So went to the NIA today in Xiao Nan Men trying to extend my Visa but apparently I overstayed one day when I went by the day of the month instead of the actual days stayed. (FYI May has 31 days) Arrived on the 17th of May and tried to extend today the 17th of July and apparently I had to extend by yesterday. In any case, the person at the counter told me that I needed to leave the country and make use of my Multiple Entry Visa. Is this correct? Really seems like a waste for a student that will be staying here atleast until the Fall that only overstayed 1 day.
Also, I do have a Taiwan Passport but used my American passport to enter Taiwan. Can I just leave Taiwan with my Taiwan passport and then enter America with my American passport? Or would the whole conscription deal just ruin that little plan?
If I do have to leave the country, where would you recommend? I would probably only have a weekend to visit anywhere.
If the immigration people told you have to go then unfortunately you have to go. If you want to waste less money and time, go somewhere not too far away.
In future don’t leave things to the last day. All kinds of unexpected problems can arise.
Yes, you will need to pay a fine and leave/re-enter. You can pay the fine in advance through NIA or you can do it at the airport. What you most need to worry about is whether you will get a ‘not permitted to enter’ stamp in your passport and/or your current visa canceled due to the overstay. Hopefully they will be a bit lenient since it was only a short overstay. I’d suggest trying to pay the fine at NIA first so that you know up front whether or not you’ll face any further consequences.
You must leave Taiwan using the same passport you entered on. If you entered on a US passport then you must leave on the US passport. You may be subject to military service regardless of which passport you enter on, it just makes it harder to find you if you enter on a foreign passport. Even entering on an ROC passport you can avoid military service by staying less than four months at a time.
Ok thanks for the info… the lady at the counter was pretty clear that I could come back if I left because of the short over stay and multiple entry visa. I asked her pretty specifically… but who knows. I will try and get to NIA before this weekend.
Actually, if I do get denied re-entry with US passport can I use ROC passport to come in anyways? Or would that just be too much of a hassle?
Should be no problem. I know of someone in a similar situation that did just that.[/quote]
If I showed both can I get both stamped?[/quote]
Last time I flew through Alaska on my way to NYC, someguy tried exactly that; put both his Taiwanese and American passport on the counter for the customs agent. The customs agent just looked at him and said: “Well, are you American or Taiwanese today?” He handed him back the Taiwanese passport and said: “Let’s just say you’re American today.” :roflmao:
One or the other. Since this question comes up a lot from those with dual nationality, I’m curious why you would want to do that? I don’t see the point.
Hurray I made it back ok. They detained me for a little bit in HK because they were confused if I could go back to Taiwan or not but no problem in Taiwan coming back.
Bottom Line is - DON’T OVERSTAY!
I have heard so many stories of folks that were late on getting their physical done and application submitted for a work permit. Their employer, who in all honesty, do not know the rules, tell them to just ,“don’t worry” it’s in progress". If you are even one minute overdue on your visa, you have overstayed.
This is easy - Don’t overstay. Count the days. Not weeks, not months, count the days. Don’t include the day that you are suppossed to leave. That’s an overstay. It will get your passport stamped and cause you mega problems. Don’t believe what an employer tells you. Know the law. You can not overstay without a fine and an obligation to leave and return.
Get your physical done early. At least 3 weeks in advance of your visa expiration. I do mine 3-4 weeks in advance but they are good for 90 days so why wait to the last couple weeks. You can pick up your physical a week after the exam. Don’t forget that their hours of operation may be different than your availability. (Know what their hours are; stop in and find out before you need their services). Take it to your employer with 3 current pictures. Ask them when you can pick up your work permit. It should not take more than about a week. Now, keep in mind that employers are charged 500NT for a “bulk” of applications. So, many employers stockpile your application waiting for others so they can reduce their expenditure of the 500 NT per bulk shipment. This can easily work to your disadvantage. Stay on top of it. Ask your employer about when it was submitted, when, from their practiced experience, can you pick it up? If you work for a reputable company, they will be up front with you. It doesn’t hurt to remind them that you will have to cancel classes to make a visa run so you are very worried about this.
Now, if it has been submitted by your employer and not received, ask them for the documents or to assist you in letting Immigaration know that you are simply waiting for the work permit. Immigration will usually give you an extension if the date is before the “drop dead” date - or expiration date. DO NOT COUNT ON THIS! If you try this AFTER your expiration date, they will simply hand you a tissue (maybe) for the tears and tell you to have “bon voyage”. If you have not overstayed, they may, MAY, give you an extension. This is absolutely discretionary with the worker you are speaking to. So, a smile and a friendly attitude with a friendly inquiry for personal assistance will go along way to helping yourself. A bad attitude will get you on an airplane in short order. Don’t let yourself get in this mess.
So
1 Work for a reputable company
2 Get your paperwork in early in full compliance
3 Know the rules
4 Work with your employer
5 DONT OVERSTAY
Enough said but I think if you look at past posts about this, you find that this is nothing but a repeat. Many have gone before. Some have not come back.
Whilsty this comment is generally true, it is not 100% accurate. I have overstayed once before, was not fined nor was i required to leave and return. Whilst the company i was working for at the time may have had something to do with this, it does show that it can be done.
