worldwide where the staff is friendly and helpful …
But than I guess that goes for any embassy or visa section of any country …